Every Monday, I share a family happiness tip — something that works for our family, that you might wish to try with your own.

This week’s tip is: explore the world at every opportunity. When you travel with your kids — whether it’s a day trip or a full-fledged vacation — you can learn so much about the world in terms of history, geography and the diversity of cultures and customs. Use family trips to spark curiosity, conversations and understanding.

One of our favorite places to visit as a family is Washington, DC, and each time we’ve gone, the kids have gotten a deeper, richer education about our country’s founding. Getting an up-close view of American history has inspired spirited family discussions about the Constitution, our government and the political process. Each visit has prompted my boys to research key historical facts, figures and events, and has helped them to further grasp the birth of our nation. By making emotional connections and observations, and asking questions about what they see and hear, learning has come alive for them, far more vibrantly than by listening to a lecture or reading a textbook.

What are some of your family’s favorite educational trips?


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