Involve Them in Planning
Travel planning can be a fun way to involve your tweens. Give them the chance to suggest destinations or activities. This encourages them to feel more connected and prepared for the trip. Use family travel apps or websites together, letting them draft out days or pick attractions. Personalizing your itinerary will foster a sense of ownership and excitement for the journey ahead.
Assign Age-Appropriate Tasks
Giving tweens responsibility teaches them valuable life skills. Assign them tasks like packing their own suitcase or carrying a small backpack. Smaller jobs like keeping track of the itinerary or remembering daily schedules will make them feel important and capable. Just ensure the tasks are suitable for their age to avoid unnecessary stress for you and them.
Teach Money Management
Traveling offers excellent opportunities to teach financial responsibility. Have them manage a small budget for snacks or souvenirs. Use this time to explain exchange rates if you’re traveling internationally. Allowing them to handle some spending money will give them a taste of financial independence and responsibility, important lessons that they’ll carry throughout life.
Navigate Emotional Ups and Downs
Tween years can be emotionally turbulent, and travel can amplify these feelings. Prepare for mood swings or resistance to new experiences. Open communication is key; ask how they feel and listen to their concerns.
Empathize with their emotions and explain the importance of patience and flexibility when traveling, helping them navigate their emotional highs and lows better.
Make Learning Fun
Travel is an educational adventure in disguise. Use tours and landmarks as teaching moments. Keep the learning light and fun. Mix in some multimedia like podcasts or YouTube videos about your destination. Engaging their curiosity in a relaxed, entertaining way can turn any trip into an educational experience without them even realizing it.
Encourage Journaling
Encourage your tweens to document the trip. They can keep a travel journal, write notes on their phone, or start a blog. Offer prompts like ‘What’s the best part of today?’ or ‘Share a funny moment.’ This activity helps them reflect on their experiences, improves writing skills, and provides you both with lasting memories of your adventures together.
Encouraging journaling during the trip can enhance your tweens’ experience and create beautiful memories for both of you.