It’s a question many parents wrestle with: should they choose the place for the next family vacation or is it wise to let the children have some input when destinations are considered? Obviously, age is a factor. You don’t want a toddler pointing to a map and throwing a fit because you say no to her middle-of-the-Atlantic Ocean choice.
For youngsters of a certain age, says Dr. Abigail Brenner in her PsychologyToday.org article, no kids are “one size fits all.” Your 4-year-old may have specific interests that can help shape a family vacation while your neighbor’s 6-year-old is incapable of deciding what to eat for lunch, much less a vacation destination.
Wise parents start at the local library where they browse age-appropriate books that give kids a taste of what they can expect once you decide on a family trip to Belize. Fortunately, this nation is safe, easy to navigate, close to home and affordable. If your kids are enchanted by birds and monkeys that scream louder than they do and cave tubing sounds like the coolest thing ever, you’ll have your answer!
Where to stay? There is no question: Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, an even cooler hideaway in the middle of a teeming jungle where every child can have his or her wildest dreams come true. Book a tree house and the experience will be indelibly imprinted on your child’s brain. It’s the perfect family vacation at the perfect location because there’s so much to do.
5 Kid-friendly adventure tours everyone will love
1. Belize Cave Tubing. This “adventure” was dreamed up by Ian Anderson who owns Caves Branch and filmed by the Texas Tech Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, so if you can get the kids to sit down for a couple of minutes to watch it, you’ll have no trouble preparing them for this fun experience.
2. Belize Snorkeling. Yes, you can teach your kids to snorkel—especially if you read this Trip Savvy article that offers moms and dads both tips and reassurance that everyone in the family can see Belize’s Great Barrier Reef: https://www.tripsavvy.com/teaching-young-kids-to-snorkel-3263749.
3. Caves Branch Botanical Gardens. This wonderland of greenery, flowers and critters is a non-stop adventure for kids who have no idea they’re learning about botany and biology. Created in 2008 and visited by legions of people eager to see Belizean flora and fauna, stay at the Jungle Lodge and take the kids over there with or without a guide any time during your visit: https://www.cavesbranch.com/belize-botanical-gardens/.
4. Cahal Pech, Xunantunich and Tikal Mayan Ruins. Youngsters have no aversion to gory stories and creepy environments, but the Maya communities scattered around Belize are guaranteed to bring vivid images to life. Some of these sites are so spooky, your child may compare them to a favorite video game. Don’t be surprised if your kids earn A grades by writing reports about the ruins they see during their Belize vacation.
5. Belize Zoo Tour or Baboon Sanctuary. There is so much animal activity to see and learn about, you’ll find your kids exhausted by day’s end. Book a tour of the Zoo and Sanctuary (https://www.cavesbranch.com/belize-zoo-baboon-sanctuary/) so kids get up close and personal with animals in the wild. If your children want to engage in a screaming match with those Howler Monkeys, turn them loose. They will have a blast!