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Family travel ideas for kids can be big trips or small trips, both are good. But the goal today is just to get out of the house, off the computer, away from the city and back to nature. While adults are confined to office cubicles; kids sit in classrooms dreaming of escape. The outdoor world offers complementary lessons to formal indoor education. Book smarts are great, but its passive and controlled. The jungle encourages active participation and physical stimulation in a more unpredictable environment. Parents like control; kids thrive on excitement and adventure. An outdoor adventure education teaches kids how to react in the natural world. Improve kid fitness and character with regular jungle outings. Watch how kids discover respect and caution for nature, with the right dose of fear for certain situations. And each rainforest excursion brings more experience and knowledge to build on back at school. The earth is changing; lifestyles will not stay the same. Get your kids thinking about the planet with trips close to home. There are plenty of decision-making opportunities and ecological questions to stimulate young minds. Start Family Travel Ideas With A Question - Did you know that the world's largest flower, Rafflesia, is found in Malaysia? Have you seen one yet?
- What would you do if you saw a red-headed snake cross your trail? Can you tell if it is poisonous?
- Do you like taking pictures? Make your own 'jungle story' and put it on your website or blog.
- Monkeys, frogs, cicadas and birds all make sounds in the jungle. Do you know who's making all the chatter?
"If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it."
❖ David Sobel in Beyond Ecophobia:
Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education
Stuck For A Few Outdoor Family Travel Ideas?
Why Not Try Out These Wild PlacesNature Education For Kids: Get Dirty In Jungle School
Either go outdoors with mom and dad or share nature with friends your own age. There are special environmental events (e.g. Raptor Watch) to watch out for. For an introduction into the jungle and its creatures try out the Canopy Walk and Nature Education Centre at FRIM or take a group to Matang to see the mangrove swamp. Nature Walks For Kids: Easy Parks For Beginners
Test out your outdoor walking shoes at these easy access nature parks. Stroll among the scenery or tackle a short trail to start your experiences. Try out these parks first as a primer to adventure hikes later: FRIM, Bukit Nanas, Taman Rimba Ampang. Rainforest For Kids: Cool Off In Jungle Waterfalls
Forget the air-con and head out to the jungle. Walk the forest trails to see monkeys, lizards and woodpeckers first, then spend most the day in the cool waters of rainforest rivers. Be careful to pick a safe spot for swimming. Our personal jungle favorites for a splashing good time are Kanching Forest, Selangor State Park, and FRIM. Birdwatching For Kids: Look Up In The Sky!
Watching and identifying birds is a great outdoor adventure education. It may take a bit of practice to use birdwatching binoculars, but you'll soon know your egrets from your eagles. So grab a bird guidebook and see the water birds at Kuala Selangor Nature Park or watch for rainforest birds in the highlands of Fraser's Hill. Wildlife For Kids: Creatures Big And Small
Nothing captures the attention of kids like animals. Wildlife is everywhere; they just don't let you see them. Get kids interested in learning about endangered rainforest animals and conservation. It's no fun to visit a wild place without wild animals, so here are some suggestions on where to find Big Mammals, Water Birds and Mudskippers and Sparkling Fireflies. Swamp Forests For Kids: Discover Water Wilderness
Navigating freshwater swamps by boat makes it easy to get around. That's the only way to observe swamp plants and swamp animals. Learn how to fish or visit a local community to practice traditional skills using forest materials. The two main swamplands to see are Tasik Bera or Tasik Chini.
Practical Tips For Family Travel Ideas
To Keep Kids Interested And Parents CoolTip #1: A Good Attitude Is Everything
Being positive about a new adventure goes a long way to convince kids to have fun. No whining aloud. Things will go whacky sometimes, so laugh it off. Tip #2: Expect The Unexpected
Be flexible. Going outdoors means giving up control. Be prepared to change the schedule or divert an activity due to unforeseen circumstances. Go with the flow. And always plan for rain delays. Tip #3: Relax And Escape Stress
Trip pre-planning is essential. But the whole idea is to enjoy the outing. Don't plan a tight schedule loaded with more than what you can do in a day at an easy pace. Tip #4: Be Active With Your Kids
Besides checking on safety, be an active parent and partake in the experience together. Let the kids lead the adventure sometimes. Tip #5: Balance Teaching And Discovery
Parents are notorious for employing master-student roles. The rainforest embraces self-discovery, within allowable limits, for chances to deal with the environment on your own. Tip #6: Prepare For Frustration And Fear
Be more supportive, less emotional. Kids need more time to learn in new environs. Let them figure out tough episodes by solving problems without being rescued by mom and dad too often. Tip #7: Communicate Openly And Direct
Curiosity killed the cat but everything else is alive. Kids ask lots of questions: silly, insightful, hard. Be truthful, be a mentor and keep the learning flame burning bright. [Note: Adapted from the book Introducing Your Kids To The Outdoors by Christopher Van Tilburg, Stackpole Books (2005) and personal experience with family travel ideas.]
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