Here are a few more tips from some of our friends in the Travel Beyond the Obvious Network.
Stefanie from Eurotravels By Design, a travel planning company creating custom itineraries across Europe.
One of the best tips for traveling with kids is to take a class or workshop from a local. Kids can get pretty tired of all the walking, sightseeing, museums, and history lessons that can go along with traveling. Taking a class can provide a welcome break with many benefits.
Some of the classes that we have enjoyed include pasta making in Italy, pierogi making in Warsaw, tile painting in Portugal, gingerbread making in Torun, painting in Greece, perfume making in France and flamenco dancing in Spain. There are so many options, it is easy to find one your kids will be interested in. It is fun for the adults as well.
One of the most significant benefits of participating in local classes is the opportunity for children to connect with people on a personal level. Instead of merely observing from a distance, they actively engage with locals, learning firsthand about their way of life. Sometimes, when you are traveling, it is difficult to meet and get to know those actually living in the country. Taking a class is a great way to talk with locals and make personal connections.
Another benefit is the classes provide a unique educational experience, allowing kids to learn about the history and heritage of the place they’re visiting in a hands-on manner. The kids get a history lesson without even realizing it. They are learning about the traditions, history, and culture of the country you are visiting in a fun and interactive way.
But it’s not just about mental stimulation; attending local classes also offers physical and creative outlets for children. Whether they’re kneading dough for fresh pasta, mastering traditional dance steps, or shaping clay into works of art, these activities encourage kids to move their bodies instead of walking and listening to tour guides or reading in museums.
We have found that these classes are some of the best memories from trips with our children. They may not remember a church or museum you saw but they will always remember making pierogies or learning flamenco. Sometimes you even get a souvenir to take home. If you are taking an art class or a perfume class for example, the things you create become the best kind of souvenirs.”
