Family-Friendly Museums

Not all children’s museums are family friendly. Many establishments that market themselves as “kid-friendly” often pay more attention to toddlers than tweens. If your kids are older and don’t much care to take part in museum scavenger hunts or make pretend pizzas with plastic ingredients, don’t give up on educational establishments. Instead, plan a trip to the following museums across the U.S. that aim to stimulate families with members of all ages: Exploratorium, San Francisco Learning has never been more fun thanks to the Bay Area’s Exploratorium. The interactive San Francisco museum is a hands-on wonderland for tweens and teens. … Continue reading

Visit A Local Museum

Most cities across the country, even the smallest rural or suburban communities, will have a museum, historic house or some another special place set aside to pay tribute to the history and legacy of that particular location. Many folks think of historic house tours and museum visits as vacation-only activities, but you may be missing out on some amazing discoveries that lay in wait for you right around the corner! I used to all but ignore the local history that surrounds me, yet at the same time be fascinated by the special places and museums in other cities, states and … Continue reading

Photo Scavenger Hunt

A photo scavenger hunt can be a fun and creative project for your kids. It is a great way to get them interested in photography and looking at their surroundings in a different way. On a rainy day it is a productive way to get their creative juices flowing. With a digital camera there isn’t really any expense unless you want to convert the photos to prints. With very young children they can pick the items and you can take the photos. With children old enough and responsible enough let them have full control over the camera. Two children can … Continue reading

Museum Scavenger Hunt

Taking a child, especially a smaller one, to a museum can be a dicey proposition. Will they care about a 300 year old canvas with a picture of some fruit? Could they grasp the importance of a stone wall covered in ancient hieroglyphics? Maybe not, but that certainly does not mean that family fun cannot be had at a stately museum. Here is a road-tested and proven method for occupying children at a museum with an activity that is amusing, interactive and dare I say it – educational! Upon entering the museum, head straight for the gift shop. I know, … Continue reading

Free Admission for Military Families

Looking for something to do with your spouse or the kids this summer? Well, thanks to a new program, military families get complimentary admission to more than 2,000 art, science and history museums from now through labor day! The new program, called “Blue Star Museums,” includes free entrance at museums in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. To be eligible for free admission, you must be active duty, National Guard, Reserve military personnel or a family member. The Blue Star Museums program is brought to us through Blue Star Families, the National Endowment … Continue reading

Affordable Winter Weekend Getaways

Are you looking for a way to chase away the winter blues? Maybe you just need an escape to cure a severe case of cabin fever. Regardless of the reason, the winter season can have you itching to jet-off to the sun, sand and surf. Unfortunately, if you are short on time and money a tropical getaway may not be possible. The good news is that there are a slew of other options available for those who only have the weekend to relax and unwind, including: Camping: There are nearly 400 National Parks in the United States, many of which … Continue reading

Adventures by Disney: Europe

Now that we’re coming to the Adventures by Disney trips in Europe and North America, I will have to break up these sections into even smaller increments because there are so many travel options. Today I will focus on Adventures by Disney’s trips in England, France, Ireland, and Germany. Adventures by Disney offers two separate trips in England and France: the Gateway to London and Paris tour and the England and France Family Vacation. Despite the names, however, both seven-day six-night tours include only London and Paris. I find that a bit disappointing, because many of the other Adventures by … Continue reading

Family Home Evening: Family Reunions

If you are planning a family reunion you may want to include a family home evening along with some of the events that you have planned. A family reunion family home evening is a great way to focus on family history and the stories that are passed on from generation to generation. You can start the activity by recounting stories from the life of the oldest living relative there. This can be a fun activity. You may want to record this and make DVDs for each family to have as memories as well. Additionally you may want to ask each … Continue reading

Antiquing With Kids

Next time you and the kids see an antique and rummage store, go inside. It’s a lot of fun to show them what phones looked like when you were a kid, the typewriter you learned to type on, your first camera, or the same dishes your grandmother had. We like to look at old postcards too, some are very silly. I like to show my kids things like butter churns, glass citrus juicers, or old washing machines and have them guess what the items are. Sometimes even I don’t know what the things are and we ask. Usually people are … Continue reading

Got Kids? Saving Money on the Road

Who says the only lodgings that embrace families are the ones where “Kids Eat Free” signs hang above the entryway? With the cost of gas soaring, house prices falling and the word “recession” appearing on newspaper headlines from coast-to-coast hoteliers are getting creative to lure families with children to their properties. The following cost-saving travel packages are not only easy on your wallet, but they are also packed with kid-friendly activities that will truly make your vacation on a shoestring a memorable one. DENVER The 196-room JW Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek is currently offering their Kids in the City … Continue reading