At what age would you recommend that small children start traveling outside the country?

Question

I'm interested in traveling outside the US, but my son is only 5. Is he too young to actually appreciate the different cultures?
Do you think I should wait until he's a few years older?

Answer 1

I'm German and my parents travelled with us to Tunisia when my brother was only 3.

Your child might be too young to get the cultural differences, but he sure won't be too young to gape in wonder at the animals in Africa or at the colors in a Hindu temple in Asia.

When my brother was 5, the best thing for him was feeding the pigeons on San Marco Square in Venice and riding in a Gondola.

So no, your child is not too young. (Actually, I think he is just the right age for you to take a year off work and go to France with him, so that he can pick up the language. ;-) )

Kids are amazing in dealing and adapting to situations that are different from their normal life - get them on a plane for the first time and instead of being awed or afraid they will howl at the stewardess for getting a yellow pillow when they wanted a blue one. They are also amazing at making friends across cultural differences - leave a blond blue-eyed boy for 10 minutes in the company of 15 other native children with dark skin and black hair playing at the beach, and they will be friends after that period, completely without needing any words.

So stop worrying, get travelling! Grab a catalogue offering package deals and inform yourself on health issues. Egypt for example can be great for kids, if you prepare them for the trip with stories about the Pharaos and the like. I saw that the shops in Luxor sold coloring and activity books geared towards kids from 4 years on, and I also know that quite a number of Europeans hit the beach at the Red Sea with their kids from 6 months on. There are special family resorts there geared towards this group of travellers - check it out.

Answer 2

I went to Japan for the first time when I was three. I had the time of my life there, and even though I don't remember it very much because that was about eleven years ago, my mom told me that I loved it there. And you shouldn't worry about losing your son, because you should'nt have that problem unless you let him wander off. I think it would be a great experience for a younger child because the child gets to go to a place that is unfamiliar and where he's never been before. Also, most young kids are easily entertained, so I'm sure that they will be very excited in a place with so much new things to see and do.
I hope I helped and, if you decide to go, have a nice trip!!

Answer 3

My kids are 5 & 6 and I still don't let them play outside unsupervised. Our yard is completely fenced and gated but I can't see every part of the yard from the house. Just last week in a town nearby some creeper grabbed a 4 yr old girl and threw her in his car. She wasn't supervised. They found out this creeper was the same guy who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 6 year old girl a few days before. Sure, it might not happen but as long as I'm vigilant it WON'T happen to my kids. Predators are opportunistic and just like in nature, they hunt for the prey that is easiest.

Answer 4

It hardly matters, psychologically, as long as he's with you and getting regular scheduled food, sleep, activities, just as always.
I was able to listen to radio shows intelligently at 7 1/2--and you're supposed to have to be 12. But even at 8, travel did nothing for me. I did start enjoying travel at 8 1/2.

I'd advise waiting until he's 15 if the trip is to matter to him; if not, it will simply be a larger version of taking your son to a department store.
Just quietly make a game of what's having him practice expected of him, be firm, don't get angry and do small parts of what he'll be doing later...packing, riding on a bus or driving (what you'll do); take along a favorite pillow],
toys. Preparation will pay off; but expect nothing culturally.
Sorry; I suggest he'll only remember he is with you and whatever strikes him as odd or that he liked for whatever reason.

Answer 5

I started traveling everywhere since I was 1. I moved to Singapore when I was one, so I guess that counts. But really, I think traveling is funner as you grow, like right now, I seriously want to go to France I'm a teenager.

When you're small, you don't really know about the history of the place, so when i was five and visited japan, i didnt really kno anything that happned there. So i think older kids shud go.

Answer 6

I would say that you should wait until maybe he is about 13 or 14. I really didn't start to appreciate different cultures until I was in the 7th or 8th grade, but some children can be different.

Answer 7

I've travelled outside Canada with my two kids for 3 years...my youngest was 4....

Answer 8

I suggest to wait a bit older till he can take care of him self. Little kids have the habit of wondering off and losing them in a foreign country is very stressful when you don't know your way yourself.

Answer 9

well i think he can start traveling now, it depends on where
he actually might be more fun and appreciate more things cuz he's younger, and if he was older, trust me, he might think its boring...He'll have a lot more fun, just dont plan an overload of museum trips..Kids like actually doing stuff and living it, not walking around all day looking at history...But he might like it..

Answer 10

With the cultures I think he will definitely like it but also his ears he's a bit too young.