LANDED’s Tips for Traveling with Children

Traveling with children can be one of the most rewarding experiences, creating lasting memories for the whole family. With the right preparation, it can also be smooth and stress-free.

Our founders traveled with their children in tow–a range of experiences and have a few tips to make sure you enjoy your family vacation.

Choosing Destinations

“Where’s the best place to take children?” I get asked this a lot. My response is usually a variant of “wherever there are children.” Some places are easier than others, and some destinations are better geared for individual families, but if the local children are happy, healthy and safe, I think it’s a destination worth considering. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself. Most places on your bucket list are safe enough that you’re considering them. If a destination doesn’t make you a little nervous and a lot excited, you might not be trying hard enough. Go for it!

Planning a Great Vacation

Part of making sure that you have the best trip ever is to let the kids participate with the planning. Children love to feel like their opinions matter. Allow them to recommend destinations, ask them about the things that interest them most and then include an activity chosen by each family member. It’s a lot easier for an older child to support the desire of a younger sibling when they know they get a turn as well.

Every once in a while you may get lucky and find an activity that everyone enjoys, like hotel swimming pools and daily ice cream.

Collecting Memories

Collect something from each vacation, like a magnet, hotel keys, pressed flowers or (in our case) random rocks. I thought it was strange when my husband brought home a small rock from our Banff honeymoon. I now know this is a genetic predisposition; every one of our daughters likes to fill her pockets with rocks. They choose one small rock and bring it home. When we take time to admire the collection, they still remember the special places of their mementos. In a few cases, they’ve wanted to collect something rare or protected. Denying those requests has opened the door for deeper conversations about wilderness, culture and conservation.

Showing Kindness

Above all others, kindness is the trait I hope to instill in my daughters. Travel has a way of condensing life lessons. I do not want them to be naïve or docile, or even sweet. No. Sweet people, especially women, can be taken advantage of. What I want is true compassion — for them to be mindful of others and to understand a wide range of life circumstances. I want them to barter fiercely for something, but leave a little more behind than what was agreed upon. I want them to see the beauty in different ways of life, compare it to the life they have and then create something new based on their own ideals. I want them to reach out to others and make a difference, and then allow people to reciprocate. The best way to learn kindness is by example. And when we are kind to ourselves, our traveling companions and strangers, the trip is better.

Encourage Independence

Ask your child to do something that you think is beyond his or her skill set: Let the 4-year-old pack her carry on; have the 6-year-old order his ice cream or find his seat assignment; give the 10-year-old some money to pick up a few things at a nearby market; entrust the 13-year-old with interpreting the subway system; let the 16-year-old book the train tickets. Children will feel much more invested in a family vacation if they have some control. You can follow up (or watch them covertly), but be OK with the outcome, because these exercises will give them the confidence they need to navigate the world someday.

One exception: Do not, under any circumstances, let your child be in charge of his own passport (unless he is traveling solo). Only one family member should be responsible for these important documents. Losing a passport is an adventurer’s rite of passage, but as a family, it’s better for all to go missing rather than just one.

Albums & Stories

Some of the best travel memories aren’t just about the places you visit but the moments you share along the way. Here are some of the places we’ve visited as a family, with our children at various ages.

Galapagos Islands Family Travel Album

Inhotim Family Travel Album

Machu Picchu Family Travel Album

Tikal Family Travel Album

Tortuguero Family Travel Album

Uyuni Family Travel Album

Start your journey today

LANDED delivers the finest in private, tailor-made travel to Central America, South America, and the Antarctic. Speak with one of our expert travel designers today at 801.582.2100. Let us deliver the vacation of your dreams.