About

Gifford-Walmart-0902I’m Erin Gifford, a Washington, DC-based family travel expert who founded Kidventurous in April 2011 to help moms and dads plan family travel adventures that are both educational and fun. A mother of four children, I’m an early-riser (4:30 am on weekdays), a runner (two marathons completed) and a UVA grad (go Hoos!).

Kidventurous has received multiple accolades. In 2011, Kidventurous was selected by the editors of Parents magazine as the Best Family Travel Blog. In 2016, Kidventurous was again recognized by Parents magazine in their Best of the Web Awards.

Kidventurous was also chosen as the Best Family Travel Blog by Luxury Travel Mavens and was named a Finalist, Top Family Travel Sites in the Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards in late-2012. In early-2015, Kidventurous was recognized as the Travel Blog of the Day by TravelPulse. The editors of TravelAge West also featured Kidventurous as one of 6 Family Travel Blogs to Follow Now.

I served on Merck’s Active Family Project Play Council, which worked to empower moms to enjoy healthy and active lifestyles with their families. I was also recognized as one of five Smart Family Travel experts for Scholastic Parent & Child magazine. In this capacity, I dispensed tips and advice to families interested in memorable vacation experiences.

I have written for numerous media outlets, including Parents, The Washington PostAFAR.com, HGTV.com, Realtor.com, AAA World, TravelChannel.com, Brides.com, Conde Nast Traveler, Fodors.com, Lonely Planet, USA Today’s GoEscape, TravelAge West and more. I also share family travel advice in radio and television interviews.

In addition, I am a triathlete, Cub Scout den leader, national parks enthusiast, bucket list creator, budding photographer and wannabe backpacker. In addition writing about family travel at Kidventurous, I help travelers connect with the best travel finds at Best Travel Life.

I also love to hike and share the best hikes in Virginia at Go Hike Virginia, as well as the best hikes in Maryland at Maryland Hikes. I have written two hiking guidebooks for FalconGuides, including  Hiking with Kids Virginia: 52 Great Hikes for Families (March 2022) and Hiking Coastal Trails of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (July 2022).

I would love to hear from you about how I can help with your next travel marketing campaign. Please send me an email at erin@kidventurous.com and let’s talk about how we can work together.