My boys are at the age where we have to designate a “postal” helper for the day and take turns.  They both LOVE to get the mail and bring it in the house, mainly because they love to see if anything has their name on it!  So this summer, I’ve found a way to get mail to my kids!

First of all, find a state or country with your child that you might be interested in.  Perhaps the grandparents live there, or maybe you are planning a vacation in the future to a certain area.  Or, if you have school-aged children, maybe it is a region or a country that will be discussed in school this upcoming year.  Then, write a letter (my son writes ours) to the state’s chamber of commerce or the country’s embassy.  If it is a popular tourist destination, write them directly.  Many of these addresses can be found online or at your local library.  When children write to places such as these, expressing an interest in the area, the offices are usually more than happy to oblige and send packets of information. 

This is a great way to get your child interested in other countries or involved in the planning process of a trip.  The information that is received is usually great for school projects and reports, too!

Are you looking for something different to try on your annual trek to the beach this year?  Want to find a new venue in that sleepy town you love to visit each summer?  Try some of these out on your next vacation, and perhaps these will spark new ideas as well! 

• Sometimes, the weather simply doesn’t cooperate with us when we go on vacation (okay, a lot of the time).  So, we’re always on the hunt for a local library.  Libraries are great places to hang out and read, check out local programs, and even find out about other activities in town.
• While my kids love to hit the souvenir shops at the beach, our favorite places when visiting somewhere out of town are more local shops.  My kids love to explore new stores, even grocery stores!  It is a great way to get out and see something new, even if it is “just a grocery store”!
• Look for local parks.  We have many visitors in our hometown who come here simply for our amazing parks department.  Not everyone is blessed to have such a system, but most places do have playgrounds and other places to let off some steam and just “be”.  See if there is an elementary school with a playground nearby as well (be sure school isn’t in session, though!).
• If you are going to a major attraction, consider matching clothing or hats for the family, even if it is simply the same color.  Make sure it is something easily spotted (like red, yellow or orange) and that everyone is aware of it!  Keeping up with younger kids in a large area is stressful enough - make them easy to spot and track down!  And, try to hit big amusement areas as early as possible.  The earlier you get started, the more you will get to see and enjoy.  Our favorite plan is to play hard early and enjoy a late lunch.  Then, while my 3 year old naps, my older son enjoys the pool and activities around our hotel or camp area.  We finish off the day with dinner and more fun activities.
• Purchase a local newspaper to find out about farmer’s markets, craft or hobby shows, and any other local activities that might be of interest.  These are events that will probably be lots of fun, but they might not be easily publicized for those other than the “locals”.  Our town has a great bike shop - yes, bike shop!  It is a wonderful place to go in and browse with all of the interesting configuations for bicycling.  It is one of the most popular stores in town.

What are some of your favorite tips to find new things to do in your favorite vacation spot?  Leave a comment and let us know!

We tend to spend a great deal of time on the road during the summer, whether it is on our bikes or in the car.  Being prepared for all this travel, across town or long distances, is a slightly different approach from the rest of the year.

SUNSCREEN!  My kids spend the majority of their summer outside the house, so sunscreen is a given each day.  Try to remember to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside.  If you are bike riding, this is especially important because you might not realize just how much sun you’re getting as you pedal around town.  Follow the instructions on the bottle and lather up as necessary.  Sunscreen isn’t a seasonal item; while the sun might not be as intense in the winter as it is in the summer, sunscreen should be used year-round.

GET GERMS UNDER CONTROL!  I always carry a disposable box of wipes in my car, especially in the summer months.  No one wants to eat ice cream after playing in the sandbox at the park, and when a place to wash up isn’t readily available, I can always count on the wipes to do the trick.  They are great for cleaning up spills in the car, too!

BE PREPARED FOR STORMY WEATHER!  I have a small bag in my trunk with my “essentials” for bad weather: umbrella, a disposable rain parka, bottled water, and “dry” snacks, such as pretzels and crackers.  In addition to things for bad weather, I also carry a towel, a spare change of clothes for the boys, and a first aid kit.  As much running and playing as we do during the summer, we make sure we are prepared for whatever comes our way!

We’re hitting the road this summer, making the rounds to the grandparents and other relatives along the way.  It will be just my boys and me as my husband will be toiling away at his desk job.  Which means, it will be Me versus Them in the loooooooong car ride to Grandma’s house.  I’m going into this challenge armed and ready!

If you will be road-tripping this summer with your family, take a look at some of these great tips to make it a bit more bearable for everyone.  And, if you have any of your own to add, please leave a comment and let us know!

• Pack smart.  While consolidating space in my sedan is important, I do pack an extra bag of just the essentials - a change of clothes for everyone, perhaps a bathing suit, our toothbrushes, anything we might need for just a night.  Then, instead of having to trudge our huge everyone-packed-in-one-bag suitcase around, I simply pull out the smaller bag if we need to make an overnight stop.  In our larger suitcase, I do manage to pack all of our belongings together.  The key is to “layer”…place each item in an outfit in a pile, then pack backwards through your vacation.  That way, the items on top are the things you’ll need once you reach your destination, and each day following that should be the next on top.  This eliminates “the dig and throw” method that my boys usually have!
• Since I do drive a mid-size sedan, indoor space is at a premium (we downsized from a mega-SUV last year).  To eliminate in-car clutter, my boys are both issued a backpack the day before we leave.  They are allowed to bring whatever will fit in the backpack, and nothing else.  If they want a special blanket or stuffed animal, it has to fit into the backpack.  If a certain toy is important enough to make the journey, it has to fit into the backpack.  Want a snack on the road?  It has to fit into the backpack!  That way, my boys only bring the things they REALLY want, and it elminates a lot of the “extras” we used to bring but never touched.
• On the longest leg of our journey, I try to provide something new for the boys.  While a small toy (like a little car) is okay, I try to find something different than what they are accustomed to: for my older son, this might be a word find book and a new cool pen.  For my toddler, perhaps a small spiral notebook and crayons (or if I am really adventurous, I stock up on “party favor” toys and use those).  They get to take a break from the other stuff they brought, and I get a break from the “are we there yet” chants - hopefully.

What are some life-saving tips you have for travelling with kids?  Let us know!

Four and a half years ago, we moved our little family across our state.  It was a good move for us - good job, great place to live, close to our siblings - but it still took a toll on our little guy who had just turned 4.  After several months of adjustment, we finally clicked into a routine, but the first weeks in our new place were an upheaval for us.  Here are some tips to keep in mind when moving with little ones:

• Be upfront and honest with your child.  Do not try to “hide” an upcoming move.  The more time a child has to adjust to the idea, the better off they will be.  Allow them time to get used to the idea.  Telling your child about a move should be a positive experience, no matter what the circumstances behind the move.  Be excited and tell of all the positive things that will happen with the move (new friends, new and fun places to visit, a new room, etc).
• Allow your child to ask questions and voice concerns.  Make them a part of the discussion.  This allows them to have a say in the overall decision and to take ownership in the move.
• Present a united front.  If both parents are making the move, make sure both parents are excited and “on board” with the decision.  If the child senses any regret and anxiety on your part about the move, they will take it on as their own.
• Expose your child to as much information about the new community as possible.  Go for a visit if feasible, visiting grocery stores, schools, parks, churches and other areas of interest to your child.  Or, research it together online.  Call the Chamber of Commerce for the area and request information about the area (your child will love getting mail!).
• The older the child, the more difficult the move, so keep that in mind as the date approaches.  Your child might act out more or do things they don’t normally do, simply because they are frustrated, anxious and/or scared.  Talk about your child’s feelings and that it is okay to feel this way.
• If your child has a special friend or two with which they want to stay in touch, make sure to get that information.  Having a get-together before moving is a great way to say goodbye, too.
• Pack a moving bag for the car.  Include favorites like stuffed animal friends, pictures, familiar books, and add a few new things as well - travel games, cards, maybe a disposable camera.
• Once you get to your new home, get your children involved.  Check out the local library or parks department for free or low-cost events to hel pyour child meet others.  Offer to volunteer at your child’s school and try to be a presence for a few weeks to help them adjust.

Moving can be a scary time for kids, but adults can alleviate those fears by staying positive and looking on the “bright side” of the experience.

We’re staring a day-long car ride square in the face right now…and that’s just one way.  We’ll repeat the process again after a couple of days of Grandparentdom.  My panic-personality decided to rear her ugly head during dinner tonight…what will we DO with two boys, in the SEDAN, for hours at a time, to keep them from a) maiming or killing each other or b) driving the adults to an insane asylum?  Do not fear - Creative Mom is here!

Think back to your younger years.  Were you a victim of the hours-long car rides to the grandparents, Dad at the helm, Mom navigating from the passenger seat, you (and perhaps a sibling or two), crammed in the back seat between the cooler, a suitcase, and a pillow, realizing that, about 30 minutes into the trip, this is going to be ONE LONG DRIVE?  What did we do to occupy our time?

In our family, we played games.  All kinds of games.  First, there was the animal game.  All players would count the animals they saw out their window (it was just my brother and me, so we didn’t have the “sitting in the middle” issue).  The player who counted the most animals over a set period of time would be the winner.  However, if a cemetery (or a sign pointing down a road to a cemetery) appeared outside your window, you would have to “bury your animals”, lose your total and start all over again.

Another fun game we used to play was the Alphabet game.  I was the Champ of the 1977 Impala for this game.  As you drive down the road, you have it identify each letter of the alphabet, starting with A.  We would keep score as to who would find the most letters.  This can also be done using only license plates or even setting a time limit.

Some travellers enjoy the state game: identifying as many state license plates as possible.  This isn’t such a great idea where I live as most plates are from our state.  It is not common to see an out-of-state plate.  However, on a road trip to Colorado one summer (Yes, I know!  18 hours in the CAR!!!), we did have a great time playing this one.

While these three games are wonderful games to play in the car to keep children engaged, active and happy, none of them are really ideal for my kids today.  My boys have an age gap of 5 years, with the older son being 8.  My three year-old, while knowing all of his letters, cannot keep up with the speed of his big brother.  So, I’ve come up with some quiet activities for both of them in the car this time that are appropriate for each of them.

For my younger son, I am packing a small bag of goodies for him - some old, some new.  He is an avid crayon-man, so I have a baggie with 8 triangular crayons (to keep them from sliding).  I also packed a new coloring book for him, and he has a clipboard to use as a “desk” in the car.  I am also including a small sticker sheet and a small Aquadoodle set.  I am a huge fan of Aquadoodle, especially in the car.  He also has an I Spy book to look at in the car and he will take his Lovey as well.  We have three scheduled stops during our drive, and at each stop, I have a “reserve bag” of activities to trade out with him so he doesn’t get bored: a pop up book, a small bottle of bubble solution to occupy us while we stretch our legs, his Magna Doodle, and a felt set I made for him.  Snacks are a given, but the food stays up front with me (or even better - in the trunk) so eating times can be regulated.

For my older son, I have also created a travel bag.  I found out, on our last road trip, that he is a HUGE fan of the Rush Hour Jr. toy.  So, for this road trip, I have purchased the Rush Hour set with an extra set of cards.  This alone would occupy his time.  However, variety is the spice of life, so he is also getting a set of markers, paper and a clipboard (to make cards and write letters that we will mail along our journey), a couple of new books by his favorite authors, and a baggie with his Zoob pieces in it (safe for both boys and not as apt to be lost in the Abyss of the Backseat as Legos might).

Do you notice what is flagrantly missing from my list?  Electronics.  Don’t get me wrong: we have the Nintendo DS system, the TVs for the car, every Leap Pad learning system device and software available and everything in between.  We’ll probably bring the TVs and the DS along, too.  However, getting kids to do something besides stare at a screen for ten hours is my goal, and with these great tools under my belt, I think we’ll succeed.

And if not, I’ll make sure to stock up on extra batteries - just in case.

Wonderbrains carries an extensive line of great travel toys for all ages - magnetic activities for older kids and perfect for toddlers on up!

One of our goals as a family is to take vacations and trips that inspire, educate and entertain our children.  And, along those lines, we want to give them the tools that help them remember their excursions and learn from them.  This is how we became addicted to TRAVEL LOGS.

Our travel logs aren’t anything fancy.  You can use a spiral notebook or some unlined paper stapled together.  You can even take pages and bind them into a book later.  Our older son, however, loves to use unique journals - ones with interesting covers, made in unusual shapes, or perhaps covered in a textured material or in a theme related to our trip.

Our “rules” for travel logging are simple.  The minimum “contribution” to the book is one page per day.  As a contributor, you can always do more, and it doesn’t have to be written.  Sometimes, my son sketches a wonderful moment in our trip, from the picnic on the side of the road to the historical marker we visited along the way.  We stick little momentos and special treasures we find, like a large oak leaf at the park or the ticket stub from the day’s activity.  And we don’t limit it to just one contributor.  There have been trips where all of us who were able to write added our perspective of the day to the book.

The travel log stays with us for the trip.  Now, it isn’t always feasible to keep it by your side the entire time.  The beach isn’t exactly an ideal place for it, nor is poolside or at a theme park.  But, we take time at the end of our day (or when little brother is taking a nap) to think back to the things we’ve done, what we liked, what surprised us, what we took away from the moment.

The best part is weeks after you get home - even months or longer - when you come across the log and take a moment to look at it together.  It is like taking the trip all over again, it is just in book form this time.  It is also an easy way to answer that timeless question, “What did YOU do for your summer vacation?”

One of the most glorious things about living in central Florida is that we get to watch the space shuttle lift off into space on a semi-regular basis. Merritt Island, where WonderBrains resides, is also home to Cape Canaveral - in fact, our warehouse is about 6 miles south of the Kennedy Center Visitor Complex. So we can watch every shuttle launch from work or our homes.

It’s a wonderful experience for us, but truly amazing for our children. On the one hand, they probably see it as very commonplace, even thought it’s exciting for them. However, it amazes me to think that, when I was their age, the shuttle program didn’t even exist…and now it’s such an integral part of our lives. The Visitor Center is a truly entertaining and educational visit. For those of you planning a trip to the area in the near future, I highly recommend a tour; while Disney World is fantastic, nothing beats the learning experiences that can be found at the Cape.

Tonight the shuttle Endeavour was launched at 6:36pm. We’d been waiting all day, but the time sneaked up on us, and we were still inside when we heard the familiar rumble. By the time the sound reaches us here at home, the shuttle is already close to being out of view, so we dashed out the door as quickly as we could. The plume of smoke was still intact, having not yet been blown by the winds, and the pinpoint of light at the end of the main engines was still visible. We’d missed seeing the solid rocket boosters separate and fall back to earth, something we usually enjoy. They are tiny white dots from this distance, but discernable on a clear day.

The effects of the shuttle program on life around here is plainly seen. Lots of people have the license plate that commemorates the Challenger and Columbia shuttles and missions. Traffic on launch days, especially on the area bridges, is insanely slow. And in the weeks preceding the launch, a number of schoolmates’ mothers, as well as my daughter’s teacher, become “shuttle widows”, as their husbands who work at the Cape pull extra hours to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.

This is honestly the biggest perk of living and working on the Space Coast.