Homeschooling can be a great option for families looking to adapt their child’s educational curriculum to their schedule and needs. And what better way to take advantage of the extra freedom that comes with homeschooling than to take those lesson plans to the beach?
Spending a week on the Outer Banks during the summer is a fun and exciting way to spend that time off from school. But one of the benefits of homeschooling is that you’re not bound by a traditional school calendar meaning that, with the convenience of computers and online learning, you can take your classroom anywhere.
The Outer Banks, with its rich history, rewarding excursions, and spaces beach houses that ensure plenty of study space, as well as space to relax, is an amazing place to experience the joys of learning while still making memories together as a family. And if you’re looking for another reason to stay with Seaside Vacations during your homeschool excursion, in 2011, Seaside Vacations received the Homeschool.com official “Seal of Approval” for homeschooling families vacationing on the Outer Banks! So keep reading for our top seven reasons why you should try spending a week homeschooling from an Outer Banks vacation rental!
1. Hands-On Learning Makes the Best Memories
It’s been shown that when students are learning hands-on, they’re more likely to actually retain the information. There are so many opportunities on the Outer Banks for your children to experience exciting new things, all while exercising their minds and bodies and learning more about the world around them!
Take a trip to the Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo where you can explore American Indian Town, discover the exciting history at the Settlement Site and the Elizabeth II, and play while you learn at the Adventure Museum. And for older kids, be sure to stick around and see the longest-running outdoor drama in America, The Lost Colony, for a glimpse into the English colonization of America that they’ll remember for a lifetime.
And while you’re exploring the southern Outer Banks, you can’t miss the Frisco Native American Museum. Get a first-hand look at important indigenous artifacts and learn about the rich histories of many of the local tribes who called Hatteras Island home long before Sir Walter Raleigh’s venture. You can also take the kiddos for a walk around the museum’s nature trails and pick up something special and unique in the gift shop before heading back to your vacation rental.
2. You Can Trick Your Kids into Learning Something New
One of the best things about the Outer Banks is that science and nature are everywhere you look! It’s so easy to head out and do something fun while learning at the same time. Your kids will be enjoying themselves and they won’t even realize that they’re absorbing information about the world around them.
Head to the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island where the kids can have fun looking for shark teeth in the Fossil Pit before heading inside to learn even more about fossils and the biology of these powerful aquatic creatures that frequent the waters of the Outer Banks. And when it’s time to get some fresh air, why not go to Jockey’s Ridge where you can learn about brackish water ecosystems and aerodynamics before running around the Wright Brothers National Memorial and learning about their first flight?
3. Physical Education is Best Done at the Beach
When it’s time for P.E. class, there are few things better than the chance to get some exercise at the beach! Running on the sand can actually work some extra muscles and help with coordination in ways that running on a track or sidewalk won’t be able to reach. There are plenty of pathways to ride your bike and plenty of creative, out-of-the-box ways for your kiddos to enjoy the great outdoors while working their growing muscles. Why not take a kayak tour as a family or take hang gliding lessons from the top of Jockey’s Ridge? Those Youtube videos are great for breaking up the monotony of a school day and getting your kids moving, but I bet they’d enjoy swimming in the open ocean or building a sandcastle a lot more.
4. Easy for Reward-Based Learning
The perks and excitement of being in a new place with so many new opportunities can actually be a great incentive for getting those more resistant learners to put a little extra effort into their work. After a long day of working hard and getting things done, the Outer Banks offers plenty of awesome ways to reward your student for finishing their work. Head on down to Booty Treats Ice Cream and Shave Ice or Surfin’ Spoon for a sweet frozen reward or head to the movies for some popcorn and snacks for some evening relaxation. Your children will be thrilled to get a tangible reward for doing well in school and you can make sure they don’t fall behind while on vacation! It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
5. Plenty of Space for Added Study Space (and Privacy)
Sometimes, especially for middle school and high school students, it can be really helpful to get a change of scenery when working on a big project or an important paper. Fortunately, Seaside Vacations offers Outer Banks vacation rental homes that will accommodate families of any size. You’re sure to be able to find the perfect vacation rental with lots of space and extra rooms that will give your kids the freedom to do their work while still enjoying the thrill of being in a new space. Many of our homes also offer office spaces and areas especially accustomed for remote work, so it will be easy to go from work to play in no time. Give them space to get their work done in a focused environment so that they can take a dip in the pool or go skimboarding on the beach when they’re done!
6. Works for Students of All Ages
Some vacation spots are great for specific ages but the Outer Banks is a fantastic spot for an education vacation for kids of all ages. From preschoolers to high schoolers, there is so much to do on the Outer Banks and you can easily adapt any vacation itinerary to fit the needs of your family. Most of the attractions on the Outer Banks offer special things to do for younger kids while still giving your older kids lots to learn and do. And when you’re ready for a change of pace, there are plenty of fun things to do like playing put-put or taking a dolphin tour that all your children will be able to enjoy together.
7. Lots of History on the Outer Banks
Lastly, if you’re looking to supplement your social studies curriculum, there is so much history on the Outer Banks. It’s one thing to read about history in a book and another entirely to step out onto the sands where it took place. We already mentioned Roanoke Island Festival Park, but you’ll definitely want to spend some time at Fort Raleigh where your kids can explore the lands where Raleigh’s failed settlement expeditions actually walked while enjoying the awesomein visitors center.
Travel down to Ocracoke where you can learn more about Blackbeard and the history of piracy on the Outer Banks and stop by the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum on Hatteras Island for an insider look at shipwrecks and the history of shipping and trade on these islands. For older kids, be sure to stop by the British Cemetery on Ocracoke Island and the Hatteras Island British Cemetery in Buxton on your way back through for a firsthand look at WWII history on the Outer Banks.
There’s definitely a little bit of something for everyone on the Outer Banks so you can give your homeschoolers the freedom to find what interests them and pursue those passions. Whether they’re fascinated by sea turtle rehabilitation or are more interested in local literature, there’s plenty of ways to keep their minds engaged while enjoying all the benefits of an Outer Banks vacation.
Be sure to check out our Homeschool Outer Banks Trip Planner and take a look at our available vacation rentals. It’s never too late to book an awesome stay that everyone in your family will love. Come learn where the history happened and enjoy a vacation you’ll never forget.
About the Author: Lauren is a mom, author, and travel enthusiast. She grew up on the Outer Banks and only left for a few years to get her degree at UNC-Chapel Hill and complete a tour in the Coast Guard before making her way back to the beach in 2017. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with a book and cup of tea in hand, planning her next travel adventure.
