Globetrotting Mommy

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6 Great NYC Shows for the …

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New York City is one of the most magical places to spend the holidays. While most visitors are busy checking out the bedazzled store windows and ice skating under the big tree, one of my favorite family friendly activities is taking in a great show. This year, I’m sharing some of my favorite holiday picks for everyone on your list. Show tickets make great holiday gift ideas, especially for those people who have it all. Book soon and enjoy because many of these are in town for a limited holiday run…

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season, Broadway, off-broadway, globetrottingmommy

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season

These shows are all family friendly but I’ve categorized them by family members I think would especially enjoy each one.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season - Waitress is the perfect feel good Broadway musical for the holiday season.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season – Waitress is the perfect feel good Broadway musical for the holiday season.

BFF DATE: Waitress the Musical

Grab your besties and go see this Broadway love story that highlights relationships, friendships and baking. The acting, singing, and choreography are all fabulous and the characters truly come alive on stage. You’ll fall in love with the storyline and show’s heroine as you watch the show’s twists and turns. Best of all, little mini pies are sold at intermission. What more do you need for a night out with the girls?

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season - That Golden Girls Show! off broadway, globetrotting mommy

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season – That Golden Girls Show!

SISTER DATE: That Golden Girls Show

If you grew up in the 80’s, That Golden Girls Show will not disappoint. This is the perfect outing to take your sister (aunt, mom or grandma) or invite the whole family. I was wondering if it would be distracting to see a puppet show with the puppeteers on stage but turns out, their unique personalities just added to the adorableness of the show. You’ll laugh at the old jokes and antiquated references and will leave humming the “Thank You For Being a Friend” theme song. This off-broadway show is in the lively Union Square neighborhood so you can check out the famed gift market or farmer’s market before or after. Playing now through December 31, 2016.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season - Fiddler on the Roof, Broadway, Musical, globetrottingmommy

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season – Fiddler on the Roof

MOM DATE: Fiddler on the Roof

My mom and I have a tradition of seeing a new Broadway classic every year and this year we saw the newest incarnation of Fiddler on the Roof. The themes in Fiddler on the Roof are timeless, the dancing is AMAZING and the songs will keep you humming for weeks. The show is closing on December 31, 2016 so if you haven’t seen it yet, the holiday season is the perfect chance.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season - The Illusionists, Turn of The Century.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season – The Illusionists – Turn of The Century.

HUSBAND DATE: The Illusionists – Turn of the Century

If your husband doesn’t like Broadway musicals (I know, I know), The Illusionists is the perfect Broadway theater date night for the holidays. My husband and I were absolutely amazed by the optical illusions and magical performances that took place in The Palace Theater, the same theater where Harry Houdini once performed. From beds of nails, knife throwing, and card tricks to comedy acts and classic performances (yes they cut a woman in half!), every act was better than the next.  Be sure to have some unique things in your purse in case you get called on stage by The Clairvoyants. This is a great family show for ages 6 and up. Now through January 1, 2017.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season - Peter and The Wolf at The Guggenheim Museum.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season – Peter and The Wolf at The Guggenheim Museum.

COUSINS DATE: Peter and the Wolf at the Guggenheim Museum

I’ve gone to sooooo many kids shows since becoming a mom and some are enjoyable for parents too and some aren’t. Lucky for me, Seeing Peter and The Wolf narrated by Isaac Mizrachi at The Guggenheim Museum was great fun for all. Mizrachi steals the show with his humorous storytelling and each character has their own instrumental pairing so the music really helps kids follow along. This show is a perfect choice to see with cousins and then you can explore the museum afterward. There are three remaining shows on December 9, 10 and 11, 2016.

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season - Pips Island

6 Great NYC Shows for the Holiday Season – Pip’s Island

KIDDIE PLAY DATE: Pip’s Island

I took my daughter and her pal on an after school adventure to Pip’s Island and they gave it a 9 and a 10! I still can’t explain this interactive show but think Willy Wonka meets a magical tree house with snow, bubbles, fog and mystical characters minus the candy. Parents go along too so be warned there is a crazy fast slide and no photos allowed. It’s perfect for kids 5-10 and near Chelsea piers, the High Line and art galleries making it a great weekend adventure. Check it out now through January 8, 2017.

Have you seen any of these shows? Tell me below in the comments.

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I received media tickets to some of these shows for review purposes but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Holiday Gift Guide – …

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Holiday shopping is in full force! If you’ve got some globetrotting kids on your shopping list, check out my favorite affordable gifts for kids who travel. Everything is under $30 so you’ll have money left to plan your next vacation.

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids Who Travel

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids Who Travel

 UNDER $10 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $10

Rubik’s Junior Bear – For little ones, this kiddie version of the classic game will happily entertain on car trips or plane rides.

Mabel’s Labels Stocking Stuffer Combo – At just $5 each, these sturdy label combos make great stocking stuffers and personalized add-ons to other gifts. Choose from festive holiday or classic designs and label all their favorite luggage and travel accessories.  

Reactorz 4″ Light-Up Gripz Ball – This tiny, easy-to-grip ball lights up with every touch, tap, throw or kick making it great for outdoor games at home and away.

Whiffer Sniffers Scented Backpack Clips – Kids love to personalize their backpacks for trips near and far and these deliciously scented plush characters are perfect for girls and boys to collect.

Under $15 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel - Under $15

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $15

My first Bananagrams – Little kids can now get in on the family friendly Bananagram craze with lowercase letters and combo letter tiles to help early readers create words. This is a favorite in our house and the easy to take along zippered banana pouch makes it perfect for young travelers. 

HEXBUG Aquabot Wahoo – If you’ve got a little swimmer on your shopping list, the HEXBUG AquaBot Wahoo is perfect for your next tropical vacation. Simply twist the bottom to start the high speed propeller and watch as it comes to life, swimming, diving and changing directions to explore its environment. 

Tak-Tak – If you’ve got young checkers or chess lovers on your list, this new board game is sure to please. As players move across the board, they can attack and steal pieces keeping everyone in suspense. This is a great strategy game for kids to play with parents and grandparents on a family vacation.

Paper Punk Build Your Own Paper Toy – Looking for a quiet, non-messy activity to keep kids busy on a plane? Paper Punk’s kits make adorable folded patterned animals like Ape, Snake, Unicorn, Cat, Puppy and everything is included in the box! 

Under $20 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel - Under $20

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $20

Pearhead Holiday Photo Props – Kids will be happy to pose for family photos this holiday season with these adorable photo props. A great way to get everyone in the picture on your holiday vacations.

Pac-Man Mini Arcade Game – If you’ve got a Pac-Man fan on your list, this adorable mini arcade game will be a big hit. This battery operated toy features a joy stick and plays just like the real Pac-Man.  A perfect choice for kids of all ages and adults too.

Dinkee Linkee For Kids-Trivia Game – Kids love trivia games and this one is easy to learn and simple for the whole family to play. Kids answer four questions and then try to determine what “links” the answer. This is a great game to play on a family vacation or at home too.

Madame Alexander Travel Friend Dolls – For the globetrotting girls on your list, this collection of international dolls is a perfect choice. These 7-inch dolls feature authentic costumes and gorgeous details from countries including China, France, Kenya, Ireland, India, Germany, Italy, and more. 

UNDER $30 Gifts

2016 Holiday Gift Guide - Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel - Under $30

2016 Holiday Gift Guide – Affordable Gifts for Kids who Travel – Under $30

Props in a Bag – For imaginative play fans, I love these easy to carry Props in a Bag kits that include everything kids need to put on a show (think costumes, accessories, props, and big backdrop).  My daughter loves to put on shows with the magician kit and there is also an app to make movies.

Trolls Hair-ific Headphones – Headphones are a must for globetrotting kids and these adorable Trolls headphones are just perfect for little music lovers. If you’ve got an accessory loving girl like I do, these will be a huge hit. I love the pink hair and volume protection for little ears.

Blue Cabi Children’s Binoculars – My daughter is getting these sturdy binoculars for the holidays along with two kids astronomy books – Night Sky Watcher and Astronomy Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Activities. Binoculars are handy for kids at shows, parades and sightseeing so I know she’ll use them a lot.

Science Expeditions Subscription Box from Little Passports – Monthly subscription boxes are a great choice for a families because everyone can work on the activities together. New from the great team behind Little Passports, the Science Expeditions boxes include experiments, comic books, badges and more. The first box comes with a storage tote making it perfect to bring along on family vacations.

Need more ideas? Check out the Tween and Teen Holiday Gift Guide. What are your favorites on this list? Tell me below in the comments.

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I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Road Trips With Kids – 6 …

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‘Tis the season for holiday road trips so today I’m sharing some of my favorite must haves for road trips with kids.

Road Trips With Kids - 6 Must Haves

Road Trips With Kids – 6 Must Haves

I’m hungry…

No matter how long or short the ride, you know kids will want a drink or snack within 30 minutes of leaving home. Be sure to pack everything in spill-proof containers like Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box or prepare to spend some time with your trusty dustbuster. For snacks, squeezy pouches and individually wrapped snack bars are great options along with fresh fruit and non-crumbly snacks like nuts and cheese sticks.

Road tripping with kids - be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang. Family Travel. Globetrotting Mommy

Road trips with kids – be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang.

I’m bored…

Do you hate hearing this as much as I do?  Prepare for trips by bringing along age appropriate entertainment for kids (and grown ups too). For tiny tots, audible CDs like Curious George and soft toys are great. For small kids, hand held toys like this adorable Rubik’s Junior Bear are great options. For school age children, I recommend Mad Libs, Highlights Magazines or other activity books, large print books, tablets like the Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet which comes in its own kid-proof case and gaming devices like the Nintendo 3DS which will keep kids quietly entertained for hours! It is always fun to play family friendly games along the way so bring along some cards and travel friendly games to play in the back seat like Hangman and Twizmo! Words.

I made a mess…

Wipes and ziplocs are a parent’s best friends so bring lots and lots. Be sure to pack some extra outfits and if your kids get carsick, be sure they have a few bags or a sturdy container nearby.

Roadtripping with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

Road trips with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

I want my friends to come…

Road tripping with friends? I just tested out the new mifold Grab and Go Booster Seat and I was amazed how easy it was to use.  Simply place it on the seat, adjust the sides according to the child’s size (age 4 to 12), slide the seatbelt strap thru the base and over the lap and secure the shoulder strap at the child’s shoulder. Sounds involved but it takes less than a minute. Best of all, it folds in half making it super easy to throw in a tote for taxi rides, carpools or traveling.

I have to go to the bathroom…

Even though my daughter has been potty trained for years, I still keep a 2-in-1 Potette Plus portable potty in my car (along with the insert bags and the aforementioned wipes). You never know how long it can be to the next rest stop so better safe than sorry.

Road trips with Kids - Be sure to bring along some favorite tunes.

Road trips with Kids – Be sure to bring along some favorite tunes.

I don’t like that song…

I’m not sure what’s more tolerable, listening to kids’ whining or kids’ music. I know my daughter is definitely happy when her favorite tunes are playing in the car so I highly recommend bringing along some kid-friendly music. For tots, this means Elmo (sorry!) and Laurie Berkner types. For older kids, you can’t go wrong with some Kidz Bop (33 albums can’t be wrong), Space Pop Girls or soundtracks to their favorite movies or shows.

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I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Coney Island With Kids: Fall …

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Coney Island with kids is always a fun summer retreat but Luna Park’s 2016 Halloween Harvest is one of my don’t miss recommendations for fall. We visited for the grand opening festivities and had a great time checking out the rides and seasonal activities.

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest

Coney Island with kids: Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

Running through October 30th, the Halloween Harvest at Luna Park is sure to please kids of all ages with: 

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, Luna Park

Coney Island with kids: Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

  • Dozens of kiddie, moderate and thrill rides at Luna Park (4-hour wristbands are $35)
  • Trick-or-treating with costumed characters
  • Magician shows
  • Kooky, spooky karaoke
  • Hay Maze (with pumpkin picking and painting – additional charge)
  • Live music with dance parties
  • Fun contests and games
  • Arts and crafts
  • Face painting and balloon animals
  • Petting zoo and pony rides
  • Fun photo ops

Additional special events include:

October 9 – Luna Park’s annual Dog Parade and Costume Contest, come pick the winners for Audience Choice, Cutest, Mister/Miss Congeniality, Most Original and Best of Show.

October 23 – Mark and the Maniac Carvers, Brooklyn-based pumpkin carvers transform a giant gourd into a Halloween masterpiece.

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest

Fall Fun at Coney Island’s Halloween Harvest

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, globetrotting mommy

Fall Fun at Coney Island's Halloween Harvest, globetrotting mommy

Be sure to check out my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island before you go and don’t forget your camera! If you like to take mural photos, be sure to check out Coney Art Walls for some awesome backdrops.

Luna Park is open on Saturdays from 12 noon to 11 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 noon to 8 p.m. For a complete schedule of Halloween Harvest events and activities and for more information, go to www.www.lunaparknyc.com.

Have you visited Coney Island?  Tell me below in the comments.

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Special thanks to the Luna Park for inviting us to attend Halloween Harvest.  All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC …

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New York City is known for its vast theater performances and kids are encouraged to take in live shows before they even start talking. Now that my six-year old daughter has moved beyond Sesame Street, Disney On Ice and Pinkalicious shows, we’ve been having the best time exploring performances all over town.

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC

If you’re looking for some family friendly theater recommendations, here’s the lowdown on 5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC.

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC - Cirque du Soleil - PARAMOUR (Photo credit: Richard Termine)

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC – Cirque du Soleil – PARAMOUR (Photo credit: Richard Termine)

1) Cirque du Soleil Paramour –  Paramour, a Cirque du Soleil musical, blends the theatrics, sets and songs of Broadway with Cirque du Soleil’s signature moves in a new family friendly show. The love triangle plot might go above little heads but kids will have no trouble following along with the acrobatic performances and dance numbers. My mom and I enjoyed the show’s old world glamour, glitzy costumes, elaborate sets and story line but what really wowed us all were the various acrobatic acts that tied the whole performance together. This is an especially fun show for a multi-generational family outing and a great way to introduce young children to the world of Cirque du Soleil and Broadway at the same time. The two-hour and fifteen minute show has one intermission and booster seats are available. The Lyric Theatre is a gorgeous space with a candy store and staff members who deliver snacks and beverages right to your seats! Be sure to take photos with a cast member before the show and stay afterwards for a quick post show performance in the lobby.

Five Great Shows for Kids in NYC.

Five Great Shows for Kids in NYC.

2) Blue Man Group – This long-running show is perfect for kids (tots to teens) and adults too. My daughter describes this one as “kind of a circus, kind of a magic show and kind of a music show” which pretty much sums up this creative performance. The Blue Man characters, who remain silent and in-character throughout the show, do an amazing job entertaining as they toss cereal into each others mouths, interact with audience members, play drums while painting and perform other funny acts. My daughter was giggling throughout the entire show and so were the other kids in the audience. The 90-minute show (no intermission) ends with gigantic streamers of toilet paper flooding the seats from above so you may want to prepare small kids for that part. In addition, some scenes are loud so you may want to bring along headsets for sensitive ears. Make sure to stay and take pictures with the performers after the show but don’t expect them to chat. You can also catch Blue Man shows in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Orlando or on their World Tour.

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC - Aladdin

5 Great Shows for Kids in NYC – Aladdin

3) Aladdin – A classic Broadway musical is always sure to please and one of my favorite kid-friendly picks is Disney’s Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The show features a great mix of dancing, singing, colorful costumes, spectacular sets, funny characters (especially the Genie) and witty repartee for the grown-ups. I love that there are no scary parts and that the story line is easy for little kids to understand. When Jasmine and Aladdin go flying across the stage on the magic carpet, kids of all ages will be wowed. This show is two-hours and 30 minutes with one intermission so plan bathroom breaks accordingly. Tickets are pricey but all seats are good (even in the balcony) just be sure to grab booster seats for small kids. If you’re looking for a theater outing with your favorite mom friends (and their kids), this is a great option.

Five Great NYC Shows for Kids - Stomp. Globetrotting Mommy

Five Great Shows for Kids in NYC – Stomp

4) STOMP – I first saw this show years ago when the East Village was super grungy and I was swinging single. I saw it again this summer with my husband and daughter and I’m pleased to report that it has stood the test of time. Still located in the historic Orpheum Theatre, the one-hour and 45 minute performance (no intermission) is a great option for kids who love music. The six-person cast perform the entire show just using rhythm and movements as they turn various objects and body parts into musical instruments. There is no complicated story line to follow and there is plenty of humor so young kids (ages 4+) will definitely enjoy. My husband doesn’t typically enjoy kid shows or Broadway musicals (I know, I know) but he really liked Stomp. Some parts of the show are very loud so earphones are a good option. You can also see Stomp on tour.

Five great shows for kids in NYC - The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

Five great shows for kids in NYC – The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

5) The Radio City Rockettes – If you’re looking for a classic NYC show, nothing beats seeing the Rockettes perform live at Radio City Musical Hall.  With the classic winter Christmas Spectacular and The New York Spectacular summer show, this is a great show to see with the whole family (especially grandparents). The synchronized dance moves, lively music and technological surprises never fail to impress me and this is one of the few shows I can see year after year. The winter show features classic scenes like dancing wooden soldiers, sugar plum fairies and multiple Santa Clauses while the summer show takes the audience on a tour of famed NYC landmarks. Shows are 90 minutes without intermission and booster seats are available.

Do you have plans to see any NYC shows?  Tell me below in the comments.

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I received tickets to some shows for review purposes. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

The Rockettes New York …

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Seeing the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall is one of my favorite New York City winter activities. Watching their synchronized dancing, fighting the Rock Center crowds and seeing the iconic Christmas tree just never gets old.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families, Family Travel, Globetrotting Mommy, New York City, NYC with kids

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Awesome Summer Fun for Families

When my daughter saw a poster for The New York Spectacular, the Rockettes’ summer show, she immediately begged to go and I secretly cringed inside. My expectations were low but I figured it would be a fun outing to celebrate the end of the school year. I invited my mom to join us and planned a big NYC girl’s day to kick off summer.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families, Family Travel, Globetrotting Mommy, New York City, NYC with kids

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Awesome Summer Fun for Families

It turns out, the New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes was indeed spectacular!  In fact, all three of us thought it was better than the Christmas show. I was pleasantly surprised to see how family friendly the story line was but what was most impressive were the amazing sets, cool technology, fun music and the choreographed dance moves that really made New York City come alive on stage.

The show follows two kids who accidentally get lost from their parents. The kids make their way around the city’s popular sights and attractions until the family is finally reunited at the end. Its a great sightseeing tour of NYC, as they visit the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Central Park, Times Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fashion Avenue and other popular sights.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – The Met comes alive on stage.

Along the way, famous statues and artwork come alive as the kids search for clues to find their parents.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families, Family Travel, Globetrotting Mommy, New York City, NYC with kids

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Alice in Wonderland statue from Central Park.

The show opens with Taylor Swifts’s “Welcome to New York” and closes with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” In between, the acts feature a mix of classic show tunes and modern music as well as an interactive scene that gets everyone dancing in the aisles. Some of my favorite musical scenes were the Rockettes tap dancing to “Singing in the Rain, dancing to “Money, Money,” surrounded by giant dollar signs and projections of stock-market tickers” and prancing around in a stunning red, white and black fashion show set to Madonna’s “Vogue.”

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Singing in the Rain.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Money, Money.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – The Vogue fashion show was amazing.

Kids will have no trouble following along with the story line and they will especially love seeing Central Park’s Alice in Wonderland statue come alive and watching the famed New York Public Library lions Patience and Fortitude perform a rap number.  Its a little hokey but it all works.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families, Family Travel, Globetrotting Mommy, New York City, NYC with kids

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Outside the New York Public Library

And of course the grand finale stole the show…

If you want to escape the heat and see NYC from the comfort of Radio City Music Hall, head over to the New York Spectacular before it ends on August, 7, 2016. There is no intermission during the 90 minute show so plan snacks and bathroom breaks accordingly.

Have you seen a Rockettes show?  Tell me below in the comments.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting …

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Water parks are all the rage with junior travelers and the best indoor water parks are catering to adults as well. My family and I took the plunge and visited Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA and it really exceeded my expectations.  From the fun filled water park and fine dining to activities and spa services, here are my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA

1) Splash in the Water Park –

You won’t want to miss the resort’s 220,000-square-foot indoor water park, the largest in Pennsylvania. Guests will find water coasters, slides and raft rides in all speeds and sizes as well as a basketball pool, lazy river, indoor/outdoor hot tub and more. Kids will love Splashdown Safari (think net crawls, water guns, and slides galore) and Tiko’s Watering Hole with pint sized swings and a mini lazy river. 

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA. Learn to swim like a mermaid at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA

Learn to swim like a mermaid at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA

2) Try your pick of signature aqua lessons: Mermaid or FlowRider –

My daughter tried out the resort’s new mermaid lessons and loved learning how to swim in a mermaid tail. I decided to tackle the FlowRider where you grab a board and catch some indoor waves. I won’t tell you how many times I crashed into the side wall but it really was a fun experience.

3) Get lost in the arcade –

You can’t get into the water park without meandering through the gigantic arcade so trust me when I say you will spend a lot of time playing arcade games as well as bowling, playing mini golf, laser frenzy and other fun games. Be sure to agree on a spending plan in advance and save room in your luggage for the prizes.

Kalahari's Adventurers Club features daily activities for children.

Kalahari’s Adventurers Club features daily activities for children.

4) Sign up for some family-friendly activities –

The Kalahari Adventures Club features daily supervised activities for kids (some fees apply) like games, crafting projects, character meetings, culinary challenges and family activities like hikes and scavenger hunts.

Kalahari features a wide array of family friendly dining options.

Kalahari features a wide array of family-friendly dining options.

5) Enjoy family-friendly dining –

Every restaurant is family-friendly at Kalahari from the upscale Brandburg to The Great Karoo Marketplace Buffet which features buffet offerings kids will love (think candy filled pancakes and chocolate fountains). If you’re visiting over a weekend, check out Kenya’s Birthday Bash Celebration, a fun-filled character breakfast party with family-style dining, dancing and kiddie games.

6) Save room for dessert –

There are sweet treats available morning, noon and night at The Last Bite. Ice cream lovers won’t want to miss the super-premium Wisconsin ice cream featuring flavors like Zanzibar Chocolate, Caramel Chaos, Fat Elvis, Big 5 Kalahari and more.  It is delish!

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA. Take in the African art at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA.

Take in the African art at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA.

7) Take in the African surroundings –

The resort features an array of authentic African decor including batik prints, sculptures, murals, carvings and more. If you’re an art lover, be sure to look out for the gorgeous artwork in the rooms, hallways, public areas and restaurants.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA. Shop till you drop at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA

Shop till you drop at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA

8) Shop Till You Drop –

The gift shops and specialty stores at Kalahari do not disappoint.  You’ll find an array of swimwear and fun pool accessories like mermaid fins as well as authentic African gifts, crafts, stuffed animals, games and other souvenirs.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA. Visit the spa for a little relaxation at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA.

Visit the spa for a little relaxation at Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA.

9) Relax in the Kalahari Spa & Salon –

If you’re looking for a quiet retreat, escape to the spa where you can enjoy a full array of body treatments. I stole away for an hour to check out the sauna, steam room and hot tub and it was so peaceful and relaxing.

Check out storytime at Kalahari's Big Five Fireplace. Top 10 Tips for Visiting Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA

Check out story time at Kalahari’s Big Five Fireplace.

10) Check out Character Story Time –

Kalahari’s animal characters greet kids and a selection of oversized kids books are read aloud by the Big Five Fireplace.

Be sure to check out my full Kalahari Resort Poconos review for more details on this fun-filled family destination.  This water park is so great it is also featured on this article: 19 Epic Indoor Water Parks You Will Want To Visit This Year!

Has your family ever stayed at a Kalahari Resort? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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Thanks to Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, PA for hosting my family. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Visiting Beaches Turks & …

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If you’re looking for a Caribbean getaway sure to please beach loving parents and Sesame Street® loving kids, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has the perfect answer. A visit to Beaches Turks & Caicos with kids offers parents the chance to relax while the kids are entertained all day (and night) long. I recently returned from this all-inclusive getaway and today I’m sharing my Top 10 Sesame Street® Experiences at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences.

1 – Sign up for Camp Sesame – If you’ve got a toddler, you’ll want to enroll them in Camp Sesame. Each day’s complimentary offerings include typical camp activities like sand castle building, playground time and swim games but the biggest draw are the Sesame Street® character lead events like dance parties with Zoe and story time with Elmo. Aside from a friendly staff, Camp Sesame features a fenced-in play area with a beachy sand section, a shallow pool with pool toys and mini-beach chairs.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Enjoy a nightly Sesame Street character show at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Enjoy a nightly Sesame Street character show at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

2 – Check out the Stage Show – Every night, the Sesame Street® characters put on an interactive, family friendly outdoor stage show featuring kid-friendly dances and songs. Depending on your crew’s dining schedule, this makes a great before or after-dinner activity.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. The Sesame Street character breakfast is great fun for the whole family.

The Sesame Street character breakfast at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa is great fun for the whole family.

3 – Have Breakfast with the Sesame Street® Characters. This is an additional charge ($12 per adult and $16 per child) but I promise it will be one of the highlights of your vacation. Kids and adults will enjoy the funny interactions, hugs and kisses as every character comes by to say hello. If you’ve got young dancers, the conga line group finale will be a huge hit.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences

Kids can learn to draw Sesame Street characters at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa’s interactive workshops.

4 – Sesame Street® Artist Workshops – Kids of all ages will want to check out these occasional workshops let by Sesame Street® artists, Louis Henry Mitchell and Barry Goldberg. Through drawing and sidewalk chalk sketches, this workshop introduces drawing fundamentals and techniques with fun, educational sessions.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Kids can bake cookies with Cookie Monster at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Kids can bake cookies with Cookie Monster at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

5 – Bake Cookies with Cookie Monster – My daughter had so much fun rolling out cookies with Cookie Monster and laughing as he jiggled his big blue belly. This free activity is a must-do if you’ve got a little foodie.

6 – Arrange for a Sesame Street® Photo Shoot – If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind memento from your trip, an All-Access Photo Session offers a family friendly photo shoot with all your Sesame Street® friends. The 15-minute session costs $50 and includes one 8×10 photo.

7 – Get tucked into bed by your favorite character. The signature Night Night, Sleep Tight with Sesame Street® tuck-in program lets your child’s favorite character (and a staff member) visit your room to read a bedtime story and tuck your child into bed. Pricing starts at $85 for one child.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. You'll find the Sesame Street characters strolling around at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

You’ll find the Sesame Street characters strolling around at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

8 – Catch the characters strolling around the resort. Be sure to check the daily schedule to see where and when the character walkabouts are taking place. In addition, we caught some of the characters heading to and from events and they were always happy to say hi and give my daughter a hug or high-five.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Kids can celebrate Elmo's birthday at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Kids can celebrate Elmo’s birthday at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

9 – Attend Elmo’s Birthday Party! He might just be three-and-a-half years old but this furry red toddler celebrates weekly at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa. Grab your kids and come wish Elmo a happy birthday (party favors and cake included!).

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Don't miss the Sesame Street® Carnival Celebration Parade at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Don’t miss the Sesame Street® Carnival Celebration Parade at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

10 – Don’t miss the Sesame Street® Carnival Celebration Parade – This weekly parade features all of the Sesame Street® characters in carnival attire, Junkanoo dancers, festive music and more. Line up along the parade route or follow the dancers as they head to the Italian Village for the grand finale and dancing from the balcony.

Have you visited Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Village & Spa with young children? What was your favorite memory or what are you looking forward to most?

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Note:  I attended the Beaches Resorts Social Media on the Sand Conference and part of my stay at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa was subsidized. All the opinions, photos and experiences I’ve described are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Museum Day Live! – …

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Mark your calendars! This September 26, 2015, Smithsonian Magazine is offering free museum day visits to more than 1,500 museums across the country with Museum Day Live!

Museum Day Live! - Smithsonian Magazine Offers Free Museum Day Across the US

Museum Day Live! – Smithsonian Magazine Offers Free Museum Day Across the US

Families can check out hundreds of children’s museums, art institutes, science centers and other cultural institutions for free when they register for Museum Day Live! online. One ticket admits two guests so plan accordingly if you have a big family. Note, many museums admit young children for free.

Check out the list of the participating museums in your area. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for a family-friendly museum day across the country. Whether you’re planning a road trip or staycation that weekend, there are plenty of options.

Families can visit The Hershey Story Museum for free with Museum Day Live!

Families can visit The Hershey Story Museum for free with Museum Day Live!

New York City, NY – The Skyscraper Museum

Macon, GA – Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

Springfield, MA – Springfield Museums (Four museums and the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden)

Boston, MA – Museum of Fine Arts

Hershey, PA – The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue

Portland, ME – Portland Museum of Art

Chicago, IL – Swedish American Museum

Miami, FL –  Zoo Miami

Boca Raton, FL – Children’s Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park

Charleston, SC – The South Carolina Historical Society

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Museum of Art

New Orleans, LA – Louisiana Children’s Museum

Where will you be that weekend and which museum would you like to visit?

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Globetrotting Kids Alert: …

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Today I’m sharing some big Skylanders news sure to please young and old globetrotters…Skylanders SuperChargers is coming this fall and kids (and adults) will soon be able to explore and navigate the mountainous terrains, deep sea environments and big blue skies of Skylands with the vehicles-to-life feature.

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Travel

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air! (Photo Credit: Skylanders)

The new game features 20 vehicle designs and types (think race cars, motorcycles, boats, tanks, helicopters, jets, submarines and more) many of which feature moving parts. These new vehicles pair with twenty new SuperChargers – special Sklylanders who can interact with vehicle tricks, new moves and weapons. Of course, any Skylanders characters can drive the new vehicles allowing for endless imaginative play.

I got a sneak peek thanks to Momtrends and the graphics, new characters and vehicles looked great.  Check them out…

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Travel

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air! (Photo Credit: Skylanders)

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Travel

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air!  (Photo Credit: Skylanders)

After a delicious lunch, we moved on to a crafting project that fit with the new Skylanders SuperChargers’ vehicles – travel theme…DIY personalized luggage tags!  They were super fun to make so if you’re interested, check out this DIY luggage tag tutorial.

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Travel, DIY Luggage Tag,

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air!

Skylanders SuperChargers will launch September 20th (holiday wish list!) and will be available on all major consoles and iPad making it a great option to bring along on vacation. In addition, many hotels offer gaming consoles in their kids clubs or available to borrow so if you’re planning a vacation with your Skylanders’ fans, be sure to ask before you go.

Skylanders, SuperChargers, Starter Pack, Games, Kids, Vehicles, Toys, Globetrotting Mommy, Primetime Parenting

Globetrotting Kids Alert: Skylanders is Taking to Land, Sea and Air! (Photo Credit: Momtrends)

Here I am saying goodbye with my friend Esti at Primetime Parenting. Thanks again to Momtrends and Skylanders for a fun time.

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This is a sponsored post.  As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

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