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Learn How to Sneak History into Fun Family Trips
By Michele Zavatsky, The Family Travel Mom

For the past 10 years, our family has “vacationed for a living,” and we’ve managed to visit over 3,000 attractions and maybe 2,000 historical museums. And guess what? I’m the only history buff in the family! As a matter of fact, one of my husband’s favorite travel markers says, “On this site in 1816…nothing happened.” Sound like your family?

Why try to weave these museums into your travels? Because easily one-third of all the attractions out there are historical, it’s hard to avoid them. And, educators would tell you kids do much better on history test questions and biographical reports if they’ve actually toured the famous person’s home or visited a historic village.

So, we know it’s good for them. But, how do you sneak history into your day trips and vacations without the family declaring mutiny? Let’s take a journey with my family and see what I use to unlock the amusing, adventuresome side of history.

1. Big Anniversaries. No, not your romantic wedding anniversary coming up—instead, major historic anniversaries.  America’s 400th Anniversary started in Jamestown in 2007; Annapolis is the big 300 in 2008; Pittsburgh celebrates a 250th anniversary in 2008. During these major anniversary events, historical sites “beef up” their exhibits. How? They add more guides in character, maybe add 3-D (or 4-D) movies, create new animatronics, and, finally, increase their colorful immersion spaces (kind of Disney does History). What kid can resist all that stimulation?

2. Holidays. You know how your kids get off more weekday holidays than you know what to do with? Why not try sampling birthday cakes of Presidents. Share July 4th fireworks in a quaint historic town or have punch. Invite the grandparents along as your personal “guides” as they love to tell stories of the “good ole days” too. My kids tell me most historical homes smell old and musty. But, put costumed funny actors and treats in front of them and they’re telling a different story.

3. Living History Re-enactments & Outdoor Dramas. Go behind the scenes of a pioneer camp or an Indian Pow Wow or behind enemy lines at a Civil War camp. In early July, the 145TH Gettysburg Anniversary Reenactment is fought. Famous battlefields and old forts may look dull and ugly on a normal day, but add re-enactors in period attire and you’ve got the kids’ attention. Period, costumed townsfolk and soldiers “set up shop” amongst Native American Indian camps. Areas of woodcarving, blacksmiths and spinning and weaving surround demonstrations of muzzle loading, shooting and tomahawk throwing. Open hearth cooking with period foods are for sale, too. Can’t you just smell the kettle corn, apple cider, barbeque and bean stew?

4. No Museums—at least don’t tell them you’re going to a Museum! Which do you think your kids will respond to better:  secret passageway house or a history museum? The secret place, right? The other sounds too much like school. Begin your tour with a brief look at the orientation film, then lead the kids through a scavenger hunt and reward them with a prize afterwards.

5. Want action? Trolley or trot past famous homes versus stopping to go inside. Philadelphia has so many, including the Betsy Ross House. Or hit the Jersey Shore and see the beautiful Victorian houses that look like they were built this century and not two centuries ago. Take a canal boat or sternwheeler tour along the water’s edge as the captain briefly describes the scenes around—just the basics, forget the boring stuff. The National Canal Museum in Easton, Pa. has them every summer. Weekend train rides are fun with grandpa along, and there’s usually a good ice cream shop or depot restaurant at the turn around stop. A local favorite is the Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster County (a great historical place in and of itself)—and from June 14–22 it’s a day Out With Thomas, which will be a hoot for your little Thomas enthusiast!

Again, the best way to entice your family to come along on historical journeys is to sneak some history in. So many excellent historical parks are just minutes from lakes, beaches and amusements to even out your trip. Your kids will be having so much hands-on fun and meeting such interesting characters…they won’t even know it’s a history lesson. Sneaky, yes, but for the right reasons!

Want more ideas about how to plan your next family trip—maybe with one history stop weaved in? You can find more than 6,000 places and events included in KIDS LOVE TRAVEL GUIDES – Family Travel Guides to Exploring “Kid-Tested” Places in 12 Different States…Year Round! The best things to do and see for everyone—visited and tested for kid-friendliness by real parents. Michele Zavatsky and her family did the work so you don’t have to. To find out more, visit www.KidsLoveTravel.com.