10 Summer Educational Trips You Should Take Your Kids On

Museums

It doesn't have to be the Louvre in Paris or the Museum of Natural History in New York City; there are many local museums that offer plenty of exhibits and other activities to enjoy and learn from. Discovery or science museums are great choices for offering hands-on projects and programs for kids.

Historical Sites

Contact your local historical society for a list of sites in your area. You might visit a colonial village, a war memorial or a historical figure's birthplace. Guided tours can be a great way to glean a lot of information from these attractions.

Zoos

A zoo is a fun and educational trip. Of course the kids will enjoy looking at the variety of animals, but be sure to spend some time learning some interesting facts about each species. Many zoos will offer shows focusing on detailed information about specific animals.

National Parks

Take a hike, watch a waterfall or observe natural rock formations. As with historical sites, guided tours can be especially helpful when visiting a park or nature reserve; knowledgeable guides can point out interesting facts and teach your kids a lot about nature.

Farms

Learning about farming can be a great day out for the kids. While some might charge a nominal fee for a tour, many farms will be glad to show kids what goes into farming. Some might even offer children hands-on opportunities. It's not likely that they'll soon forget milking a cow or shearing wool from a sheep!

Summer Camps

A summer camp can be a great educational experience: your child can not only learn about hiking and other outdoor activities, they can also sharpen their social skills by meeting new kids. You could also look for an educational camp that focuses on a subject such as reading or math.

American Landmarks

If your budget allows, take the kids to one of many American landmarks such as Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the Grand Canyon in Arizona or the Empire State Building in New York City. Your kids might also enjoy and learn a lot about America's development if you visit Philadelphia's Independence National Historical Park or Washington, DC.

Foreign Destinations

This might not fit into many budgets, but if possible visit another country. Getting a first-hand view of another culture is a learning experience your child will never forget.

Volunteering

A trip to a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter or a hospital might sound more depressing than fun, but volunteering can be an invaluable learning experience for your child. Donating their time can teach them about hard work, teamwork and helping others.

Libraries

Libraries are a wealth of information, they're air-conditioned and they're free! Find a topic that interests your child and pick out a few books on the subject. Libraries also offer reading programs and guest speakers. An added bonus: research has shown that reading in the summer improves academic performance once school starts again.