How to Involve Kids in Travel Planning
A Mindful Approach to Exploring the World Together
Travel is an opportunity for connection—not just with the world around us, but with each other. Collaboration as a family shapes the bond we share with one another. One of the most beautiful ways to deepen this connection is by involving our children in the process of planning our travels.
In a world that often moves quickly and asks us to follow prescribed paths, involving children in the planning process is an act of mindful, conscious parenting. It nurtures children’s natural curiosity and sense of agency, while cultivating a sense of excitement for the adventure ahead. And it transforms travel from a destination to a journey—one that is rooted in togetherness, joy, and discovery.
If you’re looking for ways to invite your children into the process of planning your family’s next adventure, here are a few thoughtful ways to make them a part of the journey from the very beginning.
1. Choice and Voice
Cultivating Their Natural Spirit
Travel begins long before you step on a plane or board a train. It begins with intention. By inviting your children to help choose your next destination, you open the door for them to explore their own curiosities and dreams. This isn’t just about letting them “pick a place”—it’s about allowing them to be an active participant in the creation of your family’s journey. When we involve our children in the decision-making process, we are acknowledging their voices and empowering them to shape their world.
Tip: Sit down together as a family, share a few options of where you might like to go, and ask your children to dream alongside you. Look through books, maps, or online resources, and let them share what excites them about each possibility. This small, mindful exercise invites connection and builds excitement about the journey to come.
2. The Heart of the Place
Explore and Learn Together
Once you’ve chosen your destination, dive deeper into the cultural and spiritual essence of the place. This is an opportunity to teach your children not just about geography, but about the stories, traditions, and people that make a place unique. Share the beauty of learning from others and the richness that comes from understanding different ways of life. When children are involved in learning about the place they will visit, they become more deeply connected to it. What a beautiful opportunity for expanding their (and our!) worldviews.
Tip: Create a family ritual where you all gather together to explore the place you’ll visit. Watch documentaries, read books, or listen to stories about the culture. Perhaps there are songs or simple words from the language that you can learn as a family. Sharing these moments of learning together creates a sense of excitement and prepares the heart and mind for the journey ahead.
3. Let Their Imagination Lead the Way
Planning with Playfulness
Travel doesn’t need to be only about seeing sights or checking off lists. It’s an opportunity for imagination, creativity, and connection. Let your children play an active role in creating the itinerary, but allow space for spontaneity. This is their chance to explore what makes them excited, what intrigues them, and what they want to experience as a family. It is a beautiful way to honor their individual souls and allow them to express what resonates with their hearts.
Tip: Create a “family vision board” or a shared journal where everyone can contribute ideas. Let your children draw, write, or paste images of the things they want to see and do. Allow them to dream without limitation, and together, weave those dreams into your travel plans.
4. Pack with Intention
Involve Them in Preparing for the Journey
Packing can be a mindful process in and of itself, especially when we approach it with intention. Rather than simply focusing on the logistics of what to bring, invite your children to be a part of the act of packing with reverence and care. Let them help choose what to bring—not just clothes, but the little items that will make them feel at home, like a favorite book or a small toy. This practice helps them feel grounded in the journey and prepares them emotionally for the adventure ahead. We always let Soli pack her satin pillowcase and favorite stuffed animal.
Tip: Make packing a shared experience by creating a mindful packing checklist together. Give your children space to reflect on what will make them feel comforted during the trip and remind them of the importance of packing lightly and thoughtfully. You may even want to share a packing ritual, where each person takes a quiet moment to reflect on their personal intentions for the trip.
5. Encourage Creative Expression
Through Travel Journals
A travel journal is a beautiful tool for children to document their experiences, feelings, and discoveries. It’s a way for them to express their thoughts and reflections, both during the trip and afterward. Encourage your children to capture their unique perspective on the journey, whether it’s through drawings, writing, photographs, or mementos. This not only helps them process the experience but also creates a treasured keepsake they can return to for years to come.
Tip: Gift your children a journaling supplies like a notepad, pens, a camera, and stickers before the trip. Allow them to decorate it in their own way, and throughout the journey, encourage them to reflect on their experiences. We got our daughter this simple digital camera, which she uses all the time for photos and even vlogs. We added a case, strap, and lens cap, for extra protection.
6. Foster a Sense of Responsibility and Mindfulness in Budgeting
If your children are old enough, involving them in discussions about the travel budget can be a valuable lesson in mindfulness and responsibility. This doesn’t mean burdening them with adult concerns, but it does provide an opportunity to share the value of experiences over material goods. You can involve them in finding activities that align with your budget, or discuss the importance of being mindful in how you spend your resources while traveling. Younger children can practice handling different currencies and paying cashiers.
Tip: Share your travel budget goals with your children and let them be a part of brainstorming ways to stay within the budget. You could have them look for free local attractions or outdoor activities, helping them understand that the richest experiences are often the simplest and most meaningful.
7. Let Them Lead the Way
Be Open to Their Ideas
Involving your children in the planning process isn’t just about guiding them to choose the right things; it’s also about listening to their ideas and allowing them to take the lead when appropriate. Sometimes, the most memorable moments come when we let go of control and allow our children’s spontaneity and enthusiasm to guide us. Trust that their hearts will lead them to the places, experiences, and people that will resonate with them most.
Tip: During the trip, give your children opportunities to make decisions. Maybe they choose the next place to visit, or they lead the way to a local market or park. Honor their choices and allow their excitement to shape the rhythm of your travel.
8. Create Family Rituals Around the Journey
Before, during, and after your trip, create family rituals that help you stay present and mindful in your travels. Whether it’s sharing a gratitude circle at the end of each day, lighting a candle before you leave for the airport, or writing postcards to each other throughout the journey, these simple practices create space for reflection and connection. Rituals ground us in the beauty of the present moment and help us slow down to savor the experience.
Tip: Start a family gratitude practice by having each family member share one thing they are thankful for at the end of the day. This simple act helps everyone stay grounded in the magic of the journey and keeps hearts open to all that the world has to offer.
Final Thoughts: Traveling with Soul
Travel is a journey of discovery—not just of new places, but of one another. By involving our children in the planning process, we teach them that their voice matters and that the world is theirs to explore. Through mindfulness and intention, we can make the act of planning a trip as beautiful and meaningful as the trip itself.
As you plan your next family adventure, remember to be present, to listen deeply to one another, and to embrace the process with an open heart. When we travel with our children in this conscious, mindful way, we create memories that will last a lifetime and a foundational love of adventure and of the world.
Happy Travels!
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