“Kids are too young to remember anything — it’s a waste of time!”
This is a typical utilitarian mindset: we only do things if they’re useful, and since kids won’t remember, it’s not worth it.True, very young children might not retain much, but they can definitely experience joy and those feelings.
A friend of mine has been taking her child on trips since he was just a few months old. At first, it was one-day trips to nearby cities, and as he grew older, she’d go to other provinces for over a week at a time. She says he’s probably used to it from an early age, so his adaptability has improved — eating and sleeping aren’t disrupted, and he even eats better because he’s excited. Along the way, he constantly asks, “What’s this? What’s that?” When he sees something familiar, he gets really excited and tells his mom, “I’ve seen this before — I know it!”
A colleague of mine also said she still remembers the family trips she took with her parents as a kid — it was her first time on a train and a cruise, and she was super excited. Years later, when she returned to that city, she actually remembered the sculpture they’d taken a photo with as a child.
Many say traveling with kids doesn’t really broaden their horizons, but when children see so many unfamiliar customs and people they’d never encounter on TV or the internet, those experiences leave a magical, intense impression. It helps them realize life’s endless possibilities, strengthens their independent thinking, and makes them more open and adaptable to new things.
“Traveling with kids is too troublesome — it’s just asking for trouble!”
Trips definitely come with some level of hardship, and you might even face small “adventures,” but these are all part of healthy family bonding. We can also use these challenges to train ourselves and our kids.
From what I’ve seen among friends, for younger kids, bring a stroller. Let them walk when they want, and push it when they’re tired. It actually doesn’t hinder the trip at all. Of course, avoid overcrowded places where the kid can only see a sea of legs — that definitely ruins the experience.
Personally, I think kids should absolutely travel, but some places just aren’t suitable for them. For example, attractions that require a deep cultural appreciation — kids won’t get them. Younger children can travel with nature as the main focus, like Sanya, Guilin, Hangzhou, or even Beijing Zoo. These are great for fostering a love of nature, not for improving art appreciation.
Plus, traveling helps kids develop independence, empathy, and teamwork skills from a young age. Before a trip, they watch their parents prepare, research, and book hotels. As they grow, they mimic this and learn to manage their lives earlier than their peers. Everyone knows trips are where friction happens most, but those raised traveling adapt and get along with others much faster.
“We can’t afford to go anywhere!”
And finally, to those who say money is the issue — does your idea of travel have to be luxurious or limited to Europe and America?
Lazy is lazy, and hating trouble is hating trouble — why is it so hard to face yourself? What’s the definition of travel? Who says it has to involve flying abroad or staying in five-star hotels?
If you can afford overseas trips, great. If not, local or even suburban outings work too. The destination isn’t the point — it’s the journey and the scenery along the way. Sometimes, what kids need isn’t a bigger world, but just for their parents’ world to tilt a little toward them. That’s enough to make them happy. A friend of mine took her daughter, then four, to a nearby farm. Though the girl didn’t really understand crops, she was thrilled the whole time. Kids have boundless energy — she was exhausted, but her daughter stayed excited the entire trip.
Traveling lets us go from places we’re tired of to places others are tired of, but for a kid raised inland, seeing the ocean is a dream beyond compare. For a child from the south, seeing snow is their ultimate fantasy.
We always teach kids that everyone is different, and respecting and embracing those differences is a basic part of being human. Just like you shouldn’t point fingers at people who look or live differently — that’s basic courtesy.
Developing perception and observation skills doesn’t happen overnight, and focusing only on trips won’t help. I think the biggest value parents bring to their kids’ education is showing them a bigger world, teaching survival skills, and encouraging them to bravely pursue and explore.
Yes, childhood travel memories may be fuzzy, but the joy of every trip fills a little kid’s whole heart. Adult happiness isn’t something one trip can fulfill, but for a child, just hearing about a trip can make them happy for days. Why not travel more while the cost of happiness is still so low?