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Family Involvement Articles

These articles are written especially for parents by our Buddy Project staff.

 

Family Field Trips: Experiences of a Lifetime

The preparation for a family trip is overwhelming…laundry, packing, shopping, library, etc. And then there’s the certain knowledge that when you get back there will be more laundry and unpacking. You will need a vacation!

So why do we put ourselves through this rigmarole? It’s for the single exclamation that comes from your child, “This is the best day of my life!” The days of childhood may sometimes meld together in our forgetful minds, but family travel experiences stand out in our memories.

Vacations are time we invest in our most important relationships. Families are busier than ever so we need a time-out from our scheduled life. In fact, research suggests a positive relationship between involvement in family recreation and aspects of family strength.

The effort put into a well-planned trip can also reap educational rewards. Seeing new sights brings out a child’s natural curiosity and thirst for learning. Your family trips will be the experiences that your children will remember for a lifetime! Try some of the following tips to plan a successful family trip:

Tips for Family Trips:

• Go when kids are rested and healthy.
• Avoid big crowds, but if you can’t, bring things to do while you wait.
• Discuss safety issues with your children.
• Don’t try to do too much. You can always go again.
• Have a plan “B” ready in case of bad weather.

Before the trip:

• Do a KWL (What I Know, What I Want to Know) Sheet together:
• Provide background information
• Read books & watch videos from the library
• Collect brochures and guides (Many places will send these for free.)
• Do research on the Internet
• Look at a map and plan your travel route together
• Create a list of things to look for

During the trip:

• Take photos and movies
• Record observations with a tape recorder
• Create a journal and/or sketch what you see and do.
• Ask questions:
  • Engage their five senses
  • Challenge with a scavenger hunt
  • Imagine what life would be like if put in that place
  • Describe your favorite and least favorite aspects
• Have Fun!

After the trip:

• Complete your KWL Sheet: What I Learned
• Journal final thoughts
• Create scrapbooks
• Write stories and poems using journal notes
• Draw illustrations based on sketches
• Talk together
• Create a newsletter to send or email to relatives

Things to bring

Snacks, first aid kit, journal, camera, video camera, tape recorder, art supplies, pencils, magnifying glass, plastic baggies, compass, map, binoculars, extra clothes or jackets

Places to go:

• Manufacturing Plant Tours
• Zoos
• Museums
• Concerts and plays – Check with local high schools and colleges for free or reduced admissions
• Historical Sites
• Airport - Notice how the weather affects flying. Make your own paper airplanes and try them out in different weather conditions.
• Fire Station
• Post Office
• Bakery
• Ice Cream store
• Your backyard - Discover the stars, plants, insects, and other wildlife in your area.
• Landfill - Explore recycling and environmentalism.
• Dairy Farm
• Nursing Homes - Research and learn older songs and then sing for residents.
• Canal - Study water and its uses, etc. Ponds, lakes, etc.: Learn about different types of fish and methods of fishing.
• Camping and Hiking - Study different types of leaves and plants. Create your own field guide.
• Playgrounds - Compare and contrast different playgrounds in your city and plan a new one.
• Humane Society - Learn pet care skills and study different breeds of pets.
• Library - Research how books are made and catalogued.
• Candy Maker
• Bank
• Grocery
• Picnics
• Farm

Use the following web sites to make the most of your field trip experience:

KWL

visit this site
Printable chart to brainstorm with your child what they Know about the topic, What they want to learn and what they Learned

Read these articles for traveling tips!

• National Geographic Parents’ Guide: Family Vacations that are Fun!
• Memorable Outings
• Tips for Visiting a Science Center
• The Field Trip Lady – Ideas for Family Field Trips

Planning Resources - additional articles that can help you plan your outting!

• GORP’s Family Vacation Saver
• Recreation.gov
• National Park Service: Interpretation and Education
• Family Travel Guide
• Family Fun: Vacation Finder and Travel Checklists
• The Family Travel Files
• The Family Travel Network
• Go Camping America
• Field Trips A to Z

Car Printables - these ideas can help make traveling more fun!

• Family Fun: Fun Stuff for the Car
• Moms Minivan Games
• Rand McNally Maps
• On the Road With Kids