| The preparation for a family
trip is overwhelming…laundry, packing, shopping, library,
etc. And then there’s the certain knowledge that when
you get back there will be more laundry and unpacking. You
will need a vacation! 
So why do we put ourselves through this rigmarole? It’s
for the single exclamation that comes from your child, “This
is the best day of my life!” The days of childhood may
sometimes meld together in our forgetful minds, but family
travel experiences stand out in our memories.
Vacations are time we invest in our most important relationships.
Families are busier than ever so we need a time-out from our
scheduled life. In fact, research suggests a positive relationship
between involvement in family recreation and aspects of family
strength.
The effort put into a well-planned trip can also reap educational
rewards. Seeing new sights brings out a child’s natural
curiosity and thirst for learning. Your family trips will
be the experiences that your children will remember for a
lifetime! Try some of the following tips to plan a successful
family trip:
Tips for Family Trips:
- Go when kids are rested and healthy.
- Avoid big crowds, but if you can’t, bring things
to do while you wait.
- Discuss safety issues with your children.
- Don’t try to do too much. You can always go again.
- Have a plan “B” ready in case of bad weather.
Before the trip:
- Do a KWL (What I Know, What I Want to Know) Sheet together:
- Provide background information
- Read books & watch videos from the library
- Collect brochures and guides (Many places will send these
for free.)
- Do research on the Internet
- Look at a map and plan your travel route together
- Create a list of things to look for
During the trip:
- Take photos and movies
- Record observations with a tape recorder
- Create a journal and/or sketch what you see and do.
- Ask questions:
- Engage their five senses
- Challenge with a scavenger hunt
- Imagine what life would be like if put in that place
- Describe your favorite and least favorite aspects
- Have Fun!
After the trip:
- Complete your KWL Sheet: What I Learned
- Journal final thoughts
- Create scrapbooks
- Write stories and poems using journal notes
- Draw illustrations based on sketches
- Talk together
- Create a newsletter to send or email to relatives
Things to bring
Snacks, first aid kit, journal, camera, video camera, tape
recorder, art supplies, pencils, magnifying glass, plastic
baggies, compass, map, binoculars, extra clothes or jackets
Places to go:
| Places to go.... |
Places to go.... |
- Manufacturing Plant Tours
- Zoos
- Museums
- Concerts and plays – Check with local high
schools and colleges for free or reduced admissions
- Historical Sites
- Airport - Notice how the weather affects flying.
Make your own paper airplanes and try them out in
different weather conditions.
- Fire Station
- Post Office
- Bakery
- Ice Cream store
- Your backyard - Discover the stars, plants, insects,
and other wildlife in your area.
- Landfill - Explore recycling and environmentalism.
- Dairy Farm
- Nursing Homes - Research and learn older songs and
then sing for residents.
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- Canal - Study water and its uses, etc.
Ponds, lakes, etc.: Learn about different types of
fish and methods of fishing.
- Camping and Hiking - Study different types of leaves
and plants. Create your own field guide.
- Playgrounds - Compare and contrast different playgrounds
in your city and plan a new one.
- Humane Society - Learn pet care skills and study
different breeds of pets.
- Library - Research how books are made and catalogued.
- Candy Maker
- Bank
- Grocery
- Picnics
- Farm
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