The Kids Are Old Enough to Travel

by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Sat March 2, 2024

Image: Family travelers walking along the beach (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

It's time to end the phrase "the kids are finally old enough to travel."

Parents frequently wonder what the best age is to take their kids on vacation, when are they going to remember everything or are they too young or old for a big trip.?

My advice: Take them everywhere. Don't let kids hold you back from spending a month in Europe or backpacking through Southeast Asia or road tripping across the U.S. Unless there is a specific age restriction, there's no reason to leave the kids at home.?

I learned this the hard way. On our first Christmas markets river cruise, we left the kids at home. We didn't think that river cruising would be a good fit for them. Boy did we regret it. Everytime we left the ship to go to a market, we were reminded how much they would have loved seeing the shops, Santa, the merry-go-round, the ice rink or the Ferris wheel, and there were tons of children onboard, too.

When we finally did take them to see the Christmas markets on a similar cruise, we were unphased by the fact that there were no other children onboard, and they were the most popular people on the ship. They had a blast and loved all of the excursions, and every night they waited with anticipation for the speaker or the lecture, which covered local holiday traditions and the stories behind Christmas celebrations in each different region that they traveled to.?

This instilled in me the desire to take them everywhere, and I traveled around the world with my children when they were 7 and 9. We returned when they were 8 and 10. Did they remember everything we did? No. Did they understand the significance of every destination or cultural landmark? Nope. Was it still worth the effort? 100 percent.?

They learned so much, and I was constantly surprised by how much did sink in and how much they think about the experiences they had nearly 8 years on. To this day, that trip has created in them a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore and understand cultures around the world. They are confident to travel and see the world, even on their own now that they are in their teens.?

When it comes to traveling with children, it's a benefit and not a curse. As adults, when we travel with our kids, we get to see the world through their eyes and learn alongside them. We also are forced to slow down and appreciate the magnitude of the world and celebrate our similarities and our differences.

Of course, parents have to plan big trips with their children in mind. They are not going to be able? to go at the same pace as adults, but that doesn't mean it's not worth embarking on the journey. In fact, it might make the journey even more worth it.