Traveling through Asia with kids

April 13, 2025
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Asia
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Why We Travel as a Family

Traveling through Asia with kids isn’t just about collecting passport stamps or snapping the perfect family photo in front of a temple. It’s about growth — theirs and ours. It’s about discovering that “travel” isn’t something you check off a list, but something you experience with your whole heart (and often on very little sleep).

We’ve been traveling internationally since my daughter was just four months old. I’ll be honest — we’ve made a lot of mistakes. But we’ve also collected the kind of memories that shape a lifetime. And maybe more importantly, we’ve all learned things you just can’t get from a classroom or a guidebook.

Because traveling as a family isn’t just educational for the kids — it’s transformative for us as parents.

Jet Lag and 3 AM Adventures: Expect the Unexpected

Let’s start with jet lag, because oh boy, it’s real. Everyone adjusts differently — my partner is practically immune, but I feel like I’ve been flattened by a freight train. And kids? Total wildcards.

We once landed in Seoul after a 14-hour flight, hoping the kids would crash hard. Instead, at 3 AM, they were bouncing off the hotel walls like it was Christmas morning. I sipped a lukewarm hotel room coffee and wondered what on earth we were doing.

Then we embraced it.

We wandered the lobby, chatted with the night staff, watched the city lights glow from the rooftop lounge, and let our son do laps down the conference hallway. The hotel bar staff even brought him juice and dubbed him their “little night explorer.” These are the unexpected joys of travel — the ones that don’t fit in an itinerary.

Pro tip: Always pack a mini “night kit” — a coloring book, reusable sticker pad, puzzle cards, and snacks. You’ll thank yourself when jet lag hits like a wrecking ball.

Cultural Experiences Beyond the Tourist Sites

Here’s a secret: the real learning moments don’t always come from the big-ticket attractions. Sure, seeing Mt. Fuji or the Great Wall is unforgettable — but the heart of our travels lies in the quiet, unscripted moments.

Take, for example, a tea ceremony we attended in Kyoto. I was sure the kids would fidget or complain. But they sat mesmerized, watching every delicate movement, fascinated by the grace and precision. They learned to bow, whisper “Arigatou,” and sip with both hands.

These experiences aren’t just about observing — they’re about participating, and more importantly, respecting. That’s a lesson that sticks far longer than any souvenir.

Or the time we got lost in a small Korean village looking for a pottery workshop. A kind woman led us all the way there, chatting to our toddler in Korean and sharing sweet rice cakes from her purse. That moment of unexpected connection taught us all more about kindness than a thousand guided tours could.

Letting Go of the Perfect Itinerary

I used to plan our trips down to the minute. Timed entries, optimized train transfers, and even spreadsheets. (Don’t judge.)

But with kids? That plan dissolves immediately. Someone needs a nap, someone else needs the bathroom — and suddenly, your whole morning is gone.

So we started letting go. We left room for slow mornings, spontaneous gelato stops, and unplanned detours. And guess what? That’s when the magic happens.

Like the Tokyo train ride where our daughter practiced saying “Arigatou gozaimasu” to the conductor, proudly repeating it again and again while locals smiled and nodded. Or the time we skipped a castle tour to spend an hour at a tiny Kyoto playground, where our kids giggled with Japanese toddlers, connected by laughter more than language.

The truth is, they won’t remember the museum exhibits — they’ll remember how they felt in those moments. And so will you.

Navigating the Hard Parts: Strollers, Subways & Sleepy Kids

There are moments in family travel that no one puts on Instagram.

Like the time we realized the subway station didn’t have an elevator — and we had to carry a sleeping toddler in a stroller up 60 steps in Osaka humidity. Or when we booked a “family-friendly” hotel only to discover it was perched on a steep hill with no taxi access. These are the things that test your patience, your strength, and sometimes your relationship.

But here’s the silver lining: those are the stories you’ll tell for years. The moments that forge resilience and teamwork.

And when you finally do reach the top of that hill? The view — and the sense of accomplishment — is that much sweeter.

Learning Through Travel: What Our Kids Take Away

People often ask, “But will they even remember it?” about traveling with young kids.

Here’s the thing: It’s not about memory. It’s about impact.

They may not remember every shrine or market, but they’ll internalize the experience. They’ll remember how it felt to be somewhere new — the smells, the sounds, the sense of wonder.

Here’s what our kids have learned in Asia so far:

That food doesn’t have to be familiar to be delicious (they now ask for kimchi and sushi at home).
That bowing is a beautiful gesture of respect.
That sharing a smile can bridge any language barrier.
That being out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean you’re unsafe — it means you’re learning.

And us? We’ve learned that kids are far more adaptable than we give them credit for. That tantrums happen, yes — but so does growth. For every meltdown, there’s a moment of awe, of laughter, of connection that makes it all worthwhile.

Tips for Traveling Through Asia with Kids

If you’re planning your family adventure across Asia, here are some practical tips we’ve picked up:

1. Pack Light — But Smart

Bring less than you think you need. You can buy almost everything locally, and your arms will thank you.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Jet lag is real. Book accommodations that allow for afternoon naps, and don’t overschedule your first few days.

3. Make Transit Part of the Fun

Bullet trains, tuk-tuks, ferries — kids love variety. Turn getting there into an adventure.

4. Embrace Street Food (Carefully)

Street food is some of the best food — just use common sense: look for busy stalls, hot food, and fresh prep.

5. Stay in Kid-Friendly Neighborhoods

Look for accommodations near parks, grocery stores, and playgrounds. Your sanity depends on it.

6. Learn a Few Local Phrases Together

Even toddlers can learn “hello” and “thank you” in Japanese or Korean, and locals always appreciate the effort.

Let Travel Teach All of You

Traveling through Asia with kids has taught us more than any classroom or travel guide ever could. It’s not about perfectly posed pictures or checking off a list of sights. It’s about sitting quietly in a tea ceremony and feeling awe. It’s about sprinting through a hotel lobby at 3 AM and giggling like maniacs. It’s about getting lost, finding your way, and realizing the journey is the real lesson.

If you’re considering a family trip to Asia, know this: it won’t be flawless. But it will be formative. For your kids — and you.