Gadget Guide: Are We There Yet? Top 10 Gadgets for Battling Backseat Boredom
Why is it that less than 7 minutes into any road trip you hear those dreaded words, “Mommy, I’m bored!”? Before you plug in a movie (or lose your mind), try these gadgets to battle backseat boredom!
Top 10 Gadgets for Battling Backseat Boredom
#1: Lap Desk – Think of it as a gadget to support other gadgets because whether it’s a puzzle or good old fashioned pen and paper, it’s a lot easier to use with a horizontal surface. Check out the MyDesk or Smart-E-Lapdesk from LapGear.com.
#2: A Journal – Perfect for sketching, writing down interesting places you visited or simply tracking how many red trucks passed when counting cars to earn ice cream at the next rest stop.
#3: Skip Hop Bento Bag – Okay, technically it’s a diaper bag, but it has the ultimate tool for battling backseat boredom: snacks! Cleverly built into the bottom of the bag, the Bento bag has a handy cooler bag complete with its own made-to-fit reusable ice pack and 3 pint-sized containers.
#4: Story Cubes – It’s a tiny box containing 9 picture cubes with the idea that you roll the cubes and make up a story (on your own or as a group) based on the images that are face up. Think of it as a storytelling icebreaker for kids.
#5: Magnetic Design Kits – No crayons or paper required for creative fun. All you need is the magnet case with the interchangeable backgrounds and the magnets. The kits range from space explorer to ballerina dress-up and EVERYTHING in between.
#6: Shape-by-Shape by ThinkFun – It’s not as easy as it looks to match the oddly shaped tiles to the picture card, but it does keep kids quiet as they try to figure out the puzzle. We love that the picture cards store in the bottom of the tile tray so no parts go missing enroute!
#7: Audio Books – iTunes and Audible carry tons of books for kids of all ages – from The Magic School Bus to Lord of the Rings. It’s the perfect substitute for the now standard mode of travel – plug in a movie and drive (plus it’s nice to listen as a family).
#8: Tablet or iPad – It’s amazing how much entertainment you can pack into these portable devices – from Monopoly to Mary Poppins to Matching Games. It makes you wonder how you ever traveled without one (for the kids, that is).
#9: Lug Nap Sac Travel Pillow/Blanket – How many times did your mother tell you, “If you go to sleep, we will be there faster!” It’s true that travel time goes much quicker (for everyone) if the kids are sleeping and this all-in-one travel blanket pillow is just what you need!
#10: Your Imagination – Gadgets are great, but sometimes what a road trip really needs is a rousing game of “Hey Cow!” or “I Imagine”. See our list of favorite road trip games for more creative travel games for kids!
Gadget Guide: Organizing To-Go – Top Gadgets to Help You Stay Organized On-The-Go
Ahhh…summer vacation is here and your family has the perfect adventure planned. Besides your “bag of tricks” (candy), and travel toys, what can you do to prevent this “perfect” holiday from falling apart at the seams? Check out these top 10 Storage Solutions for the stuff that can get out of hand.
In the Car…
Travel Cord Organizer & Charging Case – If you have kids, you have electronics and a mess of cords, chargers, and adapters! Check out Kangaroom’s sensible and neat, all in one travel case to make your expedition easier!
Kids Back Seat Organizer – If you are traveling a long distance by car, you’ll want to make it as easy as possible for your kids to help themselves. Fabulous features include game table top with flip up sides, insulated sides to keep food chilled, fastens to the seat belt AND comes with a strap for portability!
Family First Aid Kit – This kit is ideal for family holidays, and is well equipped to treat most common injuries. Or save yourself a few bucks and create a custom safety bag to suit your needs with items from home.
Custom Travel Activity Kit – This is definitely a “luxury” item! If Grandma wants you to travel across the country with kids in tow, send this link to her as a not so subtle hint. Talk about spoiling your kids!
On your Adventures…
Waterproof Pouch – Keep your camera or iPhone save from sand and water while you are at the beach. Submergible and waterproof, this floating pouch is ideal protecting your expensive gadgets this summer.
On the Go Snacker Container – This unique container is designed to hold fruit and veggies separate from sauces. It is equipped with a removable ice pack and can help you encourage healthy snacks on the go this summer.
Purse Essentials – Stay organized on the go this summer with this set of 4 zippered pouches that clip together. This will prevent you from losing your everyday essentials as you switch purses and backpacks.
In Your Suitcase…
Eagle Creek Pack-It Stuff Sacks – Use this nylon mesh bags to organize everything from socks, t-shirts, sunscreen and bug sprays. Love the different colors and sizes, and the fact that they are breathable and fast drying. No more rooting around the backpack or suitcase, just grab the drawstring and pull!
Two-sided Cord Pouch – If you’re taking an adventure this summer with your family, you’ll want to keep all of your camera cords in this “tech tamer” pouch. This fantastic little wonder can store up to 10 cords tangle-free in an easy viewing labeled pouch!
Pack ME Note Pads – If your summer is jam-packed with many “mini-vacays”, you may want a pack of these checklist sheets to get you on your way, on time, and without going to the loony bin.
Need more tips on getting organized and staying organized? Go to www.nichedesignsinc.com!
Family Vacations: Stuck for Ideas? Know What You’d Like to Do, Just Not How or Where?
Stuck for ideas? Know what you’d like to do, just not how or where?
Here’s some helpful suggestions
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Beaches Resorts
The ultimate in family all-inclusive destinations. Three destinations in Jamaica and one in the Turks & Caicos, all provide activities for all. Kids can enjoy Pirates Island (where they can plunder ice cream bars – ahoy!) and Sesame Street characters.
Teens can enjoy beach sports, their own alcohol-free nightclub and a DJ academy. Babies and toddlers have daycares with certified nannies. For you – well, if the Sesame Street parade’s not for you, chances are you’ll find something at the bar.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Sometimes the best family vacations involve some “me” time – and not just for you. Just as you might look forward to a massage and fine dining, your kids want to play some new video games and chow down on some burgers and fries. After all, it’s their vacation too. With that in mind, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is pairing with Nickelodeon for a series of family-friendly cruises. Your kids can meet the Nicktoons and join onboard Nickelodeon activities – including the chance to see exclusive Nickelodeon premieres.
ROAD TRIP
Trans-Canada Highway
In many ways, the “Trans-Can” is North America’s ultimate highway. It’s the third-longest national highway in the world, and easily the most extensive in this hemisphere. It reaches all ten provinces, although you have to “cheat” and use a ferry to reach Newfoundland. You don’t even need a map – just keep following the iconic No#1 signs. Canada is a huge country, and this is perhaps the best way to see it.
Route 66
The fabled “Main Street of America,” and a place you can get your kicks – Route 66 is the most famous highway in the U.S. It runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona along the way. Like the Trans-Canada, there’s far too much en route to attempt to list here – but you and yours want to hit the road, this is one to hit.
NATIONAL PARKS
Yosemite National Park
What’s better for kids than the chance to run around? And if that’s what you’re after, you won’t find more space anywhere than a national park. While most visitors remain within the seven square miles of Yosemite Valley, there’s another 1,182 square miles to discover, most of it designated wilderness. There are three different groves of Giant Sequoia trees, the largest in the world.
These alone are worth the trip, and prove there’s more to California than the beach, Hollywood, and Mickey Mouse.
The Grand Canyon
Probably America’s most famous park, it deserves every bit of its international reputation. The Colorado River took about six million years to carve out the valley. At 277 miles long, 4 to 18 miles in width, and up to a mile down, you can see why.
It’s not the deepest, widest, or longest valley in the world, but it’s perhaps the biggest; it could hold more water, for example, than any other. People have spent years exploring the Grand Canyon – you and your kids will almost certainly be spellbound, no matter how long you visit.
Banff National Park
Canada’s oldest national park (established in 1885) is also arguably its most famous. It’s an alpine park, but it’s stunningly diverse, containing valleys, glaciers, forest, and of course, the resort town of Banff. That’s great, but what about the kids? Here’s how you sell Banff to even the most difficult of your offspring: animals. Kids love them, and Banff is like a giant outdoor zoo.
Besides sports like skiing, Banff is perhaps best known for its wildlife. From moose and elk to bears and bighorn sheep, 56 different species of large mammal live within the park.
THEME PARKS
Disneyland (Anaheim, California) /Disney World (Orlando, Florida)
You can’t mention theme parks without Disney’s two crown jewels. Disneyland is older, and Disney World larger and slightly more popular (by total annual visitors), but not by much, and Disneyland is catching up on both scores. Both have done a fantastic job keeping up with the times while retaining classic attractions, such as Space Mountain and (my favorite) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Chances are your kids have asked you to go at least once – and really everyone should go at least once.
Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun (Kansas City, Missouri)
Theme park aficionados are a strange, passionate lot. They travel around the country (and other countries) solely for theme parks, which they expect very high standards from. One park they consistently rate the best, or near the best, is Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun, in Kansas City. Technically, they’re two different parks – one “traditional” other a water park. (Three guesses which is which.) The park’s imaginative theme and layout is based on Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 days,” with five major sections representing world regions. That’s not the reason park nuts love the place – it’s the rides. Worlds of Fun is reputed to have the best collection of classic and modern roller coasters anywhere.
UNUSUAL
Out ‘n’ About Treesort – Cave Junction, Oregon
Vacation in a treehouse, Swiss Family Robinson-style. Out ‘n’ About has 18 different treehouses of varying size and amenity levels, but the tree theme doesn’t end there. There are platforms, forts, swinging bridges and ladders, a huge zip line, and more. It’s basically a week (or more) of playing at being monkeys and living in the clouds. If your kids don’t love this…well, then have them checked.
PaleoWorld Montana Dinosaur Expedition
Kids have a love affair with dinosaurs. It’s about as close to universal as a phase can get. Unfortunately, the extent of their interaction is usually books and models – maybe if they’re lucky, a local museum will have a plaster cast skull…or something.
PaleoWorld’s annual dig is different – open to the public. Paleontologist Joseph Hatcher guides aspiring dinosaur hunters (big and small) through the process of actually discovering them: how to identify and excavate fossils. This is the experience of a lifetime.
In Praise of the One Day-Cation: Daytrips for every interest, budget, size, and locale
Does this sound familiar, MOMeos? You’re exhausted and your kids are driving you nuts. You need to find something to do with them, but you don’t have a lot of time or money. These 10 daytrips are manageable, easy to organize, inexpensive and can be done no matter where you live:
- HIKING: Head to your nearest State/Provincial or National Park. Chances are, there are plenty of destinations within close driving distance with fabulous hiking and walking trails. Activity guides provide ideas for which hike will suit you and your family best. If this isn’t up your alley, try some other outdoor pursuits such as horseback riding, skiing, river rafting or rock climbing.
- COUNTRY PICNICS: Okay, you take your kids to the neighborhood or city park all the time. For a change of pace, why not pack up the cold cuts and blanket and go for a drive in the country? Make a day of it by combining the drive and the picnic with a visit to a nearby waterfall. Kids love waterfalls and it makes for a great family photo op.
THE ZOO/AQUARIUM/WILD ANIMAL PARK/PETTING ZOO: If you’re lucky enough to live near a world-class facility – and you know which ones they are – then this is an obvious choice. But most cities, even towns, have some kind of zoo or animal park. Never underestimate children’s fascination with watching animals live and in person.- HISTORIC SITES: Find out more about the history of your region. Be it dinosaurs, First Nations, pioneers, or information about early growth and the building of your community. Some places will have hands-on activities or neat, interesting and unique things that your kids can learn, eat, or do.
- CONSERVATION AREAS/SANCTUARIES: Check in your area for nearby river gorges or areas with fossil beds, bird or butterfly sanctuaries, conservatories or botanical gardens, rock gardens or aquariums. Try one day trip per month and turn it into a fun, family tradition that your kids will start looking forward to.
- THE BEACH/THE LAKE: Seek out sunshine and sand! If you can’t find that, get yourself close to some water. Build sand castles, gather sea shells, hang on the pier, go fishing, walk on the boardwalk or meander along the shoreline. This is relaxing, quality time at its best.
- FESTIVALS: Check your local event guide for a host of different fairs or festivals. Community days, music, parades, plays, recreation shows – there’s always something happening.
- CANOE TRIPS: Check out the island in the middle of the lake, or canoe across the lake to the ice cream parlour. If canoes aren’t your thing, bring your mountain bikes and scoot through the forest or ride along the lake or country dirt road. Kids love to go exploring!
- VISIT ANOTHER TOWN: You might be surprised at the charm you find in some of the outlying towns and villages around you. Find out the town’s claim-to-fame. Is it a great sandwich, an unbeatable cup of coffee, a quirky museum or some other attraction? In Vegreville, Alberta, , the town’s claim-to-fame is the World’s Largest Easter Egg. At the very least, you can say you’ve seen it.
- LEAVE THE KIDS AT HOME: Need a day trip sans kids? Find a babysitter, or drop them off at the grandparents and have a private getaway with your better half – or on your own. Take in an art studio tour, a film festival, a winery or brewery tour or the much-loved spa day, or a trip to a hot springs, get yourself out of town.
Log onto Day Trips & Excursions in the USA for a complete list of more specific daytrips in your area.
Do you and your family have a favorite ‘Day-Cation’? Leave us a comment–we love to hear from you!
Vacation Destinations: MOMeo’s Top 2010 Family Vacations
 |
Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii– A two-mile long beach circling the Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s north shore, Hanalei Beach boasts pristine white sands and crystal-clear water that supports almost any recreation visitors could desire. |
|---|---|
 |
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia– Accessible by ferry, Cumberland Island National Seashore offers both warm, sunny beach and rugged wilderness with wildlife abound. |
 |
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania– Lancaster County’s horse and buggy-lined roads are well-known in pictures and publications from coast to coast. Here you’ll find Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, ripe with theatrical entertainment and home cooking. |
 |
New York City– The Big Apple lives up to its name for vacationers. Boasting some of the best shopping and entertainment for kids and adults of all ages, it’s also home to one of the United States’ most famous parks. |
 |
The ranches of Montana and Wyoming– Dozens of dude and working ranches dot the mountain-lined countryside of Montana and Wyoming. They offer families a chance to literally work through their relaxation. Of course, the hearty ranch fare and nightly campfires are noteworthy features of the experience, too. |
 |
Shipshewana, Indiana– Like Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Shipshewana, Indiana is surrounded by a deeply-rooted Amish population – but its claim to fame is its sprawling flea market and thrice-weekly auctions. Shipshewana is truly an antique shopper’s paradise. |
 |
Washington, D.C.– From National Monuments and the Library of Congress, to some of the best zoos and aquariums in the world, Washington D.C. is family-friendly, educational and easily accessible. |
 |
Montreal, Quebec– Beautifully maintained buildings, some of the oldest outside Europe, draw visitors to Montreal year after year. The sprawling botanical gardens also attract crowds. |
 |
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky– In south-central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is dedicated to preserving some 367 miles of caves – the world’s longest known cave system. Tours take families deep into the system where they can explore the maze from within. |
 |
Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia– Located on the western coast of Vancouver Island, the Pacific Rim National Park experience is well worth the trip. Aside from its rugged coastline, cozy inns and proximity to hot springs, the area’s whale watching – best done during March – is a highlight. |
MOMeo’s Top 2010 Family Vacations
Holiday decorations have been packed away, resolutions made – and for some already broken – as the New Year wears on, so does the need for personal renewal.
A family vacation – whether taken on a warm, sunny beach or in the halls of one of North America’s most interesting museums – is one of the best ways to achieve just that. For many MOMeos, finding the perfect destination is just another chore on the already overwhelming to-do list.
This year we have made it as simple as 1, 2, 3. Decide which type of vacation suits your family best, choose from our list of top destinations and pack your bags – relaxation awaits.
Surf, Sand and Seafood
The beaches of North America are as varied as her coastlines. From the heat, sun and fine white sands of Hawaii’s best beaches to the wild, hike-worthy beaches of the Pacific Northwest and south, the seashore offers something to every type of family. For some, that means soaking up some rays, or relaxing among grassy dunes, or beachcombing for treasures.
A Slower Pace
For families looking to step back in both time and pace, Amish Country, Pennsylvania and the not-so-wild west of Montana and 
Wyoming are excellent choices.
The quaint inns of Amish country and the simple, charming dude ranches of the west offer rest of a different kind. Cozy up around a campfire, saddle up and work cattle or indulge in good Amish cooking and entertaining theater.
Either way, enjoy a momentary break from the fast-paced world. Immerse yourself in a slower, simpler time. One when work was still hard, but deadlines perhaps a little less rigid.
Shop Until You Drop
For shopaholics, there’s no better vacation than one spent around some of the continent’s best shops.
The shiny storefronts of the Big Apple, Chicago and Hollywood will remain, but it’s possible to find a more family-friendly shop-mosphere. Check out the quirky independent districts of San Francisco and Toronto, but the flea markets in Shipshewana, Indiana may just reign supreme.
A Winter Wonderland
For some, “vacation” means escaping snow and ice. For others with the right gear (and attitude) the white stuff is reason to
celebrate.
Strap on snowshoes or cross-country skis and trek across any one of many winter wonderlands. Hit Colorado’s slopes in skis, snowboards and tubes as a family for faster-paced fun.
The Great Outdoors
Mother Nature has given us much to admire. Redwood forests, a Grand Canyon, and the vast wilderness that spans much of Canada and Alaska.
In 2010, why not consider admiring her works from within? Mammoth Cave – and many others – located in Kentucky, offers a glimpse at Nature’s underbelly.
Fun in Learning
Do you love learning as a family? Can’t justify a school-free week for the kids just after the holiday season? Combine family fun 
and learning by visiting one of North America’s most history-rich cities.
Consider Washington, D.C. ripe with national monuments and museums. Its only rival? Montreal, Quebec, one of the most beautiful and history-rich old towns outside Europe.
No matter the destination or itinerary, the key to a successful vacation is enjoying time with family. Takea technology break, soak in your surroundings and engage wholly in whatever you choose.
-
-
-
-
- I love that @AlyPain tells it like it is --> STOP Blaming Your Children - Why YOUR Failure Isn't THEIR Fault - http://t.co/LPo51mgI
- Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, "Make me feel important." ~Mary Kay Ash
