The Myth of “Waiting Until They’re Older”
Parents often delay traveling with children, believing that younger kids won’t remember or benefit from the experience. However, this mindset underestimates the profound developmental, emotional, and familial impacts travel can have—regardless of a child’s age.
Read on to see why you shouldn't wait to travel till your kids are older.Why waiting isn't Necessary
Children, even toddlers, absorb experiences in ways that shape their cognitive and emotional growth. Travel fosters adaptability, curiosity, and social skills, setting the stage for lifelong learning. While younger kids may not retain vivid memories, the bonds created during shared adventures strengthen relationships and provide a foundation for their worldview.
Research also highlights the importance of early exposure to diverse environments for brain development. For example, sensory-rich activities—like feeling sand for the first time or hearing a foreign language—stimulate neural connections that contribute to cognitive flexibility. Memories aren't the Only Metric
Even if children don’t explicitly recall a trip, the experience leaves an imprint. Emotional memories—like feeling joy on a family hike or security in a parent’s arms while exploring a new place—can shape a child’s sense of trust and adventure. These moments build resilience, empathy, and confidence that last a lifetime.
The Myth of Waiting Till They're Older
BEnefits for the Whole Family
Traveling with young kids can also benefit parents. It encourages families to slow down, explore at a child’s pace, and appreciate the small, magical moments kids often notice first. These shared experiences deepen family connections and create stories that become part of the family narrative.
Having small children with you as you travel also often creates natural connections with other parents - whether fellow travelers or locals. You could make lifelong friends with another couple simply because your kids started playing together at the playground. Overcoming Common Concerns
The Time is Now
There’s no “perfect” age to start traveling with kids. Waiting until they’re older can mean missing out on formative years when their imaginations are most vivid and their natural curiosity is at its peak. Instead, embracing travel at any stage allows parents to foster lifelong memories, strengthen family bonds, and help children grow into compassionate, adaptable adults.
And the truth is, some things are easier to do with older kids, but in some ways, travel is exponentially harder as they get older. Do babies require packing extra "stuff"? Oh my goodness, yes! So much stuff! Does it require some extra planning for how to heat their water for formula or where to find a comfortable place to sit to breastfeed? Sure. Do you have to decide whether to buy them their own seat or hold them in your lap? Yeah. BUT babies are just happy to be wherever you are! Teenagers may be easier to travel with because they can pack their own suitcases, carry their own bags, and help with the planning, BUT you also run the risk of them not wanting to go on the trip at all. Parents? Eww, gross. I have to leave my friends for TWO WHOLE WEEKS?! No, thank you. And you also have to consider time out of school, their sports schedules, etc. 
So why wait? Travel where you can, when you can, regardless of the ages of your children. The world is waiting to be explored—one family adventure at a time.
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