Best Educational Destinations for Elementary-Age Kids

The kids are back in school and you’re thinking of getting away for fall break. However, there’s no need for the kids to check their brains at the door during your trip just because they’re away from the classroom. We’ve compiled some great destinations for your elementary-age kids, where they can continue their education while the entire family has a great time. They may not even catch on they’re learning valuable lessons about history, art, science and more!

Washington, D.C.

If you’ve never been to D.C. with your kids, you’re missing out. The destination is educational, entertaining and pretty affordable, with many of the museums and attractions completely free. To keep the kids at full attention, skip some of the more boring attractions (or at least, boring to them), like the Washington Monument, and instead go to some spots that will hold their attention a little bit longer, like the various Smithsonian museums dedicated to just about any interest they could possibly have, from wartime history to dinosaurs.

Space Coast, Florida

Take a little road trip to Florida’s Space Coast and, on your way, stop by the Marshall Space Flight Center and Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. You’ll learn all about what it takes for an astronaut to become, well, an astronaut and even try out the 1/6th gravity chair. Then, once you reach Florida, catch a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral and explore the Kennedy Space Center.

San Diego, California

For West Coast families, San Diego is a great choice for an urban getaway serving up endless fun. Obviously, you can’t visit without a trip to the San Diego Zoo, one of the best in the world. There are more than 4,000 rare animals and nearly 1,000 species and subspecies. For more animal-loving fun, try SeaWorld to get up close and personal with the magnificent marine life.

Williamsburg, Virginia

For a dose of colonial history, visit Williamsburg and step back in time. Try life in the 1700s with colonial games, a grand ball and a living-history museum full of authentic buildings. You’ll be hard pressed to find reenactors as dedicated to their job as the ones you’ll find here.

Philadelphia

You know the Liberty Bell, but what about Philly’s other historic sites? Check out important spots that impacted not only the Revolutionary War, but also the nation’s history up until today. Or, get creepy with visits to the medical history Mutter Museum or the (possibly haunted) Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.