In this corner, having just resumed for the year, the regular activity where your little ones learn important stuff such as grammar, algebra and social skills—School! And in this corner, available whenever you can afford it, the sporadic activity that introduces your kids to exciting new people and places and things—Family travel! Let's get ready to rumble!

Sometimes, however, the best way to appreciate your handiwork is to sit back and let your kids take from the trips what they want.

Let’s face it: Even if your kids are good kids, dining out with the brood can be stressful, tiring and, at times, a miserable experience. In most cases, traveling only compounds these problems. Unless you know how to deal.

Voluntourism—that is, building a vacation around volunteering—has become one of the hottest types of travel in recent years. It’s particularly popular among families. Aaron Smith, founder and CEO of GoVoluntouring.com, is an expert in the space. So I sat down to chat with him.