If you’re visiting a new city or country, make sure to check out the local historical landmarks and museums. Every major city will have countless educational and cultural attractions, from the obvious such as London’s Natural History Museum, the Exploratorium in San Francisco and Le Centre Pompidou in Paris to the slightly lesser known such as the Roald Dahl Museum, the International Spy Museum or Philadelphia’s Please Touch Children’s Museum. Many of these have free guides and activities aimed at engaging young visitors. You may even find that these visits spark a lifelong passion!

If you’re staying local, use the opportunity to get to know your local area a little better. be sure to check online for seasonal and permanent activities in your region, or contact your local historical society to find the best local sites. One of our favorite local activities is going on hikes as a family, practicing plant and bird identification along the way, which is a great way to teach about the indigenous flora and fauna of your region—and prevent learning loss!