Unlocking Horizons: The Benefits of International Travel with Young Children
Through all of our years of travel, one of the questions we get asked the most is “Why did you choose to take your kids on travels when they were so young?!” “Did they appreciate the experience?!” Did they get anything out of it?!” Honestly, we never really considered their ages when we planned our international travel. We’ve just always known that we’ve wanted them to experience the world whenever we can make that possible — especially beyond US borders. We think they are better people for it.
Research shows that travel has a positive impact on mental and physical health — and strengthens family dynamics. And, travel creates a tremendous educational opportunity. Kevin and I find we are enriched by seeing different parts of the world and understanding other cultures — we’ve seen that same impact on our kids. They’ve learned to step out of their comfort zones. They have an appreciation for art and a better understanding of world history. They’ve been exposed to various languages and cultures and gained a respect for the people who speak them. And, we’ve noticed the impact it has had on them as students — they are better able to comprehend history and things that are making headlines in the news.
We are fortunate —- our children have always been great travelers. BUT, that’s not to say traveling with them has always been easy! Sure we’ve had tears, they’ve been stretched….. However, those rough patches by no means compare to the experiences and memories we’ve shared together!
So, here’s our simple advice……. whether you are traveling abroad or closer to home. R E L A X ! I know —- I’ve needed to remind myself from time to time too! That’s it - just relax. At the end of the day, you are all together to build memories and nurture your family relationships. Relax and enjoy one another. Here are some things that worked for our family —- our examples are in Paris but, honestly, these tips work everywhere!
If you’re traveling with young ones, find a park! We found that when we started the day off with playtime the kids were more relaxed and we all enjoyed the day much more.
This is easy to do in Paris —- there are so many great parks!
Jardin d’Acclimation would be at the top of our list. Located in the 16th arrondissement and with loads of things for kids to do — you could really spend a day here (we almost did)! There are play structures, a water park, and small amusement park rides. There is a small entry fee (about 5 euros) but, well worth the expense. This park is also near Bois de Boulogne and Fondation Louis Vuitton as well - so you can plan accordingly.
Another great thing about using local parks is that you can watch your kids interacting with kids from other backgrounds….. I always marvel at how kids can make new playmates with just a smile — doesn’t matter if they speak the same language or not. We adults can learn a lot from them!
Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th arrondissement is another great option for outdoor space. There is an area with play structures, a horseback riding area, and basketball courts in addition to the beautiful surroundings. This is a good option if you plan on spending the day in the Latin Quarter.
Daytrips to picturesque places are another option such as Versailles. There is plenty of outdoor space for kids to stretch their legs. Bike rentals and boat rentals are an option here as well….. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it!
Taking in the maze of gardens at Versailles.
And, we can’t list our favorite park settings without mentioning the Tuileries……. children can rent one of these boats for a small fee. There is a play area here as well with a large pergola for parents to seek shade under and still watch their little ones run about.
Sailing Boats in The Tuileries…..
Pack a small set of these water color crayons…. they come in handy during down time. Elijah and Leilah painted their version of the Eiffel Tower while we relaxed and the paintings became a prized souvenir!
Traveling exposes children to be flexible under new scenarios (in essence, problem solving) – such as following a certain route on a map (or app). Experiencing new foods, encounter people communicating in a different language, notice cars driving on the opposite side of the road and billboards showcasing products they have not seen before. We like packing a few art supplies and letting them document things along the way —- this works great with a journal also. Let them pack their own camera (cheap disposables work fine) — document their journey through their eyes and then create a scrapbook when they get home. It’s always cool to see what they find important. If you’re traveling with teenagers, consider letting them plan a day. Moriah was most interested in seeing the common attractions like the Eiffel Tower and checking out the fashion scene. I didn’t think she got much out of the museums and other cultural events —- when the school year rolled around though I realized she had absorbed far more than I realized. Our trip to Europe gave her a reference point to various parts of history, countries, art work and buildings we had visited. She used what she experienced on our trip and wrote about it on school assignments.
One of our funniest memories was the day she visited La Sanisette — the self cleaning toilettes in Paris….. let me just tell you she almost didn’t make it out before the cleaning system turned on!
That was a close one!
Tired teen after a day of walking and shopping!
We also found it best to not worry over what the kids ate. Leilah ate Margarita Pizza for lunch and dinner every day for three weeks…. E V E R Y D A Y! But, she was happy!
Leilah after eating what was probably her 30th pizza!
Finally, consider staying in an airbnb or do what we did — a house exchange. We traded homes with a family that lived 20 minutes outside of Paris. It was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. We had much more interaction with the residents of the community — grocery store, train station. The kids loved having a place where they could watch French cartoons, pick out their own breakfast groceries and snacks and have a front yard to play in (with a cat and turtle to boot)!
The front stoop at our “home” in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés….
Kevin getting a haircut and shampoo at the local barber.
Hoping some of these tips are helpful to you and your little ones as you plan your next adventure! We love hearing about the memories that families build —- please share some of the travel tips that work for your family!
Happy Travels!
