How to Train Your Kids for Travel So You Can Travel More

Let’s face it— travelling with kids can be stressful. It needs meticulous planning and can be uncomfortable for the child if he/she is not accustomed to it. However, if you train your kids well, it can become an ultimate fun and learning experience for them, which means more travel for you! Here are a few tips that will help you prepare your little ones for the road, rail and air.

Start Early With Local Trips and Activities

In order to travel-train your children, it’s best to start as early as you can. Globetrotting mom Shehnaz shares her secret:

 “I started by taking my twins to local attractions like the city zoo, or a picnic to the nearby lake. I also threw in a lot of car trips, as well as a few short train rides. This helped them get used to travel.”

Try taking your kids for small hikes around the city, local food/cultural festival or for a bird watching trip at the park. These beginner activities will expose the kids to new experiences on a small scale, and will prepare them for longer trips in the future.

Involve Kids in the Travel-Planning Process

When travelling with kids, it is a good idea to involve the kids in the planning, so that it becomes a fun and engaging activity for them. Start discussing the upcoming holiday with them a few weeks in advance so that they look forward to it, and ask them for ideas on what they want to do and where they want to go. Kids are more likely to enjoy a vacation when they have some say in the travel plan.

Get Your Child Accustomed to New Cuisines to Avoid Dietary Hassles

It helps to get your kid to try and get used to new types of food items and cuisines so that they don’t get fussy for food when you are out and about. Do this by taking them out to different kinds of restaurants, and exposing them to a variety of foods at home.

Read more: 7 Exciting Museums in India for a Fun Day out with Your Kids

Plan Some Activities According to Kids’ Interests

Research family-friendly tours and activities that are fun for kids. You can look at museums, theme parks and zoos. If possible, plan your travel to and from your destination around the time your kids are likely to nap so that transit becomes easier, and you get some rest as well. Namrata, mom of two and a travel addict, says:

“It is important to get rest during travel, so I keep a variety of activities and entertainment to keep the children occupied. I trust store-bought activity sets, or playing cartoons on a tablet or phone. Remember that an occupied child is always a good travel buddy.”

Read More: 5 Kid-Friendly Resorts in India Perfect for a Family Getaway 

Preserve and Re-Visit Family Travel Memories

After every trip, involve your kids in managing the photographs and videos. Ask them to choose the ones they like, and talk about the times those pictures were clicked so that children build a positive memory for each holiday.

You can even encourage them to make travel scrapbooks or maintain a travel journal. This will not only help them cherish enriching experiences over material gifts but will also keep them happily occupied.

Science proves that travelling makes kids happy and broad-minded. Don’t wait for them to grow up—set out for a family trip now!