30 Ways To Celebrate World Tourism Day With Homeschoolers

Let’s Celebrate World Tourism Day!

World Tourism Day is a wonderful opportunity for homeschooling families to explore the world through the lens of travel, culture, and geography. Celebrated annually on September 27th, the day encourages global understanding, cultural exchange, and sustainable travel. It offers endless opportunities to teach children about the broader world and how tourism impacts communities, economies, and the environment.

We have an article with all the details you need to know about World Tourism Day and sample lesson plans that you can read.

Here are 30 fun, creative, and educational activities you can do with homeschoolers to celebrate World Tourism Day (If you would like to learn more about World Tourism Day, read this!):

1. Plan a Virtual World Tour

Explore famous landmarks and cities through virtual tours. From the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China, many sites offer immersive online experiences.

2. Create a World Map

Build a giant world map together and mark countries or cities your family would love to visit. Add fun facts about each location.

3. Passport Creation

Make pretend passports for your children. Each time they “visit” a country (virtually or through activities), they get a stamp or sticker.

4. Learn Basic Phrases in a New Language

Pick a country and learn a few basic phrases in its language, like greetings, numbers, or how to say “thank you.”

5. Try Traditional Recipes

Choose a country and cook one of its traditional dishes as a family. For example, make Trinidadian doubles, Italian pizza, Mexican tacos, or Indian curry.

6. Watch Travel Documentaries

Watch educational travel documentaries that showcase different cultures, landscapes, and historical landmarks. You can find family-friendly options on streaming platforms.

7. Build Landmarks with Blocks or LEGO

Recreate famous landmarks like the Colosseum, Taj Mahal, or Statue of Liberty using building blocks, LEGO, or other creative materials.

8. Geography Bingo

Create a geography-themed bingo game with different countries, capitals, and famous landmarks to help your kids learn in a fun way.

9. Cultural Dress-Up Day

Have a dress-up day where each family member chooses a country and dresses in traditional clothing from that region. You can make simple costumes or use what you have at home.

10. Create a Travel Journal

Encourage your children to make a travel journal where they can draw or write about places they “visit” through books, videos, or discussions.

11. Write Postcards from Around the World

Pretend you’re traveling to different countries and write postcards home describing what you “see” and learn.

12. Visit a Local Museum

If it’s accessible, take a trip to a local museum focused on global cultures, history, or geography.

13. Map Out Family Travels

If your family has traveled before, use a map to trace where you’ve been and share stories from those trips.

14. Explore National Parks

Visit a nearby national park to learn about the beauty of local landscapes and how tourism can protect or harm nature.

15. Role-Play as a Travel Agent

Have your kids pretend to be travel agents, creating itineraries and suggesting places to visit based on what they’ve learned.

16. Research Endangered UNESCO Sites

Learn about UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are endangered by overtourism or climate change, and discuss how we can help protect them.

17. Watch Cultural Performances

Find videos of traditional dances, music, or performances from different cultures. This can be anything from flamenco dancing in Spain to taiko drumming in Japan.

18. Sustainable Travel Talk

Teach kids about sustainable tourism and how we can protect the environment while traveling by reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting local businesses.

19. Collect Travel Brochures

If you can access travel brochures from travel agencies, let your kids explore them to learn about destinations. They can use these brochures for their next role-play as travel agents.

20. Learn About Global Wildlife

Choose a country known for its wildlife (like Kenya for safaris or Australia for kangaroos) and learn about the animals and how tourism impacts them.

21. Visit a Local Cultural Festival

Check out local events celebrating different cultures. Many cities host cultural festivals with food, music, and performances.

22. Plan a Backyard Camping Trip

Create an outdoor adventure at home by setting up a tent in the backyard. Talk about eco-friendly tourism and leave no trace behind!

23. Read Stories from Around the World

Pick up storybooks from different cultures and read them aloud to your children. This helps build an appreciation for global literature.

24. Global Crafts

Create crafts based on different cultures. Make African masks, Japanese origami, or Trinidadian or Brazilian carnival masks to explore the art of various regions.

25. Virtual Zoo Tour

Take a virtual tour of famous zoos around the world and learn about different animals and conservation efforts.

26. Explore Famous Bridges

Study famous bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge in the U.S., Tower Bridge in London, or Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia, and discuss their importance in connecting cities and cultures.

27. Time Zone Activity

Teach children about different time zones around the world. Discuss how people in various countries are waking up, eating dinner, or going to bed at different times.

28. Learn About World Currencies

Explore the world of currencies. Let kids research or pretend to exchange money from one country to another, using play money or printouts.

29. Design a Tourism Poster

Have your kids design a tourism poster or brochure for a dream destination. They can include facts about the place, why people should visit, and sustainable travel tips.

30. Discuss the Impact of Global Events on Travel

Teach children about how global events, like pandemics, affect tourism and how destinations are recovering. You can also discuss the importance of safety and health measures when traveling.

By engaging in these activities, homeschooling families can make World Tourism Day an exciting learning experience. Each activity promotes curiosity about the world, fosters appreciation for diverse cultures, and teaches children about the importance of responsible tourism. Whether virtually or in your local area, you can celebrate the spirit of travel while building global awareness and understanding in your homeschool lessons.

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