Are you sick of being cooped up at home? Why don’t you try being a tourist in your home town. Too often we spend spring break or summer visiting other places, but never really get to know our own home town where we live.
Touring your home town can be fun, educational and inexpensive during spring break and in the summer months. There are lots of local attractions or public places in most cities to take your kids to for fun activities. Many are free or have children’s days or events that you can watch for to get in for free.
4 Places to Explore as a Tourist in Your Hometown
Museum
Maybe you are thinking that museums would be boring for kids, but in my experience, going to the museum is always a treat for kids. There are so many different types of museums and I have found with my three kids who all have very different personalities that each of them find something interesting to take in at a museum. Taking time to educate your child at your local museum will help them become aware of the history of your town and how it came to be. Being able to see, and in many cases touch, artifacts makes it come alive. To find out about children’s days or certain events call the museum to get on their mailing list. That way you won’t miss anything.
Related Posts:
- Sleeping with Dinosaurs ~ The best way to experience the Royal Tyrrell Museum
- Spring Break Travels (Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump Museum)
Farmers Markets
Local farmers markets offer many opportunities for your children to learn and see new things. The obvious attraction is the local fruits and vegetables brought in by the farmers or orchardists. This will give your child a chance to meet and interact with some of the people who grow food for your table.
The farmers market has much more than fruits and vegetables though. Some things you may find include:
• beekeepers selling their honey
• wild picked berries and mushrooms
• homemade goodies, such as jams, jellies, kefir and kombucha
• crafters selling their wares
• live music and dancing
• food vendors
Lots of vendors offer samples of their items so your child may get to try new things she may never have gotten to try otherwise. Also, many markets will have events throughout the summer to draw in more people. Keep on the lookout for upcoming happenings in your area.
Posts Related to Be a Tourist in your Home town:
- Penticton Farmers Market ~ In Photos
- Thrifty Thursday ~ At the Cloverdale Flea Market!
Library
Taking your child to the local library can help to foster a lifelong love of reading. Your child will be amazed at the sheer number of books and may have fun the first time just exploring.
Many libraries offer summer reading programs at no cost as well. These are where groups of kids come to the library all together and one of the library staff or volunteer will read to your children. Sometimes they offer a question and answer session afterwards.
Older children may enjoy researching a particular topic and being able to get the answers from both books and internet connection offered for free.
Park Events
Summer is a big time for social events such as festivals, parades, fairs, carnivals or circuses. Children love the active atmosphere, bright colors and lots of people to see and things to do. These fun events will keep your little ones busy for hours. Another great thing about it is that a lot of times they are free or fairly inexpensive.
This is a great start to finding local places to take your children. But, make sure to explore your town – go to your city hall, library or check the newspaper – for other fun things to do this spring break and this summer!