Spending March Break at Home |
TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR VACATION ADVENTURE:
Call a family meeting and discuss some of the places in your city or town that you've never visited. Make a list of some of the favourites and plan how you'll schedule a trip to each location.
Keep in mind that some family members may not be as interested as others in certain venues. It's okay to split up the crew and have Dad take the boys to the Hockey Hall of Fame or other local guys hot spot, while Mom and the girls tour the National Ballet School or take in an afternoon of girl fun. Arrange to rendezvous for dinner after you've all done.
Be sure to call ahead before you visit any location. Check hours of operation and any policies regarding children.
Bring along emergency snacks. Some light favourite such as fruit, crackers or dry cereal can calm an empty tummy.
Make sure everyone is well rested and ready for the big trip.
VACATION HOT SPOTS IN YOUR OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD:
Museums can be great funs for kids, but don't limit your visits to just children's museums. Turn your tour into a treasure hunt and give the kids a list of items for which to search. Most museums have trained guides and many will modify their talks for a younger audience if requested. Look for exhibits that will interest your child, if your child likes dinosaurs, visit the dinosaur hall and spend some extra time there.
Art Galleries can be interesting for kids too. Along with exploring the art the kids can have their own little game of playing art critic. Bring along some paper and crayons and have the kids copy their favourite piece of art to take home. Playing games such as colour recognition in the paintings or finding objects in the artwork can turn the visit into a fun project for all.
The Library offers a vast array of adventures, and all you need is your library card as your passport. The kids can select their favourite books, videos or music to take home. Why not check out some travel books and explore areas of the world you'd like to visit some day. Call the library to see what special programs they are offering over the March Break.
A day on the farm can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Many commercial farms are open to visits from the public. They offer hayrides, tours of the barnyard and visits with the animals. Children can get close to the animals and see what farm life is like. Check out local newspapers or family publications to find out about farms in your community that are open to the public.
Visit your local fire station. Children are mesmerized by the workings of a fire station and firefighters welcome young visitors. Many offer tours of the station and its equipment and will allow the children to have some hands-on experience. This type of visit shows children the importance of just one of the jobs that are important in your community.
