Fun Vacation Activities

Success Secret: Be Prepared

The secret to a successful school vacation is to plan ahead. Look through the newspaper and contact local colleges, museums, historic sites, libraries, craft shops and sporting arenas to get their holiday schedules. They often offer programs like puppet shows, story times, music performances, art classes, special events and more. Many of these activities are even free.

With a ready list of activities posted on the refrigerator you can pick and choose. But don't over-schedule vacation time. "Always ask, 'Are we having fun doing this?'" suggests Culbreth. "Parents set their goals for the holidays very high. But what the child will remember is how the holiday felt: whether it was a warm and loving time with family and friends, not whether things were perfect. They don't need a hectic roller coaster of activities."

Finally, let kids help choose the activities. Seven-year-old Stephen Hanrahan, of New York City, writes down all the things he wants to do over vacation and puts them in a jar along with ideas supplied by his parents. Each morning he picks a suggestion from the jar to determine that day's activity.