Full Time Travel With Kids - Taking the Plunge

Making the decision to travel full time as a family isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes courage, conversation and a whole lot of honesty, not just with your partner, but with your kids too. Because here’s the truth: if you’re doing this as a family, everyone needs to be on board. This journey works best when it's a shared decision, not one that’s made and handed down.

For us, the idea started as a daydream. What if we just... went? What if we left routine behind for a while and showed our child the world instead of a classroom? But the turning point came when we stopped thinking what if and started asking why not. We were so stressed with our day to day life, there was so much going on here that we just thought "we need to leave as this isn't what life is about".

Talking, Talking, Talking

The first step in taking the plunge is to talk about it, really talk. Not just with your partner but with your kids. Depending on their age, they might not fully understand what full time travel means, but they can absolutely feel involved. Let them ask questions, share their worries and get excited with you. We believe strongly that this can’t just be your dream. It needs to be everyone's. Despite making our decison in September 2024 we still to this day talk about this, if we still feel its the right choice for us all, our worries, our concerns and what we are most excited about. We sit around the dinner table and chat, Jax has to be involved in this, this is big for him too and we want him to feel secure - I can't stress that enough.

When Is The Right Time

Once everyone’s feeling good about the idea, the next natural conversation is: when? Setting a departure date doesn’t have to be exact, but having a rough timeframe can help guide your next steps. Whether it's six months from now or two years down the line, that rough window helps shift things from dream to plan.

After that, it’s time to look at your big ticket logistics. What are the major moving parts in your life right now, and how will you handle them?

We sold our campervan early on to free up some funds and mental space. We listed our house for rent around three months before departure, giving us time to find reliable tenants. If you own a property, renting it out can be a fantastic way to generate ongoing income while you're travelling. Alternatively, you might decide to sell, especially if you're planning to be away longer term or want to reduce responsibility.

Work is another huge piece of the puzzle. Will you request a sabbatical or are you ready to hand in your notice? We opted for a two-year sabbatical, giving us both structure and peace of mind. But every family is different. The key is to start these conversations early, so you can explore your options properly.

How Much Will It Cost

And then there’s money. One of the biggest questions people ask is: how much do we need to save before we go? Our honest advice is this... don’t obsess over a magic number. Having a savings plan is smart, of course. You need to understand your costs, and it helps to set a realistic target. But travel doesn’t have to look the same for everyone, and comparing your journey to someone else’s is a fast track to unnecessary stress.

Instead, create a rough plan that works for your family. Consider your income sources, expected expenses and how you might want to travel. Are you moving quickly or slowly? Will you be working remotely? Do you have rental income to rely on? Build your plan around your reality, not someone else's idea of what full time travel should look like.

The truth is, deciding to travel full time with kids isn’t just about logistics. It’s about mindset. It’s about choosing adventure over routine, growth over comfort, and time together over ticking boxes.

And yes, it’s a big leap. But once you take it, everything starts to shift. The planning begins to feel exciting. The idea of leaving becomes less scary and more real. And you’ll start to realise that it was never about having all the answers, it was about deciding to try.

So if this has been on your mind for a while, start with the conversation. Be brave enough to say it out loud. You don’t need all the pieces in place to begin, you just need to believe that it’s possible.

Because it is.

Happy Travels From The Luck-Bakers

If you laughed, learned, or just love a good family adventure—feel free to Buy Us an Ice Cream. It keeps the blog posts coming and the sugar levels dangerously high. Cheers!