Traveling alone

In general, there is no set age for this. Every child develops at their own pace and is ready for their first solo trip at a different time. It is best if your child expresses the wish themselves. Where, how long and with whom your child goes on vacation also plays a role. Even kindergarten children can often spend their first vacation without parents with relatives or good friends who are familiar to your child.

When it comes to supervised trips with strangers, such as on a riding school or at a camp, it is worth taking a look at your child's social skills: How independent is he or she in everyday life? How do they find their way in a new group? Can they stick to the rules? How do they deal with disputes? Children aged around 7 to 8 are usually ready to find their way in a new environment under supervision.

Try to find out together with your child how long they are comfortable staying at the vacation destination. The rule is: practice makes perfect. Shorter stages make the first trip without parents more of a sense of achievement: "Yay, I can do it!" The child gains self-confidence as a result. If your child has already spent a night or two with friends or relatives and has "practiced" being away from home, they will certainly find it easier to make their first longer trip.

Some children are very attached to mom or dad and find it difficult to fall asleep at night in unfamiliar surroundings. That's why their favorite cuddly toy or cuddly pillow should definitely be in their luggage. A lucky charm or a family photo in your suitcase can also give you strength.

"Can you draw me a picture of your adventures?" A great idea is a vacation diary. Parents and children draw or photograph their experiences at home and on vacation for each other. The anticipation of looking at them together on their return forges a bond between family members and helps in the small moments of missing each other.

It is important to talk openly about homesickness before departure. This allows parents to address any fears their child may have. It can also help your child if you talk about your own first trip without parents. They will learn how you coped with the situation back then.

Choose a vacation destination close by if you are unsure whether your child can cope with homesickness. Then the distance "in an emergency" for a visit or an early pick-up is not too much of an obstacle.

If your child will be accompanied and looked after by strangers during the trip, it makes sense to check the children's and youth travel offers carefully in advance. Recognized quality seals can provide initial orientation. For example, the BundesForum Kinder- und Jugendreisen e. V. awards the Qualitätsmanagement Sicher gut! seal of approval for good care work. The safety and quality of the houses are also checked separately. TÜV Nord awards the "OK for Kids" seal of approval to vacation providers that only employ pedagogically trained childcare staff.

Once you have decided on a trip, you should also find out from the organizer which caregivers with which qualifications are accompanying the trip and ask about the childcare ratio (number of children per caregiver). Agreements regarding keeping in touch, vacation rules or the house rules (including night-time rest) are also informative, as is the question of how rule violations are dealt with.

Also address the issue of homesickness: How does the organizer deal with it? Are there visiting rules, e.g. are parental visits desired and permitted? Some tour operators offer taster trips and only charge for the days actually spent on site if the trip is cut short prematurely (e.g. due to homesickness).

Exchange ideas with other parents who have already had experience with trips for children and young people, possibly with the same tour operator.

It is worth taking a look at the programs of sports clubs, charities or church organizations, which often offer children and youth trips at reasonable prices. Many towns and municipalities also organize inexpensive camps for children during the vacations.