Don't spend your next school holiday listening to your children cry, "We're bored!" or relying on the TV to fill in the afternoon hours. Introduce them to a place they visit every day, but may not know much about: your hometown.

By getting out of the house and out into their community, you're encouraging your kids to be creative, to explore. "As a rule, kids [today] aren't encouraged to be creative – and they forget how to be," says Stephania Munson-Bishop, a long-time human service professional who publishes the e-zine Tidbits From the Pantry. When they're creative, kids "find an inner self that gives them courage and pride," she says.

Where Are We?
Can your kids find your hometown on a map? Dig out a globe or world map and point to your country, state and town. While you're at it, check out TerraServer USA to see an aerial view of your region. Your children will love trying to find your neighborhood from a bird's eye view. Next, unfold a street map and search for your favorite burger place, Mom's office or the library.

Play Tourist
Does your city have a walking or bus tour? Get the perspective of visitors by jumping aboard the tour and hearing what the guide has to say about your hometown. Pick up postcards on your route and create a scrapbook showcasing the attractions of your area. Stop in a restaurant or bookstore and ask to talk to the owner or manager about what's behind the business: How long has it been there? What type of clients frequent this location? Who is the most famous visitor they've served?

Have a Hometown Hunt
Hand over the reigns to your kids and encourage them to create a hometown scavenger hunt for your family. Ask them to focus on the highlights of your hometown – the historical sites, major attractions or industries – and make sure you end up somewhere that showcases the real benefits of living where you do. For instance, does your town offer a great view of the sunset, a fantastic park or a top-notch ice cream cone? Talk about what you've seen that day while celebrating the jewels of your region.

By learning to explore what your hometown has to offer, your kids will develop a better understanding of why you've chosen to locate your family where you have. When you encourage your children to lead the hometown tour, to dream up a scavenger hunt or to scour the streets for souvenirs, you foster their sense of pride in their hometown and teach them skills they won't necessarily learn by planting themselves in front of the TV. Where better to begin learning than right here in your hometown?

Want to see more?

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• Too Much TV? Setting Limits on Television Viewing
• Lessons From a Locked Car
• Talk about it!