Where are you going on vacation this summer? Are you heading for the coast to soak up the sun and play in the waves? Or would you rather spend all day at the pool? These holidays are good to recharge the batteries, but they offer little in the way of a cultural experience. Step up your family vacation game with these 10 ideas for educational family travel.
Educational Family Travel Ideas
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Sure, the beach is an amazing family vacation, but maybe your family needs a change? How about combining a relaxing trip to a sunny destination with educational visits to museums, national parks, and historical locations. Not only does this create a more stimulating trip for your minds, but it supports their education at every stage as they grow up.
Read on for some ideas to take your vacation to the next level with these 10 ideas for educational family travel to inspire adults and kids alike. So whether you love a city break or you prefer to get out on the waves, there is an educational opportunity at every turn!
Costa Rica
Want to take your family somewhere different this year and offer your kids education at the same time? Why not think about Costa Rica? Whether you like to relax and unwind or learn about nature at the many national parks, Costa Rica has something for everyone in the family.
Everybody learns differently. Some of us absorb information through the written word while others need more of an immersive experience. Whatever learning style your kids have, they will learn lots from the experience of meeting some of Central America’s most exotic animals.
Rome, Italy
If you want to teach your kids about the past and have an unforgettable vacation, look no further than Rome. If you’re an education loving family, chances are your kids will want to visit the ancient city at some point in their lives, so why not start early and instill a love of history in them?
In the ancient city of Rome, you can visit the Colosseum. This ancient amphitheater is where gladiators took to the stage and battled each other for the crowd’s entertainment.
There are also activities for kids to learn ordinal numbers and other locations to visit like the Trevi Fountain.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia was instrumental in the formation of the United States. Whether you want to teach your kids about your country’s historical past or whether you want them to know more about world history, this immersive vacation experience is recommended.
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia transports you back in time to the 18th century when things looked very different. Enjoy a fully immersive experience by visiting restored buildings and crafts shops. The town employs over 7000 staff, many of whom are trained guides for the historic area.
Read More: 7 Reasons to Visit Virginia
Hawaii
When you think of Hawaii, you might think of the sun, sea, and sand. And you might not think education is not top of the agenda.
But that’s where you’re mistaken.
Hawaii has plenty of opportunities for families to relax, but it also has some spectacular nature, culture, and animals that children can learn from.
Give your kids an immersive geology experience, and take them to one of the island’s many active volcanos for a guided tour.
Alternatively, you could set sail to find some humpback whales in the coastal areas and teach them about conservation and sustainability.
London, England
London is not all grey skies and traffic. London offers plenty of activities and museums that appeal to kids and adults, as well as provide an educational experience.
Choose from the Tower of London, a theatre show in the West End, or a trip to Shakespeare’s famous globe theatre.
London is the perfect chance to combine education with entertainment. Some of the most popular West End shows include The Lion King and Wicked.
Looking for a more interactive for the weekend? Then take them to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Tour on the weekend.
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway and is located in a harbor area. What’s interesting about is it has retained its cultural and historical identity throughout the years. A visit to this Norwegian destination is an excellent way to teach kids about the city’s historical past and recent culture.
What kid doesn’t love ships? Why not take them to the maritime museum located at Bergen’s waterfront? The Bergin Maritime Museum has a large collection of impressive models that can teach children about the culture and traditions of the past. There’s also lots of nature to explore in Bergen.
Sedona, Arizona
Whether an American citizen or from overseas, it’s important to understand and appreciate the beauty and importance of native heritage and culture. Why not take the kids to Sedona, Arizona, a place that was once considered sacred by the natives.
This is one of the educational family travel for the books! Your children will learn about native history and culture, and look at amazing natural rock formations – famous around the world.
Enjoy life-defining hikes and trails, as well as jeep or trek tours to encounter some of the local wildlife.
Athens, Greece
If you like Rome you’re going to love Greece. In some ways, Greece was the progenitor of the modern world. This country gave us democracy, trial by jury, theater, the Olympic Games, map reading, and so much more. This could very well become your favorite educational family trip as there’s no better place to take your kids for an educational vacation.
There are many ways to explore this ancient city.
Spend some time walking or biking around to get your bearings before opting for some official tours that pluck you out of the modern world and transport you to the ancient past.
There’s plenty here to visit time and again.
Alaska
Alaska is not an obvious choice for an educational holiday, but it has a lot to offer.
This barren northern state is home to some extraordinary wildlife such as whales, bears, birds, wolves, and much more. Alaska also has one of the largest national parks to view some of these rare creatures.
There are many challenges facing the world, not least the global challenge of climate change. Chances are your children will have to face many of the future challenges caused by this time on the planet, so it’s important to educate them early on and to meet some of the rare animals.
South Africa
South Africa is a holiday of a lifetime for travelers of all ages. For kids, it’s a chance to learn about some of the exotic animals they know from their books. Africa is home to elephants, rhinos, giraffes, monkeys, and much more including many endangered species.
One of the best ways to visit Africa and educate children is to book yourself on a safari.
Safaris in Africa take you through national parks safely and allow you to get close to real-life animals they know from educational documentaries. There are also hikes and museums to enjoy.
Ready to Plan Your Educational Family Travel?
There’s definitely an argument for taking a family trip to relax and recharge, but why not learn something at the same time?
With an educational family vacation, immerse your family in a world of the past or give them a cultural experience that will serve them well in the future.
Everybody learns in different ways. But no one forgets a significant immersive experience that brings you closer to the people, animals, and places you learned about in school books.
If you want to raise your children to be cultured and worldly, keep this in mind when booking your trip.
