Flat Travelers

My children have enjoyed sending and hosting Flat Travelers. It has been a fun way to learn about the different states and other countries.

One of our travelers, Flat Crystal:



A traveler who came to visit us from the United Kingdom:


You begin by making your "Flat Traveler." Be sure to laminate your traveler for durability when traveling. Also, be sure to include your name and email address or mailing address on the back of your traveler.

Include a travel journal or passport with your traveler. This can provide details about your traveler as well as places for the host family to write about your traveler's visit or stamp your traveler's passport.

Example from "Flat Crystal's" journal:

FLAT CRYSTAL

Date of Birth: December 9

Height: 6 inches

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Pasta

Favorite Thing to Do: Make Snow Angels in the Snow

Favorite Holiday: Crystal LOVES Christmas!

Some families choose to mail actual photographs, some choose to blog photographs online, etc.

When we return a traveler, we always include items from our area. Some examples: postcards, maps, stickers, key chains, brochures, ticket stubs from places we visited, etc.

Also, be sure to set up how long the travelers will be visiting. Two weeks is about right as the kids are anxious to have their travelers return home.

Happy Travels!

Julie




Subscribe: flat_travelers_homeschool-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

From the Yahoo Group:

This idea is based on the book "Flat Stanley".

A Flat Traveler is a person, animal or thing made out of paper. You print or draw your Traveler, laminate it and then mail it along with a blank journal to someone in another area, state or country. The host family treats your Flat Traveler as a guest and takes it places they go. After a short time your Flat Traveler is mailed back to you along with a completed journal and perhaps some photos, postcards and/or souvenirs. You look over your Flat Travelers journey and plot it on a map. Some families keep a scrapbook with all their journals, souvenirs and photos inside.
Some families send out one Flat Traveler and other families send out dozens! You can make this project as simple or as detailed as you like. This is a fun way to learn about geography and history among many other subjects!

This group has been formed to give homeschool families a group of participants to contact world wide. As a member of this group you should be prepared to host Flat Travelers from other families as well.

It is my hope that many friendships will be made through this list. Come join the fun! :)