Looking out with wonder—what she won’t remember, we always will.
1. They Won’t Remember It—But We Will
My toddler won’t remember the butterflies at Entopia, the elephants at Wild Elephant Valley, or the stunning view of rice terraces in Yuanyang. They probably won’t remember the look on our faces when our 3-year-old daughter devoured four big rolls of Beijing duck. But my husband and I will.
We’ll remember the joy on their faces when they saw real monkeys—black or brown. The way they giggled feeding elephants, yelled "so high!" during parasailing, or marveled at terraced fields like they were stairways to the sky. I'will remember sweating through carrying my baby boy while climbing the Zhangjiajie mountains and stressing when we got lost, again, in search of food before the next meltdown.
They might not recall these places. But we’ll remember how travel softened us, slowed us, and pulled us closer. We’ll remember how these shared moments—big and small—taught us to see through their eyes: with wonder, patience, and the joy of now.
An act of courage—feeding an elephant for the first time, eyes wide with awe.
2. The Common Objections
"They’re too young to remember!"
"They’re too fragile!"
"It’s too exhausting—maybe we should wait!"
And truthfully? Those are all valid concerns.
But we don’t travel so they’ll remember—we travel so we’ll become.
Even if they forget the elephant sanctuary, maybe they’ll carry a softness toward animals. Even if they forget how delicious Beijing duck is, maybe they’ll be more open to trying new food. Even if they forget climbing a misty mountain, maybe they’ll grow stronger. Travel helps them become more flexible about where and how they nap.
And for us as parents? Travel is growth, too. It expands our patience, tests our limits, and teaches us to find rhythm in chaos. We learn to slow down, let go of perfection, and embrace the unexpected. We become more resilient, more curious, and more connected—not just to our children, but to ourselves.
Yes, traveling with kids is harder than traveling without them. But it’s not necessarily harder with toddlers than with older children. If you want to travel as a family, don’t wait. Do it now—whatever their age may be.
3. The Real Reasons We Go
Emotional reasons: Memories & Bonding
We love them, and we want to spend meaningful time together. These are the days we won’t get back—their little hands in ours, their wonder at the world fresh and unfiltered, and the way they run to us for a hug when they’re tired or hungry, needing only a squeeze and a moment of comfort in our arms. Every trip is a chance to freeze time for just a moment, and say, "We were here. Together. We love you!"
We’re building lasting bonds and stories we’ll share for a lifetime. Like the time our daughter climbed into the giant swing on Jinuo Mountain and soared higher and higher, shouting, "I was so brave!" Every time we mention the “big mountain swing,” she proudly reminds us. That moment stuck with her—not just as fun, but as something that made her feel strong. These are the stories we’ll retell over dinner, the photos we’ll laugh over in the years to come. These shared adventures have become part of our family story, not just snapshots, but moments that shape how we connect, how we grow, and how we love.
Soaring above the jungle on a giant swing—our little adventurer’s brave moment, and one we’ll never forget.
Practical perks of traveling with young kids
- No school schedule conflicts. No worrying about missing academic days—we can travel anytime.
- Freebies. Under 2, most airlines let infants fly free or at a reduced fare. Many attractions are free for kids under 3 or 4. Some restaurants offer free meals for young kids. Honestly, it’s the golden age of travel freeloading—your baby is basically your budget travel hack.
- Priority access. Families with young children often board planes early, skip customs lines, or get special assistance. We’ve been ushered to the front of the customs line more than once—turns out a cranky toddler is more powerful than a first-class ticket.
What They Learn From the World:
Developmental benefits:
- Babies are exposed to new sights, sounds, textures, and smells—all crucial for brain development. Whether it’s the feel of cool mountain air in Yuanyang or the sound of monkeys chattering in the trees, these experiences feed their senses and spark growth.
- Toddlers gain flexibility, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. They learn to nap anywhere—from taxis to busy food courts—and figure out how to communicate even when the language around them is unfamiliar. These early challenges gently stretch their world and their capacity to engage with it. These are just a few of the benefits of early travel experiences for kids1.
Emotionally and socially:
- Travel strengthens family bonds, improves communication, and creates lasting memories. Like when our daughter sat in a tea house and munched on a cracker topped with gold leaf—completely unfazed by its fancy shimmer, more focused on the crunch. Or when we huddled together on a rainy day, waiting out a downpour while watching wild monkeys under a canopy. Whether it's cheering on a toddler trying something new or navigating a busy street hand in hand, those little moments add up to a deeper sense of togetherness.
- It helps children gain confidence in new environments—especially when traveling with toddlers internationally. In the rice terraces of Yuanyang, our daughter met an older girl and the two became fast friends—laughing, tossing rocks, and quietly drawing on an iPad together like they'd known each other forever. Though they had just met, the ease of their connection through play was instant and joyful. Another time, she looked a Chinese stranger in the eye and said clearly, in Mandarin, "I come from the U.S."—her head held high, her voice full of pride. That moment said everything: she felt confident, grounded, and at home navigating between cultures. These moments may seem small, but they’re proof that travel gives kids the space to grow into themselves. It’s just one way they begin developing problem-solving skills, emotional adaptability, and global awareness.
An instant friendship—sharing art and giggles with a new friend met at the rice terraces.
Culturally:
- They learn early that people live, eat, and speak differently—and that’s a beautiful thing. Our daughter has started noticing little things: the way meals are served, the different sounds of languages in a market, the variety of vegetables she doesn't recognize but still tries.
- I, as a Chinese, love seeing her understand where I grew up and enjoy the diverse world of Chinese food. One of my favorite memories is watching her happily crunch on tanghulu in a crowded street market—holding the shiny skewer with sticky fingers and announcing it was "the best treat ever." Completely unfazed by the novelty, she just loved the sweet. These moments show me she's not just learning about culture, she's living it.
4. The Invisible Souvenirs
Not all souvenirs can be packed in a suitcase.
For us as parents, it’s the bonds built in shared wonder, and the memories of watching our kids grow in unfamiliar places. It’s the quiet joy of seeing your child splash in a mountain stream or try something new without hesitation.
For them, the souvenirs are subtler:
- Hearing different languages on a bus
- Trying the stingy fruit king, durian, without flinching
- Watching how people live, speak, and play around the world
These fleeting moments are seeds. We hope they grow into confidence, adaptability, and a quiet understanding that the world is wide and full of good.
They may not remember every detail. But they’ll carry something with them. And so will we.
One of our favorite souvenirs:carrying her on our shoulders through rainforest trails in Penang—slow steps, lasting memories.
5. What Makes It Work (A Few Essentials)
Let’s be honest—traveling with toddlers isn’t all magic. Sometimes it’s snacks, wipes, and miracle naps on moving buses. Over time, we’ve figured out what helps us stay sane.
From foldable strollers to fever kits, these are our travel MVPs.
➡️ See our full list here: Family Travel Essentials: What We Actually Use
6. Final Reflection: Why We’ll Keep Going
They won’t remember the butterflies.
Or the gondola.
But we will.
We’ll remember who they were at one and three, and who we were learning to become. Two parents trying to stay present, breathe through delays, and laugh at the chaos. Parents learning that traveling as a family isn’t about getting everything "right," but about showing up—again and again—with curiosity, flexibility, and love.
We travel now not because it’s easy. But because it’s meaningful.
Even if the memories fade, the growth stays—with them and with us.
And that’s reason enough to keep going.
If you want to travel as a family, don’t wait. Do it now—whatever their age may be. The best memories don’t wait for the perfect time—they’re made in the mess, the laughter, and the love of now.
💬 Let’s Connect
Have you traveled with young kids—or are you thinking about it? We would love to hear your stories, your hesitations, or even your favorite meltdown memory. Leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram @drift2shift to keep the conversation going.
Let’s inspire each other to keep exploring—one baby wipe and boarding pass at a time.
1 Malik F, Marwaha R. Developmental Stages of Social Emotional Development in Children. 2022 Sep 18. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 30521240.
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