5 Surefire Ways to Get Kids Excited to Travel

Much ado has been made about family travel. In fact, some parents avoid travel with kids like the plague. They assume that it’s better to wait until their little ones get older. But nothing could be further from the truth. The habits and perceptions kids form in early childhood stay with them for a lifetime. So, the younger you get kids excited to travel, the better.

What’s more, kids love travel… Especially when you help them get invested in the destination beforehand. Here are some of our favorite activities to build pre-trip momentum.

1. The Family that Plans Together

How would you feel if you had to go on a vacation that you had no hand in planning? A vacation to places that you had little interest in? A vacation to destinations that you knew absolutely nothing about? Would you be excited to go? Probably not.

The same holds true for your little ones. They need to feel invested in your family vacation plans. They need to know they have some input into where you go and what you do. Becoming a part of the planning process will spark their excitement to travel. And it’ll keep them more interested and involved throughout the trip as they look forward to plans they helped make.

2. Make a Vision Board

When kids visualize the place(s) they’re going ahead of time, they feel more secure. So, get a pile of brochures, ads, and magazines featuring your destination(s). You can also print images and gain inspiration from websites such as National Geographic Kids. Then, have your children flip through these materials and images on a hunt for what piques their curiosity.

Once they find an image that captivates their imagination, have them cut it out and paste it to a piece of cardboard or poster board. Repeat the process until their board is full. Then, have them decorate it with markers, glitter, stickers, and etc. Throughout the activity, discuss cool facts and trivia about the destination with them. Be sure to ask your little one where they want to go, what they want to see, and why.

Creating a vision board is a great extension of planning together, and it provides your child with concrete images to anticipate. Hang the vision board in their room so that the excitement builds as your departure date nears.

3. Raid the Library

There’s nothing like a great book to get kids excited to travel. Even the most mundane travel task, like grocery shopping in England, becomes an adventure after your kids have read A Bear Called Paddington and are on the hunt for marmalade.

The same goes for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Madeline, The Hobbit, Tintin in Tibet, and so many more. Do a little research into popular children’s books written about the place(s) you’re headed, and then hit the library for some serious storytime.

4. Watch a Movie

Like books, kid movies often feature exotic locations, which can help your child prepare for travel. Find a cartoon or movie featuring your intended destination and plan a family movie night. Some suggestions include: Madagascar, The Lion King, Frozen, and How to Tame Your Dragon. But there are many more.

Get the bowls of popcorn and blankets ready. Then, cuddle up for the Hollywood version of your upcoming destination. If you’re having trouble finding kid movies specific to your vacation spot, think regionally or find a child-friendly documentary. You can also go with themes instead of destinations. For example, A Night at the Museum is a great way to get kids excited about any museums you might see during your vacation.

5. Start a Vacation Savings

What’s the fun of going on vacation if you don’t bring back a fun memento or two? The same holds true for your kiddos. They’ll savor the experience of shopping in a distant location and picking up something unique and memorable for their room.

So, help them start a vacation-specific fund. The act of setting aside coins and dollar bills for vacation will ramp up their excitement. And it will teach them valuable lessons about making small sacrifices now for larger gains later.

Get Kids Excited to Travel

Want more useful tips on how to get kids excited to travel? Need advice on how to make family vacations go more smoothly? We’ve got you covered. Follow our blog to stay on top of family vacation advice and ideas.

At Our Whole Village, we create tours carefully designed for families who want to create lasting memories while making a difference. We’re here to help you and your family experience the world, its peoples, and cultures. Contact us today to learn more about the unforgettable experiences that we handcraft for families just like yours.