How to Make a Spring Break Trip a Learning Adventure
Parents who want to give their children a break from the regular school routine can still plan learning activities that help their kids learn important concepts about science, history, culture, and other subjects.
Even children who are not "academic" in nature will enjoy educational travel because it's so different than what they experience at home. Here are some ideas for spring break activities for all ages.
Bring an I Spy Game
Give them an "I spy" game kit with things to look for in your destination city, or write a list of questions they have to answer about the city. To make it more challenging, give each child a separate notebook.
Bring School Supplies
Take along some school supplies that are unavailable where you're going, such as colored pencils, a stapler, staples, or two pencils taped together. You can also include erasers, crayons, paste, paper clips, rubber bands, and other basic supplies.
Research Before you Go
To prepare for your trip, have your children research their destination city so they will be able to tell you about it when you get there. For example, ask them to find out the population of the city, who is the mayor, and what are some important monuments or historical sites in the area.
Make a Video
Give each child a video camera and have them capture different scenes in your travel destination. Then they can put together a movie that shows their journey in an exciting way. This also gives them a chance to show you what they saw and experienced through their own eyes.
Ask Questions
Have each child keep a journal to record their thoughts and questions about what they see during the trip. When you get home, schedule some time for them to sit down with you and discuss these questions. If they write it in a journal, they can review their earlier thoughts after several days or weeks and understand more fully what they saw.
Enjoy a New Sport or Pastime
Arts and crafts, sports, games, and other activities are available in most travel destinations. Whether you explore a new sport together or just stretch your imagination to learn a few basic steps of a foreign dance, this is a good way to bond with your children while learning something new.
License Plate Bingo
Take along a license plate bingo game and have your children track down different states' license plates while you're driving. If you stay in one place for a few days, have them look for all the license plates from the surrounding states.
Make It a Competition
On road trips or at your destination, turn learning into a competitive event by making game boards and having your children track down items on the game board. For instance, if you are driving somewhere in Florida, they can look for alligators. At the destination, they could find out how many fire hydrants there are per square mile or see how many different colors appear on street signs.
Read Aloud
Reading aloud is a great way to share learning experiences, and it can become one of their favorite memories from spring break. Bring along the type of book that matches the destination, such as a travel guide for your trip to Washington D.C., or choose something more familiar like "Charlotte's Web" if you're going someplace warm.
For each age group, plan learning activities that are appropriate for their specific developmental level. You'll find that most kids love this type of trip because it's different from the routine of school, and you can discuss what they learned when they get home.
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Enjoy the spring break with the kids with this fun Early Childhood Spring Break Activities made by Peake Academy Preschool At Home
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