It’s no secret that I love to travel! I definitely contribute my love of traveling to my childhood! You do not have to fly around the world to travel. Stay-cations have become popular and rightly so because we often forget that no matter where we live there are historic events, national parks, and tourist attractions.
Why Kids Should Travel
I am a firm believer in exposing S to as much travel and adventure as I can. Not only is traveling educational for kids, but it also opens up their eyes and mind to different cultures, teaches them not to be afraid to try or experience something new, and teaches your child to adapt.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Here’s a look at what you child could learn during travel – these are broad/generic and could be adapted based on the age of your child and the location you are visiting. Remember in order for your child to learn you have to be willing to teach and discuss with them.
History
This is a big one: every place you visit has a history. Learning about our past teaches us not to repeat the same mistakes.
Sitka National Historical Park in Sitka, Alaska
Math
- Currency Exchange Rate
- How long will it take to get to your destination?
- How much gas will you use? How much will it cost?
- Counting objects
Science
- What is the ecosystem like
- What animals do you see/What animals are native
- Are there unique plants
- What mode of transportation are you using/How does it run
Coral World Ocean Park, St. Thomas, USVI
Geography
- Where are you going: city, state, country and continent
- What is nearby: ocean, another country, large lake or river
Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska
Language Arts
- Reading about your destination
- Reading the museum/zoo descriptions
- Learning about quotes from famous/historic individuals
Tonto National Monument in Arizona
Arts/Music
- Visit museum exhibits
- Attend a music festival
- Take in a theater performance
Life Lessons
- How to fly
- How to navigate the bus/subway/train system
- How to read a map
- Where to find things to do
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver, Canada
So whether you visit your own backyard or another continent travel with your children! They will gain so much from the experiences that you expose them to!
Do you travel with your children? Where is your favorite travel destination?
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Such great points on what we can learn when we travel. I would like to travel with my kids more.
I hope you get to travel more with your children Kallee!
Travel is a great teacher; it has been for me and I encourage it for families as well. Visiting cities and locations that I’d once read about in history books truly punctuated previous learning. Allowing children to engage in the authentic elements creates memorable experiences which support learning.
Great points Reginia!
I love to travel, too, Paris! There’s so many places here in the states that I still want to visit. When our kids were young we took them outside the USA a few times so that they could experience different cultures, etc. I love how you make traveling fun and educational for S.
PS – That suspension bridge looks a little scary. For some reason, the older I get, the more I don’t particularly like heights. My family laughs at me. 🙂
I agree Alli! I am constantly finding new places that I would love to visit in the US. I was not a huge fan of the suspension bridge! I much preferred the cliff walk which did not sway!
I agree! When you travel you always gain something through experience! Lovely post =)
#magicmoments
Thank you so much Merlinda!
I agree. Travel can teach a child so much yet still people are afraid to take their children on trips. Great pictures! Natural learning is also so much more fun!
Exactly Nadeen! Thank you so much!
Kids can learn so much from travelling, I fully intend to make sure my son experiences different cultures and countries!
That’s great Elaine!
Love your post! Travelling is learning! Experiences, people, conversations, culture, history and wealth of information we get through travelling is amazing. Especially more so for the children because it moulds their personalities as they grow. It gives them an education that they would never forget and can never be replicated in a classroom.
We love travelling, and our daughter enjoys it as much as we do. Though we haven’t still travelled widely internationally, we have been travelling within our country of residence and nearby places and have some great memories.
Love your daughter’s sweet smile.
-FarZain
@http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/
Thank you so much Farzain! One of the best thing about traveling is creating memories and spending time together.
I can’t wait to start taking my two little men to different countries! We’ve already visited a lot of places in the UK but I can’t wait to take them overseas! Such an education — and an adventure — for a child. #HDYDI
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
How awesome that they have already traveled so much around the UK! I hope you are able to take your sons overseas soon!
I love this post! Travel is important and as a home school Mom, I consider it one of the greatest perks. We get to travel all year long and we have a blast! Hands on, real life learning sticks with them and its good for us too. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Gwen! I totally agree with you!
Hi!
I just found you on Frugal Friday. We love to travel with our 4 young kids too! We are taking the leap and going on an international trip with them this summer (1st time we are all flying) and I’m looking for tips and tricks! Will look around you’d blog and follow on Pinterest!
Thank you Mary! I hope y’all have a lot of fun on your trip. I always find that my daughter surprises me when traveling and does better than I was expecting.
I think most of my childhood memories are based on places we traveled! .. its such a massive part of my life growing up i really do think my kids benefit from us traveling when we can too
Thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments (sorry i am late)
Thank you Jaime! I agree with you!
I love traveling with my children, too! There is always so much to discover – for all of us. You’ve done a great job summarizing it here, and your pictures are beautiful! Glad to have found you on the HDYDI link-up!
Thanks so much Katey! You are right – we all learn from our travels!
These are great ideas to make a trip into a learning experience. I’ll keep these in mind the next time we go on a trip or family adventure.
Thank you Erlene! There are so many different things your children can learn while traveling!