Traveling with Kids

Quick Family Getaway? Read This First

Considering a quick family getaway? Easier said than done, compared to life before kids. Read these tips so you've got your bases covered before you commit.

Taking your kids on a trip is a fabulous opportunity, if you can swing it. They learn new things. They get to try different foods, experience different cultures, gain exposure to new languages, and experience new ways of life. All of these benefits will stretch their minds and their world-views in ways that are priceless.

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Is Taking Your Kids To Concerts/Festivals A Good Idea?

Yes, you love your music. But does that mean it's a good idea to drag your kids along to concerts or music festivals? Here's what you need to consider.

If you love live music, you may be eager to let your kids experience it. It could even be a chance for them to see their favorite artists in the flesh. That said, concerts can get rowdy. Plus, there are other concerns such as noise levels, and the need to keep your kids occupied between

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How To Visit National Parks For Free!

How'd you like to visit national parks in the US for FREE for an entire year? If your family includes a student in 4th grade, this post tells you how!

How would your family like to visit national park sites in the United States for FREE, for an entire year? Did you know that some families can qualify for a free annual pass to visit all the parks they want? And whether you qualify has nothing to do with financial status! Sound too good to

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When Vacation Ends: Tips for Readjustment

Readjusting to "normal life" after a trip is hard. If you find it hard to jump back in to your normal routine when vacation ends, give these hacks a try.

Who dreads returning home when vacation ends? It’s not just that you’re no longer away from all the stresses and cares of daily life. Readjusting to daily life can be a major challenge – especially if you’re a mama. We’ve just returned from the first of several family trips this summer, and I’m already struggling

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Your Summer Car Essentials Cheat Sheet

Got your car summer-ready for family adventures? With these summer car essentials, you're set for whatever you and your littles might encounter.

The kids are out of school at last – time for summer adventures. Which means it’s time to prep for all those summer adventures. Doesn’t matter whether that means elaborate summer road trips, car camping, or lots of day trips. Is your car ready for summer parenting emergencies on the go? Getting together your summer

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How to Pack Light for 2 Weeks Away

Two weeks, one suitcase? No problem! The art of how to pack light for two weeks away is easier than you'd think, once you know these hacks.

Two weeks, one suitcase? No problem! Mastering the art of how to pack light takes some trial and error, but a few shortcuts can help. A week or two away from home with a single suitcase plus “personal item” is totally doable. I recently packed for three back-to-back trips simultaneously: an out-of-town meeting for a

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Super Stocking Stuffers for Happy Travelers

Need some stocking-stuffer ideas for Christmas? Or a "little something" for friends' kids at the holidays? These super stocking stuffers are under $10 each!

Need some stocking-stuffer ideas for Christmas? Or a “little something” to give to friends’ kids at the holidays? These super stocking stuffers are under $10 each, and are favorites in our house for family travel. And one of the best parts? There are no batteries or sounds involved! No fighting over electronics, running out of

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Family Camping Splurges: My Top Ten Picks, Part 1

If you and your family like to camp, these family camping splurges will make your adventures oh-so-much-nicer.

As longtime readers know, I’m not a fan of having stuff one doesn’t need. But if you camp often enough, these family camping splurges are worth considering. And many of them have uses beyond family camping trips. I added these things to our family camping checklist after three back-to-back camping trips last summer. While we

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Responsible Kids On the Road: My Top Tips for Travel

Do you have responsible kids on the road? Maybe you’re thinking, Hah, I can’t even get my kids to be responsible for their own stuff at home, let alone when we’re traveling. (I hear ya; it’s an ongoing struggle.) But take heart. Being away from home is a great time to mold responsible kids. You’re

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Our First Family Camping Trip, Done Better (Learn From Our Mistakes!)

While there were plenty of things we did right on our first family camping trip, there are plenty of others we could have done better. Learn from our mistakes, so you don't have to repeat them!

Overall, our first family camping trip went quite well. Still, though, I’m someone who’s always looking to improve things the next time around. So on the way home from our first camping expedition with kiddos a few weeks ago, I made a list of things I wish we’d done better. Sure, it would have been

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Must-Haves for Family Camping with Preschoolers

We survived our first family camping trip with preschoolers in tow. Not that there was ever any doubt – my husband and I have both loved camping since we were in Scouts – but still, we’re pretty pleased overall with how smoothly the weekend went. For the most part, our previous experience in planning camping

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Prepping for our First Family Camping Trip

This weekend marks our first family camping trip. My husband and I used to camp (or at least hike) every summer, back in our pre-parenthood existence. The further away from home our car-camping and occasional backpacking trips took us, the better. We’ve been kept awake all night by the foghorns near the Bay of Fundy

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Tunes for Traveling With Kids: Our Top 15 Road Trip Soundtracks

Before your next family road trip, treat yourselves to some tunes everyone can handle. It will make your journey a happier one for everyone involved.

Are you sick of listening to your kids belt out the theme song from Frozen yet? Do you wish that the singing purple dinosaur had never been invented? Do you prefer some good music for a long car ride over hearing your kids’ dueling electronic toys in the backseat? Do you have a long car

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