Homeschooling on the Go: Tips for Learning While Traveling
One of the things I love most about homeschooling is how flexible it can be. We don’t have to be tied to a desk or a strict schedule—in fact, some of our best learning moments happen while we’re out exploring the world! Over the past year, we’ve done more traveling than ever, and each trip has given us the chance to learn in ways we never could at home.
If you're new to the idea of homeschooling while traveling, don't worry—it's easier than you might think! Here are my tried-and-true tips for making the most out of education on the go.
Tip #1: Pack Educational Activity Kits 🎒
Whenever we’re getting ready for a trip, one of the first things I do is create fun, travel-friendly activity packs for the kids. Back in April, we took a trip during the solar eclipse, and I made an entire activity kit centered around it. My kids were so excited to learn about eclipses, and it gave them something engaging to do during downtime (like long car rides or waiting in line).
I love using these kits as a way to reinforce learning, especially when we’re on the go. Whether it's a nature scavenger hunt for a road trip or an eclipse-themed pack for a space-related adventure, it keeps their curiosity alive and learning ongoing.
Here’s what I included in our solar eclipse activity pack:
A mini book on how eclipses work (with fun illustrations!)
Coloring sheets of the sun, moon, and stars
A simple science experiment using flashlights to simulate an eclipse
Journaling prompts to record their thoughts and observations
Tip #2: Turn Your Surroundings Into a Classroom 🌍
One of the best things about homeschooling is that you don’t need a traditional classroom to teach valuable lessons. Wherever we go, we try to find ways to make the environment educational. For example:
At Disney: My daughter’s questions about the rides led to some impromptu lessons about engineering and design. It’s amazing how much Disney can offer in terms of educational experiences (Epcot is great for that, by the way!).
At National Parks: We use hikes as opportunities to talk about geography, biology, and environmental conservation.
At Historical Sites: Visiting historical landmarks opens the door to discussions about history and culture in a way that textbooks just can’t match.
Travel itself is full of teachable moments, from geography lessons about where you’re going to practical skills like map reading and budgeting for the trip. It's all learning, and the best part? The kids don’t even realize it’s "school"!
Tip #3: Stay Flexible and Have Fun 🎉
As much as I love a good plan, traveling with kids (and homeschooling on the go) requires flexibility. Some days we stick to our activity kits or lessons, but other days, we just go with the flow. If the kids are more interested in climbing rocks than finishing their workbook, that’s okay. Learning happens in different ways, and I’ve found that being flexible allows us to make the most of every adventure.
What flexibility looks like for us:
If we’re at a theme park or a new city, we focus on exploring and experiencing.
On travel days (like long car rides or flights), we’ll pull out the activity packs and squeeze in some low-pressure learning.
If the kids are really into a particular topic they’ve seen on the trip, we’ll go down the rabbit hole and research more when we get back home.
Ready to Start Homeschooling on the Go? 🛫
Homeschooling while traveling has been such a rewarding experience for our family. It turns every trip into an opportunity to learn, explore, and bond. If you’re thinking about incorporating travel into your homeschool routine, don’t be afraid to dive in!
Final Thoughts:
Homeschooling doesn’t have to stop when you’re traveling—if anything, it’s the perfect opportunity to show your kids that learning is all around them. Whether you're taking a trip to Disney or exploring new places, remember that the journey itself is a classroom. 🌍
So, the next time you pack for a trip, don’t forget to include a few learning activities to keep the education going!
Let’s make every trip a learning experience!
