Tag Archives: travel

Philadelphia, Travel

Heading to Lancaster with kids

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So this weekend we are heading to Lancaster to experience all that Lancaster has for a great family weekend.  It has been several years since we have visited Lancaster, last time was for my 40th birthday.  My children and I love it there.  It is either the horse and buggies, or the very different way of life,  that is so close to Philadelphia. It takes about an hour from where we live and it is one of my favorite road trips for a short weekend.

We are starting at the The Amish Village  it is a great place to learn about Amish culture on a real Amish farm. The Amish Village sprawls across 12 acres of farmland. Visitors can take a guided tour of an authentic Amish farmhouse and explore the farm property at their leisure.amish village logo

Then we are heading to the The Strasburg Railroad.  The train is fantastic a perfectly restored 100+ year old train.   This weekend they Vintage Base Ball Day at Strasburg Rail Road –  Saturday, May 4, 2013   The day is about Baseball; Enjoy an afternoon of America’s pastime, vintage base ball, at Strasburg Rail Road. Ride the  steam train through scenic farmland and disembark on the return trip at Verdant View Farm to watch a vintage base ball tournament between four regional teams. The tournament will be played by the rules of the game as they were in the 19th century, which promoted exercise and camaraderie, and featured the skill of playing with bare hands instead of gloves.strasburg train logo

This weekend we will be stay at  Bird-In-Hand Family Inn and Restaurant  My family loves staying in a hotel because it is such a treat. Since my family are such swimmer a hotel with a pool is king.   Also  my kids are very adventurous eaters so the fact that Bird in a Hand Inn and Restaurant has a Smorgasbord  sot  he kids will get to experience  some great Amish food.bird in hand inn logo

Then we are heading to one of my sons places The Choo Choo Barn.    Which is a large model train set of Lancaster county.  The light go down every 15 minutes and you get to see  the entire train set glow in the darkness.  Super fun for train enthusiast and family’s alike. choo choo ban logo

I can wait to share my families experience with you.   When we return be sure to follow along with our weekend on twitter with the #VisitLancaster  hashtag.

Disclosure:  I will be receive a trip to Lancaster for exchange for this post but the opinion in this Post are my own and honest.

Parenting, Product Reviews

Little Passport Review

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little_passport_1442Today a Philadelphia MomMixer,  I learned about Little Passport.  Which is a monthly subscription service that you can join  that provided your child with a new travel learning experience delivered right to your mailbox. The main characters of Little Passport  Travels are Sam and Sofia.  They visit the world and share there experience with your child, in the form of activities stores and visually 3d projects.  Little passport has a new USA  version starts at 11.95 a month and features 2 states every month.  Little Passport also have a world version where you child can explore one country every month.

Little_passport_1445
For the first month, your USA Editionsubscription starts with our Discovery Kit which comes in a custom Sam and Sofia USA Portfolio and includes:

  • An introductory letter from Sam and Sofia
  • USA Field Guide
  • USA Scratch Book
  • USA Wall Map
  • Disposable Camera and Photo Scavenger Hunt

Every month thereafter, your child will visit 2 new states and receive:

  • A 32-page activity-packed journal covering 2 states
  • Stickers
  • Pop-out Models
  • Postcards
  • Access to more information and activities online

The recommended age range for our USA Edition is 7 to 12 years old

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For the first month, your World Edition subscription starts with our Explorer Kit which includes:

  • Fun travel suitcase with an introductory letter from Sam and Sofia
  • World wall map
  • Travel passport
  • Fun stickers
  • Activity sheet
  • Access to online games and activities with our boarding pass

Every month thereafter, your child will receive country-specific packages filled with:

  • Adventure letters from Sam and Sofia
  • Fun souvenirs (Japan sushi eraser, Egypt pyramid dig kit and more!)
  • Stickers for your suitcase, passport and map
  • Photos
  • Activity Sheets
  • Boarding Passes to access more online games and activities

The recommended age range for our World Edition is 5 to 10 years old.

I love the idea of a Little Passport for a gift,  every month you child get a new travel adventure.  I was really impressed with all the materials I was able to review the bight colors and fun activities.  I love the idea the kids building a 3d item in there kit such as a car or a bus. The travel kit provide hours of activities that will expand your childs knowledge of the world. Check out the Little Passport and see if it is a great idea for your kids as it is for mine.

Little Passports

This post contains affiliate links which help defer the cost of running this blog.

Parenting, Philadelphia, Travel

11 Reasons Take your kids Camping & Modern Camping

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camping fireCamping is a great thing to do with your kids.  Camping is a great thing to do with kids for many reason.  A family bonding, allowing your kids to have freedom, Change of scene.    Why would you want to take you family camping?

11 Reasons to Take your Family Camping

  1. Independence  if you live in area where you usually don’t let your kids go camp grounds are a great place to let them explore.  Kids usually love it- they get some freedom-  we usually low the kids to ride there bikes, explore on there own.
  2. fresh air
  3. Socialization-  when my kids are camping they make a new best friend every weekend
  4. Great time to go away with friends
  5. Inexpensive fun
  6. New experiences
  7. Rules- kid learn that they have to respect boundaries if they want freedom
  8. Bike riding without fear
  9. Little kids actually do understand what is hot and will stay away from fire-Trust me
  10. Dirty-  you kids will get dirty and it is fun.
  11. Memories  will last a lifetime,  they will ask to come again and will cry when you leave. = Signs of a great time

Modern Camping

Our family has been camping since my daughter 18 months.   No,  I am not talking the real roughing it camping= more a modified glamping.  Because lets be honest I am not one for sleeping on the ground.   We do have a Pop Up camper which is a pop tent with beds, sink, hard top and AC. Did I mention I use a feather bed on my mattress.

How can you get started ?   So about 5 years ago I started to take other families that never thought of camping as a way to get away.  Times have changed in the camping scene.  There are campgrounds that offer so much more then the tent and state parks.

  1. Many campgrounds now offer options for those without a tent or camper.  like a rustic or full cabin.  Think of renting a room in the woods so you get the out door experience with the comforts of home.
  2. Rustic cabins- usually have electric ,Ac, small fridge, tables beds, some have TV’s- usually all in one room- no bathroom you have to walk to the main bathrooms. (ask is you have to bring bedding)
  3. Deluxe cabins usually have everything at home Ac, TV, Kitchen stocked with cooking pans, tools, Bathroom, separate bed room. (ask is you have to bring bedding)
  4. Rent an RV
  5. Also many campgrounds offer other activities besides just a hay ride.  Many have become a full resort offering, small water parks, mini golf, go carts, dj on some nights, archery, and permanent bounce houses.

Top Picks for Great Camp Grounds East Coast

  • Yogi Bears JellyStone Camp Grounds–  This is a chain nation wide but our favorite Yogi Bear Quarryville Pa– near Lancaster a great place.  Our family has been there 5 times this last trip with 15 other families  all staying in cabins-  Quarryville  has a water park and tons of things to do.
  • KOA Campgrounds-nation wide chain
  • Frontier Town Located off  3 miles from Ocean City Maryland and 7 miles from the Wild Horses of Assateague Island.  they also have a western show Not to mention you can crab off the Dock. 1 mile from outlets for shopping-  check out the Frontier Town Specials
  • Otter Lake– this was a favorite of my family growing up and now is a full resort with an indoor pool so great for fall camping

Please follow all week as we will give you help full tip and ideas for camping with your family. Superexhausted week of camping.

Tues: Creative Camping Cooking

Wed: Wordless Wednesday  What to pack for 1st time campers

Thursday:  Great items and Toys for camper

Friday: Ideas of camping in large groups and fitness

Parenting, Travel

Visit to NJ Capital

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So recently we were invited to NJ State Museum and The NJ Statehouse.  We had a fun day and learn somethings too.  I grew up in New Jersey  but never tour the Trenton Nj capital till recently.  Jersey Family fun planned the day for us and it was such a treat.

We started with the NJ State Museum which is free,  (you leave a donation if you wish).  The have wonderful museum 3 floor.  Which contains Dinosaurs, Nature, Nj History, and art exhibits.  So a little bit of everything.  The also planned a head for kids and through out the Museum is a kids stations so children can also do small interactive things as well. Like designing a quilt or looking to a microscope.

While we were there that had a singing performer and a large Dino puppet(man ) walking around.

Also the Museum has a Planteriam and for a small fee of about $6.00 you can see there exhibit.My daughter and son loved it because it was 3-D

Then we headed over for a NJ Statehouse Capital Building Tour.  Where we heard about the building and the legistrative process.  Because the house and Nj congress was not in session we really got to see the behind the scenes.

Take a look at the building:

My son got to attend a Mock hearing of law making which he loved in the bottom of the capital building which he loved.  I have to say we had a great day.  I would recommending packing a lunch because there is no place to eat near the capital or museum.

I loved the idea it was in with in a 1/2 drive from where we live in north Philadelphia.  We had a great day it was a fun way to spend the afternoon. Thank you to Jennifer at Jersey Family Fun, NJ State Museum and NJ State House for having us for the day.