Summer is approaching and families are making vacation plans. If you’re a dad of young kids like me, the thought of an ambitious road trip or elaborate vacation to an exotic locale might sound stressful. From screaming toddlers in the backseat to incessant “are we there yet?” impatience, interrupted sleep schedules, emergency potty stops, and all manner of other chaos, you might think a daring family travel adventure is unwise and not worth it. I’d challenge you to reconsider.

My wife and I trave...