Bringing History to Life: Our Homeschool Trip to Washington, D.C.

When we decided to homeschool our children, I knew I wanted their education to be rich—not just filled with textbooks and worksheets, but full of life and wonder. I wanted my girls to learn with all of their senses. If we were reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we’d taste Turkish delight. If we studied the Middle Ages, we’d don costumes and attend a renaissance festival (which has since become a beloved annual tradition!). We’ve watched battle reenactments, toured colonial homes, explored museums, and climbed lighthouses—all in the name of learning.

 

I believe education should be immersive, memorable, and rooted in experience. So when my girls began studying constitutional government and early American history this year, I knew exactly where we needed to go: Washington, D.C.

Planning an Educational (and Fun!) Family Trip

As our trip approached, I poured myself into research to create an itinerary that was both educational and enjoyable. Washington, D.C. is overflowing with things to see and do, and we knew we couldn’t fit it all in—so we organized our visit around early American history.

Our itinerary included:

• The U.S. Capitol Building

• The White House

• The Library of Congress

• The National Archives (where we saw the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence—so moving!)

• A selection of Smithsonian Museums (seeing the actual Star-Spangled Banner was a highlight)

• The major monuments and memorials around the National Mall

• A day trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate

We plan to return in a few years to explore the Holocaust Museum and the rest of the Smithsonian museums we didn’t get to this time.

One particularly emotional moment was standing in the National Archives on June 14th—250 years to the day since George Washington formed the Continental Army. Being there during the U.S. Army’s birthday celebration brought history alive in the most moving way. It wasn’t just learning—it was experiencingAmerican pride.

Travel Tips and Highlights

We stayed just a few blocks from the National Mall, which gave us easy access to most sites. One of the best decisions we made? Renting scooters! It made getting around fun for the kids and gave us a unique way to take in the city. If you ask my girls what their favorite part of the trip was, they’ll probably say “the scooters,” without hesitation.

Another unexpected treat—we were just down the street from Ford’s Theatre! Walking past places like that in your daily stroll makes history feel immediate and real.

A Resource for Fellow Homeschool Families

Before our trip, I created a D.C. Study Packet for my girls to use. It includes:

• A narrative history of Washington, D.C. that’s easy for kids to read

• An overview of the U.S. government and Constitution

• Stories behind the monuments and memorials

• A mini lesson on Mount Vernon

• Worksheets and activities to reinforce what they learned

If you’re planning your own trip—or just want to bring D.C. history into your homeschool—I’ve made the study packet available in my shop. It’s a great way to prepare your kids for what they’ll see and help them remember what they’ve learned.

This trip was such a gift. It reminded me why we homeschool—to build lasting memories, to connect with each other, and to nurture a lifelong love of learning. I hope our adventure inspires you to bring history to life in your own family, wherever the road may lead.