The Value of Traveling with Children: Lessons Beyond the Classroom

Traveling with children can seem overwhelming.  All the planning, the packing, the wrangling, the unpredictable moods or, unfortunately, the meltdowns brought on by unfamiliar places can be very discouraging. But, despite all of these challenges, the rewards of introducing your children to a new culture makes going beyond Disney far worth it. Your trip is an adventure that teaches in a fun and exciting way. Your trip will add to your family’s “core memories”. Your trip will help form more compassionate, thoughtful, and educated human beings. Experiences that go far beyond the classroom.

A Living Classroom

From the moment you step off the plane, your family is immersed in a new culture. It’s important to slow down and really see your surroundings to notice the intricacies of the country, the clothing, and general behaviour of the people. Are they hurried? Do they take their time? A friend who recently went to Japan commented on the level cleanliness.

Another great place to start is with the language. A simple please and thank you is appreciated in every Country. Now with Google, we have the ability to have a translator on hand at all times. 

When children travel, the world becomes their teacher. They absorb new languages and learn the phrases needed to communicate their needs. “Me gustaria uno jugo de pina, por favor” was a favourite request on our recent trip to Morrillo Beach Resort in Panama. 

Of course traveling introduces unfamiliar foods. Trying the local foods and experiencing the flavours expands your children’s palates. They may not like everything, but trying a little bit builds character. I don’t offen eat there, but I love finding out about the McDonald’s menu to see which items are unique to the country. Did you know you can get Gaspacho in a Spanish McDonald’s? 

As you explore the cities, towns, or villages you see firsthand the diversity of cultures, architecture, and landscapes. History becomes real when your child stands in front of ancient ruins or walks the cobbled streets of centuries-old towns. Seeing a monument at full-size helps your children better value the photos in their history textbooks. Feeling the warm ocean on their toes, hiking through the local forests or jungles, or stepping on the hot sands brings geography and ecology alive. These experiences imprint deeper than any diagram or description, building a foundation of understanding that fosters curiosity, empathy and respect for our earth and environment.

Building Flexibility and Resilience

As you know, travel rarely goes exactly as planned. You may be caught in a surprising weather situation that shifts your schedule delaying flights, or other unfortunate mishaps. We recently lost our luggage, luckily it was on the way home.

Although these travel disruptions are inconvenient, they provide excellent teaching moments. It is an opportunity to show your children how to remain calm and creatively devise a solution that overcomes the challenges. These challenges show and teach children how to adapt to the unknown and be prepared for the unpredictable — a life skill that will serve them far beyond the trip itself. Improvisation is an irreplaceable life skill.

Strengthening Family Bonds

The hustle-bustle of daily life can be busy and consuming, with little time for parents and children to connect. An escape from the routine while traveling provides the gift of time and shared experience. Whether it’s hiking through a national park, exploring a famous museum like the Louvre, or simply laughing over a local meal, these moments add more “core family memories”. They provide opportunities for deeper conversations, spontaneous play, and connection that strengthens the family unit. They also provide moments to reminisce over in the future.

Cultivating Gratitude and Perspective

In North America, we’re very fortunate to be surrounded by abundance in our daily lives. It can be easy to lose sight of the needs of those less fortunate. Traveling — especially to regions with different standards of living — can open children’s eyes to the privileges they may take for granted. Seeing how other people live and thrive with fewer resources or in different circumstances encourages gratitude and a broader perspective on what truly matters. Learning how an entire family of six, grandparents included, comfortably reside in a space the size of a living room really highlights how much we have. These experiences educate and plant early seeds of social awareness and a sense of global citizenship.

Encouraging Independence

From packing their own bags to navigating airports or ordering meals in a new language, travel gives kids a chance to develop independence. When children are given age-appropriate responsibilities during a trip, they feel capable and trusted. This can boost their confidence and sense of agency — empowering them not just on vacation, but in everyday life.

While traveling with children involves more effort, patience, and flexibility, the payoff is profound. The shared adventures, the learning, the laughter — these are the experiences that shape children’s worldviews and build lasting family memories. Whether it’s a weekend road trip or an international adventure, the value of travel lies not in how far you go, but in how deeply you engage together with the world.

So pack those snacks, embrace the unpredictability, and step into the journey. Your children won’t just remember the destination — they’ll remember that you explored it together.