Whether you’re homeschooling your children or simply looking for a way to make the most out of summer break, there are lots of ways that you can make a Disney vacation into a fun and educational experience. The parks are packed with interesting little details that will really teach you something if you pay attention. The very activity of vacationing leaves ample room for educational activities as well. Try these tricks to make your Disney visit a little smarter.
1. Build a budget
Snack Kiosk Menu
It’s almost a given that the adults in the family will create a vacation budget before departure, so why not get the kids involved in the activity, too? Outline your daily food or souvenir budget and challenge the kids to find the best way to spend it. Naturally, parents retain final veto power, but you may be surprised at the creative solutions kids can come up with when presented with this type of challenge.
You could end up with a diverse sampling menu of dishes from throughout the park in place of four standard dinners at a single restaurant, or an offer to replace family sodas with free water and use the extra money to indulge in dessert. At the very least, this strategy with reinforce the concept that there’s a limited fund available for indulgences, and purchases should be made wisely.
2. Designate a map reader
Park Guides
Map reading is fast becoming a lost art thanks to the convenience of GPS. Teach this timeless skill to your children by designating a map reader in your party who will guide you from one attraction to the next, finding the best routes in between.
Maps are the first things you’ll come across when you enter any park so you can begin the adventure as soon as you’re through the gates. You can also order customized keepsake maps ahead of time to help you plan your vacation long before your departure.
Consider bringing along stickers or a pen so you can mark your route and highlight the attractions you’ve seen each day.
3. Schedule your day
Fast Pass Plus Sign
Planning out your day involves lots of math skills, time telling, and creative time management. Work with your kids to set up a rough schedule for each day, including your FastPasses and dining reservations (both of which can and should be made in advance, at least at Walt Disney World). Fill in the open areas of your schedule with things you hope to see and do, taking into account fluctuating wait times and unpredictable down times.
Throughout the day, you can ask your little travel agents for input on what you should do next and how to best plan the day. Questions like “If the wait time is 20 minutes and the ride lasts 20 minutes, what time should we get out?” offer lots of opportunities for kids to learn. These relevant real life examples make math far more entertaining than any worksheet.
4. Make the most of down time
Magic Kingdom Bench
Theme park vacations naturally include a lot of down time, whether you’re waiting for the parade, waiting for your dinner reservation, or just waiting in line. Don’t zone out with your phones during these valuable moments. Use them to connect and add some educational flair to your vacation.
Most ride queues at Disney are brimming with things to see. Look for little clues to the story behind the attraction and challenge your kids to put it all together and decipher what it means. As you approach Expedition Everest, you can learn a lot about the elusive Yeti you’re tracking. Newer interactive queues, like that for the Haunted Mansion, offer intriguing puzzles you can ponder.
If there’s nothing to see or do where you’re stuck, keep a Disney trivia book or guide book on hand. Have younger children practice their reading skills by reading aloud about the different activities you have planned for the day. Older kids can dig through the text for interesting facts to quiz parents and siblings on.
5. Follow up during meals
Meal time is another excellent opportunity for connecting with kids and making sure your vacation offers some educational opportunities for them. This is the perfect time to quiz them on things they’ve seen and experienced earlier in the day. Challenge them to remember specific facts that they’ve heard, such as animal trivia from Kilimanjaro Safaris, or facts about various countries you experienced in World Showcase.
If you’re dining somewhere with an unusual menu, don’t pass up on the opportunity to learn about that, too. Younger children in particular can have a lot of fun trying different items on a buffet and describing the colors, textures, and flavors.
6. Make it a game
Jungle Cruise Live Cargo Area
With a little planning, you can turn your vacation into a fun scavenger hunt. Create a list of interesting and educational details to look for throughout the park. If your party splits up at some point during the day, you can compete to see who can find more items on the list. Consider including things like specific animals at Animal Kingdom, landmarks in World Showcase, historic features in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, or artifacts from Walt’s life at One Man’s Dream in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
It’s ok if you don’t have a list of specific items to look for. Vague descriptions work as well, and offer even more room for creativity. Something like “an imported artifact” leaves lots of possibilities. At the end of the day, you can compare your finds and learn even more about the parks and their history.
You don’t want to get bogged down in text books and work sheets, but there’s no reason you can’t make your vacation interesting and educational while keeping the day lighthearted and fun.
