The Top Places This Summer to Visit With Your Kids
By Samantha Jagopat
When the final school bell rings this month signaling the start of summer vacation, it shouldn’t bring learning to an end. The Suite has compiled a list of great family-friendly outings that offer their own lessons.
With summer rapidly approaching, you may be thinking of recreational activities to do with your children. In addition to tennis, swimming, and numerous summer camps, think of the opportunities you have to spend quality time with your children while visiting some local institutions.
Swimming is just one of many fun summer activities
If your children are between 4-to-12 years old, take them to your local library. This is a great way to encourage your child to develop a love for reading and promote a healthy environment for learning. Your child can use the latest, innovative technology and visit various educational websites that make learning inviting.
Explore the aquarium. This gives children and adults the chance to experience animals and mammals that dwell underwater without getting wet. The exposure to sea creatures may create the opportunity for children to become interested in water conservation, marine life, the formation of the different types of rocks, or the many different animals and creatures that live in water.
Hang out at the zoo. A trip to the zoo creates lasting memories for children of real mammals. Where else can you get as close to a panda? It also gives kids a chance to imagine how these magnificent creatures live in the wild.
Great Blacks in Wax Museum / Photo: discoverblackheritage.com
Bring some “Off” for the mosquitoes and head to the park. While you’re there, take some time to observe the trees, the scent of the foliage, and watch the squirrels, or people walking their pets.
The supermarket. Yes, really. A trip to the supermarket encourages a child to take an interest in money and strengthen their listening as well as fine motor skills. Counting money, adding the cost of items in your head, and making change, are all great ways to make use of your math skills.
If you are looking for innovative new places to take your children this summer, Maryland has plenty of fun and educational stops for you and the family.
The Chesapeake children’s museum in Annapolis offers a great way for you and your kids to learn about the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.
Before General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, all you needed was a good horse, and families commuted by carriage. For a peak back in time, check out the Thrasher Carriage Museum in Allegany County.
Still afraid of the dentist, spend an afternoon at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore. While there, kids can learn about personal hygiene and its importance. The museum also includes a dental play station where the children can be engaged, interact and explore their interest in becoming a dentist.
The Peter Pan Club at the College Park Aviation Museum / Photo: collegeparkaviationmuseum.com
Baltimore’s Great Blacks In Wax Museum celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to the nation.
The Maryland Science Center in Baltimore provides children with a number of creative hands on experiments, and a variety of exhibits. There are also programs for the family, and children can meet professionals in the science and engineering fields.
Right in Prince George's County, The National Colonial Farm in Accokeek has a living history museum presenting life as it was on an 18th century farm and represents what some believe was the typical mode of working in the period. There are costumed interpreters and reconstructions of the structures that would be found during the time. There are interpreter-lead guided tours, and on the weekends one can enjoy scheduled demonstrations of sewing, cooking and colonial games.
Located on the grounds of the oldest operating airport in the area, the College Park Aviation Museum in College Park was voted the 2008 Nickelodeon Parent's Pick as the best museum for children in the D.C. area. The attraction boasts a collection of historic aircraft and a set of very engaging hands-on exhibits for children of all ages. Even pre-schoolers are included in learning fun at the museum's Peter Pan Club, where they can enjoy aviation stories and other age-appropriate activities.
Contributing writer: Robert Bernstein
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