Week5 trip

There Is Nothing Like A Great Trip To Learn!

September 26, 2025 /

🌍Explore Portugal while homeschooling

I am so excited because it is time for our great trip! Yes, because we homeschool we get to enjoy off-season travel. And guess what? We have settled on Portugal!!! So Week 5 of learning is going to look a little different. I want to blend Portugal, September, and the changing seasons as much as I can while we spend 10 days in Portugal. I’ll be posting all the amazing discoveries in Lisbon and nearby beaches. Hopefully, the weather stays beautiful.
But without further ado, here’s our Week 5 curriculum planning: geography about Portugal, culture in Lisbon, hands-on maths & science, plus continuing observations of Irish autumn in Cavan. We have captured the weather in 4 different areas of the world this past week and we will be graphing it all using excel at the weekend, I hope to be able to share this with you as soon as possible.

🗓 Our Day-by-Day Homeschool Plan

Here’s how each day might go. You can adjust depending on energy, weather, and travel plans.

DayActivities
Day 1 – Arrival & Geography of Portugal
  • Learn where Portugal sits: Iberian Peninsula, Atlantic coastline, rivers like the Tagus, climate zones (north, south, Azores & Madeira). Kids World Travel Guide | Ducksters | Kiddle
  • Map work: label Portugal, Spain border, Lisbon, and the Atlantic coast.
  • Find the hotel: use maps to plan 2 routes from airport to hotel (public transport vs private like Uber). Note timings, stops, and type findings into a Word doc.
  • Evening: cultural walk — look for azulejos (Portuguese tiles) and take photos around Lisbon.
Day 2 – Lisbon Highlights & Culture
  • Visit the Castle of São Jorge, explore Alfama district (old walls, fado music, street tiles).
  • Visit the Science Museum.
  • Evening writing/drawing: short travel journal entry about sights, smells, and tastes in Lisbon.
  • Maths: estimate walking distances between landmarks; convert km to m; practise proportions.
Day 3 – Nature & Science Near the Coast
  • Explore Lisbon Port: observe marine life, shells, and coastal ecosystems.
  • Marine biology: compare common species along Portuguese and Irish coasts.
  • Science experiment: test seawater for salinity/pH; try salt crystallisation.
  • Observation: sea breeze, weather patterns; compare Lisbon’s September climate with Cavan’s.
Days 4–6 – Mathematics & Hands-On Learning
  • Market visit: buy a small item in euros, calculate change.
  • Geometry: explore shapes, patterns, and symmetry in azulejos and architecture.
  • Math games: focus on measurement and distance while moving to Santa Barbara, Lourinha.
  • Quiet time: magazines and comic books for relaxation.
Days 7–9 – Culture + Return to Irish Autumn Observations
  • Continue journaling: “What autumn looks like in Cavan” (photos/videos of weather, leaves, animals, light).
  • Science: compare daylight and shadows between Lisbon and Cavan. Experiment with how light changes during September.

🎯 Ongoing Autumn in County Cavan

While we are away, we won’t forget home. Here’s what we’ll keep observing & planning:

  • Continue comparing weather: Lisbon’s warmth vs Irish autumn. Note evenings, mornings, rainfall.
  • Observe autumn leaves, colours, wildlife back in Cavan (or through photos/videos).

I wanted this post to be shorter as it is Friday and so really like the idea to share the next week’s planner earlier this time and I have given the kids a bit of a free afternoon so they can help me packing, I also showed them how to check-in online and looked at the airline rules. We will be flying with Aerlingus with no luggage so just a 10kg checked in for each (we are 5 but opted for only 4, one will be a bit emptier in case we find nice souvenirs to bring) and expect to be very tired on arrival but nothing will stop us from discovering Lisbon in the afternoon! Parents will be dosing on coffee and kids probably sugar but it will be a very merry time. We booked a nice unusual hotel but I will give you all the details when back so you all can have the real review.

The Planner can be found here: Week 5 Parents Planner I hope you enjoy this twist

🇵🇹 Why Portugal Is a Great Destination for Kids in September

Portugal is a wonderful family destination, especially in September when the summer crowds have faded but the weather is still warm and welcoming. Kids can explore Lisbon’s castles, ride trams through cobbled streets, and marvel at colourful azulejos (tiles) while soaking up centuries of history. The food is a learning experience too—tasting fresh seafood, custard tarts (pastéis de nata), and local fruits introduces children to a new culture through flavour. With sunny beaches along the Atlantic, interactive museums, and a slower pace perfect for families, Portugal combines education, adventure, and fun—making it an unforgettable classroom without walls.