Field Trip

I have always loved visiting grocery stores when I travel, both in the US and out of the country. You get a chance to pick up regional food items, but also try different takes on beloved treats, like Matcha Kit Kat bars in Japan or All-Dressed Ruffles in Canada. When I went to India years ago, I came home with a bag of goodies from a local market, candy bars, crackers, and I even found beautifully designed tubes of toothpaste and bobby pins. When I used to tour with different bands, I went to groceries any chance I could get on one tour through Europe. I didn’t have a lot of money, and it was a great way to bring home a little souvenir without breaking the bank or taking up too much space. I’d find a small tin of tea or hot chocolate or a particular spice that I couldn’t get at home.

Jump below for a round-up of clever ways to bring treats from around the world, home. – Erin

While we can’t travel to all of these faraway places as often as we’d like, we can certainly bring a little of the tastes into our homes.

• Two years ago, I signed my family up for Snack Crates. Each month, we’d get a new box, open it up and all dig and try a bite, sharing the treats. We’d read about the customs of each country and then show Tom on the map where each place is. I can’t recommend Snack Crates enough. Universal Yums looks good too.
• If you want a more low-key i.e., authentic experience from Japan, try Bokksu. You will be sent smaller label treats that you won’t find anywhere else.
• Fill your spice rack with just a pinch of select spices from around the world with Wanderlust Selects.
• Celebrate States takes you throughout the US with a taste of America.
• For adventurous tea drinkers, you can sign up for the Atlas Tea Club, bringing you tea from such places as Kenya and Burma. They have a coffee club too.
• If you are local to Whole Foods, look for mochi, Japanese ice cream next time you are in the shop. Your children will love to hear about different forms of ice cream from around the world.

Once you have your treats, connect with the country at hand with some local entertainment, like music, films, or television.

• Search on Spotify for music specific to the country or one of our favorite apps, Radiooooo.
• This list of children’s television, broken down by country, is pretty incredible. You might be able to find a lot of these on youtube as well.
• I love this round-up of foreign films for children.

For more ideas, please pick up a copy of my book, Family Field Trip.

Have a great week and enjoy!