| As summer quickly approaches, many families are | | | | fruit and vegetable farm that allows you to pick |
| finalizing camp and vacation plans for their kids. | | | | your own produce. If your child loves race cars, |
| Most kids if given the choice would probably opt | | | | dress them up like a race car driver and have fun |
| for family vacation time over camp any day of | | | | with Go Karts or take a trip to a race. If you're |
| the week. And why not? It is an opportunity to | | | | looking for something even more educational, |
| spend fun quality time with their parents and | | | | take your kids to a nearby battlefield and give |
| create new memories, and perhaps, regular | | | | them a history lesson, complete with some sort |
| traditions. | | | | of military inspired paraphernalia.. |
| The thing I love about children in general is, for | | | | 3. Weekend Trip to an Outdoor/Indoor Water |
| the most part they are easy to please - | | | | park: So If you're really not interested in the |
| especially when it comes to vacation activities. | | | | hassle of set up and clean up and you have the |
| Show them some sun, some water, an | | | | funds to make it happen, take an overnight trip |
| amusement park, summertime food, and they're | | | | or a weekend trip to a local water park. If you're |
| pretty happy. They're not too picky on how they | | | | lucky enough to live near Orlando, FL or |
| get there, as long as they get there. They may | | | | Williamsburg, VA (or any other location fairly close |
| complain a little about travel time, however, if you | | | | to a Great Wolf Lodge), you can enjoy both |
| keep the anticipation up, they can't help but squeal | | | | worlds - indoor and outdoor water fun. Near the |
| in their pants. | | | | Williamsburg area, you can visit Bush Gardens or |
| Here are 5 family vacation activities that your | | | | Water Country USA and then hop on over to |
| kids will love: | | | | Great Wolf Lodge for your accommodations and |
| | | | continued water park madness. |
| 1. At-home Water Park: As much as we'd like, we | | | | 4. Annual Family Cruise: Cruising is by far one of |
| can't get away to a water park every weekend | | | | my favorite ways to travel and enjoy family |
| of the summer. So why not create a water park | | | | vacation time. Everything is right at your finger |
| at-home? Most of your major "everything" stores | | | | tips: water fun, entertainment, restaurants, |
| such as Target, Walmart, and Kmart sell water | | | | childcare, and photographers. All you have to do is |
| slides. Buy a couple of those bad boys, hook | | | | get to the ship. Theme-cruises such as Disney |
| them up to your water hose, invite a couple of | | | | Cruises probably top the list of fun cruise ships as |
| your child's buddies, and watch your home turn | | | | they have the most child-friendly offerings. |
| into the local water park. If you're one of the | | | | However, many cruise lines have programs |
| lucky souls to already have a pool in the | | | | designed for kids and chaperones to help tailor the |
| backyard, that's even better! Fire up the grill, turn | | | | fun. |
| on some music, throw some water toys into the | | | | 5. Packing party: To ease some of the stress |
| pool with your kids and their invited guests and | | | | from mom's shoulder, try having a family packing |
| watch their faces light up. You will instantly be | | | | party complete with music, pizza, and other |
| "Cool Mom of the Week" and your house will be | | | | treats. Packing becomes a fun family affair where |
| known as party central. | | | | the whole family packs their suitcases together |
| 2. Themed Day Trips: Kids love to role play. Try | | | | and prepares for an upcoming family vacation. |
| dressing them up according to the theme of the | | | | This exercise teaches kids at an early age that |
| day trip you're embarking on and take their day | | | | they too are part of the vacation preparation |
| trip to a whole other level. For example, take a | | | | process. When they are older, they'll be better |
| wilderness walk/hike or a trip to nearby caves or | | | | equipped to independently pack because you've |
| caverns. Have your child pretend to be an | | | | already made it a family tradition. This takes the |
| explorer, complete with an Indiana Jones inspired | | | | stress off of mom and makes packing a family |
| hat. Dress them up like a farmer and visit a local | | | | event. |