Save at the Pump with Close-to-Home Vacation Destinations
THE WOODLANDS, TX – June 27, 2011 – If rising gas prices and long airport lines are putting a damper on plans for a summer getaway, The Woodlands LearningRx offers several ideas that make close-to-home spots perfect for a staycation.
Kim Bellini, owner and director of The Woodlands LearningRx, said summertime provides an opportunity to explore your own backyard.
Bellini suggests that parents find some daytrip destinations where kids can enjoy some informal learning and stretch their minds through play and discovery.
“The best thing you can do to help your children build cognitive skills is to read with them,” Bellini said. “So why not turn your local library into a summer vacation hot spot?”
Bellini said the library is not only an affordable source for summer reading, music and movies – there are also several fun and free events that take place year round.
Bellini also recommends checking out the Houston Fire Museum and the Children’s Museum of Houston, as well as the Museum of Natural Science and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
If Houston is too far away, Bellini suggests visiting The Woodlands Children’s Museum in Panther Creek Shopping center. “The Woodlands Children’s Museum offers several fun summer programs, and their calendar is always full of events and activities,” Bellini said.
Bellini adds that camping in a nearby state or national park or even your own backyard can be a great outdoor learning adventure. Parents can teach their children how to identify the stars at night and trees and spot birds and other wildlife during the day. She suggests visiting the National Wildlife Federation's “Great American Backyard Campout” website for a list of camping games, crafts and wildlife-watching tips that make a campout educational http://online.nwf.org/site/PageNavigator/gabc_why_landing .
Bellini stressed that parents make an effort to keep their children’s brains active over the break from school.
“Teachers typically spend four to six weeks in the fall re-teaching what students have forgotten due to the ‘summer slide,’” she said. “That’s why it’s important that parents put a plan together that can help kids strengthen cognitive skills over the summer.”
The Woodlands LearningRx is located at 4840 West Panther Creek, Suite 205 in The Woodlands. Trainers work with students of all ages to enhance their ability to learn, read and succeed at a broad range of academic and work-related challenges. The center also offers programs for adults and seniors who want to improve their cognitive skills. To learn more about The Woodlands LearningRx, call (832) 482- 3082 or visit www.learningrx.
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or in your own backyard, the Independence Day festivities are on. Traditionally, we hang our red, white and blue, invite family and friends over, and have a barbecue or picnic. Patch asked around town, and we dish out some great menu ideas the kids

Bellini adds that camping in a nearby state or national park or even your own backyard can be a great outdoor learning adventure. Parents can teach their children how to identify the stars at night and trees and spot birds and other wildlife during the
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. A hanging or free standing hammock compliments backyard designs, decorating and landscaping ideas, creating a place where you want to spend much of your time in summer.
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