Traveling is often something that you do for fun or because you need a relaxing vacation where you can get away from it all and not have to worry about work or bills or whatever it is that’s stressing you out, from time to time. It can be all of these things for kids, but it can be so much more for them too.
If you have the means to take your kids traveling, you should seriously think about doing so due to the following benefits:
1. Teaches children about other cultures
Whether they go on one of the many educational tours to London with their schoolmates or they visit Italy with you, children will get a valuable cultural experience out of their travels. Sure, you can learn about Italian food and opera culture in books or online or you can learn all about the British Empire in history class, you get a whole new level of understanding by actually visiting those places and immersing yourself in the culture. It will make your kids smarter and more empathetic.
2. Teaches children patience
The thing about travel is that it takes time. You have to drive to the airport wait in line then spend hours on a plane to get where you want to be. This teaches children to be patient. They have to balance the fact that they will be going somewhere exciting with lots of interesting things to do and see with the fact that they will need to spend a lot of time on what is to them, boring travel, in order to do so. It teaches them a valuable lesson about the virtues of patience and delayed gratification.
3. Teaches children independence
Obviously, when they are young, you will be supervising them, but if you let them take some responsibility for packing their suitcases, choosing tourist attractions, and even ordering food in another language in the restaurants you visit, it will teach them to be more independent. Children who travel more tend to be more adventurous than those who do not, which is yet another good reason to encourage them to take trips with you at any age.
4. It strengthens family bonds
When you travel with your children, you share unique cultural experiences and try out new things that none of you have done before, whether it be rock climbing or swimming with dolphins, These experiences help to bond you together in a much stronger way. So, if you want to be really close-knit with your kids, take them on a trip.
5. It helps you make memories
Your children are only young once, so you will want to make as many positive memories together as possible. Travel is an excellent way to do this because they won’t forget those far-flung trips in a hurry.
As you can see, travel is so good for kids in so many ways that you should definitely take the time to explore the world with them as often as you can. If nothing else, it’s a great way to spend time together.
This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you, should you purchase through one of my links. Please see my disclosure for more information.
