Traveling During School: A Growing Trend Among Families
As families look for alternative educational experiences, more American parents are taking their children out of school for vacations. Recent data reveals that 67% of U.S. parents with kids aged 5 to 18 have included family trips during the school year, while 24% would consider doing so.
Sarah Mann, a mother from Bainbridge Island, Washington, exemplifies this trend. For four years, she’s taken her children—ages 16, 14, and 12—on global trips, believing that travel fosters a deeper understanding of cultures that cannot be replicated in classrooms. Mann emphasizes the importance of these experiences, asserting that they provide valuable life lessons, cultural awareness, and personal growth.
In April, her family explored Portugal for ten days, visiting cities like Lisbon and Porto, and previously traveled to Peru to experience Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest. Their trips integrate educational elements, including tours and museum visits, helping contextualize their school learning.
The financial aspect of traveling during non-peak times also attracts families. A significant number of parents, 92% according to a recent survey, are open to pulling kids from school to save on travel costs. Christina DeSomma, another parent, cited potential savings of thousands while avoiding crowded tourist spots. She stresses that off-peak travel creates a more enjoyable experience for her children.
By communicating with their children’s schools and managing schoolwork around travel, these families find a balance. Mann’s children maintain their assignments on trips, and DeSomma shares how travel has enriched her children’s lives, letting them explore heritage and learn new languages.
Both families highlight that the benefits of travel—educational enhancement and family bonding—far outweigh the missed school days, fostering skills like problem-solving and adaptability. Travel is not merely a vacation; it is a formative experience that extends learning beyond the classroom.
