The Rise of “Kidfluence”: When Kids Help Plan the Family Vacation

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced this moment before:

You start thinking about planning a family vacation… and suddenly your kids have a lot of opinions.

“Can we go somewhere with dinosaurs?”

“Is there a place with monster trucks?”

“Do they have superhero stuff there?”

As a mom of two boys, this is a very real part of travel planning in our house. One of my boys is all about dinosaurs and superheroes, while the other is completely fascinated by cars and monster trucks. So when we start talking about trips, the suggestions come fast—and they are usually very specific.

And honestly, I love that enthusiasm.

It turns out this dynamic isn’t unique to our family. There’s actually a name for it now:

Kidfluence.

According to the 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey conducted by the NYU School of Professional Studies and the Family Travel Association, kids are playing a bigger role than ever in influencing where families travel and what they do when they get there.

Kids Really Love to Travel

One of the most interesting findings from the survey is something most parents probably already know: kids genuinely love traveling.

The research found that 74% of parents say their kids enjoy traveling and look forward to family trips.

As a mom, I see this firsthand. The excitement of packing bags, getting in the car, or hopping on a plane creates a level of anticipation that’s hard to match.

Sometimes the things that excite kids the most are the little moments—finding a giant dinosaur statue at a roadside stop, spotting cool cars at a show, or discovering something totally unexpected along the way.

Why Kids Are Influencing Travel More

Kids have always had opinions, but there are a few reasons they’re influencing family travel more than ever before.

Kids Get Travel Inspiration Everywhere

Today’s kids are constantly exposed to travel inspiration through YouTube videos, social media, movies, and TV shows.

In our house, that influence is very real. My boys love watching episodes of Blippi where he’s exploring a new place. It never fails—if Blippi visits a museum, a play place, or some kind of attraction, one of my boys will immediately turn to me and say, “Can we go there?”

The same thing happens with movies. If there’s a cool scene in a movie or a location that looks exciting, suddenly it becomes a place they want to visit.

So when families start planning trips, kids often already have ideas in mind. In our house that might mean searching for a dinosaur museum, a superhero-themed attraction, or somewhere that hosts monster truck events or car shows.

Kids see something that sparks their curiosity—and suddenly it becomes part of the family travel wish list.

Families Value Experiences

Many families today prioritize experiences over things. Instead of more toys or gadgets, parents are focusing on creating memories together.

The family travel survey found that parents see travel as an opportunity for kids to learn about the world and gain new experiences.

I saw this play out in our own family recently. My husband and I took a trip just the two of us to Niagara Falls in Canada. It was a wonderful getaway, but when we got home and started telling the boys about it, they immediately wanted to know when they could go too.

Now they ask about it all the time.

My oldest keeps asking when he can finally see the falls in person, and my youngest has become very focused on trying poutine after hearing us talk about it.

It’s funny how just hearing about a place can spark their curiosity and excitement. It’s also a reminder that kids don’t just want things—they want experiences and adventures too.

Kids Are More Engaged When They Help Plan

Another interesting finding from the survey is that 84% of parents believe involving kids in travel planning helps them become more open to new experiences.

When kids help choose part of the trip—even something small—they feel more invested in the adventure.

For example, if one of my boys gets excited about a dinosaur exhibit or superhero-themed stop, that instantly becomes something they look forward to the entire trip. And if the other finds a place with cool cars or monster trucks? Even better.

It’s amazing how letting kids contribute ideas can make the whole trip feel more exciting for everyone.

Family Travel Is Still Growing

Even with rising costs, family travel remains a top priority for many households.

The survey found that 92% of parents plan to travel with their children within the next year, and families spent an average of about $8,000 on travel in 2024, which was a significant increase from the previous year.

That shows just how important these shared experiences have become for families.

Travel isn’t just about going somewhere new—it’s about spending time together and creating memories that kids will carry with them long after the trip ends.

Letting Kids Be Part of the Adventure

As parents, it can feel easier to plan everything ourselves. But sometimes the best ideas come from letting kids be part of the process.

That might mean:

• Letting them choose one activity for the trip

• Asking them to research something fun to do

• Giving them a small role in planning the itinerary

• Letting them vote on restaurants or attractions

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Not every suggestion will work (we’re still working on that trip to outer space), but you might be surprised by the ideas they come up with.

The Best Part of Family Travel

At the end of the day, family travel isn’t just about the destination.

It’s about the moments in between—the laughter in the car, the unexpected discoveries, and the memories that turn into family stories.

And when your kids are excited about dinosaurs, superheroes, cars, monster trucks, waterfalls, or even trying poutine for the first time?

That just makes the adventure even better.

References

NYU School of Professional Studies. (2025). 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey Highlights Rise of Kidfluence.

Family Travel Association. (2025). U.S. Family Travel Survey Findings.