Educational travel can take many forms, ranging from a day trip to a local destination of historical significance to a month-long trip to Europe. The length and distance is not as important as the educational benefits that such a trip will offer a child.
While many educational travel opportunities are offered through school, children can also benefit from educational trips during non-school times as well. Plan educational trips during holiday breaks, weekends or during summer recess, which will allow the child to mix the fun of travel with a learning experience.
Consider the child's current course of study and attempt to coordinate a trip with what she is learning in school. For example, if a middle school child is learning about the Civil War, consider a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit Ford's Theater, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian Museum.
Children who participate in educational travel benefit from exposure to new people, experiences and cultures. These experiences help children gain a better grasp on subjects such as geography, world history, foreign language and literature.
Many children, as well as adults, think that educational travel is dull and boring. However, if well-planned, these trips can help teach children about new subjects while engaged in a fun activity. For example, going on a cruise can offer the opportunity to learn about ocean navigation, marine life, ecology, ships or even geography.
