When you decide to go on a trip with your family, anywhere you go is bound to leave you all with lasting memories. Usually, it’s the little things you’ll remember the most, and so will your kids.
So, while going on expensive trips or falling into “tourist traps” can be fun, it’s also a good idea to go off the beaten path. Turn your travels into family adventures. There will always be family-friendly theme parks, and you can create unforgettable memories there, too. But, don’t be afraid to try something different that will create lasting memories for you and your family. You might just discover some new travel traditions along the way.
Not sure how to get started? Let’s cover a few ideas you can use to create safe, unforgettable travel moments.
Fostering Lasting Connections
If there’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic taught us, it’s the importance of connection and being close to the people we love. There is no better way to strengthen those connections than by travelling and making memories.
If you have family members who live in a different part of the country (or in a different country altogether), take the opportunity to visit them! You’ll have a built-in tour guide for all of the best things that area has to offer. It’s a great way for your kids to get to know their relatives, as well as a bit of family history.
Plus, thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with those family members and to relive those memories as often as possible. Remote calls and things like “Zoom parties” can keep you all connected, making it possible for a long-distance family relationship to be incredibly strong and fulfilling. You could even make visiting each other a yearly tradition.
Or, commit to visiting different family members all over the world. You could even dig into your family history and discover relatives from a different country who you’ve never met before. How great would it be for your kids to see where your family came from with their own eyes?
Even if you don’t want to dive into family history, visiting new places is a fantastic way to meet locals and foster new friendships. You never know who you’ll meet during your travels, and you could form lifelong friendships with people halfway across the world.
Spending Time in New Environments
Often, people make the mistake of only spending time on tours, going through museums, or looking for “indoor” things to do on vacation. But, if you’re in a new place, one of the best ways to truly experience it is by spending time outside.
First, spending time outdoors is good for your whole family. Some of the benefits include:
- Decreased stress
- Boosted energy
- More stable emotions
- Increased feelings of happiness
In addition to boosting your well-being, you can find more unique things to do outdoors than you ever would by going on a guided tour.
If you find yourself in a beach community, consider bringing a metal detector along and going on treasure hunts with your kids. Or, if you’re in a heavily wooded area, bring your phone and metal detector and go Geocaching for a different type of treasure.
Even being outside in communities can foster more memories. Does your location have an outdoor market? It’s the perfect time to sample local fare and talk to people about things you should do that most tourists don’t know about.
As you can see, unforgettable travel adventures are about people and experiences. You have to be willing to stray from “the norm” sometimes to foster stronger memories. When you do, you’ll come home from a trip that you and your family will be talking about for years.
