Traveling with Grandkids

Grandparent & Grandchild Travel Programs

Having grandchildren can be one of the most rewarding events in your life; watching them coo, cuddling with them, reading books, and introducing them to new sights and adventures. 

Create lasting memories traveling with your grandchildren by taking them on an experiential learning adventure with Road Scholar. We have curated trips that are perfect for you and your grandchild to enjoy. We plan age-appropriate activities that will interest people young and old. 

How Can Grandparents Make the Most of Traveling With Grandchildren

Road Scholar offers many grandparent tours with grandchildren that offer learning adventure experiences packed with exciting field trips. Discover the Grand Canyon, search for dinosaur fossils in Utah, and have a scavenger hunt at the Louvre Museum in Paris. We’re here to guide you through the rousing exploit that is traveling with grandkids. Here are a few of our favorite trips. 

• National parks: Exploring America’s national parks with your grandchildren is an excellent way to learn together in some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in our country. Through guided walks in the meadows of Yosemite to hands-on activities in Yellowstone or expert-led discussions in Zion, you’ll explore geology, wildlife and conservation in places that spark curiosity at every age.
  
  
• Costa Rica: In Costa Rica, learning comes alive through rainforests, wildlife and vibrant local culture. These educational adventures are designed to be engaging and approachable for multiple generations, with experiences that highlight ecology and sustainability. From spotting wildlife to meeting local experts, it’s a journey that invites grandparents and grandchildren to connect in a truly memorable setting.
  
  
• Cities: Our city-based programs around the world turn great cities into classrooms. Whether you’re exploring New York City, San Francisco or Paris, these adventures combine history, culture, art and food with age-appropriate activities and engaging faculty.

Why Wildlife Adventures Are Great for Grandparents & Grandkids

Road Scholar grandparent trips bring families around the world, from America’s national parks that are close to home to the other side of the world in Australia’s Outback. Our nature family vacations immerse you and your group in regional landscapes to discover wildlife, geology and more. Here’s what makes wildlife family vacations an excellent choice for grandparents and grandkids:

• Educational Experiences: One of the top benefits of our nature vacations for families is the ability for everyone, old and young, to learn something new. Through hands-on activities, guided tours and cultural immersions, grandparents and grandchildren can learn together.

• Bonding Opportunities: Trips with grandchildren present the perfect opportunity for multigenerational families to forge stronger bonds and traditions. The quality time spent together on shared vacations strengthens family bonds through memories that will be talked about at the dinner table for years to come.

• Fun and Adventure: Grandparent trips with grandkids include exciting activities that cater to all ages, from outdoor hikes to historical tours, to ensure fun for everyone in the family.

• Interactive Learning: The best trips for grandparents and grandkids offer hands-on experiences that engage kids and introduce a love for wildlife and nature that they will carry with them throughout life, instilling a sense of curiosity and wonder.

Best Grandparent & Grandchild Programs

There are a variety of trips for grandparents and grandchildren to choose from to appeal to a wide range of interests, whether you’re a history enthusiast or an outdoor lover. Popular grandparent-grandchild trips include:

• Historical Exploration Trips: Through historical tours, grandparents and grandchildren can discover the past with visits to historic sites and museums while partaking in interactive learning.

• Nature and Wildlife Adventures: Outdoor trips for grandparents and grandkids allow multigenerational families to explore the natural world through guided hikes, wildlife tours and nature-based activities, such as hiking, biking and rafting.

• Cultural Immersion Tours: Open up the world to younger generations through cultural immersion tours that dive into local cultures and traditions with events and activities like cooking classes, art workshops and cultural festivals.

Travel Tips for Grandparent & Grandchildren Trips

Traveling with grandchildren is a special kind of learning adventure, and a little bit of planning can go a long way to make the experience fun and rewarding for everyone involved. These tips and practical information are designed to help grandparents feel confident and prepared, while leaving plenty of room for curiosity and shared discovery.

• Choose programs built for multiple generations: When you travel with grandparents and grandchildren, it’s important to find programs that suit everyone's interests. Look for educational adventures that consist of activities that engage different ages and activity levels. The best programs are those that have a fine balance of learning, hands-on experiences and downtime to rest and recharge.

• Packing with flexibility in mind: Ensure everyone packs enough clothes and layers to accommodate varying temperatures, along with personal entertainment like books to read during travel or leisure time and snacks and fluids to keep energy levels strong.

• Keep health top of mind: Assess everyone’s mobility and desired activity level when browsing Road Scholar grandparent trips to prioritize health and safety.

• Travel with respect: Make sure all family members are aware of travel best practices, such as staying on marked trails and paths, keeping a safe distance from wildlife and leaving no trace.

• Set a relaxed pace: For grandparents traveling with grandkids, make sure itineraries are built in with plenty of rest time. A slower rhythm helps keep the experience enjoyable and allows kids (and grandparents) to stay curious rather than tired.

• Talk about the journey ahead: Before you go, share a little history, geography or culture about the destination, as framing the trip as a shared learning journey builds excitement and gives grandchildren a sense of purpose.

• Encourage questions and curiosity: Grandparent vacations with grandchildren are a moment to share something new side by side. Invite grandchildren to ask questions during lectures and presentations. After all, it’s moments like these that often spark the most meaningful conversations and memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to travel with grandparents and grandchildren?

The best places for grandparent/grandchild travel tours are places that naturally spark curiosity and invite shared discovery. National parks are a favorite for their wildlife, wide-open spaces and hands-on learning, while cities like Philadelphia or Paris turn history and culture into living classrooms. The common thread is simple: places that offer variety, meaningful learning and experiences everyone can enjoy together are the ones that make for unforgettable memories.

What are the best grandparent/grandchild travel tours for different age groups?

The best tours are designed with specific age groups in mind, ensuring activities feel engaging rather than overwhelming. Road Scholar offers grandparent and grandchild travel programs tailored to ages 5–8, 9–12 and 13–18, with hands-on activities for younger children and more in-depth learning and independence for older kids. 

Below are a few featured tours:

• Ages 5 to 8: Spot wildlife in the Poconos and learn about their natural habitat, or enjoy ocean science adventures on Chincoteague Bay to better understand marine life.
• Ages 9 to 12: Learn about the history of Mount Rushmore and the Badlands, go river rafting through the Grand Canyon or enjoy a chocolate tasting excursion in Switzerland.
• Ages 13 to 18: Bring teens on tours to cloud forests in Costa Rica, reefs in Puerto Rico or the lush forests of Vancouver. 

What documents do grandparents need to travel with grandchildren?

In addition to standard travel documents like passports, it’s important for grandparents to carry a notarized letter of consent from the child’s parents or legal guardians, which confirms permission to travel and make medical decisions if needed. When embarking on domestic or international group tours with grandchildren, having copies of insurance information and emergency contacts adds peace of mind, allowing you to focus on the journey ahead.

How to choose the right grandparents and grandkids tours?

To choose the right program, start by thinking about shared interests, then look for programs led by experienced faculty with a pace and structure designed for multiple generations.

How active are grandparent vacations with grandchildren?

Grandparent vacations with grandchildren can be as active as you want them to be, as we have programs designed for various activity levels. You can expect a mix of walking, field trips and hands-on experiences with plenty of breaks built in to recharge.

Why Choose Road Scholar for Family Adventures

So, why go with us? Road Scholar grandparent trips are led by expert guides and educators who provide engaging and informative activities that both children and grandparents will enjoy. Our team offers on-site assistance and takes care of travel arrangements to ensure a smooth experience for families. No matter the program you choose, multigenerational travelers can expect a supportive and engaging community, returning with lifelong memories and relationships. Find an adventure today for you and your family.

Create Unforgettable Memories with Road Scholar

At Road Scholar, we have the best vacations for you to enjoy traveling with grandkids. We have all the tips and trips to ensure that grandparents have a great trip with family.  At Road Scholar, we have education adventure collections that are great for every age and ability level.