Want to use your time off for the holidays to take a mini vacay?!?
Check out these Top 5 Family Friendly Winter Getaways!
Escape the Snow……
Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, FL
• Attitude is everything: Keeping a positive attitude can really help your children do the same. Travel is stressful under the best of circumstances but if you’re able to laugh or make a game out of a tough situation, your trip can be saved! If everyone is getting tired or irritable you may want to enforce “quiet time.” Allow each child and adult some time where no one talks and can do the activity of his or her choice. Down time is key for everyone.
• Create Traditions: Holiday travel tends to be an annual thing, and is therefore the perfect opportunity to create traditions, which lead to memories. See if your kids can come up with a game, song, story, etc. you only bring out on these trips. It adds to the excitement and overall enjoyment for everyone. You may be surprised what they like doing and what becomes special to them. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean more than the presents under the tree.
• “Travel Only” toys: Most children love new toys and games. Nothing is a better distraction than a “new” item, and what better time to get one than before a long, grueling day of travel? Having something new or something that is only brought when you travel can add excitement while also creating routine. Your child always traveling with a certain item can add to their sense of security in the midst of chaos and may give you added peace and quiet.
Here are some general tips and ideas that should make travel easier and fun!
• Create a playlist or CD especially for the trip • Grab the baby wipes and hand sanitizer • Have appropriate travel documents for each child • Make a list and check it twice! • Choose toys & games wisely (fun but ok if somehow lost or broken) • Charge DVD players and iPods (grab headphones and movies!) • Have bags for trash, especially in automobiles
• Bring children’s medicine
Games: • Look for landmarks • How many “red” cars can you spot? • Follow route on the map • Guess how many “buses” you’ll pass in 20 minutes & see who’s closest • Pick a co-captain after each pit stop • Find license plates from each of the 50 states • Sing as many carols as possible from memory, or write your own! • I spy
• Make your seats or car a “no shoe zone” or “whisper only zone”
Check out
tsa.gov for helpful hints and videos on airport travel. Safety tattoos
safetytat.com
Tis resort is not only great for Summer travel, during the holidays they display an amazing sand sculpture exhibit (starts Dec 3rd), have carolers strolling the property, beautiful decorations decking the halls and a scrumptious holiday menu. Te hotel is very kid-friendly with Camp Ridley, which hosts fun activities for children ages 5-11. Parents can relieve some holiday stress with a trip to the Sandpearl Spa or finish up last minute holiday shopping at Collections (a boutique located in the resort lobby) or venture out to local shops that are within walking distance of the resort. Tere is something for everyone at this luxurious resort!
www.sandpearl.com
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim, CA
Make it a magical trip in the heart of Downtown Disney District, this hotel is just steps away from Disneyland and Disney California
Adventure parks! Embark on the Grand Quest scavenger hunt through the hotel or relax in the Jacuzzi while your kids slide down the water slide. Tis Californian hotel is a nice break from winter and a trip your children will remember forever.
www.disneyland.disney.go.com
Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, AZ
Take a family vacation this winter that has adventure! Horse-riding, the great outdoors, home- cooked meals, cookouts under the stars; and maybe a massage and spa treatment. Dude Ranches these days range from rustic working ranches to resort-style luxuries. Show your children the beautiful outdoors with nature program walks, tennis and swimming.
www.ranchodeloscaballeros.com
Embrace the Snow…… Smugglers’ Notch Vermont
Smugglers’ Notch is a family vacation destination in the heart of Vermont, listed as one of the “Top Ten Getaways for Tiny Travelers” by Family Travel Forum in 2008 and
one of the “Top 10 Resorts for Teens” by familyvacationcritic. com. Affordable winter vacation packages include daily liſt tickets for every family member, off-slope recreation like evening snow- tubing and ice skating and amenities such as the heated indoor pool and two hot tubs.
www.smuggs.com
Crested Butte in Colorado
Tis resort is located in the powdery Colorado Rockies. Tubing, movie, and pizza- dinner evenings keep the young ones entertained. Youngsters love the kid- specific trail maps and the children’s terrain park, featuring rails, jumps, tabletops, rolls, and even a mini-halfpipe. Daycare is also available for the little ones!
www.skicb.com
AKA Mom | Winter 2011 | 35
Baby•Kids
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