Tips for Travelling Alone with Young Children!

As any parent who travels solo with their children can attest, you need a plan!  This week, our resident travel-mommy extraordinaire, Amy, was kind enough to share some of her secrets for a successful and minimally stressful trip; as a parent who routinely travels solo cross-country by plane with her two children (ages 4-years and 21-months), she knows the tricks of the trade! Check out her pointers below!

My Survival Bag for Travelling Alone with Young Children:

We try to be local and organic most of the time so a plane ride for my kids is a HUGE treat. Once or twice a year makes a little junk food, TV, and toys okay in my mind, and it makes the travelling part of the trip something they really look forward to! Below is a list of the items I won't leave home without:

• 2 empty sippy cups.
• Snacks, snacks, snacks snacks. Salty snacks to load up the kids before takeoff so the younger one wants to drink – helping his ears equalize. Each snack comes out once, until they’re bored with it then goes away. When you’re desperate, pull out the big guns – tootsie pops.
• Veggie snacks for some nutrition.
• Treat snacks for the last couple of hours.
• Change of clothes for both kids.
• 2 backpacks (so each has something to dig in and pull items from).
• Paper back books – hit a scholastic book fair – gold mine! Most are too old for my son, but I just make up the words and he loves it. 
• Hole puncher and card stock and shoelaces for the 4 year old - she makes her own threading cards. Best part is is that she loves to make them and he loves to undo them!
• Triangle crayons – God’s gift to plane flights. THEY DON’T ROLL!!
• ITouch – there are so many great books, movies, and apps for the ITouch. Just make sure to get child friendly earphones. Adult ones aren't regulated and kids can hurt their sensitive ears.
• For my 21-month old son I’ve wrapped items in a bag (like little presents); little cars wrapped in way too much paper that take a while to open are great for keeping little hands and minds occupied!
• Sticker books – look for movie promotions – the Cars2 movie is coming out and our local supermarket had them on sale for 1.99.
• Baby Magna doodle.
• Small ringed notebooks.

And for more great ideas for how to keep your sanity when you get there, click here…

Safe and happy travels!

-Destination Mom

Special Guest: Candyce H. Stapen of FamilyiTrips!

This week, I am pleased to welcome Candyce H. Stapen, Ph.D., author and publisher of FamilyiTrips, creator of the travel app DC with Kids, and award winning travel journalist with 30 books and over 2000 family travel articles to her credit!  As the authority on all things family and Washington DC, she was kind enough to offer Travel-Tot a slice of her wisdom to share with our readers!

We are thrilled to present these terrific recommendations for Three Great Places in DC for Young Kids, from the DC With Kids, familyitrips.com, travel app by Candyce H. Stapen:

National Museum of American History

The Spark! Lab, Lemelson Center, offers a nice hands-on play space for toddlers. Its "Under 5 Zone" is ideal for exploring activities that foster creativity, such as: building with different kinds of blocks, using simple scientific tools, solving puzzles, and exploring and using inventions of the past!

Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium

The not-too-big planetarium offers night sky shows geared to young kids. With the distinction of being the only planetarium in the National Park Pystem, Rock Creek Park Planetarium holds regular shows on weekends at 1:00 p.m. for children age five and up. Shows focus on identifying major constellations and the movement of heavenly bodies through the night sky!

Puppet Company

Located just outside DC in Glen Echo, MD, in a kid-friendly art park with a carousel, the Puppet Company offers engaging puppet theater. This charming theater has kept the crowds coming back for more for over 25 years! Offering everything from Tiny Tots programming (children under age 4) to Adult Puppetry Slams, the Puppet Company truly offers a show like no other!

So if DC is your family's vacation destination, check out DC with Kids - the most comprehensive app for parents travelling in the DC area! And for even more great info, check out one of Candace H. Stapen's phenomenal travel guides and join her loyal followings on Facebook and Twitter (@FamilyiTrips).

Thanks so much to Candyce for her generous contribution this week, and safe and happy travels to you all!

-Destination Mom

Fantastic Finds for Family Travel!

With summer almost upon us, many families are beginning to think about vacation!  And where better than the sprawling majesty of the world-wide-web to find the latest and greatest in high- and low-tech innovations to make the trip easier?  With several long car trips looming in our future, I have been eagerly seeking some solutions to some of our most common dilemmas: motion sickness, boredom, and (the always elusive) emergency bathroom facilities!  Below are the products that made my "don't leave home without 'em" list this year:

Chuckie's Travel Sickness Bags:

The name says it all folks; these tough, lockable bags are invaluable for providing a  hygienic solution to the effects of stomach upset.  Designed with a "can't miss" hard-plastic opening and anti-spill lock, these bags can virtually eliminate the days of time-consuming cost and clean-up resulting from travel sick children!   Sold in convenient 3-packs, a variety of quantities is available for order (from 6 3-packs to 18 3-packs). Chuckie's compact packages fit easily in handbags, glove compartments, and carry-on bags.  Interestingly, the site also advocates their use for travelers great and small whose bladders may require draining!

Tales2Go:

"Are we there yet?"  "I'm bored."  Sound familiar?  And often this is before we've even cleared the driveway!  But with Tales2Go, all you'll hear is the giggling and chitter-chatter of children engrossed in one of the over 1400 stories available from leading publishers and storytellers!  This amazing new app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, plays an unlimited number of children’s stories and songs; with content broken up by length (anywhere from 2 minutes to 6 hours), age, rating, and popularity, Tales2Go makes it a cinch to find the perfect distraction for your crew! Available now as a free 30-day trial, you can opt to subscribe for anywhere from 3-months to a year.  Great for car trips long or short, Tales2Go will spark your child's interest and keep them learning as they laugh!

Kalencom 2 In 1 Portable Kids Potty and Trainer Seat:

Without fail there is never a bathroom when you need one on the road!  So why not just bring one with you?  For the very best in portability, compact size, adaptability, and price, you just can't beat the Kalencom 2 In 1.  When folded up, this potty seat fits easily in a diaper bag, yet opens up to create a low potty, or with the legs fully-extended, forms a perfect trainer seat for use on public toilets (legs serve as handles to allow children in training to balance themselves without touching a public toilet)!  Sold with three lightly scented liners and a hygienic carry bag, the Kalencom 2 in 1 Portable Kids Potty Seat is a must-have for any long car trip, particularly if your little traveller is in the throes of potty training!

So relax and enjoy the trip with these fantastic finds - because getting there is half the fun!  Safe and happy travels!

-Destination Mom

Destination: Cedar Point, OH

Hailed by many fans as the best and largest seasonal amusement park in the United States, Cedar Point offers families rides, shows, and attractions for visitors of all ages!

Situated squarely on the beautiful peninsula between Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie; Cedar Point serves a six-state region in the Midwest, including Ohio and Michigan, western Pennsylvania and New York, northern West Virginia, and Indiana!

For those travelling with toddlers or young children, there are four children's areas filled with everything from pint-sized bumper cars, coasters, and circling helicopters to a Tilt-a-Whirl and a Roto Whip: Camp Snoopy, Jr. Gemini, Kiddie Kingdom, and Planet Snoopy!

In addition to the four children's areas, Cedar Point has a collection of rides the family can enjoy together! Marvel at the 360-degree views of the park on Space Spiral, cruise around the scenic lagoon on Paddlewheel Excursions, drive an Antique Car and much more!  All family rides have height restrictions that may be waived if a responsible adult accompanies the child.

Cedar Park also plays host to the Peanuts Gang; so don't miss the characters for some fun photo ops and memorable shows! The park has three live shows featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, including an ice show called "Everyone Loves Snoopy". Young families will also enjoy the park's nighttime shows; parents and kids alike will be amazed by "American Portrait" and the "Starlight Experience!"

Cedar Point also has a great feature for Mom and Dad; with their amazing Parent Swap program, one parent waits in line to ride on of the park's famous scream machines then they give their Parent Swap pass to the operator and the other parent/guardian can walk up the exit to get right on the ride!

Also worth checking out, adjacent to Cedar Park, but separately gated and at an additional charge, are Soak City, a water park, and Challenge Park, featuring rides like the terrifying "Rip Cord," "Skyscraper," go-kart tracks and more! Cedar Point is a recreation wonderland nestled in a beautiful setting with something for everyone - don't miss it! Safe and happy travels!

-Destination Mom

Renting Baby and Toddler Gear

Packing for a family getaway can be overwhelming, particularly if you have toddlers and young children in tow. Even if you successfully manage to remember everything you will need, fitting it all into a vehicle or lugging it all through an airport and checking it for a flight can be difficult, expensive, and time consuming.

Instead of bringing along everything you will need, consider renting large items (strollers, car seats, high chairs, etc.) when you arrive at your destination. The largest baby and child equipment rental service in the US today is Baby’s Away. You can also find an extensive list of independent local vendors here (covers all 50 states and Washington DC as well as Canada). An additional benefit of renting equipment is that it gives you an opportunity to try out items you may not yet own, but are thinking of purchasing (such as premium jogging strollers, exersaucers, or jumpers). Some hotels actually provide cribs, bedding, and collapsible play yards upon request as well. Check with your hotel to see what custom accommodations are available!

image courtesy of Keerati/FreeDigitalPhotos.net



For the ultimate in convenience, consider using a company like Jet Set Babies to have your baby essentials (diapers, wipes, bath essentials, food, booster seats, portable beds, etc.) shipped directly to your hotel. This will reduce your luggage load which could save you on excessive airline baggage fees!

Gear Recommendations by Age:

This checklist is courtesy of Baby Travel Pros and is meant only to be a guide, use your judgment when determining what items you will require and always check that the child using the equipment meets all height an weight requirements of the manufacturer:

Birth to 4 months

• infant car seat and compatible stroller,
• pack-n-play or crib,
• glider or rocking chair,
• bouncer or swing,
• infant tub

 4 months to 1 year

• infant car seat, or rear facing car seat (check weight & height recommendations),
• stroller,
• pack-n-play or crib,
• mobile,
• exersaucer, jumper, or walker,
• infant or toddler tub,
• room monitor,
• high chair or bumbo with tray

 1 year to 2 years

• forward or rear facing toddler car seat (the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends leaving children in rear-facing car seats until 2 years of age),
• stroller,
• crib,
• safety gates,
• room monitor,
• high chair

 2+ years

• forward facing car seat or booster seat (3+ years),
• stroller,
• crib, toddler bed or bed rails,
• safety gates,
• room monitor,
• step stool or potty chair,
• high chair or booster seat

 - Destination Mom

Memorial Day Salute to Military Families!

As I sent my best wishes to a dear friend who was recently deployed to Afghanistan, it struck me how very much we owe all those brave men and women, and their families, who serve in the armed forces. Our military families make tremendous sacrifices in the name of our national defense; in my friend's case, her deployment meant leaving behind her husband and year-old twin daughters.  It can be easy to forget that many brave service-people are spouses, children, parents, and siblings to loved ones they leave behind when stationed far from home.

As Memorial Day approaches, we encourage you (and your children!) to reach out and show your gratitude by finding a way to support our troops and their families.  There are many phenomenal organizations that provide support and services to soldiers and their families during deployments; below are three that offer numerous simple ways you and your family can help touch the lives of our country's military families:

image courtesy of Ohmega 1982/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Homefront Hugs

Homefront Hugs is a national volunteer organization in its 10th year, and a proud recipient of the Four Chaplains Award!  With a clearly stated mission "to offer unconditional support to our troops.veterans and families and make sure no hero is or feels forgotten," Homefront Hugs strives to make sure all Americans know they can make a difference (even from home!) in numerous ways thanking those who serve. Homefront Hugs promotes stewardship in communities across the USA reaching out to all regardless of ability, religion, age, or ethnicity.

Homefront Hugs needs volunteers urgently to thank our heroes by adopting a deployed soldier, adopting a brave military family, writing our wounded troops, or donating funds or supplies! You can help from home and become one of our awesome volunteers.

For more information, check out their page on Facebook!

Operation Military Kids

Operation Military Kids the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment. Regardless of whether families are experiencing deployment for the first time, the second time or another in a series of multiple deployments, OMK’s goal is to connect military children and youth with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance their well-being.

Through a network of National, State and Local Partners, Operation: Military Kids provides access to youth programs and support services where military children live. OMK Partners organize special events, provide transportation to military kids to sporting events or other extracurricular activities, and participate in the Hero Pack initiative.

For more information on how you can help, check their website!

Soldiers' Angels

"May No Soldier Go Unloved," encapsulates the motivation behind Soldiers' Angels. The volunteers of Soldiers' Angels work tirelessly to demonstrate active care and concern for veterans, the wounded, deployed service members and their families. 

To date, their volunteers have sent hundreds of thousands of care packages and letters to "adopted" deployed service members; with the assistance of their generous supporters , the many volunteers of Soldiers' Angels have accomplished this and much, much more on behalf of the grateful citizens of the United States of America.

For more information on donations and how you can help, check out their website!

In honor of Memorial Day, Travel-Tot will be offering a discount of 20% on their Travel Childproofing Kit (off the retail price of $24.95) from today through July 4th, 2011 to all customers who use the code TT4USA. Travel-Tot wishes to thank all the brave soldiers and their families for all they do to keep our country safe; we hope that all those deployed return home safely as soon as possible.  Warmest wishes for a very safe and happy Memorial Day.   

- Destination Mom

Destination: Hilton Head, SC!

Most famous for its miles of uninterrupted beaches, Hilton Head, South Carolina is a "must-see" family vacation destination. This 55 square-mile island has a world of adventure to offer the travelling family, from its beaches, to its museums and attractions!  Below are a few of our favorite family activities and fun-spots:

The Coastal Discovery Museum

A perfect spot for children ages 5 and up, this museum offers visitors a chance to get a close-up look at the wildlife of Hilton Head.  The museum offers natural outdoor exhibits as well as coastal tours and cruises to explore the flora and fauna of the area! The museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive, and is open year-round Monday through Saturday 9am to 4:30pm and Sundays 11am to 3pm - hours of operation vary on holidays, so be sure to call before you go!

pictured above: "Holiday"

Adventure Cruises

Also terrific for families with children 5 and up, Dolphin Cruises on the boat "Holiday" afford visitors the opportunity to see dolphins close-up, while enjoying many of the other water-loving wildlife (waterfowl, mink, otters, turtles).   There is also a fantastic crabbing excursion on the "Crabber J II" for more adventurous souls who wish to bring their family crabbing!  The berths are centrally located and easy to access, for more information check their website.

Sandbox Children's Museum

For those travelling with babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers, the Children's Museum is a "don't-miss!"  Located at 18 A Pope Avenue, it has everything from magic sand to bank-teller play stations and even has an indoor ship-themed play station and a T-Rex rock-wall climbing adventure! For more information on times and pricing (and directions!) check their website.

Adventure Cove Family Fun Center

Kids of all ages will enjoy some playtime at the arcade or a round of mini-golf on one of Adventure Cove's two Caribbean-themed courses.  Each course is 18 holes and features a variety of fun obstacles and entertaining characters!  Fun for the whole family, you can find the Family Fun Center at 18 Folly Field Road. For more information and a valuable coupon, check their website!

In addition to these great family-friendly spots, the island is largely accessible by bike, so if you are travelling with older children, renting bikes to explore the island can be exciting and fun.  And don't miss the family-friendly musical and comedic stylings of island local, Gregg Russell; he puts on nightly concerts/shows/sing-a-longs in the summer under the old oak tree in Harbour Town!  Hilton Head truly is a virtual family paradise with something for visitors of all ages!  Happy travels!

-Destination Mom