Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
If you’re a family that loves to travel, you may feel as though something’s missing this summer, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of places to explore round the corner and you can definitely find fun ways to spend the holidays without going abroad. You could discover hidden gems near you or try a new family activity or project together. Travelling has many benefits for children. It teaches them about different cultures and allows them to develop certain skills. There are several educational alternatives you can try at home, however. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Join the world’s largest treasure hunt
Why not embrace the outdoors and join the world’s largest treasure hunt? This is known as geocaching which is popular with kids and adults alike. It involves searching for hidden treasures using your excellent GPS and map reading skills. They’re all over the world and you’d be surprised how many you can find near you. Once you’ve found a geocache you can register your experiences online and become part of the community.
Visit world heritage sites
There are plenty of fascinating places to visit that are steeped in history and culture. You could look for a world heritage site near you, or plan a weekend away if you want to explore a little further. Here is a list of world heritage sites so you can plan the right trip for your family. Look for somewhere that aligns with your children’s interests, studies, or hobbies. This way they’ll get the most out of the visit.
Get in touch with nature
Now that the summer weather is here it’s the perfect time to get in touch with nature. You could go on a family hike and look out for the local flora and fauna. If you want to make it extra educational you could plan fun nature activities. These could include hunting for minibeasts, or taking pictures of your favourite creatures to research or draw at home. You could even carry out some of these activities in your garden on a sunny day, if you haven’t got time to travel.
Check out an interactive exhibition
There are plenty of museums and other places of interest that are back open for business, so you could look for an interactive exhibition near you. With a quick Google search, you should be able to find something that will appeal to your kids according to their interests and age group. You could even see if there’s something that will reinforce what they’ve been studying recently. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and you’ll all learn something too.
Summer craft activities
If you’re the creative type you could enjoy doing summer craft activities together. These could include upcycling household items into plant pots, lanterns, or other garden decorations. Look for recycled materials you can repurpose and turn into fantastic conversation pieces. There are plenty of unique ways you can decorate your home together. You could also get the kids involved in a DIY project or teach them a bit about home maintenance. This will keep them learning throughout summer.
Research your next destination
You could get your kids excited about the next destination you’re planning on visiting by doing some research together. You could watch a fun video about the place or even look up things to do and see. There are plenty of great resources online, if you’re planning a trip to the US, you could check out https://esta-america.com, or you could look at travel guides such as Lonely Planet Kids. There’s a plethora of information about different destinations all around the world and educational videos and activities designed for children. These are great for a rainy day at home, or school project.
Discover a new city near you
You can still enjoy the benefits of travelling with kids without going abroad by exploring a new city near you. There are plenty of hidden gems to discover and you could even go on a spontaneous day trip if the weather is nice. Ensure you plan your itinerary well and check out places off the beaten track as well. Dine in local restaurants and get to know the history and culture of the place. This will be both educational and fun for the whole family. Get the most out of your staycation this year and plan as many fun activities as possible. Who knows, you might just discover something new on your doorstep.
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