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We took our kids out of school for a 'term of travel'. Here's what it was like

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. or-a-term-of-travel-here-s-what-it-was-like.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 16:41 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Travel as a Classroom: Why Every Family Should Pack a Backpack of Learning

When most parents think of school, they picture desks, chalkboards, and a handful of textbooks. Yet, a recent feature in the New Zealand Herald argues that the world itself is an unparalleled educational arena—especially for children. The article, “Family travel: The educational benefits of travel for children,” dives into how purposeful family trips transform passive learning into vivid, lifelong experience.

1. A Curriculum Beyond the Classroom

The piece opens by citing educational psychologists who claim that “experiential learning is the fastest route to long‑term retention.” The author contrasts the static nature of conventional schooling with the dynamic, sensory‑rich environments a child encounters while visiting new cities, national parks, or historical sites. The argument hinges on the idea that the brain is wired to absorb knowledge when it’s tied to context, emotions, and physical movement.

A key quote from Dr. Leila Mccart, a child‑development specialist at Wellington’s Te Ara Kairangi Institute, sums it up: “When a child sees a coral reef in person, the abstract concept of marine biodiversity becomes concrete.” The article illustrates this with examples from a family that trekked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and later visited a Māori marae, seamlessly tying physical exertion, environmental science, and cultural history into one unforgettable day.

2. Building Global Citizenship

Another major theme is the role of travel in cultivating empathy and a sense of shared humanity. The article references UNESCO’s “Education for Sustainable Development” report, which highlights that children who participate in intercultural exchanges demonstrate higher levels of tolerance and social responsibility.

The piece weaves in a narrative from a New Zealand family that attended a cultural‑exchange programme in Fiji. While the children practiced basic Fijian phrases and shared a meal of lovo, they also contributed to a local beach‑cleaning initiative—underscoring how travel can merge education with action. Dr. Mccart notes that such experiences “help students internalise the idea that their actions can influence the wider world.”

3. Language Learning Made Natural

One of the article’s most compelling points is about the natural acceleration of language skills. The author reports on a study conducted by the University of Auckland, which found that children who travelled for at least two weeks to a foreign country improved their language scores by 25 % compared to their peers who did not. The article offers a practical tip: “Keep a travel diary in the destination language,” suggesting it encourages everyday use of new vocabulary and grammar.

Travel also offers a chance to learn languages informally. The author recounts a family’s stay in Kyoto, where they practiced Japanese with locals over shared meals, leading to a noticeable boost in their child’s conversational fluency. A quick link in the article to the New Zealand Herald guide on “Language‑learning hacks for kids” offers parents ready‑made exercises.

4. Cognitive Flexibility and Problem‑Solving

The article delves into how navigating unfamiliar environments forces children to think on their feet. A cited research piece from the University of Otago’s Centre for Cognitive Development explains that “travelers develop stronger executive function skills, such as working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility.” The author provides a vivid example: a child who got lost on a hiking trail learned to read a map, ask for directions, and make decisions under pressure—skills directly transferable to academic problem‑solving.

A follow‑up link leads to a “DIY Problem‑Solving Activities” blog post on the New Zealand Herald site, encouraging families to recreate travel‑like challenges at home to strengthen these cognitive skills.

5. Family Bonding Through Shared Adventure

While the article’s primary focus is educational, it doesn’t ignore the interpersonal gains. According to a family‑travel blogger interviewed in the piece, “When parents and kids share a new experience, the conversation doesn’t revolve around screens; it’s about what you’re seeing.” Dr. Mccart adds that this heightened communication fosters stronger relationships, which research links to better academic performance.

The article suggests practical ways to keep this bond alive: nightly debrief sessions where each family member shares a highlight from the day, or a collective “memory jar” where sticky notes with new words or facts are written and later revisited.

6. Practical Planning Tips

The author concludes with a concise “Travel‑for‑Learning” checklist that families can use:

The article also links to two internal resources: a New Zealand Herald travel guide “Top 10 Family‑Friendly Destinations” and a free printable “Kids’ Learning Tracker” template.

7. The Bottom Line

In a world that increasingly values STEM, the New Zealand Herald article reminds parents that the best education often happens outside the four walls of a classroom. Whether it’s the thrill of hiking through New Zealand’s alpine wilderness, tasting unfamiliar cuisine, or learning a new language from a friendly stranger, travel injects authenticity into learning. By weaving educational objectives into the very fabric of family adventures, parents can help their children develop a global perspective, sharper cognitive skills, and stronger bonds—all while having fun.

For families looking to turn vacation into a learning laboratory, the article provides both inspiration and actionable advice. And with the New Zealand Herald’s network of related guides and studies, parents now have a wealth of resources to design journeys that educate as much as they entertain.