Making Vacation Planning an Educational Experience
School is out and many families are planning summer vacation. Your child may not be spending their days learning in the classroom, but they can apply this knowledge in a real-world setting as they help coordinate the details of your trip. You can combine concepts from math, history, language arts, science, and more to keep your kids practicing important skills while having fun at the same time.
Decide where to go. Are your kids arguing over where your next destination should be? Have them write a persuasive argument or create a presentation to convince you why their locale is the best option. This stretches their critical thinking, logic, public speaking, and writing skills.
Learn about your destination. Have your child do some research to find out not only where the city is located, but also what there is to do there. Does it hold any historical significance? What are some of the most popular attractions? Are there any cultural traditions or regional customs that are prominent? This can be especially true if you’re traveling abroad or to another area of the United States.
Your child can expand their historical knowledge as they practice their research skills. Plus, they can familiarize themselves with map reading to see where different attractions are compared to where you are staying.
Plan the schedule. Time management is an important life skill. If you’re flying, what time do you have to leave to get to the airport in time for your flight? If you’re driving, how far is the destination and approximately how long will it take to get there? When, where, and for how long will you stop for breaks?
Let your kids help plan out your days too, such as when you will go to different attractions and how to fit in all of the things they want to do. This also means they’ll have to take responsibility for making sure they wake up and get ready in time if you booked reservations.
Create a budget. Start early teaching your kids about money management. Either give them a set amount of money they can spend, or if they get an allowance, let them decide how much they want to bring. Look at the different activities they want to do and have them figure out roughly how much they can spend on each one. Come up with some example scenarios, such as, if they spend X amount on ice cream, how much will they have left for a souvenir?
You can also get your kids involved with researching and comparing costs for flights, rental cars, hotels, and activities. Which options are most cost effective? Is it worth it to pay more to stay closer to one attraction than another or to have a direct flight instead of a layover?
Make lists. Have your child write out a list of what they’ll need to pack based on how long you’ll be gone, the weather, and what you will be doing. What about supplies for the car or plane? Snacks? Groceries if you’re going to be staying in an Airbnb? This can help them practice writing, organization, and planning skills.
You can tie in some math too because everything has to fit in their suitcase, backpack, or a carry-on bag. Airlines have size and weight restrictions, and you can only pack so many bags in your car.
These are just a few of the ways you can incorporate learning into vacation planning! And whether you’re home or on the go, your kids can stay engaged in tutoring with in-person and virtual options to fit your schedule. Contact Crafting Scholars to learn more about available courses and book your child’s spot!
