Ready For An Adventure???

Homeschool discount tickets are available for Adventureland Park in Des Moines, Iowa . Read my Examiner article http://http://www.examiner.com/x-5395-Omaha-Homeschooling-Issues-Examiner~y2009m4d2-Homeschool-discount-tickets-to-Adventureland-Park-available

I am considering taking the kids on an adventure to Des Moines. A theme park sounds great and Des Moines also has a water park, zoo, miniature golf and the National Balloon Museum. Sounds interesting!

Sure, it isn't a Disney vacation but with the recession maybe it is a good thing to show the kids how to have fun on a budget and stay somewhat closer to home than Florida or California.

The Great Indoors

Although I love fall and walking in the crisp autumn air is energizing it is getting too chilly to spend lengthy periods of time outside. This is a great time to look at your community to see what it has to offer for indoor opportunities. Eastern Nebraska is brimming with wonderful museums.

The Joslyn Art Museum has a children's area as well as terrific backpacks to check out. We had a great time with it. Ours was specific to the Impressionists gallery. My kids loved it and bringing art to their level helped make it so much more meaningful to them.

We purchased a Home Educators membership from the Durham Museum. They asked for something that identified me as a home educator. I simply replied '' these are my children, I am their teacher''. That was sufficient for them. The Durham also offers home school educational events at the museum. The latest session we attended was $6.00 per child. As a member/chaperon my admission was free. The session explored Laura Ingalls Wilder, pioneer life and included a craft. It was a terrific learning experience. My daughter is currently reading Little House on the Prairie so she was especially enthralled with it.

Fontanel Forest also has backpacks for children to check out and currently has a designated play area ''Acorn Acres''. The leaves are beautiful this time of year so it is a great time to go for a hike there before it begins to snow.

The Strategic Air Command museum is a bit further away but well worth the 20 minute drive. To see the many aircraft up close is exciting for every age. The SAC also has temporary exhibits that are always interesting. The flight simulator is always a must when we go. My son especially enjoys the in flight sensation.

We have so many more museums and local historic sites to visit. I am sure we will have plenty to keep us busy this winter inside and out of the snow.