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Ideas for Fun Adventure Family Vacations to Take Your Kids On

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Ideas for Fun Adventure Family Vacations to Take Your Kids On
Photo by Wyldh20.com

Ideas for Fun Adventure Family Vacations to Take Your Kids On

By Christy Tanner


Sometimes when we plan our family vacation we want to do something completely different from other vacations. I have researched a few vacations that are unique, but also fun. So include that fun factor with your decision and it will make for a memorable family vacation.

First, if you like Tropical Islands and relaxation, a few ideas you might want to consider are:

Cruising Around the Barrier Islands

Cruising Around the Barrier Islands

How about a day of shelling on deserted beaches, or perhaps swimming in emerald green water, or even fishing under the stars relaxing at night? If these ideas sound like fun to you, then try these islands out … Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva and Cavo Costa which are all off the Southwest Florida coast. This could make for a memorable time for you and your family. You will create new memories with your family in this once in a lifetime vacation that your kids will always remember.

Kelsey Family Dude Ranch in Montana

Kelsey Family Dude Ranch

How about you and your family roughing it out while you leave the rest of the world behind. Leave all of your computers, tvs, radios, cell phones, and PDAs behind. Check out the Kelsey family dude ranch. This unique ranch offers a family oriented and authentic dude ranch experience for families. You might even want to consider holding a family reunion here for an experience that is easier (no one is stuck doing the cooking or cleaning) and memorable. Daily ranch activities include the ever popular horseback riding, weekly gymkhanas, even an all day ride with a tent packed for an overnight trip.

Blacktail Mountains In Montana

cave school - Blacktail Mountains

A great mountain range to check out is the Blacktail Mountains. This is part of an 8,000 acre jewel with unique activities for your entire family. This working guest ranch offers horseback riding, bird watching, mountain bike riding, cave school, and more for all family members. Go to the Blacktail Mountains and find out what many families have already discovered…that the Blacktail Mountains is the prettiest place in the world hands down. Try out the BlackTail Ranch.

The Amazons

The Amazons

The Amazons


Another unique and great adventure to take your family on is the Amazons. There are three accommodations that are still unspoiled. Each location offers a different experience and the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Amazon. The three locations are Jungle Lodge, River Lodge, and Jungle Camp. Any of the choices will leave you happy.

Grider Hill in Kentucky

Grider Hills Lake

A great lake to check out on vacation is Grider Hill. Grider Hill is a 50,000-acre lake that stretches across 100 miles. The water shimmers as you look out onto it and the shoreline is huge. In fact, to see the whole lake you would need to travel 1,225 miles by boat. Along the shore you will witness the foothills of the Cumberland towers, and the foliage is of hardwoods, hemlock, cedars, and pines. Visit Grider Hills Lake Dock.

White Sands Cove

White Sands Cove

For a perfect beach setting in a tropical surrounding, check out White Sands Cove in the Caribbean. There are fresh pools, island spas, a dive shop and so much more to experience.

F5 Tornado Chasing Safaris

F5 Tornado Chasing Safaris

A very unique and fun adventure is the F5 Tornado Chasing Safaris. F5 tornados will bring you face to face with the most severe weather in the world. F5 tornados separate themselves from the competition by limiting tours to a maximum of two suburban, and only four people per vehicle. Talk about an adrenaline rush for your family!

Plummer’s Arctic Lodges

Plummer’s Arctic Lodges

The best fishing around goes to Plummer’s Arctic Lodges. In the morning you are given a hot breakfast and a nice pot of coffee, and then your guide is waiting for you after you are done eating. They take you out for some great fishing.

Bar W in Montana

Bar W

To find out what you can do this summer or winter time, check out the Bar W in Montana. The countryside will swallow you in beautiful scenery, fresh air, and a life free of laptops, phone, and faxes. You will also find horses, cattle, mountains, and green grass.  Activities include Winter Horseback Riding, Snowshoeing/Hiking, Ice Fishin, Ice Skating, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Sleigh Ride Dinners, Square Dances, as well as a kids club.

Rock Springs in Florida

Rock Springs in Florida

How does a horse adventure sound to you? This family vacation idea includes Horses and people together in a great adventure. Check out Rock Springs and their activity programs. At the ranch, children will make new friends, and you have the great pleasure of knowing that the kids have experienced one of the best vacations of their life. Check out Rock Springs Riding Ranch and Stables.

Greenhorn Creek in Quincy, California

Greenhorn Creek

How about try out a family adventure of a lifetime in Greenhorn Creek. This family vacation is supposed to be one of the best-in-the-west riding, lakes, and streams vacations ever. Plus there are acres of national forest and mountains, a wonderful down home hospitality, barbecues, hayrides, meals, and a great place to sleep. Greenhorn Creek will change your life.

Dale Hollow Lake at Sulphur Creek Resort in Kentucky

Dale Hollow Lake at Sulphur Creek Resort in Kentucky

Another family adventure vacation idea is to visit the Dale Hollow Lake’s Complete Vacation Center, which you can experience while at the Sulphur Creek Resort. You can rent deluxe houseboats, and luxury cabins for a great time.

Lake Cumberland in Kentucky

Lake Cumberland

On this family adventure vacation you will have the chance to captain your own houseboat. Explore the wonderful Lake Cumberland, which we’ve talked about in another fun vacation for families. If you are interested in this vacation, visit the state dock marina services for more information.

Tsylos Park Lodge in Chilko Lake, BC Canada

Tsylos Park Lodge in Chilko Lake, BC Canada

If your family enjoys fishing together then consider a fly fishing vacation for the family by going to Tsylos Park Lodge which is a vacation primarily for fly fishing enthusiasts. You will fish on the Chilko water system which is full of Rainbow Trout as well as other fish.

Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands

Finally the ultimate vacation that I would love to go and see is a visit to the Galapagos Islands. You can see the wildlife and enjoy hikes, kayaking, rafting, canoing and fishing. There are five islands to visit. Like I said I think this would be the greatest vacation possible.

It’s strictly up to you and your family when deciding what and where you want to go. Make it a decision made by all and everyone will enjoying it that much more.

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Posted in Adventure Travel Ideas, Family Travel Ideas for Vacation, Family Travels, Lists, Memorable Trips, Travel with Kids, Traveling with Kids | 1 Comment »

Family Vacations and Handling Stress When Traveling with Kids Better

Friday, August 1st, 2008

Family Vacations and Handling Stress When Traveling with Kids Better

Family Vacations and Handling Stress When Traveling with Kids Better

 

Yes family vacations are suppose to be fun and stress free, but they rarely work out to be that way. The kids argue amongst themselves or don’t pay attention to what you tell them to do, and even you and your spouse get into those little fights. You know the ones that I’m talking about, the ones that are about nothing at all. Maybe the fight is that you made the peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the wrong kind of jelly. It happens to families that are new, and families who have been together for years.

You know what I always think about when I think of a family vacation? Yes, you guessed it, I think of National Lampoon’s Vacation, Chevy Chase as Clark Griswald, and Beverly D’Angelo as his wife, and of course they had the two teenage kids. That movie has got to be the epitome of the worst vacation someone could ever have. I mean think about it, what else could have gone wrong? Nothing really. I laugh now just picturing scenes from that movie and how Clark seemed to stumble and bumble through the whole trip. I mean couldn’t the guy just get a bit of a break?

I know none of our own vacations are that bad (hopefully). If family vacations were really like that, I don’t think that anyone would ever take one. There are a number of ways that you can cut down on the stress of a family vacation, number one being don’t put too much pressure on timelines. If you’re rushing because you only have five minutes to get to a certain location, but your 30 minutes away, the stress will escalate past the point of good. Go a long with a pace that is leisurely and never schedule something at a specific time, unless it is utterly unavoidable. Don’t try to fit too much sightseeing in one day, again you will only be rushing your family and causing a sure fight as everyone gets upset and tired. On the same note, you want to make sure that you don’t schedule too little to do in a day. Bored kids are unhappy kids and may cause a problem with another family member. It is a happy medium you have to reach for your family in making sure that you have the right amount of activities planned.

Also make sure that the places you are choosing are oriented towards a children as well as the proper age of your kids. A child will become grumpy and moody if they are bored. So don’t pick a place like Las Vegas where there isn’t a whole bunch of things that are targeted towards kids. Not saying they don’t have children’s stuff to do, heck Circus Circus is a great place for kids, but if you are going to be there a week this might become old hat for you kids. Instead, pick an amusement park, like Six Flags or something along those lines, the kids are guaranteed to be busy and happy campers. Like I said it just takes some proper planning as a family and you should have a relatively stress free time.

Something else to think of is how are you going to get to your destination? Are you going to be driving a car, taking your RV, or are you going to catch a flight? All of these are good choices, but some can cause more stress than others. Not that everything will be stress or problem free. So choose wisely when you decide how you are going to get to your destination. Every child is different, and you know best as to what your kids will tolerate.

A good idea for planning a family vacation is to gather everyone around to talk things over. You might want to speak with your spouse or partner first and then gather the kids around to discuss details. Either way, kids will feel better about the vacation if you include them in the decision making. Maybe what you should do is make schedule a family meeting. Discuss the itinerary and whether or not everyone feels that the pace will be okay with them. Vacations are short, but don’t try to pack everything into one day. Nobody will think that is fun so it’s always a good idea to discuss these things as a family … it is everyone’s vacation after all. Try to make it a peaceful relaxing time with no mishaps like the Griswalds.

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Posted in Airplane Travel with Kids, Car Travel with Kids, Entertaining Kids During Travel, Family Travels, General Travel, Travel with Baby, Travel with Kids, Traveling with Kids, Travelling with Infants or Baby | 1 Comment »

Family Travel Destinations/Ideas for Families & Kids Who Love Baseball - Part I

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Family Travel Ideas for Kids Who Love Baseball and Sports

Family Travel Destinations/Ideas for Families Who Like Baseball

Baseball is a favorite pastime for many individuals and it is especially a great spectator sport for the whole family to enjoy. For those families who truly love the sport of baseball, there are ways to plan your family travel around such a great sport and the following will provide some destinations/ideas for those individuals to consider.

Make a Vacation Tour of a Couple Different Baseball Stadiums

take a baseball stadium tour with your kids and family

If traveling during the baseball season, families can turn their vacation into a baseball stadium tour. Before leaving on your vacation, plan which cities you want to go to and then arrange for baseball game tickets at the various city stadiums. This is a great way to have your favorite activity become a main part of your vacation.

Visit One Location but Engage in All Baseball Related Activities

visit one location and just do baseball activities

For those families who don’t want to travel that much during their vacation and prefer just to stay in one particular vacation destination, there are options for this select group as well. Book a stay at a resort in one particular city in which you would like to attend a baseball game. Then you can plan your vacation around that game by doing things which are all baseball-related. Some examples besides attending the game include shopping for baseball memorabilia, having a picnic at a park and playing some form of baseball with the family, such as whiffle ball or softball, and touring any baseball related museums in the area.

Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame

visit the national baseball hall of fame with your kids and family

For those who are history buffs as well as baseball fans, you may also find that combining the two while on vacation is a great idea. This would entail a trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is located in Cooperstown, New York. This large baseball museum has so much for the whole family to enjoy. You can spend one day at the museum or multiple days there. On your time away from the museum you will find a wealth of activities in the local area to take part in, both baseball and non-baseball related ones.

 

Visit The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with Your Family

Through the inspiration of Horace M. Peterson III (1945-1992), founder of the Black Archives of Mid-America, a group of local historians, business leaders, and former baseball players came together to create the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the early 1990s. This museum preserves the rich history of African-American baseball. The current museum uses 10,000 square feet of space. The exhibit features multi-media computer stations, several film exhibits, hundreds of photographs, Field of 12 bronze sculptures and a growing collection of baseball artifacts. Location: 1616 East 18th Street Kansas City, MO 64108 Tel: (816) 221-1920 , (888) 221-NLBM

 

Visit the Babe Ruth Museum and the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards

Visit Babe Ruth Museum

Maryland is a great place to visit with your kids if you have a family of baseball lovers. The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum presents the life and times of George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Baltimore’s native son who became America’s first sports celebrity and an international icon. Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards is the state’s sports history headquarters. It features exhibits on the Baltimore Orioles, Colts, Ravens and Blast; Orioles Hall of Fame; Negro League teams; the Preakness; the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame; regional college athletics; Locker Room - Kids’ Discovery Room; and more!

Visit America’s Oldest Baseball Park

visit the oldest baseball park in the country

Rickwood is America’s oldest baseball park. Today, Rickwood Field is a place to relive the magic of baseball’s glory years. For those hopeless romantics who are still in love but a little disenchanted with the game, we are preserving Rickwood Field. Our dream is for rickwood Field to be a working museum, a place to actually see and experience baseball as it once was. Location: 1137 2nd Avenue West, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, United States Telephone number is 205-458-8161

Visit the Ty Cobb Museum

Visit the Ty Cobb Museum

The Ty Cobb Museum is a professionally designed museum that features rare photographs and artifacts, including Cobbís 1907 American League batting champion medal. Cobb Theater features stadium-style seating accented by a beautiful mural. A stirring video features the narration of Georgia broadcasting legend Larry Munson and interviews with Atlanta Bravesí star Chipper Jones and ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons, along with rare footage and still photographs. The museum also houses the Franklin County Sports Hall of Fame. Charter inductees are Cobb, 1943 A.L. MVP Spud Chandler, Pro Bowl lineman Tony Jones, and All-American quarterback Dee Dowis Location: 461 Cook Street Royston, GA 30662-3903 Tel: (706) 245-1825

See More Ideas for Fun Travel Ideas for Baseball Lovers in Part II

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Family Travel Ideas for Kids Who Love Animals

Monday, July 7th, 2008

Family Travel Ideas for Kids Who Love Animals - kids swimming with dolphins

Family Travel Destinations/Ideas for Families Who Like Animals

When planning a family vacation most families base it around what they all like to do as a family. Some families agree that sports are a key component to family fun whereas other families have different ideas in mind. Some families find that basing their family vacation around their love of animals is the way to go. For this group of individuals the following will provide some ideas for great family vacation fun.

Take a Zoo Tour

Take a zoo tour with the kids

Visiting zoos provides a great way for families to see all of their favorite animals up close and personal. Since most individuals will have different ideas as to what type of animal is their absolute favorite, the zoo provides a way for families to see all different kinds of animals all at once. As vacations usually last a few days or weeks, families may consider planning a zoo tour where they visit different cities and go to the zoos in each city. This is not only a way to see the animals but see various city sights as well.

Working Farms for Vacation

Working farms for a family vacation

These days there are vacation destinations to suit almost any individual tastes. One type of vacation which is getting to be popular with the masses is a “working” vacation. On these types of vacations the individuals will learn a specific trade or be involved with a certain occupation. For animal lovers, vacationing at a working farm where you can be involved with the day-to-day operations involving animals is a great possibility for a destination.

Aquarium Tour

Aquarium tours with kids

Along the same lines of a zoo tour vacation, families may also consider an aquarium tour. Not only will you be able to see a wide array of fish and marine life but you will see other types of animals as well. You can choose to visit one particular city or a few, depending on the length of your vacation and desire to travel to different locales.

Go On a Safari

Go on a family safari vacation

For the daring families and those who have some extra spending cash, going on a guided safari in a different country is an adventuresome option. There are many different safari companies in various countries which will take individuals on a safari for a few days. This allows the individuals to see exotic animals in their natural habitats and brings out the daring side in the family members. For those individuals who worry about the safety feature of this type of tour, there are also contained safari tours such as Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida which gives individuals the feeling of a safari without having to leave the country and provides them with a safer environment than a true safari vacation.

Go on a Dude Ranch Vacation

Go on a family dude ranch vacation

Although I have never been on a Dude Ranch vacation with my kids, I have heard that they are a hit with the kids. In fact, Dude Ranch vacations are one of the biggest growing trends in family vacations. Some Dude Ranch packages are set up the same way that an all-inclusive resort in set up in that there are kids’ camp programs in which the parents can leave the children in camp from morning until night (if they choose to) in order to get some alone time. While the kids are in the camp, they have a blast and make life-time friends as well. Your kids will be able to play hard, learn about nature, and learn how to ride and take care of horses. This is a lot of fun for your animal-loving kids.

Swim with Dolphins and Sea Lions

Swim with the dolphins and sea lions

Swimming with dolphins and / or Sea Lions is an adventure that your child will never forget. There are so many companies that offer Swimming with Dolphins / Sea Lions, especially cities that are located off of the coast, such as Florida. These programs are well worth the money as your kids will certainly not forget this amazing experience.

Go to a Vacation Spot That Allows Dogs / Animals

Go to a vacation resort or hotel that allows and caters to dogs and other animals

Believe it or not, many resorts, campgrounds, and hotels are now accommodating pets as well so you no longer need to leave Fido at home. A few examples are Paw House Inn, The Mountaineer Inn, Camp Gone to the Dogs, and Dog Paddling Adventures. I got these links from a very helpful article that I found about Going on Vacations with Dogs … you might also enjoy it as well.

 

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Summer Vacation Destinations to Keep the Family & Kids Cool & Escape the Heat

Friday, June 13th, 2008

Summer Vacation Destinations to Keep the Family and Kids Cool

Summer Vacation Destinations to Keep the Family & Kids Cool & Escape the Heat

Although many families like to vacation in the heat of the summer, there are some families where cool vacation destinations are key. The following will provide some ideas for families who like to go away on vacation during the summer but keep cool while doing so.

 

Go North to Escape the Heat

Go North for Colder Weather

Everyone knows that the further north you go, the colder it gets. Take this train of thought and apply it to your vacation. Head up north in the Summer months and many destinations will feel breezy and cool. The further north you go, you might even see some snow. Some destination ideas are Mackinac Island, Michigan .. Iceland .. Nova Scotia, Canada .. Alaska .. North Island, New Zealand .. Scandinavian Countries .. Olympic National Park, Washington .. Vermont

Beach Destinations in Northern Regions

Beach Destinations in Northern Regions - Beach in Maine to Stay Cool

Even though one usually thinks of beaches involving hot summer sand and warm water. There are many beach destinations where it is cool both during the day and night. Some ideas for cooler beach destinations in northern regions of the United States include the Maine coastline, towns throughout Cape Cod, Washington, Oregon, and northern California. These states and regions have really nice beach towns where you won’t work up a sweat walking down the beach.

Mountain Destinations

Mountain Destinations in Summer to Stay Cool

Many individuals may think of mountain area destinations as being optimal in the wintertime for skiing and other snow sports however mountain vacation destinations also provide a great summer getaway option for families to consider. No matter whether you are vacationing in the Rocky Mountains or one of the many mountain resorts throughout Vermont, you are certain to find a plethora of activities to take part in. Some of the great summer activities in mountain locations include hiking, mountain biking, factory outlet tours, swimming in the lakes and more. Some ideas are Boulder, Colorado .. Durango, Colorado .. Snowmass, Colorado .. Steamboat Springs, Colorado .. Aspen, Colorado .. Winter Park, Colorado .. Vail Valley, Colorado .. Big Sky, Montana .. Alps, Switzerland .. Okemo Valley, Vermont .. Blue Ridge Mountain, Vermont .. Northern Michigan has tons of trails .. Appalachian trails .. Mt. Bachelor, Central Oregon .. Berkshires, Massachusettes .. Loon, NH .. Banff, AB Canada .. Rocky Mountains ..

Vacation Destinations Outside of the Country

Vacation Destinations Outside of the Country to stay cool - abroad different weather climates when we are having summer

Another alternative for families who are searching for a cool summer getaway destination is to travel outside of the country to a place where they are experiencing cool weather. Different countries have different climates at various times throughout the year, therefore when it is really hot in your location it may be quite cool in another country. Some places that you might consider visiting are Bariloche, Argentina .. Iceland .. Shimla, India .. Peru Highlands .. Dolomites .. Nova Scotia, Canada .. Turkey .. North Island, New Zealand .. The Pyrenees .. The Val d’Aosta .. The Canary Islands .. Northern Portugal Coast .. Serra da Estrela, Portugal .. Pindus Mountains, Greece .. Australia .. Rhodes .. Dominican Republic .. Madeira .. Ireland

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The Most Dangerous Places to Travel with Kids

Friday, May 30th, 2008

The Most Dangerous Places to Travel with Kids

The Most Dangerous Places to Travel with Kids

Traveling with kids is an adventure in and of itself. However, some places can be too adventuresome for traveling with kids and can actually be downright dangerous. For parents who are planning a family vacation and are cautiously considering where they should and should not go with their kids, the following will provide some key components to be on the lookout for in making a determination that traveling to certain regions may not be a safe thing to do.

War Torn Regions

Don't travel to war torn regions with your kids

Places which are experiencing political and social unrest at the moment and can be seen as war torn regions are definitely ones to stay out of when traveling with kids. Countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan and parts of Africa should be steered clear of when traveling, especially when children are on the trip. You can find out more information on these areas by contacting your country’s State Department by phone or visiting their website online.

Dangerous Weather Locations

Don't travel to locations that are prone to deadly weather conditions

Another dangerous locale to take the kids on vacation to is any area where dangerous weather is expected. Weather conditions such as tornados, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, landslides and more should be avoided at all costs. Although you may not know about the weather condition until it is close to your time to leave on vacation, try to consider which areas experience bad weather at certain times during the year and try to avoid those locations.

Impoverished Nations

Many impovereshed locations are dangerous because of high crime

If you are going on vacation with the kids, try to avoid areas where the economy is extremely bad and the area is impoverished. There is often a link between poverty level and crime rates, taking your kids to these areas should be avoided. This is not to say that you should only visit extremely wealthy regions, just use common sense when selecting your vacation destination.

Locations Where Disease is Prevalent

Visit Places with Your Kids That Haven't Had Outbreaks of Serious Illnesses

Not only should you worry about places with crime and violence when considering travel destinations but also look into the disease factor of the locations. Certain areas of the world experience an influx of diseases and these areas should be avoided when traveling with children. There is no sense in taking the risk of getting ill or your children getting ill simply to travel to a certain location.

Any Place Your Country’s State Department Warns Against

Don't travel with your kids to any Place Your Country's State Department Warns Against

If the State Department of your country is currently warning against travel to a certain location in the world, then this is a place which should be avoided. Do not travel with your children to a location on the State Department list if you are concerned about your family’s safety. As mentioned above, this information can be collected by contacting the State Department directly or visiting their website if one is available.

Use Common Sense

Use Common Sense to keep your kids out of danger when traveling to locations that you aren't sure about

More Similar Articles on Our Site

How to Find The Safest Places to Travel with Kids

Americans and Traveling Abroad With Kids - How to Act Appropriately in Other Countries When Anti-Americanism Is So High

Top 10 Most Dangerous Places That You Should Never Travel to with Kids

When all is said and done, the easiest way to determine where to take your children while traveling is to use common sense. Think about the safety factor first and then you will be able to figure out which locations may be the most dangerous places to travel with kids.

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Good Car Food for Kids on Long Family Summer Road Trips

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

Good Car Food for Kids on Long Family Summer Road Trips

Good Car Food for Kids on Long Family Summer Road Trips

Family road trips take place many times throughout the year but especially so during the summertime. In addition to finding good car activities to entertain the little ones during the trip another consideration to keep in mind is what food to bring along for snacking on during the journey.

Individual Bags of Crackers

100 calorie crackers packs is great and to eat for kids in the car

When packing up a snack bag for the family summer road trip, one of the staples which should be included is individual bags of crackers. Things such as Goldfish, Wheat Thins or Cheez-Its provide somewhat healthy cracker snacks for the family. These items provide good ingredients and are packaged so that everyone can have their own individual bag and eat it at their own pace.

Bottled Water

Bottled Water is great and to eat for kids in the car

Bottled water is another necessity to have on hand during the road trip. It is extremely important to be well hydrated and water is the best way to do so. Bottled water provides a good way for everyone to have individual drinks and this item can be consumed cold or at room temperature.

Dried Fruit and Trail Mixes

Dried Fruit and Trail Mixes are great and to eat for kids in the car

For those who like fruit with a kick, dried fruit provides a good car snack for the road trip. These fruit products come in a variety of styles and one can choose regular dried fruit or a combination of fruit, nuts and granola. This healthy and delicious snack is good road trip food for all.

Apples, Grapes, and Pears

Apples, Pears, and Grapes are great and to eat for kids in the car

Three other types of fruit which you can take in the car and not have to worry about keeping it cold are apples, grapes, and pears. These items are good car food since they are healthy snacks and won’t create a big mess while being eaten in the car.

Juice Boxes are Great for Car Travel

Juice Boxes are great and neat for the car

For those who like something other than water, juice boxes provide a good alternative. Juice boxes are available in a variety of flavors and they are usually healthier than soda would be. Plus, kids love the straw effect of the juice boxes.

Snack Pack Cookies or Cookies in a Plastic Baggie

100 Calorie Pack Cookies are a good car food

It’s also a wise idea to bring along some sweet food items as well. Cookies are a good option as they are easily portable and most people like to eat these tasty treats.

Little Boxed Raisins are Easy to Eat and Yummy

Little Raisin Boxes are a good car food

Little raisin boxes are a favorite in my family. The kids love to eat the raisins out of the box and then blow into the empty box because it makes a whistling sound. Just make sure to tell your kids not to blow into the boxes if it will annoy you.

Cereal Bars are Another Good Choice

Cereal Bars are a good car food

Cereal bars are filling as well as pretty neat to eat. Younger kids might decide to smush it into a ball and then eat it. So, if you have younger kids, I don’t suggest cereal bars in the car. My one year old tends to do this and then smushes it into everything. Smushed cereal bars are very sticky so I would say if your child is 3 or 4 and older, cereal bars are a good car option.

Bagel Chips Make Very Few Crumbs

Bagel Chips are a good car food

I like bagel chips for the car because they make almost no crumbs. Younger kids might find these 2 hard to eat, but older kids can eat away without making a mess.

Granola Bars are an Easy Car Food for Your Kids to Eat

Granola Bars are a good car food

Granola bars are very tasty and since they are pre-packaged they are very easy to just throw to your kids on a long road trip. Granola bars also should fill your kids’ bellies up.

String Cheese

String Cheese are a good car food

String cheese is very neat to eat with literally no crumbs. On short trips, they don’t need to be refrigerated, and on longer trips, you can just place them in a cooler.

Cereal Bowls, Mini Cereal Boxes, and Baggies of Cereal

Cereal boxes and cereal bowls are a good car food

Miniature cereal boxes, mini cereal bowls, and baggies of mixed cereal are all a great car treat for long roadtrips. My family buys mini cereal bowls on Amazon. You can buy them bulk on Amazon for much cheaper than you ever would at a local store AND they make a great snack or breakfast when you are on a trip.

Fruit Roll Ups are Easy to Eat in the Car

Fruit Roll Ups are a good car food

Fruit Roll-Ups are very easy to eat when on the road. Plus, as a benefit, your kids will love eating them. Kids have a natural attraction to Fruit Roll-Ups. I don’t normally let my kids eat these because my Dentist advised me not to give them Fruit Roll-ups because it sticks to the teeth. However, once or twice a year is fine, just remember to have them brush their teeth when they get to the hotel.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches are a good car food

If you are searching for something other than snacks and need something a bit more filling, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a good choice. They are easily transported and are a good source of energy for all family members to take advantage of.

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Posted in Car Travel, Car Travel with Kids, Day Trip Ideas, Family Travel Organization & Packing, Family Travels, General Travel, Lists, Travel with Baby, Travel with Kids, Traveling with Kids, Travelling with Infants or Baby | 2 Comments »

How to Find The Safest Places to Travel with Kids

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

How to Find the Safest Places to Travel With Your Kids on Family Vacations

How to Choose the Safest Places to Travel with Kids

When traveling with kids, most parents view safety as one of the most important components of the trip. Although there are too many safe places to mention in one list, there are features to search for when choosing a vacation destination in order to help ensure that the spot you are choosing is a safe place to travel.

Low Crime Rate

Travel to places with your kids that have low crime rates

Before heading to a certain travel destination you want to try to find out what the crime rate of the area is. Although this will not determine for certain whether or not the place will be safe as there are other factors to consider besides crime, it is a step in the right direction in order to determine the safety factor of the location. These statistics can be acquired online by using a search engine to pull up crime rates of a particular city.

Low Outbreak of Serious Illnesses

Visit Places with Your Kids That Haven't Had Outbreaks of Serious Illnesses

Safety also revolves around health issues. A place which has a low outbreak of serious illnesses or none whatsoever is the best place to choose. This will help to ensure that not only your kids are safe but you are as well.

Stable Social and Political Setting

Stable Social and Political Settings - No riots or political uprisings

A location which has a stable social and political setting is a safe one for children to travel to with their parents. If the country or locale is currently experiencing social unrest and/or is in wartime then the parents should definitely not bring their children to this location at all or at least not until the environment is a more stable one.

Places You Have Been Before

When in Doubt, travel to places that you have been before

It is also a good idea to have traveled to the destination before in order to deem it safe for your children. If you are going back to the same place every year then you know that it is a safe location to bring your kids or otherwise you most likely would not still be going there. Sticking with the usual vacation spots is often a good move for parents traveling with kids, so long as the place is a safe environment for all involved.

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What to Do When Stranded in an Airport with Kids - Fun Things to Do with Children in an Airport

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

How to Handle Being Stranded in an Airport with Cranky Kids

How to Handle Being Stranded in an Airport with Cranky Kids

Traveling with children is never easy however it can be made easier by keeping a few tips in mind. One issue which often arises is the stranding of one in an airport with cranky kids. The good news is that there are ways to handle this situation should it arise.

Have Snacks on Hand

Have Snacks on Hand to Give Kids When Stranded in Airport

One of the main reasons why kids become cranky is that they are hungry. If you find yourself stranded at the airport, try to make sure you have snacks on hand. Some parents will travel with a plethora of snacks to pacify the hungry little ones. If you find that you don’t have snacks packed, simply head down to the snack bar and pick up some healthy snacks for the kids. This will not only ease the crankiness by easing their hunger but it will also use up some time as well.

Entertainment

Entertain your kids with games, coloring books, paper, crayons

Another tip for easing the crankiness when stranded at an airport with kids is to have enough entertainment on hand for all to enjoy. Things such as coloring books, reading books, games, word searches and I-Spy games will all do the trick. These entertainment items should pass the time and ease the crankiness.

Pull Out a Map

Pull out a map for your children in the airport to show them where they are going to visit

An additional tip for making the time stranded at an airport much easier on the kids is to talk about where you are going or where you have been. If you have a map, pull it out and show the kids exactly where you were or where you are headed. Doing so will pass the time wonderfully.

Watch the Planes

Watch the airplanes go by to pass the time in the airport with your young kids, toddlers, and babies.

Most airports have extremely large windows in the terminals. This is the perfect spot for watching people board planes as well as watching the airplanes take off and land. In addition to the planes, the children may also love watching the luggage cars zipping around the airport.

Listen to Music

Come prepared with an mp3 player or cd player so that your kids can listed to music to pass the time in the airport when stranded

If you have a walkman or mp3 player on hand, listening to music is another way to pacify the kids. Hopefully you can listen to some kid’s music as this often puts a smile on the faces of the little kids.

Put Your Cell Phone to Good Use

Put Your Cell Phone to Good Use

You can also make the time go faster by putting your cell phone to good use. Call up family members who are not traveling with you and put the kids on the phone with them. This will entertain the children and make their time stranded at the airport go much faster.

Make Up Games to Play with Your Children in the Airport

Play with your kids in the airport. Make up games to keep them busy and occupied when stranded in the airport overnight

If you are stranded in the airport for a long period of time, you are going to run out of things to do pretty quickly. Lucky for you, airports are huge places with a lot of places that your kids haven’t seen before. Make up games to keep your children happy during this long period of time. However, NEVER PLAY HIDE AND SEEK IN AN AIRPORT. You will need to keep an eye on your children at all times so don’t play anything that will take your eyes off of them. You never know what sort of predators are hanging out in the airport. Kids love jumping from square tile to square tile, and I bet you can make up a ton of games from this simple idea. There are also flat escalators that your kids will love to go back and forth on. There probably will be abstract sculptures that have dual purposes…one is aesthetics and the other one is for kids to climb on. There are tons of games to make up in the airport, just make sure to keep them all safe.

Let Your Kids Play with Pay Telephones (Just This Once)

Kids love to play with pay phones let them play with them in the airport

You are in extraordinary circumstances that hopefully will never happen to you again. You need to keep your young children and toddlers busy for a long period of time in an airport. If you see an entire row of pay telephones and only one or two are in use, what is the harm to let your child play on the pay telephones. If you have extra minutes on your cell phone plan, call the number on the pay telephone and let your child pick it up and speak to you. He or she will LOVE this games and probably will tell you that it was their favorite part of the entire vacation. If you don’t have a cell phone, they can still have a good time playing with the telephone. Just remember to hit the hang up button every few seconds to make sure that they don’t call anyone.

Go Shopping with Your Kids in the Airport Stores. Buy Them a Special Gift.

Go Shopping in the Airport with Your Kids - buy them a special toy The airport is filled with specialty shops. If you have extra money that you have in your budget to spend, then take your kids shopping. Help your child find a special toy or game that will keep them busy for a long time.

Take Out Your Wallet and Let Your Children Play With Your Change

Take Out Your Coins and Let Your Kids Count It or Play with It

Take a lot of change with you when you are on vacation. Change always comes in handy for vending machines, coin operated items such as phones, tolls, and other things that you might have to pay for with change. So, if you follow this rule, then you probably have a LOT of change. Take it out and let your child play with it. Your child can count it. Put it under paper and rub a pencil over it for cool patterns. Your child can make designs with it. Your child can play coin basketball or coin football with your or another child with coins. Your child can stack coins. Your child can create a bingo game with paper and coins. Your child can create a checkers game with coins and paper as well. There are limitless possibilities with coins.

Help Your Child Meet Other Stranded Children Who Are On Your Flight

Help your children meet other kids in the airport stranded too

There are a lot of people who are probably also stranded from your flight or other flights. Look out for other people with kids that are around the age of your children. Then sit close by this family and watch it all happen. Making a new friend could keep your child occupied for days, lets hope that it doesn’t come to this though. On the other hand, keep it safe. Always keep an eye on your children and don’t leave your children with this new parent that you just met.

Pay for Internet Access at the Airport and Connect to Kids Friendly Web Sites

Pay for Internet Access at the Airport and Connect to NickJr.com or PBS.org for Kids Fun Sites



Okay, now you are getting pretty desperate. It has been 12 hours and your kids are getting cranky. Ahah! There is Internet Access at the airport for people who have to be connected ALL THE TIME. Well, there is no law that says that kids can’t use these computers. I have never used this service, so I am not sure how much it costs. But if you have extra cash and you are about to go out of your mind entertaining your kids, then go for it. Some fun sites that your kids will enjoy visiting are:

Nick Jr Nickelodeon
PBS
Noggin Cartoon Network
Game Zeeks Kidz Page
Fun Brain
Fun Island
Kids Games
Real Arcade
Fun School Games
Slash Play
Sess
Play Kids Games
Free-Games
Squiglys Playhouse Games
Alfy
Cool Math 4 Kids
Primary Games
Creating Music
DW Kids
Colgate
Learn 4 Good
Prongo
Terra Game
Free Games WS
Cogcon
National Geographic
BBC UK
Scholastic Kids Games
Scholastic Kids
Up to Ten
Kids Com
VKids
Kidz World

I hope that you never get stranded in an airport with your kids, but if you do, now you have the ideas to get you through it with out going completely bonkers. Good Luck.

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Americans and Traveling Abroad With Kids - How to Act Appropriately in Other Countries When Anti-Americanism Is So High

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

Americans and Traveling Abroad With Kids - How to Act Appropriately in Other Countries When Anti-Americanism Is So High

Americans and Traveling Abroad With Kids - How to Act Appropriately in Other Countries When Anti-Americanism Is So High

When traveling abroad with children, there are many considerations to think about. With regard to Americans traveling overseas with kids, the list of considerations gets considerably longer. There are a few tips to keep in mind with regard to how parents and their children should act when traveling abroad especially in a time when an anti-Americanism sentiment exists for some in other countries.

Teach Your Children About the Customs of the Country You Will Be Visiting

Teach Your Children About the Customs of the Country You Will Be Visiting

One of the main things you can do in order to properly represent the United States in a favorable light when traveling abroad with children is to teach your kids about the present customs in the country which you will be visiting. This can be done via books or online resources. This will not only help the kids to become more knowledgeable with regard to another country’s customs but it will also be a good thing for the parents to learn as well.

Learn Some of the Language

Learn Some of the Language when traveling to another country as americans

If you are visiting a country where English is not spoken or not the primary language of that country, you should try to learn some of the language which will be spoken in that country. If your children are of an older age, they too can learn some of the phrases and words of that country which you will be visiting. This puts forth an effort on the part of the parents and children to speak the language and not expect others in that country to know English.

Be Polite in Foreign Countries

Be Polite in Foreign Countries

No matter whether you are traveling abroad with the kids or traveling within the U.S., it is crucial that you are polite no matter what. Try to teach your children how to ask for things nicely and acknowledge others in a polite manner. This goes for the parents also. This will truly make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.

Try New Things While Abroad

Try New Things While Abroad

It is also a good idea to be open to new experiences, whether it be in regard to food, activities or lodging. Do not expect everything to conform to American standards and try to adapt to the visiting country’s way of life. Dine on their cuisine and take part in local activities. Not only will these experiences show those living in the country you are visiting that Americans do not turn their noses up about things they are not familiar with but it will also provide you with a well-rounded vacation experience sure to be remembered.

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