How to Plan an Educational Summer Vacation

Don’t settle for another trip to Disney this summer – consider a fun trip full of learning activities for the whole family.

Step 1: Involve the kids in the planning Ask your children what special things they want to do on vacation. Write down their ideas and let them know that their enjoyment is a main reason for taking a vacation.
Step 2: Involve resources Incorporate travel books, brochures, the internet, and maps to give your children a visual of places to visit. Reviewing the media is educational in itself.
Step 3: Mix education and fun Choose a destination that balances educational adventures and fun.
TIP: Visit a destination they learned about in school the previous year, or one they will learn about the next year, to build on their knowledge.
Step 4: Do educational things Be sure to visit museums and culturally significant sites. Review daily activities and discuss new things they learned, or you learned, in casual conversation.
TIP: Don’t tell the kids they are learning or give them homework; it is a vacation and should be treated as such.
Step 5: Take pictures Take pictures along the way and review them after returning home.
Step 6: Think about yourself Satisfy your own vacation needs. Schedule time to relax, read a book, or enjoy a nice dinner.
FACT: About 3,000 U.S. schools have embraced the full-year calendar and shortened summer vacation to July only.