Exciting Stories That Explore New Places, Cultures, and the Joy of Travel
Whether you’re planning a big trip or just dreaming of distant places, vacation books are a wonderful way to explore the world through stories. From beach days to airport adventures, train rides to mountain hikes, vacation-themed books help kids imagine what it’s like to travel, explore, and discover something new.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite vacation books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included fun activity ideas and reflective questions to make reading even more memorable. Let me know which story becomes your go-to travel companion!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Vacation?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Vacation
- 11 Vacation Books For Children
- What Vacation Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Vacation?
Vacation books help kids learn what to expect during trips while building excitement for travel.
They often introduce geography, cultures, customs, and transportation in kid-friendly ways. Whether you’re reading about packing a suitcase or discovering a new city, these stories spark curiosity and open up conversations about the world.
Reading about vacations encourages flexibility, wonder, and appreciation for new experiences.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Vacation
Books about travel teach practical and social-emotional skills.
Children can explore how to adapt to new places, follow routines in unfamiliar environments, and handle big feelings like excitement, nervousness, or homesickness. Vacation stories also highlight family bonding, friendship, and adventure.
Vacation books help children build global awareness, empathy, and resilience through storytelling.
How to Use Books about Vacation with Children
Here are some travel-inspired ways to extend your reading experience:
- ✈️ Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: Where would you love to go on vacation? or What do you think is the best part of traveling? In a classroom, Turn and Talk can get kids sharing family trips and dream destinations.
- 🎒 Engage in Travel-Themed Activities: Pack a pretend suitcase, draw postcards from imaginary places, map out a travel route, or create a scrapbook of “trips” taken through books. You can also explore flags, foods, and greetings from other countries!
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: When talking about time zones, different cultures, or natural wonders, remind kids of the stories. Say: Remember when the character visited the mountains and had to bundle up?
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Suggest reading vacation books before real trips to ease travel anxiety. Families can also keep a travel journal or take along a favorite book to read on the plane, train, or car ride.
11 Vacation Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 Time for a Trip by Phillis Gershator
🔗 View on Amazon
A gentle rhyme about the joy of packing and going on a trip, perfect for little ones preparing for travel.
Activity Idea: Let kids pack a pretend suitcase with their favorite toys or clothes.
Discussion Questions:
- What would you pack for a trip?
- How do you feel before going somewhere new?
- Where would you like to go next?
#2 Bizzy Bear: Off We Go! by Benji Davies
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Bizzy Bear is ready to explore! A sturdy and interactive board book for toddlers with sliders and fun actions.
Activity Idea: Create a travel checklist with your child.
Discussion Questions:
- What kinds of transportation are in the story?
- What do you like about going places?
- What’s one new place you’d like to visit?
#3 Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon
🔗 View on Amazon
Penguin swaps the snow for sand and learns the joys of making new friends on vacation.
Activity Idea: Compare beach vs. snow day—make a chart or draw both!
Discussion Questions:
- What happens when Penguin tries something new?
- What does he learn about friendship?
- Would you rather visit the beach or the snow?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Peppa’s Cruise Vacation by EOne
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Peppa and her family set sail on a fun cruise adventure packed with activities and sightseeing.
Activity Idea: Draw your own cruise ship and label the rooms.
Discussion Questions:
- What does Peppa do on her cruise?
- What sounds fun about cruising?
- Where would you like to take a boat?
#5 Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Airport by Richard Scarry
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Follow the busy characters as they navigate the airport—classic, fun, and informative.
Activity Idea: Play pretend “airport” with tickets and boarding passes.
Discussion Questions:
- What happens at the airport?
- Have you ever been on a plane?
- What’s your favorite part about traveling?
#6 Summer Vacation, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg
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A collection of poems about summer vacation fun—camping, road trips, and all the sunshine joys.
Activity Idea: Write your own summer poem.
Discussion Questions:
- What’s your favorite summer activity?
- Which poem did you like best?
- How do you make summer special?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 Mouse by the Sea: A Vacation in Nature by Alice Melvin
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A beautifully illustrated story about a mouse who finds peace and wonder while on vacation by the sea.
Activity Idea: Go on a nature walk and collect treasures like the mouse.
Discussion Questions:
- What did Mouse discover on the beach?
- How do you feel when you’re in nature?
- What’s your favorite part of the ocean?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
🔗 View on Amazon
A wildly imaginative tale of a boy whose summer break becomes a cowboy adventure!
Activity Idea: Draw a comic strip about your own silly summer story.
Discussion Questions:
- What was real, and what was made up?
- What’s the funniest part of the book?
- Can you imagine your own summer adventure?
#9 Pictures from Our Vacation by Lynne Rae Perkins
🔗 View on Amazon
Through snapshots and reflections, two siblings record their vacation in a heartfelt and relatable way.
Activity Idea: Make a scrapbook from a past trip or create one for an imaginary journey.
Discussion Questions:
- What do pictures help us remember?
- What did the characters learn on their trip?
- What would you want to photograph on vacation?
#10 Vampire Vacation by Laura Lavoie
🔗 View on Amazon
A vampire who wants to ditch the gloom for sunshine—but that’s not so easy! A fun and quirky twist on travel.
Activity Idea: Design a tropical resort for a vampire—what would it need?
Discussion Questions:
- Why doesn’t traditional vacation work for the vampire?
- What compromises did the characters make?
- What makes a vacation fun for you?
#11 The Bathing Costume: Or the Worst Vacation of My Life by Charlotte Moundlic
🔗 View on Amazon
A humorous and tender story about a boy’s awkward but growing-up summer at his grandparents’ home.
Activity Idea: Write or draw about a time something went wrong on vacation—but ended up okay!
Discussion Questions:
- What challenges does the main character face?
- What do we learn from uncomfortable experiences?
- How did he change by the end?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Vacation Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Vacation books for kids turn everyday reading into an adventure. Whether you’re heading out on a road trip, flying somewhere new, or exploring your own backyard, these stories inspire a love for discovery and help kids feel ready for the journey.
Which story will help you pack your imagination? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite travel reads, dream destinations, or travel journals!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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