When I was developing the first city deck, I explored a variety of design options—a map, a collage of photos, even hand-drawn artwork. I ultimately landed on the full-size color photo for several reasons, but the most important one was that it appealed to my then four-year-old daughter.
Not yet able to read, she still loved flipping through the postcard-sized photos and asking questions about each location. Including her in the decision-making process—where to go and what to do—was a game changer for me. Below, I’ll share the benefits we’ve experienced when I hand the deck over to her and let her choose the adventure.
It's one less decision the parent/caregiver has to make!
Decision fatigue is real. All those “little” decisions—what’s for dinner, is everything in the backpack, did we pay that bill, when is the next dentist appointment—add up to a significant mental load.
Even when we want to get out and explore as a family, choosing where to go can feel like one decision too many when we’re already at capacity. Handing The GO Deck to your child(ren) is a simple but powerful act of parental delegation.
You can still set parameters if needed: “Choose a blue card because that’s the neighborhood we’ll already be in for the birthday party,” or “Pick a card with a dog symbol since Aunt Jodie is bringing her dogs along.” Narrowing the options by colors and symbols makes it easy for even young children to participate meaningfully.
It builds a child's confidence and self-esteem.
When children are given opportunities to make choices—such as selecting a location from The GO Deck—it reinforces their sense of capability and self-worth. Child development research shows that choice-driven activities help build confidence as children experience agency and success in decision-making. Letting your child choose is a non-verbal way of saying, Your opinion matters to me.
Of course, not every choice will lead to a smooth outcome. Maybe your child selects a site without restroom facilities and forgets to mention it before you leave home. You arrive, need a bathroom break, and have to detour to the nearest coffee shop.
While this may delay the outing, it can still be a valuable learning experience. Moments like these give children the chance to take accountability, problem-solve, and build resilience. Next time they pick a card without a restroom symbol, they may remember to communicate that detail—and the family can celebrate turning a former setback into a success. These moments help foster independence and autonomy over time.
It encourages exploration and engagement of one's interests.
When children are allowed to choose, they naturally gravitate toward what intrigues them. A card photo might feature a butterfly for a child who loves insects, or the “Explore More” section may list a train museum that delights your train enthusiast. Choosing based on interest nurtures curiosity and creativity.
Children are also more invested—and often more imaginative—during outings they’ve chosen themselves. In my experience, a more engaged child often means parents can be less hands-on, allowing the activity to be more child-led and less structured. This can be a welcome perk for exhausted parents and caregivers. Even beyond that, research shows that less adult-directed play supports better self-regulation skills in kids—so sometimes it’s beneficial for parents to take a back seat, even when they’re not tired ;-)
It strengthens family communication.
Planning an outing together requires children to articulate preferences and parents to actively listen. This dynamic fosters stronger communication and mutual respect. In a world of constant smartphone use, it can be surprisingly powerful for parents to put their devices down and truly look at their children when they’re speaking. The GO Deck helps make that possible.
Making decisions together also creates shared ownership of the outing, which often makes the experience more meaningful for everyone involved.
Have you noticed other benefits from letting your children choose where to GO with The GO Deck? We'd love to hear about them. Share in the comments or email us at info@urban-outings.com.
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City Deck Series Expands with Help of Talented Locals