Is It Really Okay to Take Kids Out of School to Travel?
(A Family-Centered Answer to the Question Everyone Asks)
“But what about school?”
We’ve heard it more times than we can count. It’s the first thing most people ask when we tell them we’re preparing for long-term travel as a family.
And to be honest? We asked it ourselves too before we made the decision.
Because school feels like something you don’t question. It’s routine. It’s structure. It’s what we did. So the idea of pulling your kids out to go travel the world feels… big. Maybe even irresponsible, depending on who you ask.
But here’s the truth we’ve landed on:
Yes, it’s okay.
And sometimes, it’s more than okay, it’s the best possible choice for a particular season of your family’s life.
This post is for the parents sitting on that edge. The ones asking, “Can we really do this?”
Here’s what we’ve learned, what we considered, and how we’re making it work, with both heart and practicality in mind.
What Does “Taking Kids Out of School to Travel” Actually Mean?
It doesn’t mean one thing. In fact, it’s probably not what you imagine.
Some families:
Deregister entirely and homeschool or unschool on the road
Use online programs or remote schools
Take a term off or ask for temporary withdrawal with re-enrollment
Build an entirely new rhythm around worldschooling — where the world becomes the classroom
There’s no one-size-fits-all. This lifestyle is fluid, and that flexibility is part of the reason it works.
Is It Legal to Take Kids Out of School to Travel?
In most countries, yes it’s completely legal. But the process and paperwork varies.
Here’s a quick breakdown (check your local regulations to confirm):
| Region | Can You Do It?
| What’s Typically Required |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Yes | You can deregister or request permission for term-time leave |
| USA | Yes | Varies by state — most require homeschool notice or affidavit |
| Australia | Yes | Approval for extended absence usually needed |
| Canada | Yes | Province-specific, but often flexible with notice |
| EU Countries | yes | May require school withdrawal and declaration of alternative education plan |
We’re not lawyers, but what we’ve seen across the board is this:
If you’re committed, respectful of local rules, and willing to track some form of learning, most systems allow for educational flexibility.
Why We’re Okay With It (And Why Our Kids Are Too)
We’re not anti-school. But we are pro-intention.
And right now, for us, the kind of learning we want doesn’t fit inside a classroom.
We want our kids to experience:
Geography as a lived thing, not just on a map
Different languages in context
The patience that comes from long travel days
The creativity that comes from boredom and curiosity
And a version of life where family time isn’t something squeezed in at the end of the day
We also know they’ll miss some things. But we don’t believe that time in a traditional school is the only valid path. In fact, we’re seeing that the world is full of learning and they’re thriving in it already.
What About Socialisation? Exams? Falling Behind?
These are the worries that keep many families from even considering travel.
We get it.
But here’s what we’ve found:
Socialisation happens everywhere: airports, markets, hostels, hikes, and playgrounds in five countries
Education isn’t static: they may fall behind in one subject, then leap ahead in another
You can always return to traditional school: this doesn’t have to be forever
And honestly?
Most of the things people worry about like “They’ll fall behind” in… they’ll be gaining in new, unexpected ways.
Thinking About It? Here’s What Helped Us Prepare
If this idea has been tugging at your heart, you’re not alone and you don’t have to make the leap overnight.
Here are a few things that made the decision easier for us:
✅ Having honest conversations with our kids
✅ Researching how other families made it work
✅ Creating a rough “learning through travel” plan
✅ Mapping out a realistic travel timeline (not just a dream list)
Planning Your Family Gap Year?
Grab our Family Travel Planning Checklist — it’s the exact step-by-step guide we created to organise life, school, and travel logistics for our big adventure.
Final Thoughts
Yes — it’s okay to take your kids out of school to travel.
No — it’s not always easy.
But it’s more doable than we ever imagined.
If you’re dreaming about this kind of life, you’re not reckless. You’re resourceful. You’re curious. And you’re exactly the kind of parent who can make it work.
One step at a time. One conversation at a time. One open world ahead.
