When preparing young children for private school interviews, everyday experiences like family trips can be wonderful conversation topics. Whether it’s a big vacation or a simple weekend outing, these memories give children plenty of chances to express themselves naturally and confidently.
At this age, admissions interviewers are looking for students who can:
- Speak clearly about their experiences
- Show curiosity and learning
- Demonstrate responsibility and teamwork
- Share their feelings and thoughts warmly
Family travel stories can be the perfect way for children to show these qualities!
Tips for Elementary Students:
- Focus on Simple Stories: Help your child pick 1–2 trips they remember well.
- Encourage Details: Practice talking about what they saw, felt, and learned.
- Highlight Growth: Mention new skills, responsibilities, or interesting discoveries.
- Keep It Natural: The goal isn’t memorizing answers—it’s helping them talk comfortably.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Answers that only talk about rides, toys, or treats without showing learning or curiosity
- Responses that sound uninterested (“It was fine, I don’t remember much.”)
- Answers that don’t show any excitement, observation, or new skills gained
- Negative or dismissive comments about places visited (“It was boring there.”)
3 Sample Conversations for the Private School Interview: Family Trips
Q1: “Do you take trips with your family during school breaks?”
Student: “Yes! Every summer we go to my grandparents’ lake house in Michigan. I love swimming and fishing with my dad. My mom and I collect rocks along the shore and I have a special collection at home.”
Interviewer: “That sounds like a wonderful summer tradition! Tell me about your rock collection. Do you have any favorite rocks you’ve found?”
Student: “Yes! My absolute favorite is this sparkly purple rock I found last summer. Mom says it’s quartz with some special minerals in it. I keep it on my desk next to my bed. I’ve got about thirty rocks now, and I organize them by color. Some are really smooth because the water has washed over them for years and years. I label them with where I found them and what summer it was.”
Interviewer: “How thoughtful to organize and label your collection. What kinds of fish do you catch when you go fishing with your dad?”
Student: “We mostly catch bluegill and sometimes bass. Dad taught me how to put the worm on the hook all by myself last summer! It was kind of gross at first, but now I’m used to it. We have a rule that we always put the fish back in the water so they can keep growing. Once I caught a fish that Dad said was the biggest bluegill he’d ever seen! I had to hold the fishing rod really tight because it was pulling so hard.”
Interviewer: “That’s exciting! Besides swimming, fishing, and collecting rocks, what else do you enjoy doing at the lake house?”
Student: “We go on nature walks in the woods behind the house. I have a special notebook where I draw pictures of birds and animals we see. My grandpa knows the names of all the trees and teaches me how to identify them by their leaves. Oh! And we have campfires at night and make s’mores. Sometimes Grandpa tells scary stories, but not too scary because my little brother gets frightened. I’m teaching him to be brave though.”
Interviewer: “It sounds like you learn a lot during these trips. What’s something new you learned last summer?”
Student: “Grandma taught me how to use a compass! We did a treasure hunt where I had to follow compass directions to find little prizes. It was like being a real explorer. She said it’s important to know how to find your way even if you don’t have a phone or GPS. I also learned how to paddle a kayak by myself, but only near the shore where Mom can watch me. Next summer I want to learn how to identify more constellations because the stars are really bright at the lake—way better than at home.”
Interviewer: “Those are wonderful skills to learn. How do you help your family get ready for these trips?”
Student: “I’m in charge of packing my own suitcase now. Mom checks it after, but I can do most of it myself. I also help make the snack bags for the car ride—it’s a five-hour drive! And I have a special job of watering all our plants before we leave so they don’t get thirsty while we’re gone. This year, Dad said I can help him check the tire pressure on the car before our trip because that’s an important safety thing to know.”
Q2: “What’s your favorite place you’ve visited with your family?”
Student: “We visited Florida last year to see Disney World. My favorite part wasn’t the rides but the science center nearby where I got to see real alligators and learn about the Everglades ecosystem.”
Interviewer: “That sounds amazing! What was it like seeing real alligators up close?”
Student: “It was so cool and a little scary! There was this big one just lying in the sun with its mouth wide open. The guide told us that’s how they cool off because they don’t sweat like people do. We also saw baby alligators in a special nursery area. They looked kind of cute, even though they’re supposed to grow really big!”
Interviewer: “Wow, you must have learned a lot about them! What else did you discover about the Everglades?”
Student: “I learned that the Everglades is a giant slow-moving river, not a swamp like I thought. It’s full of sawgrass and lots of birds like herons and egrets. The guide said it’s really important because it helps clean the water and is home to animals that you can’t find anywhere else. I even got to touch a piece of real mangrove wood—it felt really smooth!”
Interviewer: “That’s fascinating! Did you have a favorite animal you saw besides the alligators?”
Student: “Yes! I really liked the manatees. They’re these big, gentle animals that swim slowly and eat plants. People call them ‘sea cows.’ We saw one swimming by really close to the boardwalk! The guide said they need protection because sometimes boats hurt them without meaning to. Now I want to help animals like manatees when I grow up.”
Interviewer: “That’s a wonderful goal. Besides visiting the science center, what other fun things did you do during your trip to Florida?”
Student: “We went to the beach one day, and I built a giant sandcastle with my brother. We even made a moat around it! We also tried kayaking in a quiet part of the bay. It was my first time kayaking, and I got a little nervous because I thought a fish bumped the boat, but it was just a floating stick! And of course, we went to Disney World too—I met Mickey Mouse and ate a huge ice cream sundae!”
Interviewer: “Sounds like an unforgettable trip! What’s something new you learned while you were there?”
Student: “I learned how important it is to protect nature. The science center had a whole section about pollution and how it hurts animals. They showed us a turtle model with a straw stuck in its nose, and it made me so sad. Now I always make sure to throw trash in the right bin and remind my friends too. Oh, and I also learned how to boogie board at the beach. It’s harder than it looks!”
Interviewer: “That’s very responsible of you. How did you help your family during the trip?”
Student: “I helped carry our beach stuff like the towels and the cooler. I also helped Dad look at the maps because he said I’m good at finding the signs. At the science center gift shop, I even helped my little brother choose a toy snake instead of something breakable. Mom said I was being a good big sister!”
Q3: “What do you like to do when you travel with your family?”
Student: “We don’t travel far, but we take weekend camping trips to state parks. I’m learning to identify different birds and trees. My parents let me help set up the tent now!”
Interviewer: “That sounds like a lot of fun! What kinds of birds have you learned to identify?”
Student: “I know a few now! Like the red cardinal—it’s bright red and really easy to spot. I can also tell a blue jay by its blue feathers and the way it squawks really loud. Last time we even saw a woodpecker tapping on a tree! I have a little notebook where I draw pictures of the birds I see and write their names next to them.”
Interviewer: “That’s wonderful! How about trees? Are there any trees you can recognize?”
Student: “Yes! I can tell an oak tree because its leaves have little round bumps on them, and I know a pine tree by its long, thin needles. We even found a sugar maple once, and Mom said that’s the kind that gives us maple syrup. I like touching the bark too because every tree feels different—some are rough and some are really smooth!”
Interviewer: “It sounds like you’re becoming a nature expert! What’s it like helping set up the tent?”
Student: “At first it was tricky because there are so many pieces! But now I know how to lay out the poles and help connect them. I hold the corners of the tent while Dad puts the poles through. Last time, I even helped hammer the stakes into the ground. Mom says pretty soon I’ll be able to set it up all by myself!”
Interviewer: “That’s impressive! Besides setting up the tent, what other activities do you enjoy during your camping trips?”
Student: “We go on hikes a lot. I like finding cool rocks and sometimes little streams to splash in. We also have campfires at night. I’m in charge of helping collect sticks for the fire. After dinner, we roast marshmallows and make s’mores. One time, we made campfire pizzas too! And sometimes we just lie on a blanket and look up at the stars because you can see so many when you’re away from the city.”
Interviewer: “Camping sounds like such a great adventure. What’s something new you’ve learned from your camping trips?”
Student: “I learned how to read a trail map! Dad showed me how the little symbols tell you where the trails go and where the bathrooms are. I also learned you have to be really careful with food at the campsite so animals like raccoons don’t sneak into it. One morning we found little raccoon footprints near our cooler!”
Interviewer: “How exciting! How do you help your family get ready for these camping trips?”
Student: “I help pack all our camping gear into the car. I have my own checklist to make sure we don’t forget things like flashlights and bug spray. I’m also in charge of packing the snacks! I always pack trail mix, granola bars, and my favorite—gummy worms. And when we get home, I help unpack and check the tent for any dirt so we can clean it before the next trip.”
Conclusion
For elementary-aged children, family travel stories are a wonderful opportunity to show curiosity, responsibility, and communication skills in private school interviews.
Encourage your child to speak proudly about small achievements—like helping pack a suitcase, identifying a bird, or learning to paddle a kayak. These details not only show who they are, but also how they grow through experiences.
When children talk warmly and confidently about things they love, they leave a lasting impression in private school interviews.
Preparing for Private School Interviews: Talking About Family Travel (Ages 11–13)
Preparing for Private School Interviews: Talking About Family Travel (Ages 14–18)