Friendship & Full-Time Travel: How We Help Our Kids Find Connection

Before setting off on full-time travel, one of our biggest concerns was how our kids would make and maintain friendships. At home, we had a wonderful community and strong connections—so what would life look like without our people?

Leading up to our journey, I thought about this a lot. People often reassured us, “The kids will make friends at caravan parks!”—and I hoped they were right. But it didn’t take long to realise that caravan parks weren’t a sustainable option for us. As full-time travellers with four kids, the cost was simply too high. instead, we source free and low-cost campsites like show-grounds and community-run campgrounds, which means fewer built-in social opportunities with other traveling families.

Even if we did stay in caravan parks, there’s another challenge—our kids aren’t the “leave the van and roam” type. They’re naturally more reserved and cautious, and striking up conversations with new kids isn’t easy for them. That’s been an extra hurdle in helping them build friendships on the road.

Here’s how we’ve approached friendships on the road:

1. Slow Down—Travel Slowly

The faster you move, the harder it is to build relationships. Staying in one place for longer gives kids time to form bonds,. Sometimes, this means staying put for a few months in one spot rather than constantly being on the move.

Recently, we spent three months in Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland, and it was perfect. We made connections through a local women’s Bible study group (KYB), which had other homeschooling families who attended. I took the boys to Mainly Music and playgroup where they were able to play with other children..The local Presbyterian Church offered an after-school kids’ club where the 3 older kids made local friends.

Brad also met people through work connections, (we were parked up so he could work for a bit )some of whom even welcomed us onto their properties (yep more friends).

These weren’t just passing friendships either—they were real connections.

2. Be Intentional with Church and Homeschool Meet-Ups

Our kids were involved in a Christmas musical concert, at the Atherton Presbyterian Church. Since we were parked up for work in the area, the kids attended the kids club every Friday afternoon. They practiced every week with the other kids and were very proud to perform their new friends in front of the local community, friends and family.

For us, church and homeschool groups have been lifelines for meeting other families. Wherever we go, we seek out local churches, homeschool co-ops, and family-friendly gatherings on offer within them. These communities often have a natural openness to welcoming traveler’s, and they offer a sense of belonging even for a short time.

One thing I’ve noticed is that people are often fascinated by our lifestyle as a traveling family. It becomes an instant conversation starter, and our kids love sharing stories about the places they’ve been and the adventures they’ve had. This excitement helps them warm up to new friends faster than they might in a more traditional setting. It turns out that being the "new kid" all the time has its perks—because there’s always something interesting to talk about!

*TIP: Our kids are almost always asked the same question when we meet new people: “Where is your favorite place you’ve been so far?” Since this comes up so often, I decided to brainstorm ideas with them so they have a well-thought-out answer ready. When put on the spot, they often struggle to choose a favorite, but by reflecting on their experiences in advance, they can answer more confidently and share what they truly loved about different places.

3. Prioritize Playgrounds, Parks & Kid-Friendly Spaces

Full-time travel isn’t a holiday—it’s our lifestyle. Just like any family with young children, we visit parks, playgrounds, libraries, and community centres, as well as local events and activities in the towns we pass through.

Maddie made a little friend a similar age to her, while we were in outback Queensland and it was fun to play the pocket money game together. Ari also joined in.

You might be thinking, “Why wouldn’t you just focus on all the fun, touristy stuff?” The truth is, we do those things too! But if we want our kids to build friendships on the road, we need to be where other kids are—not just at sightseeing attractions.

By prioritizing these everyday spaces, we give our kids the opportunity for spontaneous connection…. these simple moments have lead to some wonderful friendships.

4. Make the Most of the Online space for staying in touch

Before we started traveling, I was pretty strict on screen time. My daughter, Hannah, didn’t have social media, and the only reason she received a Chromebook for her 10th birthday was for her online schoolwork. I wanted to protect her from the online world for as long as possible, and I was hesitant about introducing new ways for her to connect digitally.

But as we traveled, I realised that staying connected with friends back home was just as important as making new ones. So, I loosened my approach.

Now, I’m much more relaxed about her using my phone to stay in touch with friends—she messages them through their parents’ phones, and I don’t rush to take it away when she’s chatting. I even allowed Messenger Kids, where she’s built a big circle of old and new friends that she keeps in touch with regularly.

Was I nervous? Absolutely. But I’ve found that this small shift has been a huge positive. And when I see how happy she is after chatting with her friends, it makes me happy too.

5. Join Travel Family Communities

There are so many great online communities for traveling families, like Facebook groups, where families share travel plans, advice, and recommendations.

Knowing there are other families on the same journey is reassuring—and sometimes, those online connections turn into real-life friendships! We’ve met fellow traveling families this way, and when you’re in remote places like outback Queensland, you quickly realize many of you are heading in the same direction.

We have visited lots of community groups, like Mainly Music and Playgroups on our travels. This was a special Mainly Music family event that was held at Mount Isa, Qld 2024

For example, when a rodeo or festival is happening, traveling families naturally gather there. You start recognizing the same faces, and before you know it, your kids are reconnecting with familiar friends at each stop. These meetings create a sense of community on the road,

Being part of these groups also helps with coordinating meetups, finding last-minute camping spots, and getting real-time recommendations from other families who have been where you’re going.

6. Accept That Friendships Will Look Different

This has been a hard pill to swallow, but friendships while traveling aren’t always as deep or long-term as the ones back home. The reality is, when you’re constantly moving, friendships can feel temporary—kids might hit it off at a playground or campsite, have an epic two-day friendship filled with adventure, and then part ways forever.

Sometimes, it’s a frantic "Quick! Get their Messenger Kids details before they drive off!" moment. Other times, you just have to accept that they’ll be one of those "Hey, remember that kid from that caravan park?" memories.

7. Focus on Family – The Best Friendship of All

I’ve saved the best for last—the bond of siblings.

The kids actually “group hug” a lot!

One of the most unexpected (and beautiful) gifts of full-time travel has been watching our kids grow closer. Without the consistency of a regular friend group, they’ve learned to rely on each other more than ever. And while they still have their fair share of squabbles their friendships with each other have deepened in ways we never imagined.

They read to each other, and stick together in new social settings, finding comfort in each other’s presence. They’ve spent hours lost in imaginative play, making up games and stories well past bedtime—it was just too good to interrupt.

They’ve become playmates, adventure buddies, and problem-solvers together. Whether it’s exploring a new town, making up games at a campsite, or keeping each other entertained on long travel days, they’ve learned that no matter where we go, they always have each other.

We have seen the sibling bond grow stronger during this trip and we feel very grateful for this.

As parents, we’ve also become more intentional about creating an environment where these sibling bonds can thrive. With fewer outside distractions, we’re more present and engaged in their everyday experiences.

Of course, they still crave friendships outside the family (and we make sure to provide those opportunities), but the bond they’re building now is something that will last a lifetime.

At the end of the day, friendships will come and go, but family is the one constant. And watching that bond grow stronger? That’s been one of the greatest joys of this journey.

The Trade-Offs & The Rewards

The truth is, there’s no perfect solution—travel comes with its trade-offs. It’s all about finding the right balance and staying in tune with your kids' needs as they navigate the journey.

So, how do you navigate friendships while traveling? I’d love to hear your experiences! Drop a comment and let’s chat. 😊