Kids are always fascinated when money is coined and printed. The US Mint offers tours in Washington, D.C. and Denver, CO. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints paper money and provides tours in Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas.
At the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Manteo, Norh Carolina, you and the kids can stand in the exact spot where Orville and Wilbur first flew, see full-scale reproductions of their 1902 glider and 1903 flier, and learn about the brothers through exhibitions, films, and other programs. Want more? See the original 1903 flier—and thousands of other historic artifacts—at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Come to the Hollywood Walk of Fame but come prepared: The site of the Walk, Hollywood Boulevard, stretches longer than a mile and contains more than 2,000 stars. Our recommended stops include Lassie (6368 Hollywood Blvd.), Kermit the Frog (6801), Winnie the Pooh (6834), Snow White (6910), Mickey Mouse (6925), Godzilla (6925), Bill Cosby (6930), Tom Hanks (7000), Bugs Bunny (7007), Johnny Depp (7018), Walt Disney (7021), the Simpsons (7021), and Big Bird (7021).
Pick a selection of objects that represent this specific moment: today's newspaper, a mix CD of music, this weeks TV Guide, your last grocery receipt, a stamp, an amazon.com printout of the top-selling toys, a magazine with photos of the latest fashions, and the like. Then write a note to your future selves describing what everyone likes to do and their plans for the future. Finally, make a prediction about what things will be like in 10 years hence.
The slapstick hijinks of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton will keep your youngsters in stitches. Best of all, you don't have to worry about them picking up inappropriate language or repeating catchphrases. Staret with classics - City Lights, The General, For Heaven's Sake - or skip straight to the good parts with The First Kings of Comedy DVD.
Bringing your children into the voting booth with you serves as a great lesson in democracy - and may inspire them one day to reach for the White House. Discuss using age appropriate dialog the pros and cons of various issues and let your children decide what they believe is right or wrong.
