How to Introduce Kids to the Joy of Travel

Disclosure - This is a collaborative post.

Travelling with children was something we had always looked forward to. We introduced the kids to travel from an early age. When we were a family of 3 we travelled to lots of family holiday destinations such as France and Majorca but as a family of 4 we have travelled further to places like Cyprus, Portugal and America. Travelling with kids is something we wanted the boys to experience from a young age and I think because they are used to travelling they have both enjoyed amazing opportunities without us with school and their friends. I really do believe that if you can show your children the joys of family travel early on, then they will develop a lifelong passion for it.

introducing kids to travel with a boy sat looking out a plane window

Start Small and Build Confidence

Starting with easy travel destinations for kids can help build their confidence. Plan a few day trips to local attractions, and go on shorter breaks. We would plan day trips to Blackpool or Alton Towers then weekends in the Lake District or North Wales. We would get them used to travelling longer distances in the car and then built it up from there.

Choose Destinations With Kid-Friendly Activities

There are so many amazing child-friendly holiday destinations in Europe and the UK. We’ve found some of the best family holiday destinations by looking beyond the obvious. I will usually start by searching for football stadiums, nature parks, landmarks, museums, kid-friendly bus or canal tours of historic sites.

If you’d like to take a break in the evening, it’s usually a good idea to stay on your feet each day. Holidays that involve physical activity and that give children the chance to stretch their legs tend to result in more rest and recuperation in the evening. Family skiing holidays, for this reason are ideal as they offer fun, fitness and fresh air.. Although our youngest has been skiing with the school we have yet to book a skiing trip as a family but it's definitely on our bucket list.

Themed Holidays

We love choosing a theme for our family holidays abroad, whether it’s nature, history or adventure. This is what will allow each experience to stand out when you come to reflect on your family time later on. These might include visiting a landmark, a theme park, a water park and the aforementioned alpine ski holidays.

The best kinds of holidays tend to have several unique aspects. You might encourage them to learn new skills while they’re on the move or to sample the local cuisine or music. Travel allows us to embrace what’s unfamiliar and discover new experiences. This is a habit that should be inculcated early in a person’s life!

Make Travel Part of the Family Routine

In our experience, making travel part of your yearly routine helps normalise it for kids, making every trip feel like an exciting tradition of our family travel lifestyle. If you delay your trips until you have the money to make them happen, then you might never leave the country. That doesn’t mean you should spend recklessly, but that you should spend intentionally. Devise a holiday budget at the start of the year, and pick out particular dates and pick your locations according to your budget.

As children are in school for 38 weeks of the year you do only have a small window to travel in but you can always make the most of weekends or inset days.

Remember family holidays abroad are not always possible but even if you can’t always travel overseas, there are so many UK family holiday destinations worth exploring.

a boy embracing the outdoors, just ready to climb steps up a hill

Let Children Take the Lead Sometimes

When children have a say in how the holiday is going to unfold, they’ll gain a feeling of inclusion but also independence. Giving kids a role in choosing family holiday destinations helps them feel involved. You’ll also encourage them to be communicative and to speak up about how they feel and what they want. This can be hugely beneficial later in life. Obviously there has to be some limits, if we let the boys take the lead we would never get out of theme parks!

Embrace the Outdoors for Natural Curiosity

We are so lucky that the boys both love being outside. Every holiday or break away will involve lots of outdoor time. We’ve enjoyed many outdoor-focused UK family breaks that help kids disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature. Time spent in nature has considerable mental health benefits. If you’re going on an outdoor-focused trip, then you’ll also get plenty of chances for exercise and a welcome break from screen time.

Introduce a Mix of Culture and Play

Children should have endless opportunities to play. I don't mean purpose built soft play areas but cultural experiences and historical attractions that can give them the opportunity to stretch their imaginations. Many of our most memorable family travel experiences come from exploring castles, museums and cultural landmarks. Exposing them to new ideas while having fun along the way keeps them happy. You might find that many castles, museums and galleries come with special play-focused ways or interactive zones for children to entertain themselves!

a boy looking out at sea through a telescope

Final Thoughts on Introducing Kids to Travel

Travelling as a family has given us countless memories and life lessons, and we truly believe it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Whether it’s a weekend break in the UK or a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday abroad, each experience helps your child grow, learn and discover the world around them. Start small, plan intentionally, and always embrace the adventure together. With the right mindset, travelling with children can be joyful, rewarding, and something they’ll carry with them forever.