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We love to travel and experience new things with our children. We have been able to create so many amazing memories over the years. In this article, I will review what has been (or still is) on our family bucket list of experiences.
Our list has evolved over the years to include things the children have found and decided they would like to see or do. I will also include other great family bucket list experiences that are not on our list but might be of interest to you and your family.
Family bucket list experiences achieved
Road trips
I love road trips. Such a fun way to see a country. The change in vegetation, seeing cities, towns, villages, etc. It creates an opportunity to talk about how there are many different ways to live your life.
Keep in mind that the entire trip doesn’t have to be done by car, you can reach your destination by plane and from there, rent a car.
My favorite experience was during a road trip to Utah. We saw cattle farmers moving their cows to a different pasture. There must have been 500 cows. The ranchers ranged from a 6 years old little girl to what seemed to be a grandfather. It was a super cool experience.
If you are planning a road trip, check out this article to learn our top 16 road trip essential items.
Plane travel
There is something about leaving a place where you had your winter coat on and arriving a few hours later someplace where people are wearing shorts. I love the opportunity to show our children that although the world is big, it is possible to explore many areas.
Trains, ferry boats, etc
There are many ways to go from place to place. What is “normal” where we live might not be somewhere else. I remember our kids’ first experience using the subway system in London. That was very different for them since we live in a place with very little public transport. They figured out how to navigate it pretty quickly, and it was a fun experience.
Beaches and ocean-related activities
I won’t lie, I love the ocean and I can never get tired of it. Since our children were little, we have enjoyed taking them to different beaches and participating in different experiences. When they were young, they loved crab hunting on the beach at night. During the day, they enjoyed boogieboarding, jumping the waves, collecting sea shells, and looking for shark teeth. As they got a little older, we’ve been able to add snorkeling and jet-skying to our list of activities.
Here is an article with some of our favorite beaches to date.
Museums, concerts, plays and musicals
From a young age, we’ve taken our children to age-appropriate art experiences. Museums are fantastic to expose them to arts, science, and history. Concerts and plays open their imagination and expand their horizon. From Disney on-ice events and band concerts to traveling broadway shows, we’ve had and continue to have a great time.
State & National parks
We have all developed a love for hiking in national parks. I wish we had started earlier. We aim to hit a few more before the children are on their own. Our preference is to rent a house near the national park we are visiting to truly embrace nature during our trips. Here are the national parks we have visited so far: Everglades (Florida), Smokey Mountains (Tennessee and North Carolina), Grand Canyon (Arizona, Nevada, Utah), Zion (Utah), Bryce Canyon (Utah), Arches (Utah), and Sequoia (California).
Historical visits
We try to incorporate learning into our bucket list experiences. When the kids were younger, this was typically included in any type of vacation with something age-appropriate to teach them. For example, when we went to Virginia and crossed the Chesapeake Bay bridge, we explained when it was built and how they manage to build something like that. As they get older, this is easier to add more in-depth historical learning and experiences. We enjoy adding guided city tours to our trips and reading about historical events that took place where we are visiting. Our favorite historical visit to date was to the Tower of London.
Exposure to cultural and language differences
We want our children to grow up understanding that our way isn’t necessarily the way. I want them to see the beauty of our world’s differences. Living and eating like the locals for a few days/weeks can be quite eye-opening. These exposures help them be grateful and appreciate what they have while they learn about different ways to live that may be better for them.
Amusement parks and local festivals
Having great family fun is a must on any family bucket list experiences. Who doesn’t have fun at an amusement park or festival? While amusement parks are quite expensive, festivals are usually low-cost. When visiting a new city, check to see if a festival is going on to add to your to-do list.
Other family bucket list experiences to consider
Cruise
Although I love the sea, I’ve never been particularly attracted to cruises. However, they can be an interesting option to see multiple locations during a single trip. I could be interested in a Mediterranean cruise that would allow us to experience many European cultures.
Camping
I have fond memories of camping as a child. This has not been something we’ve done with our children, but it is a fabulous option if you are looking for full nature immersion. If camping isn’t quite your thing, there are many options for Glamping now these days.
Sports
If your family is athletic, trying local sports such as skiing or surfing can be a great way to discover and create memories as a family. Attending sporting events is also a great option.
Local cooking classes
Something that we have not done but could be fun and enriching would be to take a local cooking class. It teaches cooking skills, tells you more about the culture, and is a fantastic way to spend time together.
Bucket list of destinations
Places we’ve been as a family
- United States: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia
- Canada: Ontario, Quebec
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic
- England: London
Places on the list before the children leave home
- United States: Alaska, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest
- Canada: Alberta, British Columbia
- Greece
- Italy
In conclusion
I truly encourage you to create a family bucket list experiences. It will enrich each of your family members in a way that cannot be quantified. And, it will create life-long memories for you and your loved ones.
Thank you for reading.
Cat xx