5 Simple Ways to Plan Educational Trips for Kids of All Ages

Just because summer is here doesn’t mean the learning has to stop! Learn how easy it is to turn every day outings into educational trips for kids.

Our brains never stop learning. Even as adults, we are constantly learning new ways of teaching our kids, planning for trips, and implementing discipline strategies. The list can go on and on which means you can make any trip educational for your kids.

Plan Educational Trips for Kids

1) Use a Map

A map is a great tool that isn’t used as much since the advent of GPS. A roadmap teaches kids spatial skills, where they are in the world compared to where they want to be, and estimating skills.

Grab the map and show your kids the route. Better, yet, let them tell you which direction to go. Just double check it before making the turn.

2) Do Some Research on the Way

Most people today have a Smartphone. Even if you don’t, you can research the place you’re going while you’re on the road.

Whether you rely on Google or you head to the library on the way out of town, discover the history, find out the capital, or delve into the culture. Then share this information with your preschoolers

3) Encourage Kids to Ask Questions

When your child asks questions, it’s not just to drive you crazy! It’s a way their brains absorb information.

Instead of stifling that curiosity, encourage questions. Answer your kids curious questions in a way that probes even more questions.

4) Ask your Kids Questions

If you can’t get your kids to ask you questions, ask your kids questions. Don’t just ask simple yes or no questions. Ask open-ended, thought-provoking questions such as What part of the trip will be your favorite and why?

5) Play Educational Games

When you’re traveling, time can seem to go in slow motion. Keep the trip fun and entertaining with a few educational games like:

• ABC Game – Each player looks out their side of the window for the letters of the alphabet in order. The first person to find all 26 letters wins.

• Twenty Questions – One person thinks of an animal or object while everyone else asks questions trying to guess what the other is thinking.

• The Magnificent Memory Game – This is another way to use the alphabet and you can do all kinds of different themes. You start with a theme such as cities. The first person would say A is for Atlanta then the next person has to say a city that starts with the letter B and what the person before them said. So, you have to really pay attention to what everyone says because, by the time you get to the end, you will need to know 26 cities in alphabetical order.

• Where is that City – One person looks at a map, finds a city and says the name out loud. They then give the map to another person who has 1-minute to find the place on the map that was called out.

Trips are the perfect opportunity to squeeze in a little extra knowledge along the way. Don’t let these great teachable moments slip through your fingers.