As a homeschool family, there are many benefits of homeschooling while traveling. We have the flexibility and freedom to literally do school anywhere without the restrictions of public school attendance. Not only do you get to experience new places, but you get to experience them with your family and create lifetime memories.
You may think that traveling with kids is a lot of work. Adding homeschooling on top of that may have you feeling a bit intimidated. Fear not my friends! I can attest that homeschooling while traveling works and it is also a lot of fun!
Homeschooling While Traveling
Homeschooling while traveling is exciting! While it does take some work to prepare, it’s so worth it! Let’s go through a few tips, shall we?
Packing
I prefer to take the minimalist approach to packing homeschool supplies and pack up only the essentials we need and off we go! Minimalist packing has helped ease the burden of packing for our entire family. I pack everything in a school-size backpack, one for each child, and call it a day. When my kids were younger, I easily fit everything in one backpack. But now as they get older and need tablets or laptops for math, it’s easier that they each have their own bag.
Try Unit Studies
To make homeschooling more fun on the road, switch it up a bit and do some unit studies on the areas that you’re going to be traveling to. You can also even look for several read-aloud books for certain historical people or places in the state. This will require doing some research prior to your travels but it will be a nice break for the kiddos (or maybe you too!).
Unit Studies are great for family-style learning! Even if you don’t do a state-specific unit study, a general topical unit study gets the job done too.
For Road Trips
To save money on the way to a destination, you can pack some food for the road. We also like to keep a travel potty in the car for when emergency potty breaks need to happen and we can’t get to a bathroom fast enough. Also, you can’t go wrong with having motion sickness relief and throw-up bags on hand! These have been a lifesaver on many occasions and you never know when twists and hills will make a tummy queasy.
For Air Travel:
If you’re traveling with younger kids, to help get you through the airport faster, use a stroller! Once you check your bags and get to the gate, you can check the stroller right at the gate and they will bring it back to you when you get off your flight! A double stroller and baby carrier were my life savers when I traveled alone with 3 kids to California!
Entertainment
We only allow our kids to use their tablets on travel days! So for them, it’s an absolute treat to be able to play games or watch a movie on the tablets for hours on end as we travel. They all have an Amazon Fire Tablet and we monitor and control what they are allowed to watch and play. While they’re using the tablets, Steven and I typically listen to podcasts.
Research
Before you leave home, do some research on the place(s) you are going to be traveling to. This way you have an idea of what to expect when you get there. This research also helps you to figure out what sights to see and what places to visit.
Start by looking up local museums or educational areas of interest like local parks or state parks to check out. Historical attractions can also be low-cost and jam-packed with fun history tidbits.
Ask Locals Questions
One of the best ways to learn about an area is by asking the people that live there. You’re bound to learn all sorts of details like local eateries or even directions to some of the local kid-friendly places. One of my favorite ways to ask a local is right on Facebook. Even before we start our travels, Facebook makes it so easy to ask questions inside homeschool groups. Homeschool groups have moms from all around the world so you’re bound to find someone who can share answers with you.
Brochures/Pamphlets
Grab these valuable little bits of information every chance you get! They usually contain photos of notable places, directions to get to these places, and other local information. The other nice thing about brochures and pamphlets, besides being free, is that they can make wonderful souvenirs!
Take Pictures
When you travel anywhere, it is a good idea to take pictures of the sights and important things like information plaques. Even if you do not have time to stop at each place, take pictures from the car!
Every time you stop somewhere, snap a few photos before you move on to the next destination. You can always look at the pictures later and do some research on the buildings/sights online or at your local library when you get home for extra learning opportunities.
Candid shots of your family will be a wonderful memory to look back on! One of our favorite travel pictures we’ve taken was at Day Out With Thomas.
Visit The Tourist Center
Tourist centers are also a great way to get to know about an area. These centers offer information on the area’s historical sights, leisure, and even amusement recommendations.
How Do You Like To Make Travel Educational?
Whatever your reasons for homeschooling while traveling, there are many ways you can use your travels as an engaging learning experience. It is a wonderful way to bond with your family and build memories that last a lifetime!
I’d love to hear how homeschooling while traveling works for your family. Leave a comment below!
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