10 Ways to Bring the Benefits of Travel Into Your Teen's Life
These days, raising teens comes with a lot of noise. There's pressure around performance, nonstop screens, a constant stream of news, and a world that can feel overwhelming. It's no surprise that many parents are asking: how do I help my kid stay grounded, open, and connected?
We believe the answer is travel. And not just the big, international kind. Any kind of experience that gets teens out into the world, disconnected from devices, and connected to something real. Travel is one of the most powerful tools we have to raise strong, kind, empathetic humans.
The best humans are the ones who get early exposure to people who live differently than they do. Who’ve worked alongside someone from another culture. Who’ve gotten their hands dirty doing real service. Who’ve had the chance to see how big and beautiful and complicated the world really is.
This isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
Why Travel Builds Better Teens
When teens travel with purpose, something shifts. They:
Gain perspective
Build confidence and resilience
Learn to navigate unfamiliar situations
Develop empathy by hearing other people’s experiences
Feel a sense of agency and independence
Become more adaptable and self-aware
Strengthen leadership and teamwork skills
These are the building blocks of character. And right now, when so much is uncertain, giving teens these kinds of experiences matters more than ever.
Year-Round Teen Travel Ideas That Don’t Require a Plane Ticket
You don't have to wait for summer or go abroad to help your teen grow through travel. Here are ten practical, doable ideas to bring the benefits of travel into everyday life:
1. Explore a new neighborhood or town
Visit a part of your city you don’t usually go to. Walk around, try a local spot to eat, and talk about what feels different.
2. Attend a cultural festival or event
Check community calendars for local events celebrating different cultures, foods, or traditions. Bring your teen and stay curious.
3. Volunteer across town
Look for opportunities outside your immediate area. Serving in a different context builds empathy and widens their view.
4. Plan a screen-free nature day
Pick a local park or trail and make it a tech-free zone. Let them lead the route, pack snacks, and enjoy being offline together.
5. Cook meals from around the world
Each month, pick a different country. Learn about the culture, cook a meal, and talk about daily life in that place.
6. Visit museums with a focus on global stories
Find exhibits or collections that highlight global art, history, or social movements. Ask open-ended questions during and after.
7. Do a service project as a family
Choose a cause your teen cares about and work on it together. Whether it’s environmental, social, or educational, the shared purpose matters.
8. Host someone from another culture
If you have the opportunity, host an exchange student, visiting teacher, or family friend from another part of the world.
9. Try public transportation in a new city
Even a short weekend trip can become a learning experience. Let your teen navigate schedules, maps, and routes.
10. Give them leadership over planning
Whether it’s a weekend trip, a dinner out, or a service project, give your teen the reins. Decision-making builds confidence.
When They’re Ready for Something More
When the time is right, a bigger travel experience can be truly transformative. That’s what we focus on at RLT: giving teens the chance to step into new environments, build real connections, and grow in ways that matter.
Whether it's a week in Maine or two weeks in Peru, our trips are designed to help teens unplug, serve, explore, and come home a little more sure of who they are.
Curious what that could look like for your teen? Explore our upcoming trips.