Our family enjoys traveling together. Sometimes it’s stressful for me getting us and our belongings all rounded up and out the door, but once we’re on the road, I can relax and enjoy it.
One of the best things for me as a parent is watching the kids' excitement over new places and experiences.
Because of our unique opportunities as leaders in the hispanic homeschool movement, Hero or I are traveling more and more often, and while we usually try to take one of the kids, at least, taking the whole family is not always possible.
Here are two ways we have found we can have a travel fiesta at home even while one or the other parent is traveling.
1. Get out of the House
Whether it is extra time at the neighborhood park or natural fruit juice treats at a local shop, we try to get out of the house and break up the routine. We may not venture as far without the other parent, but we adventure none-the-less. Making an effort to do things together that will create special memories of time spent just with he, or I.
2. Bring the Destinations to You
We often plan special activities for our at home travel fiesta when mom or dad is out of town. Here are some of the things we have done:
Camping: We drag out the tents and play castles and set up for a pretend camping trip in the living room, complete with smore snacks and hot chocolate.
Europe: We’ll dress in our royal finest and “travel” all the way to England (the dining room or front yard) for a fancy tea with the sirs and ladies. By the way, Mom, your kids will have better memories if you let them use the china and enjoy it occasionally, than if it’s always in the cupboard and they’re not allowed to touch it.
Central Park: Last week, while Hero traveled, we even moved out the kitchen table and chairs to make room for pic-nic lunches on the floor (and don’t forget to invite the local teddy bears!).
Virtual Tours: You can watch videos, look up recipees, do crafts, and have activities for just about any country or destination you like, all from the comfort of your own home.
Cinco de Mayo
If you’re stuck at home for Cinco de Mayo this year, why not travel to Mexico anyway? Here are several links to things you can do to bring Mexico to you, learn about, and enjoy her culture and create those special family memories that cost less and mean far more than any plane ticket.
Cinco de Mayo Books and Learning Resources
- Travel Mexico Video highlighting different sites and cities
- Mexico Book List
- What we Love About Mexico
- Mexico bilingual notebooking geography book
- Free Calendar and Cinco de Mayo printable coloring pages
- Cinco de Mayo free learning printables, grades 1-3
Cinco de Mayo Crafts and Activities
- Throw a Fiesta Party with these DIY crafts
- Make maracas with left over Easter eggs!
- Free Cinco de Mayo Coloring Pages and May Calendar
Cinco de Mayo Recipes
- Our Favorite Mexican Dishes
- Mexican Pizza
- fun themed snacks
- So Easy Sopapillas (sweets)
- Piña Colada Tres Leches Cake
- Churro Cupcakes
- Mexican Hot Chocolate and 19 other Authentic Recipes
- Easy Beef Empanadas (a Mexican Hot Pocket)
- Quick and Easy Fresh Blender Salsa
- 41 Cinco de Mayo Recipes
- Piñata striped and filled sugar cookies