It’s always nice to give our children experiences of the world, be that heading to local attractions or going further afield for vacations or to see family. It’s also important to remember that while as adults we may lose some of our wonder once things become familiar, everything is brand new and interesting to a young mind.
If they don’t live in the middle of a city, especially a large one such as a capital, heading there can be a massive sensory experience. Of course, it can for us adults too. There are more often than not people, cars and huge buildings everywhere, which can be a little intimidating to anyone, especially for a child’s first experience.
As such, it’s wise to try to give them a calming experience their first time, while still being able to enjoy themselves and feel the sense of wonder we all did (at least, those of us who weren’t born and raised in a major city). With that in mind, you may wish to consider some of the following tips, perhaps for a day out.
Choose A Specific Destination To Spend Time In
Picking one area or attraction (like an aquarium) to explore works out better than trying to see everything in a single day. You’re not going to cover an entire city anyway, so there’s no point in wearing everyone out trying. Focusing on one area will mean your child can settle in and start feeling comfortable, which matters more than ticking off a long list of tourist spots just because you feel like you have to. The city will always be here after all.
So, have a think about what’ll grab their interest. It could be a big park where they can run about, or maybe somewhere interactive like a children’s museum, or just a lively street with colorful storefronts and interesting people. If you have that base to stay around in, it means you’re not scrambling with maps every five minutes or second-guessing your choices. Kids take it better when they’re allowed to linger and absorb what’s around them, meaning they’ll ask more questions, notice more details, and generally have a nicer time than if they’re being marched from place to place on a tight schedule.
Store Your Luggage
Hauling suitcases around while you’re trying to show a child a good time is nobody’s idea of fun. If you’re between hotels or killing time before a train leaves, it’s worth finding somewhere to stash your bags for a few hours. Most big cities have lockers or storage spots, usually near major transport hubs or tourist areas, and they’re not expensive, so it’s wise to plan your trip around luggage storage.
After all, getting rid of the bags means you can all move freely and actually enjoy yourselves, and you won’t be wrestling with a wheelie case on cobblestones or trying to squeeze into a crowded cafe with half a dozen pieces of luggage. This also means your child gets to experience the city properly, not as some frantic stopover where everyone’s encumbered and stressed.
Make Time To Relax & Rest
The pace of city life can be relentless even for people adapted to it, and while you’re trying to find your way, it’s easy to forget that kids tire out faster than we do. Trying to power through from morning till evening is a recipe for tears and tantrums and that’s the last thing you want to deal with, so building in proper downtime isn’t wasted time, it’s what keeps everyone sane and happy.
We’d suggest you find somewhere to stop and decompress for a bit. Parks are brilliant for this, because kids can let off steam and you can sit down for ten minutes. Cafes work too, somewhere you can grab a drink and perhaps find them some food they like, but with good nutrition. It’ll also give you a chance to gauge how your child’s coping and if they’re still up for more adventures or need to wind things down.
Try Easier Transport For Now
Public transport in major cities can be intimidating at the best of times, and yes, this also goes for adults used to it. For a kid’s first proper city visit, there’s no shame in keeping transport simple and even paying a bit more for comfort..
On the outskirts you’ll often find that walking between places gives you flexibility and lets your child set the pace a bit. They can stop to look at something interesting if you’re not tied to timetables, and there’s no stress about missing public transport. If you need to cover longer distances, taxis or rideshares take the hassle out of it completely. They cost more, but you’re buying peace of mind and a much calmer experience, perhaps safer too. Public transport skills can come later when everyone’s more confident and your child is a bit more independent, or at least outside of the pushchair.
Make The Activities Child-Friendly
There’s no point dragging kids around places they’ll find boring just because they’re famous landmarks. It’s better to find the activities that’ll engage them and perhaps help them learn too, so think about places where they can get involved, touch stuff, ask questions, or move around/.
Plenty of museums have interactive galleries aimed at younger visitors, and that’s perfect. Places like the aforementioned aquariums, butterfly houses, or wildlife centers usually go down well because there’s always something happening. If your child’s obsessed with dinosaurs or space or trains, see if there’s something in the city that ties into that interest. Heck, that sounds pretty good to us adults too, now we’re talking about it.
Go With Another Adult, Too
Bringing another adult along (of course, this can just be your partner or friend) is easier, as now you’ve got backup, someone to share the load with, and an extra person to keep track of the busy spaces. One of you can nip off with the child when needed, while the other sorts out tickets or finds somewhere to eat.
Kids often respond well to having multiple familiar adults around too. It takes the intensity off any one person and creates a more social atmosphere, which may even convince them to behave well despite their nerves.
With this advice, we hope your child has a wonderful first city experience, and you have a great day too.
