The View from Our Patio

Last month, my husband and I flew out to California to run the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon (my first half marathon – go me!).  Our first night in the Santa Barbara area, we had the opportunity to stay at Bacara Resort & Spa, and while I wouldn’t normally think of a “spa” as a family-friendly destination, there were an especially good number of amenities for children. Take a look:

Monarch Kids’ Club: For kids ages five to 12, Bacara Resort offers a weekly kids club on select Saturdays, enabling children to learn about the local ecosystem and Native American culture. Children also take nature hikes, fly kites on the beach and visit the neighboring butterfly preserve.

Beautiful Hiking Trails

Scenic Hiking Trails: When we checked in, we picked up a pocket map of the on-property hiking and running trails that range from one to four miles. Shortly, look out for the quarter-mile Chumash Nature Trail with signage indicating the importance of key plants you may see along the way to Chumash Native American culture.

Photo Sharing Classes: Not long ago, Bacara introduced BacaraGram, an on-site, interactive class that educates participants, including children and adults, on how to use photo sharing apps on their smartphones. It’s a unique way to share memories from your stay at the resort.

Movie Nights: Throughout the year, guests can enjoy movie nights at Bacara thanks to a 211-seat screening room on-property. This is ideal when you and your kids just want to take a break, grab some popcorn and take in a fun feature film.

Bacara Resort is Right on the Beach

Stargazing Program: Look for complimentary stargazing programs led by the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit throughout the year at Bacara Resort. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find hot chocolate and/or fireside s’mores along with programs for adults and junior astronomers.

Easy Beach Access: The resort is right on the beach. From our room, we had amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, and it was a short walk down to the beach. Even better, you can rent stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and boogie boards, even take lessons with your kids there at the resort.

Our Room. Just Beautiful.

Pet-Friendly: If your little ones can’t bear to leave the family dog at home, Bacara Resort is more than eager to cater to your furry friend. This dog-friendly hotel has pet beds, food and water bowls, and plenty of beach to explore as a family.

In addition to the above, you and your kids will love the three zero-edge heated swimming pools, which are perfect any day of the year. You’ll also find local opportunities for para-gliding, sailing, horseback riding and whale watching.

We had a fantastic time at Bacara Resort & Spa. I wish we could have stayed longer, and when we come back, we’ll definitely have our kids in tow to experience so many of the fabulous kid-friendly amenities.

Want to stay at Bacara Resort? Through July 12, the resort is running an Every Summer Has a Story promotion and you can win a two-night stay when you share your favorite summer vacation photos. Just “Like” the Bacara Resort & Spa page on Facebook for all the contest details.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary overnight stay at Bacara Resort & Spa. However, all opinions expressed here are my own. 

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Go on a Photography Walk. Some parks offer free walks to take photos of nature within the park. Or, just start taking pictures of everything interesting that you and your kids see. Print them out or upload them to an online photo album to document your experiences.

Create a Family Photobook: Snap some fun pictures and upload them to Shutterfly to create family photo albums. As a bonus, stay at participating Preferred Family hotels this summer and get a promo code good for a free 20-page photo album (a $30 value) from Shutterfly.

Take an Alphabet Photo Tour. Grab a camera for each child and go on an Alphabet Photo Tour. Start with the letter A and have your children take pictures of things they see that start with that letter, like an apple tree or an ambulance. Print out the pictures to make alphabet memory books.

Create and Send Postcards: No need to stop in gift shops for postcards of places you visit. Thanks to several postcard apps, like Postagram and Postcards on the Run, you and your kids can create postcards from snapshots that you’ve taken on your adventures.

How do you like to take photos and preserve memories when you travel as a family? Let me know in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: Joanna Christina Lizares Co.

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Over at Travel Dudes, they’re sharing 5 Simple Packing Tips to Lighten Your Load, featuring great tips, like using the inside of shoes as compartments and bringing along travel-size toiletries, like shampoo and hand lotion.

Rebecca at R We There Yet Mom? has moms and dads in mind in her post, 10 Packing Tips for Travel with Little Ones. Among her tips, bring along long-sleeved pajamas (perfect for chilly hotel rooms) and choose brightly colored outfits to more easily spot your child in a crowd.

Planning a trip to the beach? Condé Nast Traveler recently featured Your Summer Packing Cheat Sheet. Here you’ll find various problems, like the inability to find a stylish, yet functional, sun hat, along with helpful answers from magazine editors.

If you’re ready to just cut to the chase, A Luxury Travel Blog has The Ultimate Guide to Successful Packing. In this post, you’ll find tips like “roll, don’t fold” (with regard to packing your clothes) and “wear your bulkiest items.”

If you can’t get enough tips from Condé Nast Traveler, they also posted How to Pack for a Family Vacation, featuring fabulous tips from a few family travel faves, like Kara at The Vacation Gals and Aimee at Ciao Bambino.

Looking for tips from a seasoned traveler? Then, head to Tim Leffel’s Cheapest Destinations Blog for his blog post, What I Pack in My Carry-On. Lots of great tips here, like choosing double-duty shoes and packing quick-dry socks and underwear.

Finally, head to National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel for Packing Tips for Healthy Road Trips.  You’ll find great tips on what to pack, like comfort clothes and running shoes, even a yoga mat and baby carrots. Well, it did say it was for “healthy” road trips.

Do you have any great tips for packing for upcoming travels? Let me know in the comments section below.

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Little Passports

Not everyone can travel to faraway places during summer vacation, but there are several fabulous programs available to school-age kids to get them learning about new cultures and landmarks. Take a look at three programs ideal for bringing the country and the world to your kids. 

Michaels’ Passport to Imagination: On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from June 17 through August 2, head to Michaels between 10 am and noon for in-store crafts focused on each of our seven continents (one each week). As part of the Passport to Imagination program, children will make crafts representing different countries, like a koi fish for Japan and a yarn soccer goal for Argentina. Best for kids ages five and up.

Little Passports: With Little Passports, children can learn about either a new country or two U.S. states every month when they receive that month’s Explorer Kit (global) or Discovery Kit (U.S.). Kids will receive maps, stickers, activitiy sheets and access to online games associated with that month’s country or states. Best for kids ages five to 12.

Scholastic Summer Challenge: When kids take the Scholastic Summer Challenge they can track the progress of all worldwide readers involved in the program. Follow an online meter that tracks the number of minutes read as it moves up to different places, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Pyramids in Egypt. Each level offers opportunities for kids to learn about landmarks around the world.

In addition to the programs above, I also really like GeoPuzzle jigsaw puzzles. We have several of these, including GeoPuzzle World and GeoPuzzle USA & Canada, both of which are great ways to learn about different states and countries. Another favorite in our house is GeoBingo USA.

Do you have any favorite programs or activities that you like to engage in with your kids to help show them the country or the world? Let me know in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. However, the views and opinions expressed here are my own.  

Photo Credit: superexhausted.com

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

What We Ate with Mickey: Free today only (6/12), grab this e-guide to Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan if you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World. Inside you’ll find a pictorial tour of everything Dana White’s family ate during a recent stay, including best bets and dining tips for your next Disney trip. For more from Dana, check out her blog, A Slob Comes Clean.

56 Must Read Disney Dining Secrets: Not technically an ebook, but it should be since you’ll find so many fabulous tips to help you eat well, eat where you want and save money in the process. If you’re gearing up for a Disney vacation, you’ll also want to check out The Disney Food Blog for more tips and must-knows about dining at Walt Disney World.

Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World Dining Guide: Inside this 160-page guide, you’ll find handy tips to help you figure out where to eat and map out your meals during your stay at Walt Disney World. Look for honest advice, a listing of restaurants participating in the dining plan, including new ones, and even pictures to help you make your decisions.

Walt Disney World Character Meals and Fun Restaurants: Where to Find Them, How to Book Them and What to Expect: Boy, that’s a long name for a book, but it’s packed full of what you need to know when taking little ones to eat and meet their favorite characters. Just $2.99, this ebook has helpful hints and what you need to know about character meals and best-bet restaurant across Walt Disney World.

Do you have any dining tips for eating out at Walt Disney World? Let me know in the comments section.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. However, the views and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Clare at Badlands National Park

Last month, my daughter, Clare, and I had the opportunity to travel to South Dakota to learn all about what this great state has to offer and it was quite an experience. We flew in to Rapid City, and I was truly impressed to learn just how many family-friendly activities are in and around this area.

I was familiar with Mount Rushmore, but I had no idea we’d see buffalo up-close, learn about fossils all over South Dakota or ride an old-time steam train through the Black Hills. Here are 10 can’t-miss activities for families.

Riding a Jackalope at Wall Drug

Become a Junior Paleontologist. Take in the unique beauty of Badlands National Park, but before you leave, be sure to pick up and fill out an activity booklet at the visitors center. Best for kids ages five to 12, your little ones will love learning about fossils through word searches and drawing activities.

Ride on a Jackalope. Sure, a jackalope is a fictitious animal (or is it?), but you can still climb atop one at the famous Wall Drug. Makes a fun photo opp. While at Wall Drug, be sure to see the T-Rex roar, splash around in the outdoor fountains and try some of the best maple-frosted donuts around.

Sunset at Frontier Cabins Motel

Sleep in a Log Cabin. You’ll find loads of fun places to stay in South Dakota that offer rustic log cabins with modern conveniences, like coffee makers and flat screen TVs. We stayed at Frontier Cabins Motel, near Wall Drug. Look for teepees, a playground, free continental breakfast and a fabulous sunset.

Pay Tribute to Crazy Horse. While still a work in progress, stop or drive by Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountain carving dedicated to Lakota leader Crazy Horse that’s been a work in progress for 65 years. During the summer, stay for an evening laser light show that gets going after dark.

Buffalo at Custer State Park

Go on a Buffalo Safari. We paid a visit Custer State Park and spent nearly two hours riding around in an open-air jeep in search of buffalo, antelope, prairie dogs and big horn sheep. And, boy, were we able to get up close and personal. If you can, visit the park in late-September for the annual Buffalo Round-up.

Meet and Greet our Nation’s Past Presidents. Take a walk around downtown Rapid City and you’ll find life-size bronze statues of each of our past presidents on just about every corner. Hop on the City View Trolley to learn all about the sculptures, as well as various other attractions in Rapid City.

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Pan for Gold. Head to Big Thunder Gold Mine and put on your hard hat for a tour deep into the mine to learn about the life of a miner and the failed attempts of many to strike it rich. Before you leave, pan for gold and take home the gold flakes you find in a tiny glass jar. A great keepsake.

Wrestle an Alligator. Well, maybe don’t do that, but a trip to Reptile Gardens on your way to or from Mount Rushmore is a must. Walk around in the Giant Tortoise Yard, watch prairie dogs play from the underground bubble in Prairie Dog Town and take in a Snake Show for a look at cobras and rattlesnakes.

Mount Rushmore

Take a Ride on a Train. Pick up the 1880 Train in Keystone or Hill City for a relaxing steam train ride through the Black Hills. The open-air ride lasts just over two hours and the conductor will share fun facts about the train sounds and what you’ll see out the windows.

Stare in Awe at Mount Rushmore. Of course, no trip to South Dakota is complete without a visit to Mount Rushmore. Take a free ranger tour to learn how the mountain sculpture was made and how the four presidents were chosen. Pick up a Junior Ranger or Rushmore Ranger activity booklet and earn a badge.

Have you been to South Dakota with your kids? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: My daughter and I spent four days in South Dakota as guests of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. No compensation was received and all opinions expressed here are my own. 

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

50 States Family Travel Destinations: Whether you’re planning adventures with kids on the Jersey Shore or across the country in Orange County, this is a great board to follow from Travel 50 States with Kids.

Staycations: If you’re looking for free and cheap things to do in your hometown or a town you plan to visit this summer, this is the board to check out. Lots of great tips and ideas for frugal fun.

Where We’re Heading Next: Created by my friends at MiniTime, this board highlights lots of great family-friendly places to check out from moms and dads planning upcoming getaways and vacations.

Favorite Beach Spots: I’m loving this board from Beachscape with pins and pins (and more pins) of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Definitely a great place to bask in the sand for awhile.

Share Your Very Best (Travel Edition): You’ll find more than 400 pins from travel-minded mom bloggers and pinners seeking to share posts and photos from their very favorite trips.

Traveling with Kids: You’ll love this board from Melissa & Doug, which is curated by a new friend, Zina at Let’s Lasso the Moon. She’s also a massive Pinterest superstar with more than one million followers.

Traveling Mama: Stop by for nearly 150 pins to help you plan a day at the beach, a stress-free family vacation or a road trip. Lots of great stuff from the aforementioned Pinterest superstar (love her).

National Parks: If your summer plans might include a trip to one of our hundreds of national parks, then check out this board with tips, advice and pins focused on parks across the country.

Family Travel Destinations: Pop over to this board from Trekaroo for lots of great boards filled with “top 10 things to do” in just about every state. It’s a must-visit for summer travel planning.

Traveling with Kids: If you’re planning a road or plane trip with little ones, this is the board to follow for lots of ideas for busy bags and travel games to keep your kids happy and occupied.

Do you have any favorite Pinterest boards dedicated to family travel? Leave links in the comments below.

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Hunt for Fossils. Some national parks, like Glacier National Park in Montana and Big Bend National Park in Texas, are home to some amazing fossils and cultural artifacts, but you can often find fossils anywhere sedimentary rocks are exposed. Hunting for fossils is a great way to explore Earth’s past as you and your kids think about how life has changed on our planet.

Go on a Photography Walk. Some parks offer free walks to take photos of nature within the park. Or, just grab your camera or smartphone and start taking pictures of everything interesting that you and your kids see. Print them out or upload them to an online photo album to document your experiences. 

Hop Aboard a Train. Ride on a train, whether an Amtrak train to ride a few hours to a new city, or on an old-time steam train, like those at Strasburg Railroad near Lancaster, PA. Look out the window, enjoy the scenery, take pictures. Even a ride on the subway can be a great learning experience as you take in new people and places.

Stop at a Funky Roadside Attraction. Going on a road trip? Don’t forget to stop by the Giant Roller Skate inBealeton, VA or the Peachoid (a giant peach water tower) in Gaffney, SC. Wherever your travels take you, stop by RoadsideAmerica.com first to find some of the funky spots you won’t want to miss.

Get Your Passport Stamped. Through the Passport to Your National Parks program, your kids can get their passport books stamped at national parks across the country. Each stamp records the date of the visit and the name of the national park for your child. Order a passport book online or you can buy one at many parks. Your kids will love getting new stamps every time you visit a new park.

To get a free copy of my ebook, 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer, simply click the subscribe button below to receive Kidventurous as a free e-newsletter. Or, sign up to receive my tips and advice as an RSS feed. If you sign up for my free e-newsletter, you will receive an email to verify your subscription. Once your subscription is confirmed, you’ll receive the free ebook by email.

If you are a current subscriber, you will find a link to download my free ebook at the bottom of RSS feed entries and newsletter articles. I look forward to hearing what you think about my new ebook

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Anguilla

It’s hard to find a “bad” beach in the Caribbean, but if you’ve got little ones in tow, some strands are more suitable than others. Ideally, you’ll want to find a patch with calm, shallow water; somewhere that’s small enough that the kids are always within eyesight; and with bathrooms and other facilities nearby. Here are a few of my favorites:

Doctor’s Cave, Jamaica
There’s good reason that this is Montego Bay’s most popular beach: warm clear waters fed by underground streams; a sweep of white sand; and a central location right on the city’s “Hip Strip.” You’ll pay $6 (kids are half price) to get into this private “bathing club” that boasts beachside restaurants, an Internet café and well-maintained changing facilities. And it’s worth every penny.

Bambarra Beach, Turks and Caicos Islands
If you’re staying on the main tourist island of Providenciales, consider a day trip to this secluded beach on the neighboring island of Middle Caicos. Hop the 30-minute ferry to North Caicos, then rent a car and drive about an hour to “Middle” and this breathtaking, off-the-beaten path beauty, where knee-deep, gin-clear water skims rippled sand for about a quarter-mile offshore. There are no restaurants, so bring a picnic and feast under the welcome shade of casuarina trees.

Smith Cove, Grand Cayman
Everyone talks about Seven-Mile Beach but about 20 minutes’ drive away, towards Georgetown, there’s a much smaller, lesser-known strand with oodles more charm. The tiny heart-shaped beach at Smith Cove (aka Smith’s Barcadere) is a great beach to meet local families, who come here for early-morning dips and afternoon picnics, and hotel staff, who seek refuge here on their days off. Look out for the painted blue iguana sculpture, one of 15 dotted around the island.

Emerald Bay, Bahamas
The Bahamas boasts some of the Caribbean’s best beaches, and the beaches in the Exumas (a chain of islands within the archipelago) are acknowledged as the best in the Bahamas. This mile-long curve of coast on Great Exuma Island is carpeted with sugary sands bordered by private homes and resorts. Look to the family-friendly villas and condos at Grand Isle Resort & Spa, which share the same strand and have bedrooms that open right onto the sand.

Anguilla
While other islands may crow about having a beach for every day of the year, Anguilla can claim “only” 33. All of them, however, are postcard-perfect. Beaches are public here, so even if you’re not staying at the swanky resorts that overlook them, you can still partake of their pleasures. Spread your blanket beside at shimmering Maundays Bay, located at the Cap Juluca resort. Or, park your bum on Shoal Bay, one of the island’s most popular strands, bordered by restaurants and shops.

Jet Set Sarah, Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, is a Caribbean travel expert, award-winning travel journalist, and TV personality. Former executive editor of Caribbean Travel +Life magazine, she ventures to the beach and beyond, sharing the diverse culture, relaxed lifestyle and colorful people of the world’s favorite warm-weather destination. She is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com, where travel and shopping meet 

Photo Credit: Margiebean

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.

Myrtle Beach SkyWheel

School’s already out for some children (another week left for my clan) and Highlights for Children recently polled America’s kids to find out where they most want to go this summer. The results are definitely interesting, especial picks #6 and #10. Take a look:

#1 Niagara Falls (NY): While the falls themselves are certainly a huge draw, there are so many other things to do in Niagara Falls to keep your kids busy, including the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and the Niagara Skywheel. Check out my post on the top-five things to do in Niagara Falls.

#2 Top Secret Upside Down White House (WI): I’ll be honest, the Upside Down White House was new to me, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s the White House, but upside down. Take a guided tour from guides who claim they don’t exactly know how this upside down replica made it to Wisconsin.

#3 Myrtle Beach (SC): The last time I was at Myrtle Beach was in college, but it’s such a fabulous place for families. Look for sandy beaches, state parks, festivals, and plenty of attractions for kids, like Ripley’s Attractions, the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel and Splashes Oceanfront Water Park.

#4 The Statue of Liberty (NY): Set to re-open to the public on July 4, you’ll want to get tickets well in advance, particularly if you want to access the crown. Take in a free ranger tour, enjoy a statue cruise or earn a Junior Ranger badge. Take a look at my six ways to enjoy a fun-filled day with Lady Liberty.

#5 Florida Keys (FL): My daughters and I spent five days driving across the Florida Keys back in March. Take in the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, go snorkeling and visit with dolphins at Hawks Cay Resort or kick back and enjoy all that Key West has to offer at Mile Marker 0.

#6 The International UFO Museum and Research Center (NM): Located in Roswell, NM, the UFO Museum offers insights into a flying saucer that may have crashed here in the desert. Parents and kids will also enjoy taking in exhibits focused on all aspects of the UFO phenomena.

#7 The White House (DC): While White House Tours have been temporarily halted, it’s still worth taking a walk past 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a look and a photo opp. Or, take a virtual tour and then check out a few more fun things to do with kids in Washington, DC.

#8 Yellowstone National Park (WY): I took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park just after college and can attest that it is a sight to see. Kids will love Old Faithful, the Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Fall. If you can, try out camping inside the park.

#9 Grand Canyon (AZ): While I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, it is certainly on my bucket list. There are a variety of seasonal programs taking place on both the North Rim and South Rim, making summer a great time to visit. Teens can also explore the Grand Canyon through hiking and rafting trips.

#10 The World’s Largest Ball of Twine (KS): Who knew, but the World’s Largest Ball of Twine is located in Cawker City, KS, and America’s kids want to see it in person. Weighing in at nine tons, more twine is added by residents and visitors each August during a twine-a-thon.

If your kids enjoy traveling state-to-state, be sure to also check out Which Way USA from Highlights for Children, which quizzes children on cultural landmarks, attractions and facts about each state.

Do you have plans to visit any of the above picks this summer? Let me know in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: Bill Landman

Kick off summer with my free ebook: 100 Activities to Do as a Family this Summer.