Ready to take a vacation with the whole family, but want to do it in a sustainable way? In recent years there has been a growth in the sustainable travel industry aimed at individuals and families. In the past, going green while traveling meant expensive hotels and often lower quality products. Today, it’s almost the exact opposite!
In numerous studies, travelers have responded that when given the choice they’d take a sustainable option over one that wasn’t when presented with the choice. Today, you can find sustainable hotels at every end of the price spectrum, including guesthouses, apartments, and hotels that work for whole family.
Planning for Eco-Friendly Travel
You know that traveling with a family requires more planning than traveling solo. If you were traveling alone, you could simply plan as you go. With only your needs in mind decision making becomes easier as does having a flexible budget. When you’re with a family, you’ll probably want to plan a large chunk of your trip before you leave home. The more people traveling, the fewer options you will have, and the more opinions and needs you have to take into consideration.
Teaching Your Kids about Sustainability
Eco-friendly travel gives you the perfect opportunity to teach your kids about sustainability. At home, eco-friendliness can be just a concept to kids. They haven’t seen the impact of environmentalism first hand, nor do they have any way to see the difference between being sustainable and unsustainable. When traveling kids can get a very different perspective. They see a very different culture and, depend on where you visit, can often see the costs of unsustainability first hand. Really hone in on this opportunity to teach them about helping the planet, being conscious and following good sustainability practices.
Planning Eco-Friendly Activities for the Whole Family
The best way to plan eco-friendly activities (and any travel activities in general) is to involve your kids in the decision making process. Instead of simply making the decision yourself, ask your kids: Would they like to ride elephants? Learn to scuba dive or snorkel? Would they like to see monkeys or go on a safari? Talk to them about each option, explaining as much as possible ahead of time to aid in the decision making process.
Sometimes kids will be naturally excited about certain prospects and sometimes they’ll be just terrified. The only way you’ll know for sure is to make sure you get their input before planning. Never gone camping or hiking before? This could be a great opportunity to try!
Even ten years ago the options for eco-friendly, sustainable travel were limited and cost prohibitive. Today with a little research, some creativity, and flexibility you can plan for an amazing family experience that leaves a lasting mark on your family without leaving a mark on the place you’ve visited.
What can you do to encourage eco-friendly measures when traveling with family?
Michele says
I am single so planning ahead isn’t quite as imperative as you said above. I do have an Env Sci degree and love that there are eco friendly destinations these days. There is nothing like seeing, touching, smelling etc to really teach children about everything environmental.
Danielle Royalegacy says
Whenever we travel, even back in the 70s when I traveled with my grandparents in their RV, we always make sure that we clean up after ourselves. We don’t like coming upon someone’s trash, so we make sure the area that we visit is as pristine for the next person.
Athena says
We go to some beautiful places and it is very important for everyone to respect their environments or they will totally lose their natural beauty!
Kristy - Savvy and Sassy says
With making efforts to reduce our footprint one area I had not considered was vacations. Thank you for the ideas!
sharon martin says
We tend to walk a lot more on holiday rather than going out by car every day, with no time limits to worry about its more carefree.
Heidi Bee says
What a terrific post, this is so important to share with our kids!
Dede says
I really hadn’t considered a “sustainable” trip before. The most eco-friendly we get at a hotel is maybe hanging up our towels instead of getting fresh ones. This is a good thought for me to consider!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
We go camping every year. For many years in campers and now in a cabin. We always clean up after ourselves.
Melanie S. says
This is something I hadn’t given much thought to before, but I love the idea. If start planning this way, my kids will develop the habit too!
Rebecca Swenor says
Great post and tips. We should all try to do eco-friendly travel or activities. Thanks for sharing.
Debi says
We try to do a lot of eco friendly travel. My kids try to go, see, and do things that are local and leave a small footprint