Tag: Always Learning

High atop the list of our favorite things to do throughout the course of our homeschooling experience has always been agricultural experiences. Specifically, spending time on a farm, or in a field, picking fresh produce. We love going to the heart of the source of fruits, veggies, and other goodies! So, finding a U-Pick Orange Grove at Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, Florida, just outside of Orlando, was such a delight! Walking through the endless lines of orange trees, finding just the right shade of orange, and getting that satisfying pluck from the branch when you decide to make it…

Sometimes you can find educational things in the most unlikely of places! Make a pit stop to use the facilities at the Interstate 75 Welcome Center, and you can learn about the tracks made by animals that live in Florida! What will you see on YOUR trip? Click on any photo to learn more about wildlife! CLICK HERE to find FUN Things to Do With Your Family in Florida!

Not too far from Kadie the Cow, in Columbus, Georgia, we stopped to smell the flowers! Giant magnolia trees can be found all over the South. If you get a chance, stop and smell them yourself! Their fragrance is magnificent! When we see a fun plant or flower, we always try to capture as many shots as we can of seeds, buds, blooms, petals, pistils, stamens, and all of the flower parts. We also try to capture each of those parts in varying stages of their development. For hands-on learning about plants, it’s fascinating to see all of the parts…

You’re never too old for hands-on learning! Toddlers, teens, and everyone in between! National Parks are some of the greatest places for multi-generational learning! Heck, bring the Grandparents along on YOUR next National Park Adventure! If you’re passing through Boulder City, Nevada on your way to Hoover Dam, be sure to stop by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Visitor Center to learn even more about the plants, animals, geology, and engineering technology behind the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam areas!

Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument honors the bravery and courage of nine African-American Little Rock Central High School students who were integral in the process of desegregating Little Rock Public Schools in 1957. Located on the northern grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol, the memorial features bronze sculptures of Thelma Mothershed Wair, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and Melba Pattillo Beals. (More images coming soon)

We LOVE coffee and chocolate of ALL kinds, don’t get me wrong. But, we are constantly honing our skills to that of professional level connoisseurs. When we say something is good, and that you should check it out, we mean it! And we want you to trust us! With that being said, Trillian and I experienced our first Brew School as hosted by 1000 Faces Coffee in Athens, Georgia. We were blown away with the absolute professionalism and astounding knowledge of our fabulous Brew School Host, Julie. Julie isn’t just a barista pulling extra hours, and smiling big for the…

Chancing across the Bonneville Salt Flats and the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway was another unexpectedly awesome gem of a find on the slow but lovely ride back East! Over 30,000 acres of wide open salt fields surround Interstate 80, just East of the Nevada / Utah Border. Remnants of Pleistocene-Era Lake Bonneville, this is the largest area of salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake. And it definitely looks and feels like you are traversing ancient lands, or even the alien surfaces of distant planets! The area is open to the public for general frolicking and enjoyment. There…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Great River Road Visitor Center at Freedom Park – Prescott, Wisconsin Located at the confluence of the St. Croix River with the Mississippi River in Prescott, Wisconsin, this The Great River Road Visitor Center will tick, not one, but TWO National Parks off your list! Learn about the geography and human history of each river, as well as the wildlife that call this lush area home! Lots of Junior Ranger fun can be found here as well! Ask about (OR download via these handy links!) St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Junior Ranger ProgramLet’s Go Fishing! Junior Ranger Angler ProgramMississippi National…

Mississippi River Visitor Center – Mississippi National River and Recreation Area – St. Paul, Minnesota The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park System that encompasses over 72 miles of the Mississippi River throughout the Twin Cities of Minnesota and surrounding areas. There are at least 60 different parks, museums, visitor centers, and other areas you can visit that are considered to be within the boundaries of this National Park! This particular location, the Mississippi River Visitor Center, is located with the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. There are some great digital…

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Weighing the Evidence – A Special Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota CLICK HERE to check out ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below to Learn More withThese Science and Medical History Books!

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Exploring some of the regular permanent exhibits in the Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota. Most of these photos are taken in the Mississippi River Gallery, Collectors’ Corner, and the Human Body Gallery. CLICK HERE to see ALL the exhibits currently available at the Science Museum of Minnesota!And CLICK HERE to see ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota!…

The Song of Hiawatha at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park Poet extraordinaire, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, gave us ‘The Song of Hiawatha’ in his legendary epic poem. Norwegian sculptor, Jacob Fjelde, captured the love of Hiawatha and Minnehaha in his renowned sculpture. Originally created for the Minnesota Building for the duration of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the statue of the couple is now situated in perpetuity atop Minnehaha Falls in Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Over wide and rushing riversIn his arms he bore the maiden;Light he thought her as a feather,As the plume upon his head-gear;Cleared the tangled pathway…

Visiting the American Swedish Institute is an absolute plethora of educational experiences for everyone in the family! From the opulence of the Turnblad Mansion, to the ever-changing selection of Special Exhibits… But, for the littlest members of your family, they can enjoy all kids of hands-on fun in the Family Playroom! Serve up yummy pretzels in Ulla’s Bageri, score some hockey goals, create artistic masterpieces, or carve to your heart’s content in the woodworker’s shop! Let your child’s creativity soar with these amazing themed activities, perfect for tiny hands and HUGE imaginations! Be sure to check out the Calendar of…

The Turnblad Mansion, at the American Swedish Institute, is one of the few remaining early 20th century structures from Minneapolis’ Golden Mile. The Turnblad Family only resided here for a short while, but today, “The Castle” stands as a testament to the city’s Park Avenue opulence of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Incredible details of the master craftsmanship can be found both inside and out, with impeccable stonework, gorgeous woodwork, and stunning stained glass features. Each of the 33 rooms boast unique style and decor, from Gustavian to Moorish. The ceilings, trim, mantles, bannisters, staircases, lighting, and other intricate…

Roy Wilkins was a prominent American Civil Rights Activist from the 1930’s to the 1970’s, and his legacy beyond that is timeless. Wilkins’ most notable role was his leadership of the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, from 1955 to 1977. In later years, Wilkins was frequently referred to as the ‘Senior Statesman’ of the Civil Rights Movement. “Spiral for Justice” Roy Wilkins Memorial, located on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol Building in St. Paul, is a complex representation of his life and accomplishments. Transcribed from the Historical Marker: The central element in this sculpture…

Charles A. LindberghThe Boy and the ManSculptor Paul T. Granlund 1985Saint Paul, Minnesota Another statue on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol Building, this lovely sculpture serves as an inspiring memorial to Charles Lindbergh, local hero, and well-known aviator. This statue features a young Lindbergh dreaming of flying, and Lindbergh again as a man, making his dreams a reality. The following Lindbergh quotes are memorialized in the monument: “I used to imagine myself withwings on which I could swoopdown off our roof into thevalley, soaring through the airfrom one river bank to another.” “The accumulation of knowledge,the discoveries of…

This is the kind of place I live for! Just some random sign or brochure you happen to see while doing something else… And you go check it out! And you learn some cool stuff! And you get to eat cool stuff! The Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center is just a hair off the beaten path, but well worth the very slight detour! Inside this quaint little history museum, you can learn all about the fascinating Wisconsin cranberry industry! And the gift shop is absolutely loaded with EVERYTHING cranberry you could possibly think to try! Cranberries, candy, coffee, honey, jelly, sauces,…

We never really knew what cheese curds were… And, I guess, I still really don’t! But, wow, they ARE delicious! And they make a great road snack to munch on while traveling the highways and byways of the State of Wisconsin. The folks at Humbird Cheese were super-friendly, and they seem to have the reputation of being THE place to stop along I-90/94 for all your cheese shopping needs! Cheese samples are generous, and they boast an impressive variety of other locally-grown and locally-made products for sample and sale. Looking for a taste of Wisconsin? Check out Humbird Cheese! Humbird…

It’s definitely not every day you get to dance on top of a State Capitol Building! But, hey, it should be! What better way to learn, than by dancing! And eating. Of course. But, let’s just dance for now! On top of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building in Madison, Wisconsin! Click on any photo to see one of our favorite book series for learning about Wisconsin!

We’ve been through several areas of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore prior to this trip, but this marks the first chance we’ve had to get into this National Park Visitor Center. We added stamps to our books, grabbed our Junior Ranger Booklets, and enjoyed some of the birding and wildlife exhibits and activities. *As of February 2019, Indiana Dunes has officially graduated to a National Park from its previous National Lakeshore designation! National Park Collector’s Edition Stamp Book

We love learning about how things are made! Factory Tours are one of our absolute favorite activities! In Petoskey, Michigan, you can tour the Kilwins Candy Kitchen Production Facilities! Watch white, milk, and dark chocolate in all stages of production. Different kinds of candies, fudge, packaging, packing… Seeing all of the different aspects of making chocolate come together makes for a great morning! And all the smells! Did I mention free samples? Our tour guide was incredible! He did a phenomenal job explaining everything and allowing us to really enjoy the experience!

Start your visit to the Soo Locks by checking out the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center and engaging with their educational exhibits, interactive models, and informative signage. Then, proceed outside to catch a freighter passing through the locks right before your very eyes! Obviously, you’ll have to get the timing right, but we’ve been fortunate to catch the locks actively raising or lowering a ship every time we have been here. The Soo Locks are definitely an engineering marvel, and folks young and old will be delighted to see just how they work. Lake Huron and Lake Superior…

No visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is complete without a visit to Canal Park to see the Soo Locks in action along the St. Mary’s River, connecting Lake Huron and Lake Superior. The US Army Corps of Engineers Soo Locks Visitor Center offers lots of kid-friendly, hands-on, interactive exhibits, models, and signage so your family can learn more about how the locks function, and their importance in the Great Lakes shipping industry. Check out the indoor exhibits to learn more! And then be sure to catch a freighter passing through the locks!

It’s time for our favorite annual event with our local homeschool group! The kids each pick a country to prepare a presentation and some food items that represent each nation’s local cuisine! Learning is absolutely meant to be delicious! This year, we had Norway, Guatemala, Japan, and South Korea. Click on any photo below to learn more about each country!

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park consists of several buildings in Atlanta, Georgia that interpret the deeply moving history of this pivotal Civil Rights leader. You will find Martin Luther King Jr.’s boyhood home; as well as the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was baptized. He and his father, Martin Luther King Sr., both served as pastors at Ebenezer. Also in the 35 acre Sweet Auburn complex are: Fire Station No. 6 The National Park Visitor Center The Behold Monument The “I Have a Dream” International World Peace Rose Garden  The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change And a…

One of the most geologically active cave systems in the United States, Raccoon Mountain Caverns makes a great family-friendly activity while visiting the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. Cave Tours allow you to get up close and personal with all the underground rock formations. The gift shop offers a plethora of geologic specimens; beautiful handcrafted jewelry; and fun, educational souvenirs for the take-home. If you’d like some real hands-on learning activities the whole family will enjoy, try the mineral panning experiences. They offer many different specimens, via your choice of gems, emeralds, fossils, and even arrowheads. Dig, sift, sort, or pan your…

Oh, what a fabulous way to spend an afternoon! Early Works Children’s Museum is a HUGE history museum, focused on the timeline of the State of Alabama, but geared specifically for kids! Hours upon hours worth of fascinating hands-on exhibits throughout a VERY well done series of rooms themed by historical era. Run an old-fashioned general store market, hear legends from the Story Tree, make music, dress up in period costumes, cook a meal over an open hearth… Spin cotton, board a wagon towards new discoveries, work on a flatboat… Immerse yourself in Black and African History, and honor the…

When visiting Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum, be sure to check out their schedule of guided tours and interactive experiences. We were fortunate enough to have a lovely tour guide share such an intimate hands-on Workshop Tour and Old-Fashioned Toy Experience with us today! We got to see how things were made, and had plenty of time to enjoy the toys ourselves! So much fun! Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. All the units together can make…

Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Early Works Children’s Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. All the units together can make a busy day of fun, or even a full and fabulous educational weekend getaway. One membership gets you admission to all 3 locations! I find this group of museums to be fairly unique in scope to have such a focus on history that is very specifically geared towards younger children. Sometimes history can feel dry, or boring, but not within the Early Works Family of Museums!…

Every year our local homeschool group hosts an International Night, which consists of the students engaging in their choice of project or presentation learning about a country, and preparing foods from that country’s cuisine. We chose Cuba for our country. Some of the other kids presented food and information about Philippines, France, Jamaica, Germany, and a few others for which I don’t have photos. The evening makes for delicious food, good fun among friends, some public speaking experience for the kids, and all that yummy learning! In the first photo, you see Ribby showing off her smooth Cuban dance moves……

Blevins Cemetery is located on the Lora Blevins Farmstead in the Bandy Creek area of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Ever want to feel the true power of history? Stand amongst the headstones. Feel their stories wash over you. History isn’t just words on the pages of dusty old books. History is the story.. Of lives, of love, of hardships, of strife… Struggle. Those that overcame. And, all too often, Those that didn’t. May they never be forgotten. Angels among us. We hear your stories. We are forever a part of you, And you, Forever a…

A beautiful Spring Day calls for a lovely hike in the woods! We hit up the Bandy Creek Loop in the Big South Fork NRRA between Jamestown and Oneida, Tennessee. Lots of unique birds and insects, as well as colorful wildflowers were also making their way out into the warm and pleasant sunlight! Check out this adorable grouse! And an even cuter tiny human!

Cave Tours are the big draw to Mammoth Cave National Park, in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. But, before or after you’ve done yours, make sure you spend some time relaxing, having fun, and letting the kids be kids! Working on a Junior Ranger Badge will have you exploring caves, trails, museum exhibits and the grounds… And in between making progress in their books, the kids were having a blast in the sunshine! These are the best moments in life. No rushing, no worries… Just the natural moments of joyful play, siblings loving one another, and LOADS of happy shenanigans! These ARE…

Hiking down the River Styx Spring Trail in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park makes for a lovely afternoon! Hiking back up, notsomuch! Ha! It was a little rough in spots on the up hill for our gang, but it was definitely worth it! Are you planning a trip to Mammoth Cave National Park? Click on any image for Resources to Help Maximize YOUR Family’s Fun Efficiency!

The St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, Missouri is a great way to spend a day exploring all kinds of animals in close-up environments! Admission to the zoo itself is FREE, but you do pay for parking. And, of course, there are loads of add-on activities to enhance your visit if you are interested in even MORE fun! Click on any photo below for books, toys, or resources for learning more about each animal! If you are planning a field trip to the zoo for your family, here are some of our favorite Zoo Journals and learning resources! Our absolute…

Up close and personal with insects of all sorts in the Monsanto Insectarium & Butterfly House at the Saint Louis Zoo! Located inside the zoo, the insectarium showcases unique insects and beautiful butterflies from around the world! Hands-on activities await! And admission is always FREE! Click on any link or image to learn more about insects!

Bison, Coyotes, Antelope, and Mule Deer, oh my! Wildlife is everywhere on Antelope Island! And Buffalo Point Trail is an excellent choice to see it all! Check out ALL of Our Adventures on Antelope Island! Or, better yet, check out Everything We’ve Done in the Gorgeous State of Utah! Looking for travel inspiration for your own vacation planning? Check out our Utah QUIKLISTS! If you need Utah travel books, CLICK HERE, or on any photo below!

The Utah State Park System has a great Junior Ranger Program, just like those in the National Park System, that allows the kids to explore each park, and earn a REAL badge when they complete a book of awesome activities! Antelope Island State Park has a beautiful, state-of-the-art Visitor Center, full of hands-on exhibits and unique learning opportunities. And the park itself is loaded with plants, wildlife, birding, hiking, rock scrambling, and beach exploration along the shores of the Great Salt Lake! After you arrive at Antelope Island State Park, make sure you grab a Junior Ranger Book for each…

If you have seen the movie Dolphin Tale, you will recognize the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as the home of Winter the Dolphin. If you haven’t seen the movie, definitely check it out! Here are some fun shots from our visit to the CMA! We got to hang out with Winter, Panama, and Nicholas! Click on any photo below to learn more about Winter the Dolphin and the movie Dolphin Tale! Be sure to visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium if you are in the Clearwater, Florida area!

Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility displaying props and story boards from the film, Dolphin Tale. (This album is very dark, because of my broken flash; but this museum is too neat not to share!) If you have seen the movie Dolphin Tale, you will recognize the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as the home of Winter the Dolphin. If you haven’t seen the movie, definitely check it out! Winter the Dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Winter the Dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium For all our adventures visiting Winter at the CMA, CLICK HERE! Click on any photo…

Snorkeling in these perfect, warm, crystalline waters was an experience like no other! The kids had a blast splashing, playing, and enjoying the vast marine ecosystems beneath their toes! Hands on Marine Biology, for the win! You CAN bring your own snorkeling gear if you like, or you can use the gear provided by the Yankee Freedom staff!

The first park for the South Florida Junior Ranger Trifecta… Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, Florida and beyond. This NPS unit preserves freshwater wetlands across the Southern tip of Florida, and the important ecosystems that depend on the health of these environments to survive. When coming from the West Coast of Florida, out of Naples, across the Tamiami Trail, and into West Miami, you will traverse the Big Cypress National Preserve. There are two NPS Visitor Centers along that route. We enjoyed exploring the Westernmost facility, the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center. We earned our badges engaging with the…

Every Philadelphia Adventure starts at the Independence Visitor Center at Independence National Historical Park! Here you can catch Museum Exhibits, a Cafe, all kinds of Philly Info, and, of course, everything you need to know about visiting the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall! We started our morning by grabbing breakfast at the cafe, and getting a head start on our Junior Ranger Books! Before we headed over to the Liberty Bell, we spent some time with the main man himself, Benjamin Franklin!

The Birthplace of Jell-O!The Jell-O Museum and Gallery in LeRoy, New York! As unassuming as it might sound, LeRoy New York is the Birthplace of Jell-O! If you have time to swing through this quaint area, you can visit the Historic LeRoy House, as well as the Jell-O Museum and Gallery! We actually had an incredible time here, and really enjoyed both places! The Historic LeRoy House offers an intimate exploration of historical artifacts from the time-period; with plenty of hands-on activities for kids in the basement. Relax and enjoy, while the kids dress up and cook, bake, and clean…

Historic LeRoy House in LeRoy, New York About an hour south of the Niagara Falls Region of New York, you’ll find the quaint little town of LeRoy, New York. As unassuming as it might sound, LeRoy is the home of Jell-O! If you have time to swing through, you can visit the Historic LeRoy House, as well as the Jell-O Museum and Gallery! We actually had a tremendous amount of fun exploring both places. The main levels of the home offer a glimpse into the cultural history of the time and area; and the basement beckons to the younger crowd…

Another fabulous Children’s Museum for your consideration, is the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, one of several fascinating museum units located in the Cincinnati Museum Center. Go for a full day of fun, or stop by to let the kids engage in some open-ended play and creativity after spending the earlier portion of the day learning in the Museum of Natural History & Science or the Cincinnati History Museum. A fully stocked kitchen, grocery store, post office, and more. Ride-on toys, water-play, an art center, trains, dinosaurs, LEGO, and even a full-sized nature-themed indoor climbing structure! Keep the kids engaged in…

One of our all-time favorite museum experiences for kids, is hands-down, the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science. This phenomenal collection of exhibits is just one of the museum units located within the Cincinnati Museum Center Complex at Historic Cincinnati Union Terminal in Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The beautifully preserved old train station houses some of the most interactive environments we have yet to experience. Real live cave and glacier simulations for kids to climb through; amazing geological collections specific to the Southern Ohio area; and even loads of hands-on docent-led activities located all throughout the museum. We learned all…

We’ve never really been much for swimming in the open water. And, on a day like today, February in the Gulf of Mexico, it was a little too cool for bathing suit weather even for people who do enjoy a little salt water swimming. But that doesn’t mean you can’t run, jump, splash, and play the day away in the gentle rolling tides! Nothing says FUN like a soggy, sticky, sandy, salty mess! And Holly Beach was an awesome place to do just that!

Put your little scientists to work at the beach by searching for and collecting fun shells! Grouping, sorting, classifying! Building sand castles and decorating with the finest details! Imagination comes alive with PLAY! And the beach is one of the best places to engage with your natural environment! Talk about the animals that lived in those shells! Think about where they came from and how they got to that very beach! Touch them! Smell them! Admire their colors and textures! The list is endless! Click here, or on any photo, to learn more about shells!

Another GREAT idea for good, old-fashioned fun? BUBBLES! They’re not terribly expensive, or you can even make your own! Throw in a variety of bubble wands, or get creative on trying out different materials that might lead to some pretty unique bubbles! And, then, BLOW! How awesome are these HUGE bubbles floating above the Gulf of Mexico? We had SO much FUN today spending Valentine’s Day on Holly Beach!

Over the years, the types of activities available in conjunction with a visit to the John C. Stennis Space Center have changed. Since the visit you see pictured below, they have now opened the INFINITY Science Center, and have a plethora of indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities available at what used to be the Visitor Center. We have not yet had a chance to explore the new INFINITY Center. If you have, be sure to let us know what you think! It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump off I-10, near the Mississippi / Louisiana state line! A…

In Biology Lab, we have dissected squid and owl pellets. If you are interested in hands on learning, you can order these supplies for your own Homeschool Biology Lab! Individual owl pellets start at just a few bucks. And group sets are an affordable way to get friends and family in on the learning fun! Click on any photo for materials and resources for YOUR Homeschool Biology Lab! Great for in home or co-op use!

When homeschoolers get together, all kinds of learning can happen! Our homeschool co-op classes this semester include Physical Education, LEGO Engineering, Play-Doh Building, World Cultures, Spanish, Dance, Group Games… And just hanging out with our friends!

The best part about the Ringling Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey Circus is the hands-on, interactive PreShow Meet ‘n Greet Experience! Getting to talk to the clowns, dancers, performers, and aerial artists personally; interact with them; try on costumes; play with show props; participate as a volunteer; and see up-close-and-personal performances… All before the actual show even starts! How cool is this! Click on any photo for some Circus Fun Ideas for YOUR Family!