Top 10 things to do with kids in a Colorado winter

Over the Christmas holidays, we hit the planes and trails again, flying across the ocean with our 5-year-old and landing at my folks home in a mountain town in Colorado. For those of you who don't know Colorado, it's got some of the best skiing and hiking in the United States, sun all the time, and lots of really fit people with blunts hanging from their lips (joking… curiously, despite weed being fully legal, I didn't smell any at all!).

Since we've lived in Brussels and Tbilisi for so long, I've become less of a "Denver native" and more of a European tourist to Colorado. The longer you're an expat, the less you're at home. Anywhere really. We move so much and wander so much that I'm not even sure if Georgia is even home anymore. But I digress. A toast to all those who wander and ARE lost.

Gathering from our recent trip, and from my own time living in Denver, I decided to compile this listicle-type blog and write about all the things you can do with your kid on a trip to Denver.

As with on a trip to anywhere in the United States, I highly recommend renting a car to get the most of your trip. It is possible to visit Denver, ski at Winter Park using the ski train, and get a pretty exciting vacation. But still, you'd be missing out on a ton that the state has to offer.

Normally, I advise people to visit New Orleans, San Francisco, and New York City when they ask where to go in the U.S. But whenever I meet an outdoor nut, I tell them Colorado is the must-see place. With Rocky Mountain National Park, tons of skiing, biking, hiking, rafting, endless blue skies, and what have you, it's a kind of paradise.

So, shall we begin with the top things to do in Colorado with a kid?

1. Skiing at Granby

Granby Ranch has become one of our go-to places for skiing now that our kid is of the right age. Located just north of Winter Park and a little off the highway from the town of Granby, it was an old ranch converted to a suburban-style housing project and resort. The resort is busy year-round, with downhill and Nordic skiing in winter and some tops mountain biking and golf in the summer. Since it's a smaller mountain, it tends to stay off the radar of most tourists, doesn't get the crowds of the other resorts, and tends to be a bit cheaper too (for American skiing)—but it's also an easy drive for Denver, if you're staying in the big city.

For kids, I'd recommend waiting until 4 for them to pop on some skies, as before that it's just not practical to teach them much. As one teacher told me while waiting on the lift, "Anything younger and it's just daycare with snow."

But our kid has really taken to skiing. The training course is a super gentle slope with a carpet-style lift, and they have a longer carpet lift and a very short hanging lift for the beginners. There's never a crazy crowd, and even when it's busy for Granby you don't have to worry about collisions. Believe me, we went during peak season, and it was like an off-peak day at a place like Aspen.

The kiddo ready to zoo down after his ski class

Kids 5 and under ski free, and if they take a class they also get their equipment free for the rest of their stay. So it's a great deal for families.

There is a hard mountain with mostly blacks, but the main mountain is green and easy blues (lower intermediates). While I was skiing with my wife, who prefers the green slopes, I was able to stay entertained with all kinds of fun forest runs alongside the greens. For those wanting to bust a move, there's also a great terrain park on the green mountain.

Since it's in American suburban-style, there are plenty of sleeping options but not many dining options. Visitors will definitely want to have a car. There's a nearby grocery store, Domino's pizza, and a bit further to Winter Park or Granby for a myriad of restaurants. For a pretty juicy elk-sausage burger, hit Maverick's Grille in Granby.

Obviously, Granby isn't the only sky resort in the mountains that is good for kids. You might also check out Keystone or Monarch, both having good children's programs (I learned to ski at Monarch!).

Salida, near Monarch

2. Sledding at Hidden Valley or Mueller

Hidden Valley, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, is a fantastic spot for family-friendly sledding, and I wish I had known about it before. Back in my day living in Colorado, there was almost nothing to do in RMNP, and the adjacent Estes Park was like a ghost town, but all that has changed. Once a minor ski area for locals, Hidden Valley has been transformed into a designated sledding, snowshoeing, Nordic, and snow play area, making it a perfect destination for snow-bound families. It's, I guess, an attempt for Rocky Mountain National Park to rebrand for winter fun.

The sledding hill at Hidden Valley is gentle enough for young children but still provides plenty of excitement for older kids and adults. Families can bring their own sleds or rent them from local shops in nearby Estes Park. The area is well-maintained, and park rangers are on hand to ensure everyone's safety.

In addition to sledding, Hidden Valley offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The surrounding trails provide stunning views of the snow-covered landscape and are suitable for all skill levels. After a day of sledding and exploring, families can warm up with a picnic at one of the park's designated picnic areas or head into Estes Park for a meal at one of the local restaurants.

Sledding at Mueller Park

Conversely, if you're staying in Colorado Springs or that area, then Mueller Park has some great sledding options. Situated at a slightly higher elevation on the southern rises of Pike's Peak, it manages to stay covered in snow even when the surrounding villages are looking summery. The former ranch-turned-state-park has about four clear runs, and is rarely too busy to carve your own sledding trail. It's also on the way to Cripple Creek (see below).

3. Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Not just for sledding, Rocky Mountain National Park is open for extensive snowshoeing treks and is a fantastic way for families to explore the winter landscape and enjoy the beauty of the park. The park offers a variety of snowshoe trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

One of the best trails for families is the Bear Lake Loop, a 0.6-mile loop that takes visitors around the picturesque Bear Lake. The trail is relatively flat and easy to navigate, making it suitable for young children and beginners. For those looking for a longer adventure, the Emerald Lake Trail is a 3.6-mile roundtrip that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and frozen lakes.

Snowshoeing is great for the older kids, though for the younger ones probably not the best activity as it can be a lot of work. Families can rent snowshoes from local shops in Estes Park or bring their own. The park also offers ranger-led snowshoe walks, providing an educational and guided experience for visitors.

Fun fact about Estes Park, Stephen King had been staying at the Stanley Hotel with his wife when he was inspired to write The Shining!

4. Tubing at Fraser Tubing Hill

Fraser Tubing Hill, located in the town of Fraser between Granby and Winter Park, is a popular destination for families looking to experience the thrill of snow tubing. The hill offers a variety of tubing lanes, ranging from gentle slopes for young children to steeper runs for those seeking more excitement. The hill is well-groomed and maintained, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

One of the standout features of Fraser Tubing Hill is its lift system, which makes it easy for families to get back to the top of the hill without having to hike up. This allows for more time spent tubing and less time spent climbing. The hill also provides tubes for rent, so families don't need to worry about bringing their own equipment.

Kids as young as 3 are allowed in a tube with an adult and can go solo from 7 (but must be accounted for by someone over 18). You can't reserve a place, and every time I've attempted to go, it's been crazy-packed, so don't be like me but go early instead. The proximity to Denver and Winter Park makes it a super-popular place for those looking for time off or an alternative to the ski slopes.

5. Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

I lived in Denver and went to the Denver Zoo a few times. Nothing to discredit the Denver Zoo, but it is "just a zoo". I didn't really understand the full potential of zoo-dom until living in Brussels, where I witnessed the awe-inspiring Pairi Daiza.

I'll have to say, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is probably as close as it gets in the United States, and any animal-loving visitors even to Denver should take a visit to the southern neighbor.

Cheyenne Mountain is better known as NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and has the dual purpose of securing our skies and offering a great zoological experience. They double down in the month of December too with the "Electric Safari" event when the zoo transforms into a veritable wonderland. With over 85 light sculptures and thousands of twinkling lights, the Electric Safari is a magical experience for visitors of all ages. The event typically runs from late November through early January, making it a perfect holiday outing for families.

lights of a cat

feeding the budgies

During the Electric Safari, you can stroll through the zoo's beautifully decorated grounds, enjoying the light displays, festive atmosphere, and insane, twinkling view across Colorado Springs. Many of the zoo's animals are still on exhibit into the night, providing a unique opportunity to see them in a different setting. Kids will love the chance to see their favorite animals while also taking in the holiday lights. It's the perfect time for the more nocturnal animals, like the lions, who came right up to the display window to hang out with the respectful visitors. Respectful, but for that little girl who insisted on blocking everyone's camera view!

In addition to the light displays, the Electric Safari offers some other activities and attractions. Families can warm up by the fire pits, enjoy hot cocoa and holiday treats, "horse-back" ride on the old-style carousel, ride up the ski-lift to a playground, and enjoy the nightly drone show.

6. Low Elevation Hikes at Red Rocks Park

Across the Front Range, there is a scattered array of mysterious and stunning red ribs sticking out of the ground and jabbing into the sky like an unfinished rack at a Texas rib house. Red Rocks Park is one of them, located just outside of Denver, and is a beautiful destination for low-elevation winter hikes that are suitable for families with young children. The park is famous for its stunning red rock formations, which provide a unique and picturesque backdrop for hiking and exploring. The other, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, is a bit below.

During the summertime, Red Rocks is known for its massive concerts with stunning views and contact-highs from the weed-haze, which is, by personal experience, understandably much stronger during Reggae Fest than during Nine Inch Nails.

The park offers a variety of trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. One of the most popular trails is the Trading Post Trail, a 1.4-mile loop that takes visitors through the heart of the park and offers stunning views of the rock formations. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of all ages and skill levels.

In addition to hiking, Red Rocks Park is home to the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre during the summer, a natural outdoor concert venue that hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Families can tour the amphitheatre and learn about its history and significance. The park also offers picnic areas, making it a great spot for a family outing.

And not to be missed is the grave of Buffalo Bill and his museum (free during winter on the first Wednesday of each month!). Doing all sorts of derring-do with a variety of acts that would be considered highly sensitive for ethnic reasons, Buffalo Bill took his troupe across the world to showcase "Old West" culture. The troupe included expert riders from Georgia billed as "Russian Cossacks", despite being a troupe of shvilis riding Dzhigitovka, and their antics and flair inspired American trick riding in the coming decades.

7. Exploring Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs answer to Red Rocks, is a stunning park that offers a unique and picturesque setting for winter exploration. The park is famous for its towering red rock formations, which provide a dramatic backdrop for hiking and sightseeing.

Garden of the Gods in winter

The park offers a variety of trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. One of the most popular trails is the Perkins Central Garden Trail, a 1.5-mile loop that takes visitors through the heart of the park and offers stunning views of the rock formations. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Though as they are paved, it can get a bit icy in places, so watch out.

In addition to hiking, Garden of the Gods in the summer offers opportunities for rock climbing, wildlife viewing, and photography. The park's visitor center provides educational exhibits and information about the geology and history of the area. Families can also enjoy a picnic at one of the park's designated picnic areas, making it a great spot for a winter outing.

8. Visiting the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

When it's too cold to go outside, or when I-70 is more of a cold mess than usual, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a fantastic indoor activity. The museum offers a wide range of exhibits and interactive displays that are both educational and entertaining for visitors of all ages. Both a dinosaur museum and a geological museum, it's got tons to do inside and is still, to this day, one of my favorite science museums. It also has one of the best views in Denver, where you can view downtown's skyscrapers standing against the dramatic purple mountain majesties.

One of the highlights of the museum is the Discovery Zone, a dedicated area for young children that features hands-on exhibits and activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Kids can dig for dinosaur fossils, explore a water play area, and engage in a variety of science experiments.

The museum also offers a range of permanent and temporary exhibits, covering topics such as space exploration, ancient civilizations, and natural history. The IMAX theater and planetarium provide additional opportunities for learning and entertainment, with a variety of films and shows that are both educational and visually stunning.

9. Ice Castles and troll at Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek is one of the array of gambling villages that are scattered throughout the mountains of Colorado. These also include Black Hawk and Central City, both near Denver, and then there's two more on Ute Nation territory in the South (Ignacio and Towaoc). Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek all offer something of a mix between an old West vibe and a weird attempt at something modern. Personally, I'd prefer cashing in on the Old West vibes and let Vegas have all the rollercoaster mumbo jumbo, but I digress.

The Ice Castles in Cripple Creek

Cripple Creek, which is located near the mining village of Victor on the opposite side of Pike's Peak from Colorado Springs, has a kind of charm. The street is lined with half-empty casinos, and the inhabitants of such places are either retirees bussed in from the Springs or confused youthful drunks like myself 20 years ago who like to wander 24-hours a day for free drinks at the price of a slot machine pull and some fairly good dining at the array of busy restaurants.

There has been something of an attempt to revive the town, with new big investments like a renovated Heritege Center and the glass-faced Chamonix Hotel that will supposedly draw in big-time performers. There's an array of other activities, like hiking and mine tours, but not much more for the winter time. Though Mueller Park can be reached by a short drive for some pretty fun sledding.

That is until they started hosting the Ice Castles (there's also one in Eagle between Aspen and Breck) from late December to early March. They're different every year due to both varying imagination and weather changes, but always give a sense of wonder, especially after the sun goes down and the LED lights placed within the ice come on. Artists "grow" anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 icicyles a day to sculpt the ice formations, towering walls, delicate scupltures, tunnels, slides, and parapets.

Last year, there were three ice slides, with one being reached by a walk along the icy battlements. This year, there was one large slide and one very small kids' slide, but they had also added some food and drink stands for hot dogs and hot chocolates. There were also a lot more tunnel areas this year, and both years featured a kids' crawlspace/tunnel dome thing.

The concept started in Utah, when the founder, Brent Christensen, had the idea of creating a backyard ice castle for his daughter, which had quickly become a local hit. The idea expanded to a national enterprise, featured in 5 cities throughout the US (Midway, UT, Maple Gove, MN, North Woodstock, NH, and Cripple Creek and Eagle, CO).

In 2025, it was 29 bucks for general admission, $23 for kids, and free for those 3 and under.

Also, if the weather isn't so bad (and it usually isn't around there), you can take a short walk to the troll, Rita, who's just outside Victor. Rita is actually the second troll of Colorado, the first being over near Breck. Rita took over 8 days to build with over 100 volunteers under the supervision of Danish recycle artist and rapper Thomas Dambo (who apparently did a whole troll village here in Belgium).

Rita, the Rock Collecting Troll

So an easy day would be to see the troll, visit the Ice Castle, and then have a meal in Cripple Creek.

10. Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center

Located in the town of Woodland Park on the way to Cripple Creek from Colorado Springs, the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center gets a mention because every time we'd pass, my kid would shout out "dinosaur" like he was a character from Peppa Pig. Yet, tragically, we never stopped to go inside. One of these days! This 12,000 square foot warehouse of dino-bones is strategically located to the famous digsite at Fossil, Colorado.

The Resource Center was founded in 2004 by Mike Triebold, who had a lifetime passion for collecting fossils. And not just small ones. He made his name known in the world of dinos when he discovered the world's first mostly complete Pachycephalosaurus in 1994, later topping that with a fully complete Protosphyraena pernicosa. Hot damn.

At the shop, you can buy all kinds of replica fossils, as well as a mostly complete and real Edmontosaurus and Maiasaura.

All this and more

And here I didn't mention all the indoor playgrounds, libraries, and other fun places for kids that other cities tend to have as well. But as you can see, Colorado has plenty of options, and any visit will be stuffed with things to do (as long as you have a car).

By the way, I've got a book coming out soon: A Facetious Guide on How to Travel with a Kid. Sign up for my newsletter to get alerted when it's out so you can enjoy the intro discount and also grab a free Ultimate Checklist for Traveling with a Kid!

Embracing Slow Travel for Relaxed Family Trips

Meandering and not rushing

We've all heard of the "slow food" movement, where many people are turning away from fast food and trying to enjoy the experience of a long restaurant meal. This, of course, is a little alien of a concept in countries like France, where every meal takes a few hours, so maybe Americans can relate to this more.

Along the same lines, I want to introduce a different movement, especially for parents traveling with their kiddos. "Slow travel".

As the dad of a five-year-old, I've learned that family trips require a whole different mindset than my free-spirited backpacking days. Kids march to their own drums—usually a slower, more meandering one that involves stopping to examine every interesting rock and bug along the way. I've tossed my old "must-see-everything" travel style out the window and embraced "slow travel" to its extreme, trading in the racing for the meandering.

Family travel is all about adjusting expectations and redefining what it means to have a "successful" trip, "successful" of course, being a relative term. Gone are the days of cramming in every possible sightseeing spot and racing from one attraction to another. Instead, the focus shifts to slowing down and just enjoying the moment with my family—at a pace that suits everyone, especially the little man.

Balance Is Key

So my wife and I now tone down our trip planning, making sure we mix grown-up activities with kid-friendly adventures. For every art museum visit, we balance it with playground time. For every historic site, we find a cool cafe with cake or macaroons where our little guy can refuel and do the wiggly worm. It's all about the give-and-take, you know.

Stop when you've gotta stop

You've got to remember that kids have a limited attention span. While you might be excited to explore a historic cathedral or an art gallery, your kiddo might find it overwhelming or, frankly, boring. So my theory is that by alternating between adult-focused and kid-friendly activities, you can keep everyone happy. Well, as happy as possible. This approach also allows for a more relaxed itinerary, where there's always something fun for you kid to look forward to, which can make the more 'grown-up' activities more manageable.

Capture the Real Moments

Forget Instagram-perfect moments and focus on the belly laughs, silly songs, and those precious times when your kid's face lights up with some pure sense of mysterious entertainment. Those are the souvenirs worth keeping. It's these unplanned moments that often become the highlights of your trip.

Kids find joy in the simplest things—when at Planckendael Zoo here in Belgium we were in the Orangutan exhibit, there was also a butterfly terrarium. I think we ended up walking in more than one circle chasing those butterflies. Though we were exhausted, we had to remember, it's all right, he's really enjoying the moment, and that's the point of the trip.

There's always something to wait for: a butterfly fluttering by, a funny-looking rock, or a specially made-up window along the street. Embracing these moments, rather than stressing over the perfect photo op, can lead to a more relaxed and enjoyable trip for everyone.

Don't Plan It Tight

Kids have little legs. That means they are S-L-O-W. And if yours is anything like mine, it can take twenty minutes just to get a shirt on. You know your kid. Just as you would at home, you need to be sure to factor in the time it takes to do anything when you're planning your trip.

If walking somewhere might take you 20 minutes, then expand that to an hour. You'll have to first walk somewhere, rest two or three times, maybe have a coffee/juice to refresh, play in a random playground, and THEN make your destination. Don't be in a rush though.

Just take it slow, what's the rush?

Embrace the slowness. It's pleasant and relaxing. This is more like soaking in the life of the neighborhood and "living like a local" anyway than racing from one tourist monument to the next. You're there to bond with your kid and partner, creating those golden moments you'll talk about years from now—not to chase down every dusty suggestion from some random internet guru.

Flexibility Is Golden

When traveling with children, keep your schedule loose. Kids move at their own speed, which doesn't always work with a well-thought-out schedule. Allow some time for any number of unplanned detours, rest stops, and unexpected setbacks. If you're willing to be a little flexible, you can transform possible travel disasters into pleasant little side quests.

A flexible itinerary means you can seize unexpected opportunities. You might stumble upon a local festival, a street performance, or a hidden gem of a park that wasn't in any guidebook. These happy accidents are frequently the highlights of a vacation. Being able to adjust your plans on the fly means you're not tied to a rigid schedule, which makes everything less stressful and more enjoyable.

You'll have to let go of an inflexible mindset. Maybe you really had your mind set on making it all the way around the Christmas market and seeing absolutely everything there was to see. Or maybe you can enjoy the place just as much in that one corner of the festival with the carousel. Just let your kid have fun and relax. If you're not in a rush, if you don't really NEED to do something, then why stress out about it?

Ride the carousels

Collaborative Planning

Before the trip, you should have a sit-down with your partner. Make a list. For each day, plan on doing only 1 or 2 things that you'd enjoy. Then 1 or 2 things your partner would enjoy. Then pull up Google Maps and see what kind of things your kid would enjoy between the things you and your partner would enjoy.

This is what I do every time we go somewhere. Though, to be honest, my wife isn't overly interested in this process, and I'm the one more obsessed with staring at maps. But you do whatever works for you. But the search itself can be real fun, I think. Just type in "playground" and Google will bring up all their options, translating it automatically behind-the-scenes so you don't have to worry about language issues.

Under-castle playground discovered on Google Maps

But planning together as a family can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. If your kid is a little older, include them in the process and show them pictures of all the search results. Mine is always more than happy to say, "That one there!" "That one looks boring!" That's some valuable information there.

Let them choose their favorite, or show them some cool ones that you've pre-selected to get them excited. This not only helps in managing expectations but also builds excitement and gives your child a sense of involvement in the trip, and suddenly buckling him in isn't such a struggle. Though you will have to answer the question of, "How many minutes till the playground?" about one hundred times. But that's better than listening to whining or crying. Choose your battles.

If you're traveling in Europe, keep in mind most of the famous spots have playgrounds next to them or even in them. Especially France. I'm always amazed by how family-friendly that country is. Knowing there are kid-friendly spots near major attractions can make it easier to plan a day that balances everyone’s interests, no doubt about it.

Road Tripping

These thoughts can just as easily be integrated into road trips. For any one or two hours you're driving, make sure to have at least one stop to stretch your legs, and for every three hours, you need some play time. Plan it so you're not in a rush, and your little one can enjoy the experience.

If you don't plan for stops, then those long stretches can turn into long nightmares of whining while the kiddo fights you for future trips. Now at all a good idea. So just as you would do with your walking tours, do with your driving. Plan for stops, whether they be McDo's, rest stops with playgrounds, or villages with menageries or castles. There's always something going on somewhere, especially in Europe.

A roadside dino park in Huy, Belgium

The Joys of Slow Travel

Slow travel isn't just a necessity when traveling with kids—it's a joy. By taking your time, you get to experience places in a way that's often missed in the rush of traditional tourism. And to be honest, you definitely get to "feel" the city a lot more than you would otherwise racing from one tourist site that a local never visits to another.

This slower pace also allows you to forget about some Tripadvisor bullcrap checklist and focus more on your family's needs, enjoying the journey rather than just the destination. Whether it's a leisurely walk through a local market, a long afternoon at a park, or an extended coffee break at a charming café, these moments of relaxation and exploration can lead to deeper connections with both the place you're visiting and the people you're with.

It's just kind of sad that it took me having a kid to fully realize that.

Enjoying the view

Making Memories

Ultimately, the goal of family travel is to make lasting memories. By embracing a slower pace, being flexible, and involving everyone in the planning process, you can ensure that your trips are filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. So, pack your bags, embrace slow travel, and get ready for adventures that your family will cherish forever.

This blog is taken from my upcoming book, A Facetious Guide to Traveling with Kids. Sign up on my newsletter to make sure you get a free Kindle copy when it comes out!

Santa teaches our kid about diversity

There's a certain childlike joy that we all get from discovering new places. It's a feeling of excitement and wonder that reminds us of the magic in the world. It's a feeling that our kids get seeing anything, from the simplest of places to the most fascinating. Why not encourage that wonder in our children? Why not give them a sense of worldliness and diversity from the youngest of ages?

By immersing our kids in different cultures, they learn to appreciate and respect the differences that make each individual unique. The exposure also helps develop a broader worldview and a greater appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around them. Traveling with young children can truly be a transformative and enriching experience for them (and for you).

Innate prejudices

I consider myself a fairly open-minded person, but I've got to be honest: I've got a whole string of innate biases and prejudices that are automatically registered in my mind. Only if I look at them and see how they influence my actions can I contradict them, but that's a practice that not many people do, as they haven't really developed that kind of awareness. Indeed, it requires a lot of self-reflection and introspection that a lot of people just don't do. And that's not a knock on them, that's just a fact.

I grew up as a middle-class white boy in a Southern/Midwestern suburban town (I'm not really sure what Tulsa is), with extended family in Louisiana. All of that influenced the information going into my head during my formative years and shapes everything to how I immediately react around Black people, or Asians, or gowned or hijabi Muslims, or so on. I can't help it. Similarly, you, dear reader, have automatic thoughts and assumptions concerning anyone you meet or see. Everyone does. Because assumptions are built off past experiences, and they exist to save us time and energy. But often they're just flat wrong, but because society reinforces them, we often fail to question or challenge them.

Growing up with diversity

My Georgian-American kid is growing up here in Brussels, a French-speaking city surrounded by Dutch-speaking towns. And if that weren't linguistic diversity enough, Brussels is also the de facto capital of the European Union, which means thousands of people from all over the world come here to work in embassies and NGOs. It's the most diverse place I've ever lived in, and perhaps ever been to, with the exceptions of maybe New York City or Washington, D.C..

At the local playground—which is literally next to a mosque—it's common to hear Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Polish, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, sometimes Chinese, and other languages I don't recognize. His best friends at school are from Senegal, France, Ukraine, Romania, and Armenia.

At the playground

Now, I grew up when "Pressing 1 for English" was a controversial thing in the US. So I view the world through that lens of prejudice. My mind automatically asks, "What do Belgians think of that mess?"

But also, I think it's really cool that my kid gets to grow up with "that mess". He gets to grow up with a worldview where global diversity is the standard. Where it's more weird to be part of the "same" group of people. Now, I like to think of that as an advantage, but who knows. Maybe that'll have the effect of making him a permanent outsider, but then I grew up with that feeling, and I grew up where everyone was "the same".

All that to say, traveling with young children can really widen their perspective—even if it's not the full experience of living somewhere, it's at least an experience. It educates them by exposing them to diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences. And as I'm writing this around Christmas time, you'll have to forgive my Christmas-centric examples.

Christmas market fun

If you choose to travel to Europe around the holidays, then you're in for a real treat. There is something really magical about Christmas markets, especially in Germany. Probably that magic is rooted firmly in the gluhwein, but it does help foster a kind of Hollywood "Christmas spirit" that you feel in those cheesy Netflix movies; I'll have to admit. And it's pretty fun for kids.

We just went to the Christmas market in Cologne a week before writing this. And though it's perhaps more accurate to say "markets", it was a real treat. There were roughly four or five markets, and a "Christmas train" connected them all; if you're traveling with kids, it might be best to pay for this otherwise pointless tourist attraction. Were we to be childless, I would have simply just ridden the city tram or bus. It ended up being much more convenient, and given how slow the kiddo can go, hugely time-saving.

One of many Kolner Christmas markets

And, I think that was our kid's favorite part! That and the Ferris wheel. He was not impressed by Kolner hot chocolate, that's for sure.

The most interesting thing about Christmas in Europe, though, is just how different they tend to be. The markets themselves have a different character. In France and Germany, they are much more "fairy-tale" oriented; in the Netherlands, they are winter flea markets; in the UK, they are carnival amusement parks; and so on. But even more than the differences in the markets are the differences in the Santas.

Santa-diversity

I've mentioned the cross-cultural creation that is my son. Now the hardest part of raising him is the myth of Santa Claus, and how him being part of so many traditions has really created weird complexities in teaching such a simple narrative. For the record, I'm not really huge on the Big Santa Lie myself, but my wife insists we go along with it.

I just remember the trauma of finding out the truth as a child, and I don't want to put our kids through that. My brother and I opened the Forbidden Hall Closet, where my dad kept all his clothes. We climbed up to the top shelf, to the suspiciously labeled "Santa" box and pulled it down. It fell with a clatter, the open box on the floor with the infamous red suit spilling out. And then I knew my dad was not the source of all that was good in the world: He had been lying to me!

Well, I don't want that. But my wife trumps my childhood tragicomedy.

Anyway, here's a list of the different Santa contenders that I've had to explain to my son. I've had to go through the different ways they're different, and how really they're all the same person, too. And this is all a metaphor for humankind: We're all different, yet we're all the same.

Georgian Santa on break

First, I should mention the reality of the Santa Clause legend. He's really a conflagaration of two different concepts: St. Nicholas of Myra and the pagan Grandfather Frost (who still lives on in Russia as Ded Moroz).

1. Belgium: We have both the Dutch Santa and the French Santa, along with the American Santa. I just want to start with Belgium to get that out of the way, since that's the world he's most exposed to.

   
   

2. US Santa: We all know the jolly fat guy in the red suit, brought to us originally by Coca-Cola a hundred something years back. But the reality is, they didn't invent him. They imported aspects of him from Germany, France, Poland, and the UK. Probably the guys on the Coca-Cola artboard were all immigrants from those places.

   
   

3. Dutch Santa: His name is Sinterklaas and he goes around giving out candies, accompanied by a kid wearing blackface, named Zwarte Piet. The kid has had some controversy over the years, as you might have guessed, but they claim the blackface is from chimney diving and not from performing in minstrel shows. Sinterklaas dresses like a Catholic Bishop, even though they burned down all the Catholic churches in the Netherlands in the 1600s. Yet Santa still reigns supreme!

   
   

4. French Santa: He's got two personalities. First there's Pere Noel/Papa Noel, or "Grandfather Christmas" or "Father Christmas", who's more of a "spirit of Christmas" than based on an actual man. But really he just looks like the American Santa. What's funny is that many Frenchies don't realize Pere Noel IS St. Nicholas. Because they also have St. Nicolas who goes around visiting schools and handing out candy. But he's not accompanied by some racist boy like Sinterklaas.

   
   

5. Georgian Santa: A bonus one for you, since my boy is also Georgian and they also have a Santa. Georgian Santa's named Tovlis Babua (Grandfather Frost). Though it's funny, because tovlis babua is also the word for a snowman. Tovlis Babua gives gifts on New Years, has nothing to do with Christmas (as he was sanitized by the Commies) and wears traditional mountain man clothing.

   
   

6. Cajun Santa: Another bonus! My parents are Cajuns, and one of my earliest holiday memories is my mom reading the Cajun Night Before Christmas. Now that I've a kid, she gave me that book to read. So we read it. According to legend, Cajun Santa is a man riding an eight-alligator-drawn pirogue while wearing muskrat fur.

   
   

Co-exist

So there you go, so many Santas! How about that lesson in cultural diversity! And on top of that, they celebrate in different ways too. Let's just look at gift-giving.

1. In France, Belgium, and Czechia: I'm throwing in Czechia to advertise for my book, A Facetious Guide to Czechia. Most of the gift-giving for children happens on St. Nicolas Day, or December 6, instead of Christmas. Bonus: In Czechia, Santa is accompanied by a hairy, bell-toting demon named Krampus who gifts coal to the bad kids.
   

   My kid recently left one of his shoes at school, because apparently Santa leaves the kids yummy carrots on December 6.
   

   But also the French for a long time ago had New Year's gifts, or etrennes, but then they moved it to Christmas because of the importation of Santa Claus because 'Murica.
   

2. In Georgia, gift-giving was moved to New Year's to remove any religious significance. Same in all theformer USSR countries. And their "Christmas tree" turned into a "New Year's tree".

   
   

3. In the UK and Germany, gift-giving is on Christmas.

   
   

So there you go. If you don't believe me about some real cultural widening, I hope Santa and his gift-giving are enough of a lesson to show you. I'm just using Christmas as an example though, but traveling during a holiday is definitely already a pre-packed cultural marathon of educational materials for your children.

Traditions for teaching

There are plenty of other holidays, though, depending on where you go, with cool traditions to watch for. There's Ommegang in Belgium, with a big medieval parade and performances in the old town. There's Jan Nepomuk Day in Czechia, where they parachute from the sky into the Vltava and barges float around playing orchestral music while they pick up the skydivers. There are the bull-friendly bullfights in South France.

There are scores of crazy, free events going on in all kinds of different locations, you just have to do a little digging in your planning. But they can all be used to teach lessons in history, tradition, and appreciating our differences.

Travel can be a powerful tool for broadening young minds. By immersing our children in diverse cultures, we equip them with invaluable life skills like empathy, adaptability, and a global perspective. From the enchanting Christmas markets of Europe to the vibrant celebrations of other cultures, there are endless opportunities to inspire wonder and curiosity in your little ones.

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Have a wonderful kid holiday travel story? Share it in the comments.