The Dos and Don'ts Of Travelling Responsibly With Children

When kids are involved in drawing up travel plans, even the most meticulous of itineraries are subject to disarray. Parents need to be prepared for all sorts of spontaneous adventures and last-minute changes, and when combined with the climate crisis, responsible tourism takes on even more importance. Travelling with children requires patience, curiosity and adapatability. "When we visited Amer Fort with our then six year old a few years ago, he wanted to ride the elephants", says Siliguri resident Rohini Basak. "But my husband and I explained that they were inhumanely treated and riding them would only further a practice that should be discouraged". Her son, now 11, is a regular volunteer at a street dog shelter near their house and tells everyone he meets never to go on elephant safaris. "Kids tend to soak in information easily. You need to know what and how to disseminate it", Basak adds.To help out frazzled parents with their travel plans, we have put together some dos and don'ts that will help them travel responsibly with children in tow.DosCarry Your Own Containers And FoodIt's usual for children to cry with hunger every 10 minutes so it's best to be prepared. Carry small bento boxes or light and easy-to-pack airtight containers with homemade snacks. Not only will they eat less junk food but there will be less trash to dispose off.Involve Kids In Choosing A LocationInvolving your children in planning a vacation means taking their wants seriously and teaching them how to navigate differing ideas. Chalk out a list of places that are not environmentally vulnerable and which fit your budget, and then ask them to choose where they would like to go. Explore all the sustainable activities the destination offers before coming to a decision for a smooth vacation.Conserve Water And Teach Kids To Do The SameExplain the importance of conserving water to your kids and avoid choosing destinations that are grappling with water scarcity. Set showering schedules and make a game out of it; say, the fastest one to shower and the person with the cleanest bed gets a reward. Incentives will ensure their involvement and make your job a lot easier. Avoid booking fancy hotels and instead opt for an immersive experience by staying at local homestays or sustainable hotels.Pack Eco-friendly DiapersWhen travelling with infants, try to pack diapers and wipes that are biodegradable, reusable and planet-friendly. You might not know the recycling process of the area you are in so it is best to carry items which reduce harm to the natural world. If you are unfazed by toilet accidents, you could also carry some cloth diapers with you.Shop LocalEncourage your children to support local businesses and shop from independent stores. Pick unique handicrafts made by local residents and artisans as souvenirs for friends and family.Don'tsDon't Exploit Animals Or Disrespect CultureIt is important to educate and inform kids about the culture and wildlife of the place you are travelling to. Before and during your vacation, try and make an engaging quiz about the place, its people, traditions and wildlife. It will make the kids feel more conscientious, aware and responsible for their actions. Avoid Eating OutTry to go grocery shopping at the local farmers' market and cook your own meals if there are resources to do that. Children usually like eating in chain restaurants or cafes, in which case choose places that use locally sourced and fresh produce. If you and your kids crave a fancy meal, it's best to eat at the establishment itself instead of ordering takeaways. It's a smart way to avoid using disposable cutlery and containers.Avoid Going To Multiple DestinationsStay in one place for a longer time and explore it thoroughly to make it a culturally immersive and enriching experience. If you choose to go sightseeing, avoid taking cabs and taxis and instead take public transport or rent cycles. Additionally, you can also go on nature walks with your kids and learn about the local ecology and how best to care for it while you're there.