by: Jessica Thiefels
As a parent, you want your kids to learn as much as they can outside of the classroom while also having fun. Instead of the typical go-to weekend activities of television and video games, try these easy and affordable ways to make weekends fun and educational for children of all ages.
Take a Hike
Instead of using your cell phones to answer your nature questions, find a scavenger hunt template online that you can take with you. This makes it feel less like learning and more like a game. You can even offer a prize for finding or identifying every item on the list. Try this printable template.
Turn Your Kitchen Into a Pop-Up Restaurant
Start on Friday night by creating a menu together — you can get ideas for appetizers, dinner and dessert with these kid-friendly recipes. Set a budget and go shopping on Saturday. Help your child organize all the food, and discuss timing of the cooking, how to set the table, what dishes will be needed, and any other small details. Finally, become the sous chef while your little one whips up dinner on Sunday for the family.
Visit Your Local Aquarium
Use this list of aquariums to find one near you, and check to see if your local aquarium offers teacher discounts.
Conduct Your Own Science Experiment
Most science experiments can be done at home with a few basic household items. You can also refer to Pinterest for an endless list of creative ideas.
A few fun categories include:
Plan a Vacation
To start, decide where you’re going to go and what your budget will allow.
Give your child 2-3 potential vacation spots and have her research the potential costs of each location. Ask her to read reviews, check the landmarks or cities you will be traveling through, and create a presentation about what she’s learned.
Making weekends fun and educational is easier than you might think. The best part: you’ll be spending quality time together as a family.
