8 Benefits of Travel for Children
It has been proven that, for most people, travel has positive effects. But what about children? Well, the same is true, and even more so. We invite you to discover how you activate the mind and emotions of children when traveling as a family. You’ll be surprised by all the benefits of travel for children.
Family trips: Experiences with many benefits for children
When you combine two passions such as family and travel, you set in motion a series of improvements at a psychological, emotional, and physical health level for you and your children. There’s no need to go far; what’s important is to change the environment and landscape, even if it’s only for one day. This way, you’ll see how you begin to notice all the benefits of travel for little ones.
1. They learn new and different things
On a trip, children learn about different cultures, languages, foods, and ways of life. This will make them see that there are other realities and teach them to value what they have. At the same time, they’ll be able to make comparisons and develop their critical and reflective thinking.
2. They acquire social skills
When arriving at new places, meeting other people, or during stays in tourist destinations, the family has to interact and communicate. This makes children naturally acquire social skills and learn to cope in unfamiliar environments.
3. They consciously respect people and the environment
Family travel involves moving to places where other people live that may be different from what children see every day. One of the great benefits is learning to respect diversities, different ways of life, and the place they inhabit. Also, learning to respect their customs and to take care of their spaces.
“Traveling makes you modest. It makes you see the small place you occupy in the world.”
– Gustave Flaubert –
4. Increases their ability to adapt
Traveling involves getting out of your comfort zone. This helps children lose their fear of the unknown, try to understand what it’s all about, and adapt with flexibility, patience, and tolerance.
5. They enjoy every moment
By getting away from the daily grind, children learn to enjoy the journey in every moment. There’s time for leisure, to contemplate a sunset, to take a nap in the sun, or to walk for hours along a forest trail.
6. They get away from the screens
Technology is a great enabler of daily life. However, there are fantasy worlds in it that captivate children and distance them from reality, and this encourages a sedentary lifestyle.
7. Improves family dynamics
Sharing quality family time, talking about what we see on the trip, and doing activities together generates a dynamic that’s different from the daily routine. This is richer in interactions and much more fun. Surely, conversations will flow and unforgettable experiences and anecdotes will be generated.
8. Increases problem-solving skills
During family trips, it’s common for unforeseen events to arise that we have to solve on the fly. You should know that children learn from this and are quickly able to help solve these inconveniences. This is a skill that they acquire and that will accompany them for life.
The benefits of travel for children, today and forever
Children are like sponges that absorb everything they see and hear. With the information they acquire, they mold their personality and character, becoming individuals with the ability to think and discern.
Family trips place before the eyes of little ones a range of facts, places, vocabulary, people, and new environments from which they learn many things.
The best thing is that these learning experiences translate into benefits that last a lifetime and that they’ll be able to apply in other aspects such as work, school, and social life. Undoubtedly, travel is an investment that favors the future of your children!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Los beneficios de viajar para los niños: https://faros.hsjdbcn.org/es/articulo/beneficios-viajar-ninos
- https://www.who.int/es/news/item/24-04-2019-to-grow-up-healthy-children-need-to-sit-less-and-play-more