Five Tips For Traveling With Kids!
I believe that traveling with children is a unique opportunity to foster creativity, connection, and emotional growth. While the idea of long trips with little ones might seem daunting, with the right mindset and some simple, engaging activities, you can transform your journey into a memorable experience for both you and your kids.
Here are a few of my go-to tips:
Get everyone excited before the travel starts — Get your kiddos involved in the planning, and look for books geared towards children that talk about where you’re going!
Keep Your Kiddos Entertained — In addition to low stimulation things like books, cards, or crayons -- Bring items like wooden toys, smooth stones, or seashells to create sensory experiences. You can use them to foster creativity while staying with nature-based principles.
Nature-Inspired Sensory Play — Traveling offers endless opportunities to incorporate nature into your child’s play. Whether it’s collecting small pebbles at a rest stop or finding leaves at a local park, these simple items can spark their imagination. You can play sorting games, create art with natural elements, or even craft stories about their findings. It’s an eco-friendly way to keep them engaged and connected to the world around them.
Storytelling for Emotional Connection — Long trips can stir up big emotions, and storytelling is one of my favorite ways to help children process their feelings. Whether you’re stuck in traffic or waiting at the airport, turn the moment into a storytelling session. Create a tale inspired by the landscapes around you, or let your child take the lead, building their narrative skills while making the journey an exciting adventure. You can also encourage your kids to create a travel journal, either by drawing pictures or writing about what they see.
Create a Grounding Routine — Maintain familiar routines, such as meal times, nap times, and bedtime rituals, even on the road. Pack their favorite blanket, essential oils (like lavender for calming), and a grounding playlist to help them feel secure!
Foster Connection with Nature - If possible, incorporate elements of nature into the journey. Window seat views of clouds or passing landscapes can provide a calming sense of connection to the natural world.
These small activities not only entertain but also foster creativity and emotional resilience, helping kids feel more grounded and connected throughout the trip. Traveling with children doesn’t have to be stressful—with a little creativity, it can become a beautiful way to bond and explore together!
Books to Read
Traveling in Europe:
Tales of the Magical Postcards : An adventure in Germany!
Sophie + Stephie: Hello England!
Masterpiece Coloring Adventures: Coloring Book for Kids
What the Artist Saw: Vincent van Gogh
Traveling in North America:
The Tree Guardian: Tales of the Sequoia Forest
Traveling in Africa:
Animals of Africa Coloring Book
Traveling in Asia
My First Trip to China Simplified Chinese+English
Who Made Gimbap? Bilingual Korean + English!
India on a Plate: Indian Food from A to Z
Asia Coloring Book: 49 Asian Countries with Maps, Symbols, and Geography Fun Facts
