Planning A Trip to South Dakota: Ulitmate Family Travel

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image of South Dakota tourist attractions with text overlay from captivatingcompass.com

Planning A Trip to South Dakota: Ulitmate Family Travel

South Dakota with kids and teens is bursting with exciting family fun. There is so much interesting history, art and culture to be found in the US state known for Mt. Rushmore. Let the landscape, culture, and richness of South Dakota inspire you as you start planning a rip to South Dakota with kids and teens.

Your family will be captivated by all of the history and exciting places to explore and learn about in South Dakota. These South Dakota family travel destinations are great places to add to an exciting family travel itinerary as you explore South Dakota. If you want to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in South Dakota with kids and teens.

Planning A South Dakota Trip: Ulitmate Family Road Trip!

Are ready to let your family experience everything South Dakota has to offer? If that’s the case, then a South Dakota with kids & teens road trip is the perfect way to use the world as your classroom. Road-tripping allows you to explore and experience a place just like the locals. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS); you can wander wherever you like. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.

In our family, road-tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of South Dakota. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in South Dakota!

Historical Sites, State & National Parks in South Dakota

South Dakota’s Museums & Galleries

Don’t Miss these! Gardens, Zoo & Aquariums in SD

  • Reptile Gardens: Wild animal park in Rapid City, South Dakota.
  • Bear Country USA: Drive-through wildlife park in Rapid City, South Dakota.
  • Great Plains Zoo: Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (You’re sure to see a few prairie dogs and bighorn sheep here if you don’t see them elsewhere).

South Dakota – Add These To Your Itinerary

South Dakota offers so many exciting things to do that make it a great place to visit. Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures throughout the state. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? One of the best things to do is to add a few online resources that are available at many of the museum and park visitor center facilities so you can keep learning about South Dakota.

South Dakota Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning

Make the most of learning about South Dakota by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the South Dakota State Study pack into your pre -and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.

South Dakota – Use The World As Your Classroom

The South Dakota State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about South Dakota at home (virtually) or on the road.

Learn About South Dakota’s Famous People

  • Charles Badger Clark, Jr. – Poet
  • Mary C. Collins  – Missionary
  • Crazy Horse – Naive American Tribal Leader 
  • Sitting Bull – Native American Tribal Leader 
  • Spotted Tail (Sinte Gleska) – Native American Leader 
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder – Writer 
  • Rain-in-the-Face Hunkpapa – Native American Tribal Leader
  • Red Cloud – Native American Tribal Leader 

Learn About South Dakota’s Famous Landmarks:

  • Badlands National Park – Drive the Badlands Loop for rock formations. Nothing mesmerizes as much as the Black Hills of South Dakota
  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
  • Wind Cave National Park 
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial – the perfect place to learn about Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln

You’ll want to ensure you add the Iron Mountain Road visitors center to your South Dakota itinerary.  It’s the perfect place to learn on location – even from the parking lot while you plan your activities on this scenic route.  While you are planning the ultimate family ti[ itinerary for the best time for your homeschool family to learn on location, it’s the perfect time to add some unit study learning. You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 4th grade to 12th grade.

The South Dakota State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.

Planning A Trip to South Dakota – Use a Unit Study

The South Dakota State Study pack makes it easy for your family to plan a South Dakota family vacation and have fun learning about South Dakota at home (virtually) or on the road. A downloadable pdf unit study is the perfect way to enjoy some of the most scenic drives and learn about your favorite historical landmark, Native American culture, and American history as part of your  South Dakota road trip itinerary. Enjoy the beautiful views, the hot springs, and learning as a family – all at the same time. The South Dakota Unit study will help each family member find a favorite thing they want to learn about. It’s a great option for upper elementary through high school-aged students.

Learn About South Dakota’s Famous People

  • Charles Badger Clark, Jr. – Poet
  • Mary C. Collins  – Missionary
  • Crazy Horse – Naive American Tribal Leader 
  • Sitting Bull – Native American Tribal Leader 
  • Spotted Tail (Sinte Gleska) – Native American Leader 
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder – Writer 
  • Rain-in-the-Face Hunkpapa – Native American Tribal Leader
  • Red Cloud – Native American Tribal Leader 

Learn About South Dakota’s Famous Landmarks:

  • Badlands National Park
  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
  • Wind Cave National Park 
  • Mount Rushmore

You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 4th grade to 12th grade.

The South Dakota State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.

All Your Questions about Planning a Trip to South Dakota answered

What are the best things to do in South Dakota with kids?

South Dakota is a great place to visit with kids of all ages. As mentioned in this post, here are a few of the most popular attractions:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial: This iconic monument is a must-see for any visitor to South Dakota. Kids will love learning about the history of the monument and seeing the four presidents carved into the mountainside.
Badlands National Park: This otherworldly park is home to dramatic landscapes, towering spires, and unique wildlife. Kids can go hiking, biking, or camping in the park, or take a guided ranger tour to learn more about its geology and history.
Custer State Park: This park is home to a variety of animals, including bison, burros, and pronghorn antelope. Kids can also go swimming, fishing, or hiking in the park.
Wind Cave National Park: This park is home to a vast cave system with boxwork formations, sparkling crystals, and even a few fossils. Kids can take a guided tour of the cave or explore it on their own.
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs: This site is home to the largest collection of mammoth fossils in the world. Kids can learn about these prehistoric creatures and see where their bones were discovered.
In addition to these attractions, there are many other things to do in South Dakota with kids, such as visiting museums, going to amusement parks, and attending rodeos.

What time of year is best to visit South Dakota with kids?

The best time of year to visit South Dakota with kids is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and there are many activities and events available. However, South Dakota is a beautiful state to visit year-round, and each season has its own unique offerings.

What are some budget-friendly activities in South Dakota for families?

Visit state parks and national monuments. Many of South Dakota’s state parks and national monuments offer free admission or have low admission fees.
Go hiking or biking. South Dakota has many scenic hiking and biking trails, most of which are free to use.
Visit museums. Many of South Dakota’s museums offer free or discounted admission on certain days of the week or for children.
Attend a free event. There are many free events held in South Dakota throughout the year, such as festivals, concerts, and sporting events.
Pack your own lunch and snacks. Eating out can be expensive, so save money by packing your own food.

Are the homeschool resources for learning about South Dakota?

Yes! There is the South Dakota State Study pack, It includes, literature resources, history& geography, and more about South Dakota. Homeschool, travel, and learn during your visit to South Dakota.

With a little planning, it’s easy to have a fun and affordable family vacation in South Dakota.

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Use The World As Your Classroom

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