Many families dream of spending part of their summer vacation traveling to places far and near. Whether your family makes traveling a reality this summer or simply dreams about it, you can pretend to be a travel agent with your child.

This activity incorporates a number of skills, including researching, writing and reading comprehension. It reinforces map skills and can broaden your child's knowledge of history. Your child will get to practice math by budgeting and measuring distance and time. He'll even get a chance to practice his technology and artistic skills.

Here is what your child can do:

• Go to travel agencies and get travel brochures and/or search the Internet for exciting places for your family to visit.
• Decide where you'd like to travel, domestic or international. Research fun places and choose one.
• Map out the best way to travel, by car, plane or boat.
• Find out how far it is and how long it would take to get there. What routes would you take? Map it out.
• Where will you stay? Hotel, cabin, tent, resort, house or villa?
• What will you do when you get to your destination? What activities do mom/dad want to do? What fun stuff would kids want to do? What about the grandparents? (if traveling with you)
• Create an itinerary. When are you leaving and returning? What will you do first, next?
• What will you need to take on the trip? Plan for the weather!
• Decide how much money you can spend. Create a budget that includes the cost of:
• Travel/transportation
• Lodging
• Eating
• Entertainment
• Does your budget cover every activity the family wants to do?
• Where can you cut costs to make the money go further?
• You can even create your own travel brochure.
• Plan trips for other family members, friends, and neighbors, too.

Enjoy your trip, whether it's real or virtual!

Tonya Breland won the Milken Foundation National Educator Award and is currently an interim vice principal in New Jersey.

Updated May 2008