Why Travelling Early with Kids Is One of the Best Gifts You Can Give Them

Shweta Tanwar Mukherjee
Apr 17
3 min read

In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, the importance of raising children who are open-minded, empathetic, and adaptable cannot be overstated. One of the most powerful and enriching ways to nurture these qualities in children is through early travel. Beyond the Instagram-worthy moments, travel shapes young minds in ways that schools, books, and screens simply can’t. It builds real-world intelligence, emotional strength, and a deep-rooted understanding of humanity.

1. Travel Boosts Brain Development in Young Children

From a neuroscience perspective, early childhood is a period of rapid brain development.

According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, novel experiences—like those found in travel—stimulate the brain’s hippocampus, which is essential for learning and memory.

When children experience new languages, cuisines, environments, and people, their neural connections multiply.

“Enriched environments, like those created through travel, promote synaptic growth, especially in the first five years of life,” says Dr. Margot Sunderland, a child psychologist.

A smiling child in a blue jacket and black beanie rides a horse with a red saddle, making a peace sign. Background shows misty trees.

2. Cultural Exposure Builds Empathy and Open-Mindedness

When children interact with people from diverse cultures, they begin to understand that the world doesn’t revolve around a single narrative. Studies from the American Psychological Association show that early cultural exposure increases empathy, reduces biases, and fosters global citizenship.

Instead of fearing the unknown, children learn to celebrate differences. They start asking powerful questions—about people, traditions, lifestyles—and become natural learners and inclusive individuals.

A child observes an ancient, ornate sarcophagus in a museum. The sarcophagus is colorful and enclosed in glass. A blue light filters the background.

3. Travel Enhances Social and Emotional Skills

Travel inherently involves adaptation—new beds, unfamiliar foods, changing routines—and while that may sound chaotic, it’s a goldmine for emotional growth. Psychologists call this “cognitive flexibility,” which refers to the ability to switch between thinking about different concepts and adapt to changing environments.

Children who travel regularly tend to be more:

• Resilient

• Curious

• Observant

• Independent

They learn patience while waiting at airports, confidence while meeting new people, and responsibility through packing their own bags.

Young boy in a white t-shirt and jeans sits on a planter in a bright indoor space. He's wearing a yellow cap and crocs, surrounded by green plants.

4. Travel Fosters Language and Communication Skills

Even if they’re not fluent, being exposed to different languages improves children’s linguistic abilities.

According to Harvard researchers, children exposed to multilingual environments—even briefly—tend to be better at understanding others’ perspectives and more skilled at communication.

Whether it’s learning how to say “hello” in Thai or ordering pasta in Italy, travel builds practical language skills and encourages children to engage in conversations with confidence.

A child in a yellow shirt and green shorts admires a colorful abstract painting on an easel. Bright artwork decorates the gray wall.

5. Real-World Learning That No Classroom Offers

From geography and history to biology and art, travel is hands-on education. Visiting a beach teaches about tides and marine life. Exploring a fort opens up discussions about history and culture. Going to a local market offers insights into commerce, agriculture, and the economy.

Children retain what they experience more than what they are taught.

“Travel creates lasting memories because it connects learning with emotions,” says educational psychologist Dr. Jeanette Vos. “It’s experiential learning at its best.”

Child in patterned shirt stands with arms outstretched on sandy desert dunes under a clear blue sky, casting a shadow on the sand.

So, How Can Parents Make Travel a Core Part of Parenting?

1. Start Small – Weekend trips, nature hikes, museum visits—all count.

2. Be Intentional – Focus not just on vacationing, but on discovery.

3. Involve the Kids – Let them pack, plan, choose activities. It gives them a sense of ownership.

4. Normalize Diversity – Choose destinations with cultural variety. Celebrate different languages, clothes, foods.

5. Reflect Together – After the trip, talk about what they saw, learned, and felt. It helps solidify the experience.

Man and child with floaties play in ocean waves; rocky islands in background. Bright, sunny day. Joyful mood, turquoise water.

Travel isn’t just a break from routine. It’s a tool for transformation. When children travel early and often, they don’t just collect passport stamps—they collect perspective. They learn that the world is vast, beautiful, and diverse—and that they are a vital part of it.

So, as parents, let’s prioritize experiences over toys, moments over milestones, and stories over stuff. Let travel be your child’s first classroom—and the world, their favorite subject.