By Christal Gamble, Mama Sweet Baby
I’ve always been a wanderer. The open road called to me at a young age and as soon as I was old enough to plan my own travel I applied for a passport and broadened my horizons.
The husband and the kids came later, but I knew that even a family would not cure my need to getaway.
So what do you do when you’ve got a homeschooling family and the insatiable urge to see the world? You take your homeschool on the road!
Here are my 7 best tips to take your learning and your family with you!
1. Planning is Key
Sure, I love to be spontaneous - and as a homeschooler who hangs out on the eclectic unschooler side of things, that even applies to our homeschool.
However, I rarely apply spontaneity to our roadschooling. Locations are researched thoroughly ahead of time and I plan Unit Studies accordingly.
Step one is always requesting a travel guide for the area and getting a map. Start early and give yourself time to gather materials for your trip, book rooms/tickets, and to start learning about the place you’re traveling to.
We study our destination for a minimum of 2 weeks before the trip itself so that the kids are informed travelers as well.
2. Accommodations! Location!
A good location and comfortable accommodations are vital to a great roadschooling trip. We’ve traveled by RV, stayed in luxurious boutique digs AND budget hotels, vacation rentals, and in log cabins, but the common denominator has always been places central to the attractions.
Consider your budget and write out travel scenarios ahead of time. Spending a little more on accommodations that are within walking distance to your destinations could still cost less than a hotel further out if you have to pay for Ubers and parking fees.
Check to see if you can also save money on food with a hotel or bed & breakfast that provides at least one complimentary meal with your stay.
Don’t skip looking into vacation rentals! AirBNB has gotten mixed reviews from travelers, but you can often avoid “rental drama” by reading the reviews and using Superhost properties.
This is my family’s favorite way to travel - we don’t need to get multiple hotel rooms, everyone has a bed, I can pack lighter and wash clothes, plus I can cook in a full kitchen to both save money and satisfy picky eaters who have a hard time finding things they like in a restaurant.
Pro-tip:
Try looking for a rental on VRBO.com as an AirBNB alternative - it’s been around a little longer and the rental process is a little easier.
Taking an RV?
Find a campsite or park close to local attractions, shopping, and food and check for additional amenities that may be available or events during your visit.
I remember fondly a trip to Mammoth Cave and Dinosaur World in Kentucky when my twins were around 10, that went smoother than my husband and I expected, all because the Jellystone Campground we chose had a number of kid friend attractions, a large playground, and a restaurant onsite.
3. Use Your Trip As The Ultimate Unit Study
3. Use Your Trip As The Ultimate Unit StudyA homeschool field trip makes for the BEST geography lesson!
But don’t stop there… Learn the history of the place you’re visiting, research the local economy, use an atlas to map out distance and travel routes, read literature written by local authors, and don’t leave out the science!
My family lives in a metro area of Huntsville, Alabama, which is known as the Rocket City - if you come for a visit, make sure to study: the beginnings of the US Space program rocket propulsion systems, and the local aerospace industries based in Huntsville that are working on future space exploration innovations.
4. Don’t Avoid The Tourist Traps
As adults, and more mature travelers, we tend to avoid the more highly visible sights and “tourist traps”. While they may not appeal to us, they are perfect for kids.
Look for the big museums and hot spots. Worried about the cost? Check their websites for homeschool days, educator discounts, and even days that will offer free and reduced admission.
Also look for CityPasses that offer a discount on admission for multiple places for one reduced price.
Have younger children?
The Children’s Museum is made for their learning and entertainment. Find one in your travel area and save it for a “burnout day” after a major attraction or a weather day.
This will give the adults a chance to rest and let the kids burn off energy. If you’re ever in San Antonio, Texas, make sure you visit The DoSeum which is currently the family’s favorite Children’s Museum because you can DO everything there.
5. Leave The books At Home And Pull Out The Technology
Roadschooling is the perfect time to bring out the tech. Download your favorite books to a device, check out audiobooks from the library, and pack a camera.
I prefer all of our school materials fit into a kid’s individual backpack. Tablets are lighter than books and many pieces of curriculum can be accessed digitally on or offline.
Make sure you download any materials that you plan to use while traveling if internet access is not available.
Oh, and don’t forget to pack chargers and a backup rechargeable power bank. We even own one that we take camping that recharges devices using solar energy.
Pro-tip:
Don’t leave out the math while roadschooling. I think that math offers the most options in digital resources of any subject.
Boddle Learning has online and app math games, CTCMath, Math Mammoth, and Beast Academy can all be done digitally, and I love that Teaching Textbooks lets you access a number of lessons offline if you won’t have internet.
6. Can’t Leave The Paper And Pens Behind? I Have A Solution For That.
I love technology, but my youngest prefers paper. For him, I always create a travel binder he can use whenever.
Three ring binders work best - just add in a binder pencil pouch to hold accessories like mechanical pencils (no shavings to dispose of), a few crayons/color pencils, scissors and some small dry erase markers.
In his binder I include travel brochures, worksheets related to the place we are traveling, mazes and puzzles, and both lined and unlined paper for writing or drawing.
I even include a few laminated pages - that way he can use those pages over and over with the dry-erase markers.
For the kid that loves educational puzzles and brain-teasers, MegaGeex makes the best workbooks that come in various levels of difficulty and as hardcopy workbooks or printables.
7. Have Fun!
Even a roadschooling trip is still a vacation. Save most of the lessons for before and after the trip itself, and let the kids enjoy being in the moment.
This gives you a break as well. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruit of all of your preparation, plus the looks of pure joy on everyone’s face.
A stressful trip makes you want to take fewer trips, and we can’t have that! You’ve got future wanders to raise!
