Family Travel Ideas For Jungle Kids

"Real Fun In The Rainforest"

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.

river tubing

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 ~ Beyond Ecophobia:
Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education

Family Travel Ideas: Try Out These Wild Places

Nature Education For Kids

Either go outdoors with mom and dad or share nature with friends from school. During school holidays there are usually special programs for kids to learn about the rainforest.

For an introduction into the jungle and its creatures try out the canopy walk and the MNS Nature Education Centre at FRIM.

Or arrange for a group tour of the Matang mangrove swamp with side trips to see charcoal production and fireflies at night.

Nature Walks For Kids

The first step outdoors is to find easy access to nature parks. There are plenty of rivers to stroll alongside of and forest waterfall trails to start your nature experiences.

Take a camera and snap what you can find among the rocks, trees and plants.

Try out these parks -- FRIM, Bukit Nanas, Taman Rimba Ampang -- for little beginners and find more adventure at Jungle Trekking For Kids for family travel ideas.

Rainforest For Kids

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.

There are plenty more rainforest waterfall options to choose from at Jungle Water.

Birdwatching For Kids

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.

The best way to get started with birdwatching is to join MNS and go out with the Bird Group. And remember that the annual Raptor Watch occurs in March, when migratory birds fly by in the thousands.

Wildlife For Kids

Nothing captures the attention of kids like animals. Wildlife is everywhere; they just don't let you see them.

From sea turtles and river terrapins to wild cattle and wild birds, there are several Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers and sanctuaries to visit for easy viewing of wild animals.

Get kids interested in learning about endangered rainforest animals and conservation when choosing family travel ideas.

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.