Do you want to add a little learning to your next family vacation? You do not have to pull out the school books, planners, or buy any new curriculum! All you need is a little time to plan before you leave the house.If you are going cross country camping or just visiting grandma, incorporate one of these fun educational opportunities.
Tips to Make Family Vacations Educational:
1. Google your destination’s history. Find any “historical landmarks” within the area or along the route you are taking. Stop by and visit them. You might stumble upon the town’s first school house, an old rail car, or a pioneer cabin.
2. Google “animals native to …” the region you are visiting. Print an animal scavenger hunt. Or bring along Field Guides.
3. Learn the geographical region of the area. Plan to spend some time discovering the mountains, valleys, peninsulas, caves, etc. Bring a ziplock back to take home treasures: rocks, shells, leaves, and such.
4. Print a blank map of the state(s) for your older learners to color in as they travel along. Label rivers, lakes, mountains, cities, and capitals. Laminate the map for younger learners and let them use a dry erase marker.
5. Find a local tour guide or park ranger. Guides are a wealth of information and they love to answer questions.
6. Participate in the National Park’s Junior Ranger Program {full list of participating parks}.
7. Find a great classic that is set in the place you are visiting and read it together as a family. Check out our list of over 50 Classics!
It never fails. After some vacations while I am unpacking I kick myself for missing out on a learning opportunity. But the truth is ~ I was busy enjoying my vacation! Do not add stress or regret as a vacation memory. Wrap up your great family vacations with some easy hands-on learning opportunities once you get back home.
When You Get Home:
1. Learn about an animal. Print Notebooking Fairy’s {free} animal classification page.
2. Create a Salt Dough Map of the place.
3. Construct a shoe-box diorama.
4. Write a short story adventure of the vacation.
5. Paint, sketch, or draw a the favorite thing about the vacation.
6. Build the location on Minecraft or with Legos!
Staying close to home this summer? Give your family a Home State Challenge. It may take you longer than the summer to complete, but what fun to get to know your own home state?!
1. Visit every state park in your state.
2. Visit every historical landmark in your state.
3. Visit every botanical garden in your state.
4. Visit your state border(s) and the Welcome Centers.
5. Learn facts about your home state, State Facts for Students
Looking for hands-on geography fun? Follow our Geography Pinterest Board for ideas.
