While the term “sustainable” may not be a word that (young) children can relate to, the content of the term is quite conceivable. Children are usually very open to things like environmental protection, waste reduction, animal welfare, and justice. On vacation, you have the time to explore these issues with your children in a very practical way. We asked the sustainable accommodations at Green PearlsⓇ what special tips they have for vacations with children.
Tipp #1: Vacation without your phone
The OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol recommends: “Try to spend time together without cell phones!” This applies to children and parents alike! The eco-aparthotel offers the “ApartSuite XL” with a kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a children’s bunk bed, where you can spend a great family vacation in nature with up to six people.
Fritz Karl, an Austrian theater actor and father of seven, tested a three-week cell phone-free vacation with his children this year. In the TV show Riverboat (see ARD-Mediathek from minute 00:02:00) he says: “At the beginning, it was very exhausting for everyone. But it was worth it! “Yes, but what did you do then?” he is asked incredulously. “Board games!” is his answer.
Tipp #2: Board and card games
This brings us to the next tip from Elena Scalambrin at the Relais del Maro in Liguria: board games. You don’t even have to bring them on vacation at the Relais del Maro because Elena will be happy to provide you and your children with a variety of games. Of course, you should still bring your family’s favorite game. There are also smaller travel or pocket versions of many classic and popular games!
Elena and her family have built an Albergo Diffuso in the picturesque village of Borgomaro. This means that the 4-star hotel is spread over several buildings in the village and you will be staying right next to the villagers. You are sure to see some Italian kids playing soccer in the street, and maybe your kids can join in 🙂
Great board games with kids (5 to 13 years old)
I also enjoy playing games with my kids. For newer games that you can easily take on vacation, I recommend these:
- Qwirkle (Preferably the travel version in the cloth bag)
- Mogel Motte
- Memoarrr!
And for classic games, of course, we love UNO, Chess, Mau-Mau, and Yatzy. If you have room for a whole box of games, Crazy Labyrinth and Labyrinth of the Masters are also great, as well as Nobody’s Perfect (you have to be able to write here).
Tipp #3: Introduce children to nature
A family vacation is a wonderful opportunity to get close to nature. For example, a vacation in Tirol, Austria. In Pfunds, you will find an “untouched” mountain world with meadows, wild water, and a traditional village. For a family vacation, we recommend the Summit Lodges. These are two log cabins, each about 120 square meters, for up to 6 people, with their own sauna and fireplace. Children can play safely in the surrounding garden and explore nature while parents relax on the terrace.
Peter Unterlechner of Biohotel Grafenast in Tyrol, Austria, has also set up family rooms and even offers a special children’s program during the holiday season. He has a few suggestions on how to introduce your children to nature:
- Playing in the garden
- Go hiking
- Crafting with natural materials
- Forest walks
- Mushroom picking
- Eating blueberries (in summer)
- Tobogganing in winter
- Snowball fights
- Learning to ski (a children’s ski school is within walking distance of the hotel)
- Snowshoeing (There is a family snowshoeing tour from the Biohotel Grafenast)
Tipp #4: Rent an e-bike with a child trailer
Hotel Bella Vista is located in car-free Zermatt, so the best way to explore the area around the Matterhorn is on foot or by bike. Fabienne Anthamatten, a member of the host family, recommends that families with children rent a Chariot e-bike in the village.
„That way, the family can get to great picnic spots and everyone is happy.” – Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt
Tipp #5: Adventure travel by train
As you probably know, getting to and from your vacation destination is often your biggest environmental impact. The next biggest impact is where you stay. At Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol, you can do both (as long as you live in Europe) and combine a sustainable hotel with a climate-friendly trip.
“Since Seefeld has a train station right in the center of town, it makes sense to travel by train. Children see it as an adventure and the trip is fun. Sustainable travel with children is an opportunity to teach them values at an early age and to raise their awareness of environmental protection.” – Hotel Klosterbräu
The hotel is family-run (the seventh generation is currently growing up) and there are great activities for all ages, including a small petting zoo! While the kids take a guided tour, make pizza, or play pool during the holiday program, parents can relax by the pool or take an extended hike.
Tipp #6: Learn interesting things
Learning is not boring (just don’t say “We are learning now”). At APIPURA hotel rinner, for example, you can learn a lot about bees and organic farming. The father/grandfather of the host family Rinner is a passionate beekeeper and likes to take his guests to the beehives. There is also a bee nature trail on the property. Of course, the hotel’s own organic honey is available at the breakfast buffet, and as a special feature, you can enjoy api-welness and inhale the air from the beehive.
A highlight for a vacation with children at the APIPURA hotel rinner is certainly the Ritten-Card, which you can get for free here. With this card, you can use all public transportation (including the cable car and the Ritten train, which stops right next to the hotel) for free. It also gives you free entry to many museums.
Tipp #7: Introduce children to the culture of the destination
The luxury eco-resort Keemala in Phuket, Thailand, sent us a number of suggestions on how to make a vacation with children more sustainable. They feel it is very important to always involve the children and give them lots of explanations – for example, separating waste together and explaining the problem of plastic pollution to children.
A vacation in a foreign country (such as Thailand) can be used to discover the flora, fauna, and culture of the country together with the children.
- Learn a few words of the local language
- Visit local markets
- Bring cotton bags instead of accepting plastic bags
- Bring water in a refillable bottle
- Pack a zero-waste lunch or avoid take-out packaging waste in other ways
- Book eco-tours with local guides and make sure they consider things like animal welfare, ethics, and conservation
- Visit cultural or religious sites (for example, from Keemala you can visit Buddhist temples in Phuket). Find out in advance what the appropriate behavior is and discuss it with your children.
Conclusion
Sustainability is a lifestyle that can be practiced in all areas of life, including on vacation. The best way to reach your children is to set an example by implementing sustainable practices with them. This can be done easily and authentically at sustainable hotels and vacation rentals. And who knows – maybe they’ll be even more “strict” than you are – it’s been known to happen 🙂
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These sustainable travel tips are perfect for families looking to minimize their impact. It’s great to see eco-conscious advice made accessible for parents with kids.