From Embracing a More Laid-back Approach to Being More Mindful about Lodging Choices, Four Kid-friendly Travel Trends to Consider

In a post-COVID world, the possibilities for family-friendly adventures have never been greater. We’ve all learned the value of time spent together, and we want to make the most of it. For many families travel is at the top of the priority list. Here we dive into some trends that are gaining traction.

Micro-education Vacation

2024 is the year where family travel and worldschooling intersect. Worldschooling, where families ditch conventional school in favor of travel-based experiential learning, might not be for everyone. But the principles of this approach are being applied to family travel.  

Julie Frieder, Angela Heisten and Annika Paradise, co-authors of Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling, home in on the value of integrating education into family travel. “We know that young brains are heavily impacted by the experiences they have,” one passage in the book notes. “So why not share with them the art, architecture, history, food, culture and texture of societies besides the one in which they were raised?” 

Families are currently incorporating the worldschooling philosophy into their vacations through micro-educational experiences. Parents are creating their own mini curriculum for trips, reading books about the destination and local culture with their kids beforehand and learning through museums and local workshops while traveling. 

To build these learning opportunities into the travel experience, the Wonder Year co-authors recommend posing a few questions during the planning process, such as, “Do you have family goals, like exploring your heritage or maximizing your time in nature?” or “Where is your comfort zone, and what experiences might reasonably push the edge for your family?”

Families can leverage the growing library of resources online—including worldschooling blogs and Facebook groups—to customize educational experiences. 

Multigenerational Family Trips

The best thing to take when traveling with kids? Grandparents. Beyond providing help with childcare (a boon when traveling with young children), more parents are opting to take grandparents along on vacation to strengthen relationship bonds. 

A recent study from the Family Travel Association and New York University discovered that more than 50% of parents surveyed said they are planning to travel with grandparents and children this year. With this uptick in multigenerational travel, we’ll likely see families choosing relaxing destinations (beaches and resorts) over big-city trips in 2024.

Safaris are another type of multigenerational trip that are popular this year. Anton Gillis, CEO of Kruger Gate Hotel in South Africa, says he has noticed a definite uptick in bookings. “Parents, little ones, elders and teens should find that a chance to unwind in nature, disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and marvel at breathtaking Kruger Park sightings—particularly the Big Five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, rhino)—is enjoyed by all,” he notes.

Instead of taking trips that are heavy on logistical planning or involve multiple stops, multigenerational families will focus on destinations where they can stay put and go deep with local experiences that bring them together, including game drives, cooking classes, walking tours, dance lessons or simply relaxing by the pool.

Second City stops

With overtourism affecting major travel destinations, families will elect to visit the “second cities” of the world for trips—places that have smaller crowds and are more considerate of making positive environmental impact. The Fodor’s 2024 No List highlights popular destinations that have been damaged by an overabundance of tourists, and major European cities like Athens and Venice are on the list of locales that should be reconsidered. 

Instead, Thessaloniki is a great option for families visiting Greece, as is Verona in Italy. Travel writer Rick Steves (Rick Steves’ Europe) refers to second cities as “backdoors” and describes them as “undiscovered corners and untrampled towns that (have), for various reasons, missed the modern parade.”

With second cities, families can avoid the hassles of waiting in long lines. Fighting for restaurant reservations and braving crowds with kids in tow aren’t exactly fun moments on a family trip. They may have to make more of an effort to get there, but the experience at the destination will be more relaxed, enabling them to make the most of their time together.

Sustainability and Responsibility
Driving Decisions

Eco-friendly lodging—whether vacation rentals, camping accommodations or hotels with sustainable practices—is another popular trend this year. According to Booking.com’s 2024 Travel Predictions, 53% of global travelers are looking for accommodations with “wow-factor sustainability innovation.” Parents are leading by example, using their lodging choice to educate children on the importance of being environmentally friendly. 

Taking it slow in the road (dubbed “slow living” online) rather than the “gotta get everything in” mindset is also picking up traction among families. According to Pinterest Predicts 2024, the search term “slow living” has increased significantly this year. The platform predicts that the popularity of the trend will expand beyond families to Gen Z and millennials who are more often choosing “laid-back locales that offer the opposite of a jam-packed itinerary.”

Paradise is a global adventure brand for travelers. Ventura Blvd’s parent company, The Golden State Company, has an ownership interest in Paradise. For more, visit findyourparadise.co.