Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Traveling w/6 yr old

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Traveling w/6 yr old

I am a single parent with a 6 yr. old daughter. I really want to see the world (and show her as well), and for me shorter trips will have to do. Any thoughts on this? Destination thoughts? Poss.just visit a few cities each time. With spring rates, it's hard to pass up - we'd leave mid-April. I would try to choose a destination that she would enjoy too, and save the Amsterdam/ night life trips for a friend to join me. Thanks much!!!

You dont' say where you're from, but I'd start with London if you haven't been. There's lots of info here if you do a text search on London AND kids. Our resident expert Ben Haines has a file on thigs to do in London with kids. I'd suggest staying in an apartment which is often cheaper & allows you a kitchen for some meals in & some more space.

I would like to offer an answer you might not expect, as the father of three daughters. We traveled - - somewhere between a little and a lot - - from the time our first daughter was 6 months old to this May, when we will travel as a family of five to Vienna, Prague, Poland and Scotland. It's our second/third trip as a family to Europe (one daughter could not go on one of those), and each of them has been to Europe once (or twice) without us (at age 10 or 11, with a school three-week exchange program, one of them at a time, in separate years). In all, we probably had them in about twenty states on 8-10 trips between the birth of our oldest and her tenth birthday (when our youngest was 6). Our first trip TO Europe together was when they were 14, 16 and 18. As we have reminisced over the years, one striking thing to me was that they have virtually no memory of trips before about age 8. In rare instances, they can recall some PERSONAL event that happened on the trip, but nothing about where we were at the time. This is not to say that these earlier experiences didn't prepare them to be better travelers at a later age - - nor am I implying that it did not contribute to their overall awareness of the world, and the diversity of geography and culture in America and abroad. So - - I am turning your post into two questions - - how to help your daughter "see the world", and what destinations in Europe to choose. You can show her the world in so many ways: in a 50 mile radius from your home, in a 500 mile radius from your home, and all over as many continents as you choose (I realize that I don't even know on which continent you reside!) It's less important that she see the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal or Disneyland, than letting her see your love of travel, your love of lifelong learning about the world, your curiosity and appreciation for its people, their languages, lives, food, arts and achievements. You second question about destinations in Europe has been asked here a thousand times before - - and it's all about YOU. Where, in the world, do you see when you close your eyes and think, "I can't wait to go on vacation to..." ? Best wishes, Rex [email protected]

I think with a 6 year old maybe 1 city at a time is the easiest. Italy is very children friendly in general. You can spend a week in Rome. It's a lively place and it could amuse a 6 yr old although lots of museums I would image would not interest a young child. In a city like that there are also some decent open spaces (Borghese Gardens in Rome, Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, etc.) just to give a child down time and let them run around. If you are leaning towards a particular city (paris, london, rome and even amsterdam), people here can give you lots of suggestions on what to do with a 6 year old. Granted it would not be the same vacation as one with another adult but there can still be lots of fun and interetsing things for both a parent and child to enjoy in any of these places.

My grandaughter came with me in Europe when she was 7 years old. She had a ball especially in Rome. Since then she became my little travel companion, loves Paris, Rome, Avignon and others European cities.She loves France but her favorite's country is Italy, and she consider herself a Roman. If everything goes well, we are going back this summer, and spend a week at CT also.Travel is a good way for the children to know others peoples cultures and ways of life and they can learn that not matter where we come from, we are all members of the human race ....and hopefully they will grow without prejudice.....

Thank you all for your thoughts. Rex, what a response!I will have to decide what to do. 1st, I'm from the Chgo. area, and yes, I could travel in the US, I just have no interest in that (at this time), I've only been overseas once (France), and swore I'd go back yearly to visit other cities/countries. I absolutely loved it-and there is sooo much to see in the world. I guess I feel I want to start now - life can be short! Thanks again. HJ

Okay, less soapbox this time (but maybe still a little bit). I don't know what bargains are still around, or likely to be popping up in the next week or so, but you can still get a pretty good deal on www.aerlingus.com for two more days = = and not just to Ireland (though Ireland would be a fine choice), but to other onward destinations on the continent of Europe as well. And here's the smidge of soapbox that you (also) didn't ask for. In the big picture, nothing would complement your travels with your daughter like seeing the world with a PAIR of parents. However much travel budget you have over the next few years, I will hope - - for both of you - - that you get the opportunity to make some resources and time for travel and other getting together with someone who is a prospect to fill that role.

We have taken our children to Europe 3 times as well as to many places in the US. They are now 11 and 13, but we first went to England when our youngest was 7. Part of our motivation is that we love to travel and simply can't park them somewhere for a couple of weeks, so guess what? We take them. Yes, Rex is correct that what they remember differs from what you would think. My son wants to return to Paris for the crepes! (doesn't mention the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, etc.). I think the England thought for a first trip is a good one; it makes it easier that language is not a problem...I strongly encourage you to limit the "city time". That seems to wear out my kids. There's much in the countryside. I will also agree that, in general, a country that works well for kids is Italy. Kids love the food (pizza, pasta, gelato) and Italians are warm and friendly. Especially consider an agriturismo in the countryside, such as in Tuscany.

As well as the file on children in London I have a file on children in Paris. You are welcome to ask for either, or both, by e-mail Welcome to Europe [email protected].

How about southern Holland? In mid-April the flowers will be at their peak, the miles of cycling paths would be perfect for some quiet riding, and there are beaches and windmills all within a few miles. You don't even need to go into Amsterdam if you don't want. By staying around Leiden, there are many wonderful things to do with a young child. We're having an extremely dry and warm spring over here too!

My daughter is 11... she's been to all 50 US states and 11 times to Europe. Her favorite thing to do is climb around old ruins (castles/abbeys in Ireland and Scotland, etc). And Greece is her favorite place in the world (Dephi, Mycenae, Corinth, Athens). If you decide London, get a walking tours list and see if they do the "Winnie the Pooh" tour. It is probably the best day I ever spent with my children. You'll venture around all the sites from the Pooh stories in AE Milne's home town. It was wonderful. When we came home, we went to NYC to see the real Pooh and friends in the children's library. We also go one place and stay a week in an apartment... then one more place for a week. I can never quite relate to all the posters that list 5 towns in 7 days. We're a bit too lazy to do that! (and a young child really can't handle it).

I was thinking of every place for you when I realised my country would be great! Ireland is very child friendly and if you are nervous about language probls etc it ould be no issue here (Except for a fe nameless rcounties I still can't understand when they speak!) You can have Dublin (There is a great kids arts ccentre in Temple Bar called the ark) and the countryside to wander together. Single Parent fa,milies are very common here and people will go out of their way for you if you are travelling alone with a child. Think of a few things you want out of your holiday specifically and try to match it to specific countries. Enjoy!

I think Ireland is a great idea. My boss took his family there last year about this time and they loved it -- that included parents plus two kids age 6 and 9 or so. They rented a cottage somewhere in the western part of the country and just spent time doing casual, outdoorsy things, walks, playing, some pubs in the early evenings, etc.

Just remember the 7 hour time difference. There will be a few days at the beginning of the trip getting into local time. You will probably be going to bed at 6pm at the latest.A short trip (a week)may not be worth it. There will also be jet lag on the way back. Will she have time to get over the jet lag before she goes back to school? Our family rule is no more than 3 hours difference unless there will be 3-5 days to get over the trip before school.