Hello and welcome to the new and improved CitiScoop, Citibabes’ interactive and cutting-edge blog. Our first article is something that is very near to my heart: traveling with children.

As an Australian living in New York with a husband of European descent, we travel a lot with our children. People think we’re crazy heading to Australia, Europe, and beyond with our two young girls (ages 2.5 and 5) but honestly, for us, it’s a non-negotiable. Not only do we love exploring new places, but children benefit so much from travel— opening them up to the world builds adaptability, empathy, and so much more at a very early age.

With a few simple tricks, not only can traveling with children be painless, but we’ll help you transform the whole travel experience into something more than a just vacation, something more rewarding: enriched family time and memories that last a lifetime!

Benefits of Travel for Children:

• Adaptability: When children are taken out of their routine they learn how to adapt. This is a vital life lesson – learning to go with the flow and welcoming unpredictability with curiosity and a smile.

• Empathy: Interacting with people that are different from them encourages children to empathize and understand that though we may look or sound different, deep down we’re all on this earth together, so let’s try to understand one another.

• Enrichment: Is there a better way to teach your child about the beach, ocean and marine life than by visiting the beach firsthand? Travel brings to life many of the things children learn about in school. And sharing in the experience of discovery as a family is priceless.

• Self-confidence: Sharing with their friends and classmates about what they experienced on a trip is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of travel for children. Standing up in front of their classmates, speaking knowledgeably about a place they have visited firsthand boosts a child’s self-confidence.  

 

Travel Tips:

 

• Restaurants/Cuisine: Before my family goes on a trip, we find some recipes online from that destination’s cuisine and make them at home. This prepares the kids for some of the flavors and ingredients they’ll have on their plate once we get where we’re going, which makes the transition so much easier.

 

• Cleanwell Handspray: Cleanwell’s portable, all-natural, non-toxic hand sanitizer is a must-have whenever we travel. A splash of the citrus scent not only fights germs, which are everywhere when you’re on the road, but also leaves you feeling refreshed during a long flight or car trip when hands and faces can get sticky.

• Airplane Meals: Did you know that most airlines offer yummy, kid-friendly infant and children’s meals. Be sure to pre-order one of these when you purchase your tickets. Trust me, these meals are a God send!

• Bring something new that your child has not played with yet and surprise them with it for the long journey. They’ll be enthralled for hours! Bring a DVD player and your child’s favorite book or DVD. This will come in handy when you’re trying to get your child to sleep in a strange place at a strange time.

 

• A notebook and favorite pen or set of markers: My daughter’s a born-artist, so drawing occupies her for hours. Instead of bringing loose-leaf paper, we buy her a small notebook before each trip for her to draw in. When we get back we put it on the shelf – as the years go by it’s like we have a library of her travels–a life-long keepsake!

 

• Books: When we’re planning a family trip to a new destination, we really enjoy going to the bookstore or library for books about the locale we’re about to visit. One of our favorites is Miroslav Slasek’s This Is series: beautifully illustrated site-specific books on Paris, Venice, Rome, Greece and more. We read these at bedtime leading up to the vacation to get the kids excited and then, when we arrive, the kids have a frame of reference for what they’re seeing, which enhances the experience for everyone.

So, get out there and explore the world with your family. The rewards are priceless!