admin | 
05 28th, 2009| 
-
- Legoland Entrance
-
- “Mini Town” at Legoland
-
- Shamu Show at Sea World
-
- Sea World Turtles
Many families take a summer vacation. We decided to go early before the crowds of summer hit. Our boys have wanted to go to Legoland for some time, so we headed to San Diego for a few days.
As soon as we arrived, we went to the beach for some fun in the sand and waves. Although, the water was cold, the kids did not want to leave. It was great to show them the old pier and explain how things might have looked years ago.
The boys have always loved building with Legos and we encourage it because studies show children who play with Legos have higher mathematical abilities in later school years.
So the next day we went to Legoland. Legoland is a perfect place for families with preschool aged children and young elementary aged children. The staff was exceptionally friendly, wishing us a good day after every encounter. They let you bring in your own food and drinks which helps save on the overall cost of the trip. And you will need the extra money you save on lunch because your kids will want to visit the store which is stocked with every Lego set imaginable.
Of course there were characters throughout the park constructed of Legos along with many rides. But the most intriguing area was Miniland. Several US cities were replicated with Legos. From Washington D.C. to New York City to San Francisco–it was amazing. We were able to share with our boys the historical significance of each area. There is also a block of fame with busts of famous historical figures. The kids had fun identifying the people and learning more about them.
The next day we went to Sea World. Sea World was much more crowded than Legoland and they checked bags to make sure food was not brought into the park. But what a great place to educate your youngsters on water creatures! We saw the typical whale and dolphin shows but learned much more from the exhibits. The penguin exhibit was like visiting the Arctic Circle while the tide pool area offered hands on learning for the kids.
The last day was the least interesting day to me but the hubby and boys loved it. We went to the USS Midway Museum. It is a tour of an aircraft carrier. We got to crawl through all levels of the ship. Some areas we got to see included the engine room, admiral quarters and mess hall. On the flight deck, there are several aircraft including the F/A -18 Hornet and WWII aircraft.
The tour is mostly self-guided with audio accompaniment but they do not let kids under 6 have an audio set. We shared with our youngest son and later a sympathetic employee gave him one to use. The exception is the guided tour on the bridge. Here there are volunteers that lead you up the steep ladders to the ships controls informing visitors along the way.
In general, I wouldn’t recommend this tour to toddlers or younger preschoolers because of steep steps throughout as well as tight areas to maneuver through. But there is so much to learn aboard this carrier and it will appeal to kids who have an interest in the military.
