How Family Travel Ignites Your Child's Creativity

Each week , i'm bringing you interviews with accomplished and talented moms who have made their creative dreams a reality . I talk to writers , artists , musicians and entrepreneurs who have successfully found a way to do what they love while raising the ones they love .

Some of the writers I talk to are New York Times bestselling authors , while some are self-published first-time authors . I also share my own insights and resources to help you navigate the unique challenges of being a mom who creates .

So , whether you're an early bird or a night owl , a seasoned pro or just starting out , i want you to know that you can pursue your creative passions and be an amazing mom at the same time . Grab a cup of coffee , a notebook and get ready to join our community of like-minded moms who are on a mission to live intentionally and create with purpose .

This is the Moms Who Create podcast , and I can't wait to share this journey with you . Hi everyone , and welcome back to this week's episode of the Moms Who Create podcast . So today we're diving into a topic that is very near and dear to my heart .

Pretty much everything I talk about on here is very near and dear to my heart , but this one I don't really talk about often . Today we're talking about traveling with your children and the impact that it has on their creativity and imagination . So my husband , daughters and I do a lot of domestic US travel and , in my five-year-olds , little amount of life .

So far , she's already visited 34 states And my three-year-old isn't far behind her . I'm honestly not even sure which states she hasn't been to that my oldest has . Anyway , what I'm trying to say is we love traveling .

Annalyssiter once told me that I should make an episode about , like family travel and I was like absolutely yes , i will , but I want to put a spin on it to make it more cohesive with my podcast platform on here .

So I thought , okay , let me do an episode , just a short , kind of like blog post style episode , about traveling with kids and the impact it has on their creativity . I'm not an expert at this , you guys , i just do it and this is what I see from it . So we're going to do two things on this episode .

I'm going to start out by giving you information from my own mind of why travel is so imperative to kids' creative growth , and then I'm going to give you a handful of places in the US that you should visit with your kids , in my honest opinion . Okay , let's start out with exposure to new cultures and perspectives .

So traveling introduces children to diverse cultures , traditions and new perspectives . Guys , if you live in the Midwest , i highly encourage you to venture out from the Midwest every now and then . It's great here , i love it , wonderful corn . But you know what ?

sometimes it's nice to see what is outside of here , especially for your children , experiencing different languages , foods , customs and , just like , lifestyles . It broadens their horizons and encourages them to think beyond their own familiar surroundings .

This exposure it fosters empathy , tolerance and a greater appreciation for the world's rich diversity , all of which fuel their creativity and expand their imaginative capacities . That sounds fancy , but it basically just means it helps be more creative and have a greater imagination . Let's talk about sites and landscapes .

Exploring new destinations exposes children to breathtaking natural landscapes , iconic landmarks and architectural marvels , whether it's like standing in awe of towering mountains , wandering through ancient ruins or marveling at awe-inspiring city skylines , which my daughter loves . She'll see any skyline .

My three-year-old should be like New York City and it's like Columbus , ohio And I'm like no , but still , yes , skylines , no matter what the city , are beautiful . These visual experiences create lasting impressions in their minds , whether it's Columbus , ohio or New York City .

They learn to appreciate beauty in various forms and may even find inspiration for their own artistic creations . I have seen my five-year-old drawing her own city skyline before and it's like so simple . But she would have not known that unless she went out and ventured and saw city skylines .

Just driving into a city As me , her mom is driving into New York City from Philadelphia , shaking but trying to conquer something on her bucket list , but that is a different story . So if you travel with kids at all especially little kids besides , like the diaper things and the , are we there yet ? No , not yet . You know this .

Traveling with kids encourages a sense of curiosity and this thirst for exploration . They become active participants in their own learning journey , asking questions , seeking answers and discovering so many new things . This natural curiosity stimulates their imaginations and it's you guys , it's so important . And they're constantly exposed to novel experiences , environments , people .

They learn to embrace new challenges and approach the world with a sense of wonder and excitement . I find this in my own personal experience , my five-year-old . You've probably heard me talk about her on here , but she's pretty shy . She's really apprehensive to just school everything . Super , super smart .

She's got her dad's brains , but she's really just really apprehensive . You know everything . She has to be very careful when she starts something new . Except when we're traveling She is a completely different person . I mean we could walk out , whether it's like a city or just in the hotel . When we get there . She owns it . She just she rolls her suitcase .

She acts like she has been here a million times , even if she's never been there before , and she is so excited to just explore experience and just see what this place has to offer for her , no matter where it is . It's actually incredible . I'm like in all , every time this happens , i'm like Andrew , my husband . I'm like Andrew , look at her .

Who is this girl ? This is amazing And I'm slowly hoping that feeds into her school life and everything . She takes that lust for life , that eagerness to learn and explore and try new things to just her every day . You know , hour by hour , home school life , because it's so neat , you guys .

It's so neat to see that firsthand and just see how she just wants to take on the world , when any other place that she is She's like just so introverted , i don't know . It's really cool . It is really cool to see Speaking of home life , school life , routine . Travel gives you a break . Travel provides a break from the everyday routine .

It allows kids to break free from their comfort zones and experience the world from a fresh perspective , and you can experience the world through their perspective , no matter if you've been there a thousand times or if that's your first time . You also get to live it through their eyes . Now , when I married my husband , he's been everywhere .

So he told me before I had kids he was like I love to see these experiences through your eyes , things that he's never noticed , these places he's been to , that I'm going to for the first time , and I see that through my children too . They're their fresh perspective of places we go .

I like to see it through their eyes , stepping outside you know , familiar environments and schedules . It really does stimulate their brain and it encourages them to think differently and creatively . They become more adaptive , resilient , open to new ideas , all of which are such essential qualities for fostering their creativity And that imagination of theirs .

Okay , let's talk about learning . Travel is an immersive form of experiential education where kids learn through direct experiences and hands-on activities . They can engage in interactive museum exhibits , which my kids love . We just got back from a couple places , but most of the time we spent in Pittsburgh , i took my kids to two specific places .

We went to the Carnegie Science Center and the Pittsburgh Children's Museum , or Children's Museum of Pittsburgh , one of those ways . Oh my goodness , they had so much fun I got to see at the Children's Museum side note , they had one of Mr Rogers sweaters . You guys , i was like fangirling over Mr Rogers . They love Daniel Tiger .

So you know , mr Rogers , daniel Tiger . It was really cool to see a lot of that stuff . It was amazing . The Science Center you could probably spend two to three days there . It is incredible . So they engaged in the interactive museum exhibits . They can participate in cultural workshops . They can see live performances . I took my daughters to a Broadway show once .

They saw the Lion King best thing ever . And you can also explore historical sites , right . These real world encounters go beyond books , textbooks , enhancing their understanding and sparking their imaginations . They connect the dots between what they learned at school and how it applies to the real world . What about storytelling and narrative building ?

Kids can document their adventures through journaling , photography or even creating their own , like travel blogs or vlogs . My daughter has an iPad and she just discovered that she could take pictures and videos really with it . So we'll be doing anything , whether it's a home or outside , whatever She'll be like , i want to get my iPad and take pictures .

So she's this like budding photographer and she will literally document everything , no matter what it is . I'll go back through her pictures and videos and look and it's just the cutest thing to see what she thinks is important in her day , wanting to capture it in her own storytelling way .

Reflecting on the experiences and sharing them with others , like helps develop their storytelling skills , encouraging creativity , self-expression . They can weave tales of adventure . They can create characters inspired by people they meet , and they can just craft their own narratives . All right , i have one more here Exposure to arts and cultural expressions .

Travel exposes children to various art forms . Right , whether it's visiting art museums , attending theater , performances , broadway what do you think ? street art , or experiencing like local music and dance . These encounters with creativity and its different forms , inspire their own artistic expressions .

They may discover a newfound interest in painting , writing , music , performance arts . You know all the things . Travel becomes like a catalyst for exploring their artistic talents . It's huge guys .

So now , armed with this knowledge , let's talk about some really cool destinations that can inspire our families and help our children dive into the arts and reading and writing and all the things . So let's add these ready . Okay , you got your paper . Okay , here we are . Let's add these to your travel bucket list . Now there could be two lists here .

I could give you hole in the wall places in like Fargo , north Dakota , love Fargo , hi Kayla . Or I could give you real , normal places that you can visit and a few places to go in these cities . So let's start out with New York City , the Big Apple , a cultural mecca for artists and book lovers alike .

Now I could make a huge long list of places to go in New York with your kids , but here are two . Take your little one to the Children's Museum of Arts in the vibrant Soho neighborhood . They can immerse themselves in hands-on art experiences . So got that one . Don't forget to visit the iconic New York Public Library too . They have a specific Children's Center .

There They can delve into the world of captivating books , engaging programs , so many things . They also don't know if they still have it , but they had the original Stuffed Animals from one of the poo there . That wasn't in the Children's Center , it was , and then the main part I don't know a map of it , but if you walk in and go straight to the right .

So there's that . So many places in New York . If you want a recommendation like a list of places to visit in New York that has to do with art and writing and stuff , message me . I will give you my recommendations .

Your second recommendation , another place that is close to my heart , is San Francisco , california , the city by the bay brimming with so many artistic wonders . I could start and talk about the hippie movement back in the day , high-dashbury . You know all that . But let's start with the Randall Museum . It's a hub of art and science programs for children .

Let them unleash their creativity in art classes , pottery workshops and they also have live animal exhibits . So if you're looking for something that's just not the normal , everything that San Francisco has to offer , look at the Randall Museum . There's also a bookstore there you should visit called Green Apple Books . It is a beloved independent bookstore .

If you're looking to get lost in all the shelves of all the captivating stories , san Francisco probably more than New York . I could give you an even bigger list of all the things to do with your kids . So again , ask me , i should , just , i should make a longer episode , shouldn't I ? This is not arts related , this is more science related .

But the exploratorium there is absolutely phenomenal . Phenomenal , and if you have an ASTC membership you can get it from , like your local , some , a lot of science centers and science museums locally .

You can buy a membership and it gets you into I don't even know how many I'll say thousands is probably hundreds , but let's just say thousands of science museums and science centers in the US . It's insane And it's expensive . A family of four , i think , at the exploratory .

I'm not to steer you away from it , but it's like $95 , i think , just to go one time . So getting a membership really really pays for itself after like one or two times . Number three Portland Oregon . It is known for its vibrant art scene . Portland is a haven for creative souls . You can take your kids to the Portland Art Museum .

They can participate in art making workshops and they have guided tours specifically for children And of course that was out on Palisade of Books . It's the world's largest independent bookstore .

You and your family can just go ham in there , go crazy I mean , don't go crazy , it's a bookstore , but go crazy finding amazing books , especially in the children's section , and you can also attend just captivating book readings . Okay , we're going to go back to Pittsburgh .

I know I mentioned it earlier , but I want to tell you about a creative adventure in Steel City . Have you guys been to the Andy Warhol Museum there ? We didn't get to go on this last trip . I drove by it but I didn't take my kids this time . I'll take them next time . I went five , six , seven , probably maybe 10 . Andrew and I were dating with no kids .

I went there a long time ago And it's in the North Shore neighborhood And it just celebrates Andy Warhol , legendary pop artist , controversial , so don't come at me if you're not an Andy Warhol fan , but I think your kids would really like it . They can do some hands on art activities , create their own screen prints and they can just explore Andy Warhol .

It's just iconic pieces . It's a cool place And when you walk in they have what's the word ? What's the word a couch . So when you walk in , they have a couch there and they have a picture above it . I want to say it's the same couch , but you never know .

They could switch it out and said it's the same , but you see Andy Warhol , kind of like , laying with his legs out on this couch and you can sit there and take the same picture as him . You have to . It's like it's an unwritten rule . If you walk in , you have to get the same picture that Andy Warhol took on the couch . Your kids will like it .

Of course , not all the levels are hands on , but I think your kids will like it . Pop art , you know , is vibrant . Take my kids there next time . Oh , and also book related . Don't forget to visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh . They can participate in storytelling sessions , book clubs , interactive workshops . Oh man , there's actually a lot in Pittsburgh .

So let's not sleep on Pittsburgh , you guys . So there is just a touch . Just a touch on a few places that you can visit with your kids . By visiting these places , your family can engage in so many hands on art activities . Immerse yourself in all of these stories , ignite your children's imaginations .

These destinations are really just a glimpse of many , many , many places you can go and so many creative and literary experiences available all across the US .

So , fellow moms , come on , let's pack our bags , let's buckle up , book the flight and let's go on an adventure that will not only create lasting memories but also nurture our children's creativity and imagination . Together , let's ignite that spark of artistic expression , let's inspire love for reading and watch our little ones' imaginations soar .

Remember , every travel experience is an opportunity for growth , discovery and the development of your child's creativity and imagination . So let's embrace the unknown , explore the world , just explore it with wide-eyed wonder , along with your children . Witness this incredible transformation that travel brings .

And if you're scared of airplanes , guys , i used to be so scared of airplanes I didn't go on an airplane until I was 21, . I think , do it , just do it , you'll be fine . You'll be fine , it'll be fine . Okay , it'll be fine . So I hope this helped you .

Again , if you need more resources and more information specific to a certain state , even if I haven't been there , i will get you some information Just message me and let me know . So , happy travels , fellow creative moms . Let's nurture those creative sparks and watch our children's imaginations take flight .

Hey , how are you doing on your reading challenge this year , i always got to pop in and ask you so you don't forget . It can be really easy to put the book or Kindle down , get sidetracked by life , work whatever you're doing , but don't forget to pick it back up . Just pick it back up . You need it for five minutes every day .

Read If you love it , do it , let's do it .

I just finished my 21st book . Guys . That's huge for me . That's huge for me . My goal for this year is 24 . And I'm a 21 at the end of June . So proud . If you make things in your life a priority , that you want to be a priority , they will become a priority . Listen to that back if you need to , but I think it makes sense .

Thank you so much for listening . Don't forget to leave a review if you're like in the podcast . I'd really , really appreciate it . It helps me out so much just on my reach to other moms around the world . So thank you again so much for listening . I appreciate you , i love you And I'll see you next week .