Travel Benefits Children & Creates Lasting Family Memories
By Jessica Mitchell
As summer approaches, so do occasions for educational travel with your children. An opportunity to take a memorable trip can be as simple as a visit to the zoo or planetarium, or it might consist of a week away in another state or country. Whether near or far, the benefits of travel on kids are invaluable and offer a rewarding way to spend time together as a family.
Travel opens a child’s mind and eyes to new cultures and perspectives. French novelist Gustave Flaubert said “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” Children can try new food dishes, visit a historical site they’ve only read about in school or pick out their own food at a local farmers market. Seeing where things come from and learning about the different ways other people live is eye-opening and informative for a child.
Families are also able to bond during trips. Long car rides leave room for conversations or to play a car game together. Knowing a trip means specific time that is carved out to spend together helps children feel secure and shows them they are a priority in their parents’ life.
Traveling also teaches the importance of having experiences and creating memories over collecting material possessions. Experiences become part of who you are and make a lasting impression on your being. While most kids won’t remember the latest gadgets and toys in a few years, they will remember times they spent with their loved ones. Traveling – like all purchases – is an investment of both time and money, but one that is long-lasting.
Although there are certainly challenges while traveling with children, the positive impacts outweigh the hurdles and difficulties you might face. Besides, what better way to teach flexibility to a child than by navigating the obstacles that often come up with a trip? This summer, consider planning a trip with your child nearby or far away, and enjoy time spent together experiencing a new place.
Jessica Mitchell is the Marketing & Design Coordinator at Youth Resources.