Being on a tight budget doesn’t mean your family can’t go anywhere this summer. You may not know how many cool things there are to see and do on free or low-cost day trips.
If a factory tour isn’t on your list of fun destinations, it should be. A factory is not always huge buildings that take up acres of space, it can be a building of any size where a product is manufactured. Every state has a factory where there is something interesting to see, learn about and, in the right places, delicious samples to eat.
It may seem like most manufactured goods come from another country, but there are literally thousands of factories to tour in the United States. Plumbing, paper, bicycles, cars, farm machinery, maple syrup, food factories, and boats are just the beginning. And if you want to know where things end, visit a recycling plant.
In Wyoming, you will learn how to get electricity from a clean running coal-fired generating station. Or find out how those sultry-smelling candles are made in an Oklahoma factory. It’s fascinating to see various powders and compounds combine to make a vitamin pill or skin cream when you tour a pharmaceutical plant in Wisconsin. Or how food is sealed in a cannery.
Kids are sure to enjoy learning how candy bars, potato chips, or jelly beans are made, considering there are sure to be free samples at the end of the tour. One of my favorite places to go is a cookie factory about 30 miles from my house.
Do a computer search by typing in your status followed by factory tours. If you are near a border state, look in your state as well. Another source of information is the Chamber of Commerce. Ask about lakes and parks where children can play after the tour.
Most factories do not allow people to roam their facilities. Find out about the days and times in which they give tours. It has not been my experience having to pay for a tour of a factory, but there may be cases where there is a fee. Be sure to ask. Also, ask if the tours are on a first come, first serve basis, most of the time that is the case, or if you need to make a reservation.
Since factories usually have a guided tour, either by walking or sitting on an open train, you can find out in advance how long the visit will last. There may be a souvenir shop after the tour where you can stay as long as you like. Decide in advance whether you want to buy something for the kids or avoid it altogether.
On the day of your trip, eat a big breakfast. Pack a picnic basket that includes snacks and drinks. Bring some toys or games for your children to play during the trip. After the tour, go to the park or lake where the kids can play and everyone can enjoy a quiet picnic before heading home.
On the way home, talk about the factory tour and the products they make. Do you use this product at home? If you saw that a vehicle was being built, such as a motorcycle, can you see someone driving one? It’s nice to see how things are done, but you’ll be better remembered if you can relate the product to something in your life.
