During the summer months kids have off of school, they can lose a great amount of learned information. And every parent has heard it time and time again about how essential it is to keep their kids’ minds active so they’re not lagging behind at the beginning of the school year. But during these fun, warm months, trying to get your kids to slow down and focus on anything educational can seem daunting and nearly impossible. The trick seems to be finding activities that are not only fun but also educational. The best educational experiences occur when children are so engaged in an activity that they don’t even know they’re learning. Almost every city offers educational fun for the whole family. If you’re able to time it just right, you can find some awesome deals that won’t break the budget, meaning you and the family might even stop for ice cream on the way home.

First, one the best activities, is the zoo. Almost every big city is home to a wonderful zoo. Watch your children be amazed at the sight of many animals they’ve only ever seen on television. Live near San Diego? The San Diego Zoo, one of the most notable in the nation, is infamous for it’s panda and elephant exhibit. It’s one of the few zoos in the world that is home to a giant panda!

Second, the number of children’s museums across the nation is unbelievable. If you’re lucky enough to live near Houston, take a day  trip to the The Children’s Museum of Houston (on Thursday’s, the entrance fee is free from 5 to 8pm). The museum offers several hands-on learning sites such as the TV studio, where your kids learn to work the control panel or show off their news casting skills. Walk over to one of the multicultural exhibits, like the “Yalálag, a Mountain Village in Mexico”, where your kids can learn Spanish words in the village’s schoolhouse.

Finally, any outdoor park can be a great educational opportunity for children of all ages. Whether it is the neighborhood park or a park such as Sacramento’s, Fairytale Town, children can enjoy nature and allow their imaginations to run wild. Fairytale Town offers mini re-creations of fairytales and nursery rhymes. There is a small petting farm, interactive learning gardens, and two theaters. Your child’s imagination will soar and you will be provided with endless hours of entertainment that will surely make your kids want to come back countless times after.