How can I get children intersted in traveling?

Question

We will be taking a family trip to Spain and Italy next year, and all members of our family are over 21 now, except for my two brothers, who are 7 and 11. How can we get them excited and interested about this vacation? Are there any good travel books, websites, etc. that are geared toward children? Is there anything in Spain or Italy that would be of particular interest to younger boys?

Answer 1

We are taking our 10 year old son to Italy later this year and he can't wait to see things like the Coliseum, the Forum as well as visit places like Sorrento.

We bought him some stories set in Ancient Rome - so now he is really excited and wants to see all the places the stories talk about.  In fact, he probably knows more about Ancient Rome than we do!!!

The books are called the Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence - it is a series of about 12 books.  They tell the story of 4 young friends living in Ancient Rome - they work in historical places and people.

There are also the Magic Treehouse books - some of which have stories based in Italy and Spain.

You can also try the "Eyewitness" Series of books - they include websites for kids to go to that deal with the information the books talk about.

Enjoy your trip!!

Answer 2

Lonely Planet publish a book about travelling WITH children. It would be worth finding a copy in a bookshop and seeing if it has a section on how to prepare them and generate a level of interest.

Answer 3

Oh I'd say rely on the historical stuff.  For example (Italy).  Tell them about Pompeii and the interesting stuff they will see there.  Tell them about the Coliseum and what use to happen there.  Hopefully you'll take them to the Vatican.  (Spain) tell them about bullfights and the famous swords that are made in Toledo.  Tell them they are going to get some cool souvenirs.  Hope this helped a little.  I know I love going to both places when I was a kid.  Try the link below as well.

Answer 4

tel them you are going to leave them home and put them in a kennel

Answer 5

Running of the bulls in Spain.

Gladiators in Rome

Answer 6

Tell them about parks and how fun they are and then they will be so excited that they are going to get to go to them but if u dont go... font tell them that b/c then they wont want to go