Unless you’re going someplace extremely remote, you can expose your kids to the language(s) they’ll hear on your trip. If they’re old enough, insist that they learn the few phrases below before entering each country. (It might take an adult 4 hours to learn 10 phrases but your kids can memorize these words in no time). It is so much more fun to greet people in their native language and the reception your kids recieve will likley be much more genuine. There is no need to try to become fluent, just a few words can make all the difference. Read more
What is so fun about waking up in a foreign city with a guidebook, a wide open day ahead, lots to see, time for an ice cream, and a few select adventures on the agenda? It’s hard to put your finger on it but, it’s fun and educational and family-bonding, and even relaxing … all in one. Why not do it at home? Dig out the guidebook you keep for guests (or invest in an up-to-date guidebook) pick a part of the city you rarely visit (maybe a spot with a cultural theme?), identify something interesting or odd or toursity to do there, pick a museum you’ve never visited on the other side of town, and scan the restaurant reviews for something quintessential but not too spendy (and where 
German for “the path is the goal.” Perfect!
Where would be better to study sociology than on the Denali National Park bus? You could write an entire PhD dissertation by observing interactions among bus passengers and perhaps get a masters degree in family counseling while you’re at it. Each of our buses appeared to have at least 5 countries represented and lots of large multi-generational family groups. After a few hours of listening to Grandma, Mother, and Grandson, you sure know a lot about how that family works. There was the Dad in the big camouflage jacket who kept clapping his son on the back and saying “ya know, if we’re gonna start hunting, we gotta get you some better gear.” Though the son smiled back there was nothing in any of his body language or replies that suggested he had even the slightest interest in getting a 
We arrived at Denali National Park after a 6hr drive from Seward. We then had the choice of booking a 6-hr bus-ride, an 8-hr bus-ride, or an 11-hr bus-ride. They all sounded dreadful. A scan of the 3-D map and the available start times (for example, booking a bus ride for 6am was out of the question) left us with only one serious option … an 8-hr bus ride leaving at 9am the next day. Still sounds miserable and, note, the day after the bus ride we have a 4.5 hr drive and a 3.5 hr plane ride. Who planned this trip?
it fun and education for your kids. The coolest program is the Discovery Pack program, available at lots of National Parks (but not all). We used them at Denali National Park; They’re available at Grand Canyon, Saguaro, Wupatki, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Voyagers, Canyon Lands, Yellowstone etc . Inside there might be activity guides, books, plant, bird, or animal ID cards, magnifying glasses, binoculars, thermometers, water testing kits, clay for making footprint casts, a blank journal, water color pencils, pastels, pens, blank postcards to create your own. All to borrow for free in most parks (some ask for a small donation). Some parks offer ranger programs to teach you what to do with the pack. Other parks, for example Biscayne National Park, have packs for teachers with lesson plans and all curriculum materials for a group of students.
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