What About a Different Type of Family Vacation This Year?

Do you take a family vacation each year? What do you usually do? Go to the beach? Rent a cottage? Go to Florida?

What about something a little different. What about taking a Family Learning Vacation?
 
Take a vacation where you all learn a skill like scuba diving or skiing?
 
What about a vacation where your kids will learn about a new culture - maybe a culture they learned in school?
 
Do your kids love dinosaurs? Take them on a dig for fossils in the American badlands or Alberta Canada.
 
Whatever you choose it can be a very rewarding experience for you and your kids. Imagine the family bonding as you learn about something together?
 
I know...I can hear your kids now - I don't want to learn! I want to have fun! I learn at school why would I want to do it on vacation? This is why it is important to keep the following points in mind while planning your learning vacation. 

1. Make sure you plan a balance between fun and learning - remember you are on vacation - it should be fun!


2. Make sure the whole family is interested in the activities, destinations and experiences.


3. Before you go, show the kids where they are going. This will get them excited about the holiday. Rent movies or read books about the destination or experience.


4. Take your kids on a sample activity before you go to make sure everyone will enjoy it. For example go to the museum or take a sample scuba diving class.


5. Keep your expectations in check - not all kids will love what you plan - so don't get your hopes up or expect your kids to love it, you may be disappointed.


6. Learning may come from simple places, like interacting with locals, or eating local food.


7. Look to experts for advice or ideas - look for tour operators that offer these types of holidays for inspiration or to organize your vacation


8. Be creative or do it yourself, look for learning opportunities everywhere. Who knows what your kids can learn, even on a drive to Grandma's house. Are there places you can stop so your kids have the chance to learn?

Make your next vacation something a little different. Do some research, see what is out there.
 
If a learning vacation doesn't fit with your plans, what about a themed vacation - Are you kids big fans of Harry Potter or Twilight? What about a movie location tour.
 
For more inspiration on a different type of vacation with your family - check out Themed Vacations for Kids. 

Melanie Fine is the author and webmaster of Excellent Vacation Ideas.com. She caught the travel bug when she was young from her parents and gave it to her husband and step daughter.
A former travel agent, she has traveled to every continent, except Antartica, either alone or with her family. She loves to share her experiences in hopes to inspire you to travel and see this amazing world we live in.

Get inspired to take your next vacation, with or without the kids!
Check out http://www.excellent-vacation-ideas.com