Travel is the Teacher for Kids (and Parents, Too!)
Al and I decided we were up for the challenge. We were a little crazy, but we did it. After a change of clothes for H, our oldest, during our layover in Colombia (potty accident), and nodding on and off between feeding our four-month-old, we finally landed in Rio. We grabbed our backpacks, slogged to get a cab, and dozed on and off as we headed to Copacabana.
When we reached our Airbnb, we were exhausted. We turned on the TV and prayed our two-year-old would watch it while we collapsed for a nap. He didn’t. When we gave up napping, we changed, applied sunscreen, and headed to the beach.
Just getting to Brasil was a wild adventure for Al and me, but it wasn’t just for us. Exploring new places isn’t just for parents—it’s also a way for kids to learn about the world, cultures, and nature. Al and I had agreed early on in our courtship: the world deserves to be appreciated and explored.
As we’ve faced challenges, budgeted tightly, and moved around, we’ve prioritized travel. Our family goal is to visit a new country each year. We also, at least for now, make it a point to visit each side of our family at least once a year. Family and travel—two of our core values.
We’ve taken our 10-month-old to Medellin, Colombia, an 18-month-old camping in the U.S. Virgin Islands, traveled with a baby and toddler to Rio de Janeiro, and camped near and explored Niagara Falls with a one and three-year-old.
It’s hard. We get grouchy. But it’s also bonding and magical. Our kids love flying and talk about visiting family almost every week. Making travel a normal part of our lives has helped us prioritize our budget, provided a learning experience for our boys, and strengthened our family bonds.
Budgeting & Prioritizing: Making Travel Possible
Choosing travel over other expenses
We’ve never made an exorbitant amount of money. Before we were married, I was a public school teacher and Al was still in school. Still, we decided to prioritize savings and travel. Whenever either of us earns a paycheck, we sort the money into specific “buckets” of savings.
We like using—and recommend—Ally Bank. My sister-in-law recommended it. For us, we sort our money into different folders or buckets: savings, travel, each of our children, house updates, and emergencies.
Some might call us scrappy, but we consider ourselves frugal. Especially after Al lost his job abruptly a year ago, we don’t shy away from side hustles. We watch dogs and houses, take care of neighbors’ yards, and we coach, teach, and referee.
We also save in practical ways. We don’t go out to eat often (it isn’t very fun with two little kids anyway), and when we do, we keep it reasonable. We thrift our clothes (which I genuinely enjoy) and teach our children the difference between wants and needs. We also make regular donations to our church community.
Using our budget as a tool to prioritize requires discussion and alignment. Instead of buying a fall wardrobe, we set aside money for savings. It involves conversations, sometimes arguments, but mostly it’s about coming together to place value on our priorities.
Finding affordable travel options
We keep an eye on destinations that interest us. Al had been watching Brasil for years before we visited. When prices dropped below $500, we made it happen. Our friends had recently moved there, so we’ll definitely return.
Early in our marriage, we did something similar with Hawaii. We waited for a flash deal and snapped up flights before even planning our activities. We rented a truck and camped around Maui. It was a dream and remains one of our favorite vacations.
We don’t always fly during peak travel times. When we took our first born to Colombia, we didn’t go when most people did, but we still made the most of the beautiful place that we had the privilege of visiting.
We landed in Medellin, stayed with friends, and split our days in half -- to be back at the apartment for naptime. We took a bus to Guatape and climbed La Piedra with our little big boy and friend. It was magical despite not being a “peak” time to visit.
We also love staying with friends and family or sometimes even camping (as mentioned). When we went to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands when our oldest was 18 months old, we decided to use Airbnb while on St. Thomas and then camp on St. John. It was tricky. We bought a little travel bed for our boy and it worked magically no matter where we were. Sometimes, we traded a regular nap for one in the shade on the beach.
Traveling with kids adds complexity. I’m a little less impulsive now, but our kids are resilient, understanding, and eager to embark on adventures. That makes taking the leap worthwhile.
Setting goals to stay motivated
Sometimes it’s tricky. I don’t love meal planning, but when a trip is coming up, I remind myself we need to save for food and snacks there. It’s also a perfect opportunity to teach our kids the difference between wants and needs. I often model this while shopping:
“Oh man, I really like that. Sheesh. It’s expensive. I don’t need it. I’ll wait for a sale or get it when we have more money. Maybe next time, but maybe not.”
We also display photos from previous trips around the house to remind ourselves of our family goal: one new country each year. Some of our fondest memories include traipsing around Sugar Loaf, Brasil, exploring Comuna 13 in Colombia with H, or watching our kids’ bravery as they got close to Niagara Falls.
Making annual family visits is another priority. It’s tricky as our relatives are spread out, but regular reunions help our kids build lasting bonds with grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles. They love sharing stories about fishing trips, garden adventures, or even playful nicknames like the “kiwi head” haircut from Papa Joe.
These lessons in prioritization, patience, and appreciation for experiences over material items are slowly taking root in our children—and in us as parents.
Lessons Learned from Traveling with Kids (original: Lessons Learned from Traveling with Kids)
Travel has taught our kids—and us—some invaluable lessons. Here are the most prominent ones:
The world is bigger than home
Our oldest often imagines his cars driving through “the African savannah” and asks questions about distant relatives, showing his awareness that the world is much larger than Puerto Rico. Even our youngest sets up pretend “airports” for his toys. Studies show that early travel can broaden children’s cognitive understanding of geography and diversity (Anderson & Swick, 2017).
They also have started doing things to protect the world. After snorkeling last time, H and I brought a shell to show and pockets full of garbage that he directed me to dive for. Sometimes when we go on walks or hikes, they comment on plants. They are curious about growing and the garden. The sweet little men care about the world and strive to take care of it. It’s incredible to watch and be a part of.
The world is big and beautiful. While we love our home, I so deeply appreciate that my boys understand that it is just part of this incredible world.
Respect for different cultures
Kids are resilient and curious. In St. John, our 18-month-old engaged in a music demonstration, and in Brasil, our four-month-old was welcomed by local families at church. Experiences like these foster openness and respect for cultural differences (UNESCO, 2018).
Patience
Airports, lines, and travel mishaps require patience, but the deeper lesson applies to us as parents too. Research shows that travel challenges enhance emotional regulation and adaptability in both children and adults (Smith et al., 2019). Learning to let go of perfection and embrace flexibility has become one of my hardest and favorite lessons.
I am a recovering perfectionist. Sometimes this scary monster rears her head when traveling and wreaks havoc on my peace. Looking back (hind sight is such a great tool), it never is about the “perfect” vacation. There is no “perfect” time. Don’t wait to do something you love and value because it isn’t the “perfect” time.
But if you must know, traveling while they’re young is the “perfect” time. Maybe not perfect, but definitely the right time.
Nature teaches better
Hikes, beaches, and rivers provide hands-on lessons about patience, responsibility, and empathy. Studies confirm that early exposure to nature enhances observational skills, emotional intelligence, and ecological awareness (Chawla, 2015).
Memories over stuff
Our kids don’t need souvenirs. Experiences—overcoming challenges, playing together, and exploring—create memories that shape values and identity. Research supports that experiential learning fosters long-term personal growth more effectively than material gifts (Kashdan et al., 2018).
Our favorite parts of vacation are rarely buying a cool thing, and they are always doing something together: overcoming a challenge, surprising our boys by playing or something, or experiencing something new together.
Bonus for parents: Expect chaos—and prepare
Travel requires preparation. We pack extra outfits, favorite toys, and snacks, and ensure we are well-rested and fed. Studies highlight that parental readiness and resilience significantly influence children’s enjoyment and learning during travel (Brown & Larson, 2016). But also so does experience.
That being said, the most important way to prep is to make sure that you are well rested and fed. When I am rested and fed, there is very little I cannot take on gracefully. When I’m not… well, that is a different story.
How Travel Builds Stronger Family Bonds
Travel strengthens our family in ways that go beyond shared experiences. These adventures shape our family identity, showing our kids that we are a family who explores and embraces challenges together.
Shared adventures create shared identity
Every trip we take becomes part of our family story. Our children recognize that trying new things, exploring different places, and problem-solving together is part of who we are. Research shows that families who engage in joint activities and adventures report stronger cohesion and a greater sense of shared identity (Fiese et al., 2002). Early family travel has been shown to enhance children’s mental, emotional, and cognitive development by creating a shared identity around exploration and learning (Anderson et al., 2020).
Our children have learned to embrace curiosity and resilience. They are willing to try new foods, explore unfamiliar places, and adapt to different environments because our family models these behaviors consistently.
Stories your kids tell, memories they hold
The stories our kids recount—“My PopPop is from Brasil. I am Brasilero.” or “Where does Nana live again?”—show how travel experiences become integrated into their sense of self and family heritage. As Lori Gottlieb writes, “It is the moments we share, not the perfection we chase, that shape our children’s hearts and minds.” These narratives contribute to identity formation and family bonding.
Parenting as a team on the road
Conclusion: Why We Keep Going
