Best Theme Parks & Amusement Parks in the Midwest United States

Great theme parks are everywhere throughout the United States. For those searching for a good theme park to go to in the Midwest you will surely not be disappointed. There are quite a few to choose from and some of the better ones will be highlighted below.

Six Flags Theme Park in St. Louis, MO

If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri area or are planning to visit there and would like to go to a great theme park then Six Flags St. Louis is the place to go. The Thursday night concert series is sure to please all music lovers and this park is known for its out of this world amusement rides. Be sure to try the new Evil Knievel wooden roller coaster if you love coaster rides. For the little ones, there are approximately 22 rides to choose from which will delight the youngsters in the group.

Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO

Another great theme park in Missouri is Worlds of Fun. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Worlds of Fun allows visitors to get a taste of various countries while enjoying rides, food, entertainment and more. The featured areas in Worlds of Fun include Europa, Americana, Africa, Orient and Scandinavia. If you are searching for a unique theme park where fun is sure to be had by all then Worlds of Fun is the place to visit.

Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois

Another Six Flags theme park in the Midwest portion of the United States is Six Flags Great America. This theme park is located in Gurnee, Illinois and features most of the same great things as other Six Flags theme parks such as thrilling rides, top-notch entertainment and wonderful fair food. This park also has a Looney Tunes theme area for the younger kids to enjoy.

Paramount’s Kings Island in Mason, OH

Paramount’s Kings Island is located in Mason, Ohio, which is in the general vicinity of Cincinnati. This is one of the larger theme parks in the state and offers great attractions for the young and young at heart alike. As with many of the larger theme parks throughout the United States you will find a plethora of wonderful rides, great entertainment and dining options. Some of the special attractions of Kings Island include the Nickelodeon Universe for the younger children and fourteen sensational roller coasters for those seeking a thrill ride.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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How to Make Sure That You, Your Family, and Your Kids Get Through Airport Security

Airport security is at a heightened level these days. Ever since the attacks of September 11^th, airports throughout the world have been doing their part to ensure safe travel for all who take to the friendly skies to get to their destinations. With the increased security at these airports, there are new rules and regulations in place as well. The following will provide some tips to help you and your kids get through airport security in an easier manner.

Consult the Airport Safety Regulations Before Traveling

Before traveling by air it is a good idea to consult the airport website if they have one. This will provide information with regard to airport security requirements at that particular airport in addition to federal TSA rules and regulations which you must be aware of as well. This way both you and your kids will be prepared as you step up to the front of the security line.

Don’t Pack Liquids - Airport Security Won’t Let You Through

There is also a relatively new requirement where liquids are forbidden in carry on items. Therefore, check your items and make sure that the liquids are packed in the checked luggage. If you have to bring some type of liquid in your carry on bags or purse make sure that it is in a Ziploc bag to prevent it from leaking.

What if I have a Baby or Toddler That Needs a Cup or a Bottle on the Plane?

I would say that you then bring an empty bottle or baby cup and then buy apple juice or milk on the plane. I would also bring powdered formula and then fill up with bottled water or tap water (if they are older than 6 months old). As soon as you get on the plane, explain to the flight attendant your situation and ask if you can buy water, milk,  or apple juice before the flight begins so that you can comfort your baby. I am sure that the last thing that the flight attendant will want is a crying baby on the plane and they will assist you.

Shoes Off and Ready to Go to Get Through Airport Security

Another way in which you and your kids can not only get through airport security but do so in a speedy fashion is to have your shoes off and ready to go when you are at the front of the security line. Just make sure that the shoes off requirement is still in effect at your airport. You will be able to tell simply by watching the people already at the front of the line.

Keep Your Kids Quiet and Attentive When Approaching the Front of the Airport Security Line

It is also a good idea to try and have your kids standing as quietly as possible when you are approaching the front of the line. TSA agents do not like rowdy kids as they can often slow down the movement of the line. Try to pay attention to not only what your children are doing but also what is going on at the front of the line. Being quiet and attentive will help to move things along a bit and get you through airport security.

Identification and Airplane Tickets in Hand - Keep TSA Agents Happy

An additional way to ensure that you get through airport security is to have your tickets and identification in your hand as you approach security. You should also have your children’s tickets ready and waiting as well. This will make the TSA agent pleased as they don’t have to wait for you to fumble around for the necessary documentation.

Have Everything in the Conveyor Belt Boxes to Go Through the Metal Detectors

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You should also try to have everything in the boxes which go through the metal detectors. Having this done in an orderly fashion will help to ensure that the metal detector portion of the security area is undertaken in a quick manner.

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List of Things to Keep Your Child Busy and Quiet on an Airplane Trip

Traveling with children can be challenging at times, especially when flying on an airplane in order to get to your destination. The good news is that one will find plenty of things available to occupy the child’s time from start to finish and keep them as quiet as possible on the airplane. Some of the following items will be better than others, depending on the age of the child.

MP3 Player

MP3 players are everywhere these days. They provide a way for kids to download their favorite music and take it everywhere with them. For older kids, this is a great thing to bring along on the airplane. An MP3 player can occupy a child from the time they walk onto that plane to the time that they exit it, minus the taking off and landing periods where electronic devices have to be stowed away.

Handheld Video Games

Even if you aren’t a huge fan of kids playing video games in public, it is a good way to keep your kids happy during a long car trip or plane trip. My children are allowed to play Game Boy (for us old people, they are now called Nintendo DS or Nintendo SP) during long trips and it makes things a lot easier for everyone. It is well worth the investment. If you despise this idea, maybe you should consider purchasing an educational game system instead such as Leapfrog Leapster handheld system or a child’s pretend laptop system. There are many electronic toys that you can buy that can be both educational and entertaining to children.

Books

Books provide another great type of entertainment for children to have on an airplane. Reading is a quiet form of entertainment which is often educational as well. If you can get your child to take a book or two on the airplane with them, this will often go over well with not only your child but the other passengers as well.

Word Puzzles

Many airports sell crossword puzzle books and Sudoku books which provide wonderful entertainment for older kids. Again, as with books, this type of entertainment will keep the kids quiet and educate them as well. Therefore, if you forget to buy some word puzzle books before you head to the airport, simply stop over at the convenience store within the terminal and buy one there. It will pay off in the long run by keeping your child busy and quiet during the flight.

Snacks

Eating is another way to pass the time quietly on an airplane. Although many airlines make passengers pay for their food these days, opting to have a drink and a snack or purchase a meal on the plane might be worth it. This will take up perhaps 20 minutes or so of the flight time and the kids will be quiet while having a snack.

Look at Travel Guides

For older children who can read, having a travel guide on hand for them to peruse is another great travel entertainment idea. If you have never been to the travel destination, allowing your kids to look through the travel guide will not only keep them entertained and quiet on the plane but will help to build excitement about the vacation as well. They can look through the book at the various activities which they can engage in once they get to their designated location.

Drawing

For younger kids, drawing and coloring is a good way to pass the time and make the plane ride go faster. This is usually a quiet activity which will entertain them for a good amount of the trip. If you don’t have any paper or crayons with you try asking the flight attendants if they have any on the plane which your children can borrow during the flight.

Fun Travel Games

There are tons of great travel games that the toy manufacturers have been selling lately. I have put together tons of links of the best travel toys that I could find. Take a look here … Best Airplane Travel Games for Your Kids.

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