A child on a farm sees a plane fly overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse… and thinks of home – Carl Burns.
Have kids. Will travel.
Our “play” map of the world
One of the many things that my husband and I have in common is our passion to be well-traveled. We love art, food, people, cultures, and diversity, and our desire is to raise children who see the world through a broad lens. Despite the challenges that come along with taking two kids on a 5 hour road trip or a 4 hour plane ride, we are committed to offering them the kinds of experiences that are only possible by traveling. We’ve explored museums on each coast and made memories at both Disney resorts. And one day, we’ll cross the oceans to delve into European history.
Global travel is expensive, and while our toddler and preschooler may not be ready for such a venture, that doesn’t mean we can’t teach them about world cultures right here in our home. Last week I had a chance to chat with Mireya Mayor, anthropologist and two-time Emmy Award-nominated wildlife correspondent for National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer, about inspiring and teaching children to explore and appreciate the world.
Like Mayor, I didn’t travel until I was well into my teens and early 20’s, so this is something I’m hoping to change with my own children. In her video interview, Mayor discusses fun, feasible ways to spark a child’s interest in travel and activities parents can do at home with their children. We incorporate books and puzzles to help stimulate a child’s imagination, but I absolutely love Mayor’s tip recommending that families host an “International Night” with culture-specific food and activities.
Additionally, she talks about Barbie’s new Dolls of the World, a line that was actually established more than 30 years ago but is being re-introduced this year. Each doll wears clothing inspired by the fashions of the country she’s “from” and comes with a “passport” and a pet.
As much as travel is experiential and educational, it also helps children understand, appreciate and respect diverse cultures. There is so much beauty to be seen, and Mayor is personally an inspiration as someone who’s desire is to expose us to new places, cultures and even wildlife.
Have you traveled with your kids? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
No compensation was received for this post. Interview facilitated through the brand and product samples were provided.
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