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Spring Outdoor Fun

Even if you don’t live near a National Park and can’t take advantage of the free admission this week, don’t let that stop you from soaking up the gorgeous spring weather. Now that warmer days are here there’s no excuse for you to stay cooped up inside. Grab the kids, ditch the winter gear and get moving in the great outdoors. Children especially love exploring nature; however, too much too soon can be a recipe for disaster. While you may be itching to trek the entire afternoon away, if your children are young and not used to hiking, don’t force … Continue reading →

Trot, Trot to Salem

If you are looking for a Halloween adventure that involves real witches, ghosts and historic haunts, then head over to Salem, Massachusetts. The city, located just 16 miles north of Boston, was the epicenter for the legendary Salem Witch Trials, which began in 1692 and continued to the end of 1693. The infamous event led to the execution of 20 people, who were accused of being witches, and the imprisonment of dozens of young girls. While the mayhem was a sad chapter in the town’s history, these days, the area capitalizes on the heinous killings with the Salem Witch Museum, … Continue reading →

Hands-On Fall Travel Fun

School is back in session across the country, including for kids who don’t have to travel very far to get lessons in reading, writing and arithmetic. Yes, homeschool students are also back hitting the books this fall, though most enjoy way more field trips than students at traditional schools. In fact, the months of September and October are some of the best times for homeschool parents to take their kids to visit educational destinations. While most clans are staying put because the new academic year has just begun, homeschool students are free to tour some of the best hands-on learning … Continue reading →

Outdoor Spring Adventures

My daughter is dying to head outdoors and break in her new Razor scooter. She was fortunate to spend the month of January in Hawaii where she could scoot outside to her heart’s content (while giving my dad a heart attack in the process), but now she’s back to reality, dealing with the snow and cold that blankets the state of Wisconsin from October to June. Spring is officially here, though you’d never know it by stepping outside and feeling the chokehold Mother Nature has on our state. Still, if you are looking for ways to make the most of … Continue reading →

Hands-On Spring Break

If your teen is headed off to his first college spring break in sunny Cancun, Daytona Beach or South Padre Island, then you are probably hoping that he has a hands-off vacation. However, if you are spending your kid’s spring recess with him at the following educational vacation destinations, then the look but don’t touch rule doesn’t apply: Monticello: This Virginia hot spot is a haven for families looking to take an educational vacation. If you visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate be sure to give yourself extra time at the Griffin Discovery Room where nothing is off-limits. Kids can touch … Continue reading →

Make Learning Fun

If you have kids, then you know that getting them to study is not always a walk in the park. However, a sunny stroll in a national park could put learning in a whole new light. The same could be said for any educational destination that promotes hands-on learning. If you are looking for ways to make learning fun for your reluctant student, consider visiting: Independence Hall: A trip to Pennsylvania is not complete without a pit stop at Independence Hall where kids can learn about America’s founding fathers in a unique tour. Philadelphia’s Ghost Tour is a fun and … Continue reading →

More Family-Friendly Spring Break Vacation Hot Spots

There’s nothing like including your kids in your bucket list. I do it all the time. I have a list of places I want to travel to and explore before I die and I’d like to take my daughter with me to as many of them as possible. With spring break just around the corner, now is the time for us to start crossing items off the list, including visiting some of the world’s most family-friendly travel destinations: Washington, D.C.: Ideally, I would love to visit the tourist hot spot during the cherry blossom festival, but with so much to … Continue reading →

Educational Holiday Getaways

Who says kids can’t learn something while on Christmas vacation… besides not licking frozen lamp posts? The United States is home to a number of award-winning educational facilities designed to make learning fun for kids of all ages. If you are looking for tried and true boredom busters this holiday season, consider traveling to the following: Experience Music Project The Seattle-based Frank Gehry-designed music mecca is a haven for rock stars in the making. Experience Music Project boasts equipment that your tween can use for his fantasy jam session, plus there’s a section that showcases the likes of Seattle’s own … Continue reading →

Educational Holiday Vacation Destinations

Here’s a holiday gift any parent can appreciate: a membership to the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s the gift that keeps on giving in my opinion, and I can attest to its benefits first hand. My BFF gifted my young daughter with a family membership last Christmas and we’ve had a ball making the most of our visits. Most people would question gifting a young child a membership to such a serious “adult” art establishment, but you’d be surprised by how many child-centered exhibits the Art Institute houses. In addition to its awe-inspiring collections from masters, such as Monet, O’Keeffe, … Continue reading →

Family-Friendly Museums

Not all children’s museums are family friendly. Many establishments that market themselves as “kid-friendly” often pay more attention to toddlers than tweens. If your kids are older and don’t much care to take part in museum scavenger hunts or make pretend pizzas with plastic ingredients, don’t give up on educational establishments. Instead, plan a trip to the following museums across the U.S. that aim to stimulate families with members of all ages: Exploratorium, San Francisco Learning has never been more fun thanks to the Bay Area’s Exploratorium. The interactive San Francisco museum is a hands-on wonderland for tweens and teens. … Continue reading →