Pixar’s Inside Out films popularised the idea of ‘core memories’ – defining childhood experiences that help shape who we become. Since Inside Out 2 hit cinemas last year, interest in creating these lasting moments has soared, with UK holiday company Inghams Walking reporting a 30 per cent jump in online searches for ‘core memory’.
The trend is also booming on TikTok, where parents are posting videos of their children’s ‘core memory’ moments. But what exactly turns a family trip into an unforgettable life-shaping experience?
Novelty sparks memory
To find out, Inghams Walking partnered with child psychologist Dr Katie Barge. She explains that the secret lies in novelty.
‘Novel experiences are particularly potent for memory formation because they activate the hippocampus, which is crucial for consolidating long-term memories,’ Dr Barge says. ‘When children encounter something new, their brains release dopamine, which boosts attention and retention.’
Why outdoors holidays leave the deepest imprint
Dr Barge says that screen-free, multi-sensory trips in nature give children the richest mental ‘anchors’ for memory and strengthen family bonds.
“Outdoor holidays often involve unpredictable, multi-sensory stimuli and novel challenges – like cycling, exploring forests, hearing wildlife, or feeling sand and water – which are less common in standard package holidays,” she notes. Green spaces have also been linked to improved working memory, problem-solving and creativity.
The five psychological ingredients for a core-memory trip
Working with Inghams Walking, Dr Barge identified five elements that help family holidays become lifelong memories:
Reduced distractions: Time away from screens helps children fully engage and encode experiences more deeply.
Embracing novelty: New places, activities and even small firsts – such as tasting a new ice cream flavour – spark curiosity and stick in the mind.
Multi-sensory experiences: Smelling pine forests, feeling sand, listening to birds or tasting new foods all create extra neural pathways for memory.
Social bonding: Shared adventures encourage richer parent – child conversations and interactions than everyday routines allow.
Physical activity: Movement of any kind – from beach games to family hikes – strengthens brain function and emotional connection.
Holidays that fit the science
Laura Mason, head of walking at Inghams, says an ‘outdoors’ holiday doesn’t have to mean gruelling hikes. ‘Our trips suit every family, whether that’s adventurous mountain trails or gentle strolls in nature,’ she says. ‘It’s those shared, novel moments – big or small – that become memories for life.’
Destinations range from Italy’s coasts to the Austrian Alps and Swiss villages, but the key, according to Dr Barge, is the same everywhere: new sights, sounds and sensations, and time together without digital distractions.
