By Kimberly Blaker
Getting away for a winter vacation is an excellent way for families to bond and rejuvenate. But working in a vacation over a school break can sometimes pose a challenge, so know the factors to consider before taking your kids out of school. Then, if you do decide to go, find an educational destination to make the most of your kids’ time away from class.
Taking kids out of school to travel
Winter is the only time of year some families can travel because of work vacation policies. Travel during peak season is also unaffordable for many families. So going during the school year is sometimes the only option.
Still, parents often feel torn over the decision to take their kids out of school for a few days. There’s much debate among parents and educators over the practice. Therefore, the best approach is to weigh the pros and cons as they relate to your family.
First, find out if your child’s school permits it. Some schools do have policies against parents taking kids out of school for vacations or trips. Typically, teachers and administrators may frown on it but don’t have a policy against it.
Usually, schools and teachers are willing to work with students and their families. Teachers may provide homework in advance of the trip or arrange a makeup schedule for missed work. So talk to your child’s school and teachers well in advance so that a workable plan is in place.
Another factor to consider is how your child is doing in school. If your child is maintaining As and Bs without too much effort, a few days off school probably won’t hurt. But if your child struggles in one or more subjects, it may be difficult for your child to catch up.
Also, contemplate the type of trip you want to take. If your travels will include educational opportunities, it’s much easier to justify. Historical sites, science and art museums, and experiencing other cultures are great learning opportunities. These can offer kids deeper understanding and appreciation than reading from textbooks, listening to classroom lectures, and doing rote work.
On the other hand, a vacation that lacks any educational opportunity may weigh more heavily on your conscience.
Finally, find out how your child feels about missing school for a trip. Are there any school events your kids will miss that are important to them? If so, try to plan around the events.
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a week-long trip, consider the following fun, educational destinations.
New York City. The Big Apple is loaded with family-friendly activities year-round. At Discovery Times Square you’ll find displays of large interactive traveling exhibits the whole family will enjoy. The theater and performance-based Toy Museum of New York is also sure to enthrall. NYC is home to other museums, as well, including the New York Hall of Science and Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Also, don’t forget to check event listings for a family-friendly Broadway show.
Washington D.C. Visit the Supreme Court of the United States and listen to oral arguments open to the public. You’ll also want to get a close-up view of the White House and other federal buildings. The enormous Smithsonian has many art, science, and history museums. You can also tour President Lincoln’s cottage where he drafted the Emancipation Proclamation. Then visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate along the Potomac River.
Savannah, Georgia. Old Fort Jackson is a fun, family adventure where you can watch live cannon firings and weapons demonstrations. You’ll also want to check out the Savannah Children’s Museum. Downtown Savannah, the largest urban historic district in America, offers trolley and horse-drawn carriage tours of this fascinating town. You can also visit Tybee Island, just 18 miles away, and explore its arts, history, and culture.
New Orleans. If your kids like winged creatures and creepy crawly things, they’ll be in heaven at the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. A bayou kayak tour is also a fun way to expend some energy if you have older kids. New Orleans also has a family-friendly jazz venue, Preservation Hall. At the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, kids can get creative with hands-on art projects designed for families. There’s also the National World War II Museum, Louisiana Children’s Museum, historic Jackson Square, and more.
The Four Corners. This favorite western travel destination is loaded with history, culture, and nature exploration. The adjoining four corners of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah is often cold in the winter months because of high elevations. But you won’t want to miss the Hopi villages. In Walpi, on the First Mesa, Hopis live much the same way as they did a hundred years ago. There are also many awe-inspiring sites to visit. Arches National Park, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelly National Monument are but a few.
Southern Arizona. If you prefer warm weather, the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona is a great family destination. The region offers numerous fascinating historical and nature sites. You can check out petroglyphs in Phoenix. While you’re there, visit the Heard Museum and discover the history, arts, and culture of the many Native American tribes of the Southwest. You can take a detour a couple of hours north for a scenic drive through Sedona’s beautiful red rock. Then head south to Tucson for a stroll, hike, or tram ride through Sabino Canyon National Park. Just outside of town, you can drive up to Mount Lemmon for breathtaking views. Tucson’s fascinating Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is a small live zoo of unusual mammals and reptiles that reside in the Sonoran Desert, is a must-see.
San Diego. This beautiful coastal city has museums of all kinds. There’s the Museum of Man, San Diego Air and Space Museum, and San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, among others. You also won’t want to miss gray whale watching and go on a seal tour. The massive San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which boasts more than 3,500 different animals, is another favorite.
San Francisco. There’s so much to do and see in the city for the famed Golden Gate Bridge. First, there’s the fascinating Alcatraz prison tour. The Exploratorium, which offers hands-on exhibits, will also keep kids engrossed for hours. San Francisco has an array of other kids museums too. The California Academy of Sciences, one of the largest natural history museums in the world, has something for everyone. Your family will also be in awe checking out the redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument. Then you can visit Yosemite National Park just a few hours away to see the giant sequoias.
Cincinnati. This mid-western city is home to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. There your family will learn about the history of slavery, African Americans’ journey to freedom, and much more. You’ll also want to visit the interactive Newport Aquarium where your kids will thrill at touching a shark and meeting a penguin. Then, just a couple hours drive away, spend a day at the COSI science center, which boasts more than 300 interactive exhibits.
Chicago. If your family likes art, you’ll want to visit the enthralling Art Institute of Chicago. It houses 300,000 works in its permanent collection, as well as numerous special exhibitions each year. Other museums in the windy city include the National Museum of Mexican Art, The Field Museum of Science, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank. Your kids will also love the Shedd Aquarium, which is home to 32,000 aquatic creatures.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online store, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions and fine bindings at sagerarebooks.com
