Fun Activities for Kids in the U.S.
Fun activities for kids in the U.S. abound, especially given the wide range of cultural and geographic differences throughout the country. From the rocky coasts of Washington state to the inspiring history of Washington, D.C., kids and their parents can find fun and create lifetime memories if families are willing to pack up and travel for some unforgettable activities.
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San Juan Islands
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At the absolute Northwest corner of the continental U.S., the San Juan and Vancouver Islands lie off the coast from Seattle. You and your kids can explore these rugged islands by kayak or by tour boat. From either type of vessel, you're likely to see some orca or killer whales. Book a tour that includes exploring opportunities for the kids, while mom and dad enjoy an afternoon at a winery or visiting the galleries or shops that dot some of the larger islands. A whale museum, in which kids can try to piece together a whale skeleton, makes for a fascinating afternoon for the whole family. This is one of those trips where giving a child a camera, even a disposable one from the supermarket, will result in some memorable photos by young photographers trying to capture whales, butterflies or even black bears on film.
Washington D.C.
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Every kid should make the trip to Washington D.C. at least once before they grow up. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, which is free, just like most of the museums and monuments in the nation's capital, can keep a child captivated whether she's into the history of the space program or is fascinated by man's earliest attempts to get off the ground. But don't just steer the kids to the usual landmarks in Washington, D.C. Not far from the Air and Space Museum is the National Museum of the American Indian, which celebrates the many diverse tribes across the U.S. And there will be no secret about how much fun kids can have at the International Spy Museum, also an easy walk from the Air and Space Museum. The Spy Museum has plenty of hands-on exhibits and the gift shop filled with gadgets is a destination all by itself. Use the Metro line to get around and stop by the National Zoo for a memorable encounter with the tigers and pandas there.
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Summer Camps
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Traditional summer camps, where kids hike, paddle a canoe, do arts and crafts, go camping, and learn about life in the wilderness, are as popular today as they have ever been. Every state in the U.S. offers such overnight summer fun. But those camp experiences have been joined by camps that focus on things like the arts, specific sports, computers, theater and adventures like space travel and sailing. Alabama's Space Camp, for example, draws kids in fourth grade through high school from all over the world for a chance to live and train like an astronaut. But book a trip to the Huntsville institution as soon as you decide to take off there, as slots fill up quickly.
Explore Chicago
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For people living outside the Windy City, Chicago is a city that is ripe for exploration. From the Navy Pier, with its landmark Ferris wheel that beckons kids from miles around, to the Field Museum and its famous T. Rex skeleton greeting visitors in the lobby, Chicago has something for every kid's tastes. The American Girl Doll headquarters moved to a five-story location in downtown Chicago and is as fun a mother-daughter outing as you can have, with a cafe that serves bottomless mugs of hot cocoa and an American Girl Broadway-style show. Young sports fans can't do much better than a ballgame at Wrigley Field. And while you're in the city, take a tour through the Chicago River and learn about the city's colorful history and architecture. You'll enjoy the stories and the kids will get a kick out of the boat ride.
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