Globetrotting Mommy

From Family Adventures to Girlfriend Getaways

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part …

By

Last week I featured my holiday gift guide for all the kids and parents on your list and today I’m back with some fun family friendly gift ideas! Stay tuned for my picks for the best holiday toys.

FOR THE REST OF THE FAMILY:

Holiday Gifts, Aunts, Cousins, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews, presents, jewelry, calendar, games, chocolate, blanket, old navy, globetrotting mommy

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

For jewelry loving aunts, these tres chic Jet Set Candy luggage tag necklaces are sure to please. Moms would love these too – hint, hint…

For the cousins, I think this colorful Novogratz-Designed “Family” Blanket from Old Navy is too cute. Pair it with some DVDs and movie snacks and you’ll be all set.

For grandparents who juggle a million appointments, what could be better than a personalized photo calendar?  I made this one from Shutterfly but there are so many great options out there. I love that you can add in family photos, birthdays and other special family dates.

For nieces and nephews – Kids love getting games for the holidays but imagine how many bonus points you’ll score for giving them a game with chocolate game pieces?  Yes, edible! Gamesformotion has taken some of the best family friendly games (Candy Land, Guess Who, Monopoly, Scrabble, and others) and added Belgium milk chocolate playing pieces! My daughter and I tried these first-hand and we both think these will be a win with the kids.

FAMILY FRIENDLY GIFTS:

Holiday Gifts, Family, Aunts, Cousins, Grandparents, Nieces, Nephews, presents, chocolate, globetrotting mommy, flowers, Teleflora, Trader Joe's, Cookie, Ice Cream

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

For the whole family, I love the idea of a year-long subscription gift so the Jeni’s ice cream Pint Club is a great fit. The lucky recipient gets three pints of Jeni’s dreamy ice cream delivered four times a year. Sign me up!

For chocolate lovers – Small edible gifts are always a win around the holidays and Trader Joe’s has some really fun options. Their Chocolate Passport set and Dark Chocolate Covered Star Shortbread Cookies (and mini stars in mint) are my personal favorites.

Speaking of cookies, cookie decorating is always a fun family activity but if you’re too tired to bake, Walkers shortbread cookies come in festive shapes making them a tasty option. Grab some frosting in a tube and sprinkles and you’ve got a fun no-planning holiday playdate.

If you’re looking for a fun family gift that can be used year after year, I love the idea of sending flowers in a keepsake cookie jar. Teleflora’s Gingerbread Cookie Jar Bouquet is a festive arrangement in a hand-painted gingerbread-house cookie jar that also includes a recipe for Chocolate-Dipped Cookies.

Have a great weekend!

signature

Some samples received, however all opinions are my own.  Special thanks to Momtrends for hosting me at their holiday event.

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Wowza Wednesday Holiday …

By

It’s Giveaway Time, and Suburban Wife, City Life, Globetrotting Mommy, MommaLew, and Tastefully Childish have teamed up with some favorite brands to bring a giveaway like no other. It’s so good we’re calling it the #WowzaGiveaway!

What’s better is we’ve broken it down into 5 different prize packs so we’ll have lucky 5 winners! So scroll down to check out the prize packs and enter today!

 

Strolling Stylishly Prize:

High fashion meets high function in the Affinity Stroller by Britax. This refined, innovative design combines exceptional comfort and durability. Mix and match frame and Color Pack help create a stroller that is both elegant and enviable. Add the Cozy Toes to keep your little one warm and you’re set! Winner gets to pick frame and Color Pack! For a closer look check out Suburban Wife, City Life’s thoughts at the Britax Affinity Launch Here

 

Wake me up Prize:

Say Hello to the Keurig 2.0 K550 Brewing System. The first system that features revolutionary Keurig 2.0 Brewing Technology which is designed to “read” the lid of each K-Cup or K-Carafe pack to brew the perfect beverage every time. The K550 brewer allows you to brew a 4-cup carafe with the same ease and convenience of brewing a single-serve cup – all at the touch of a button. It’s so smart, and so simple! Check out Momma Lews thoughts here.

Cuddle Up Prize:

When it comes to decorating for the holiday Teleflora puts thought into each item they create. This is not only a beautiful arrangement, but you’ll be able to store your treats year after year in this adorable cookie jar. Decorating for the holidays is easy and festive with Teleflora and since they use local florists it will be hand delivered and smelling wonderful in no time. For some Teleflora Holiday Decorating Tips check out Suburban Wife, City Life.

2 jars Original Peanut Butter, 2 jars Peanut Butter & Chocolate.

Getting your peanut butter fix just became a whole lot easier. Just add boiling water to make Peanut Hottie at home, work, on the go, anywhere and everywhere. Available in Original Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter & Chocolate flavors it should be on everyone’s Wal-Mart shopping list.

We’ll Always Have Paris is a delightful mother-daughter travel memoir by Jennifer Coburn. Jennifer processes her dad’s death while navigating her way through motherhood and around Europe with her daughter for eight summers. Their adventures are full of colorful locals, visits to familiar tourist sights and many unexpected moments. See Globetrotting Mommy’s review here.

This Christmas is a three-novella collection by Jane Green, Liz Ireland, and Jennifer Coburn

 

Mom & Me Prize:

Help meet the unique needs of families worldwide and receive this
gorgeous draped beaded necklace. This necklace is handmade by an artisan
in Bali who helps children get the education she never received
herself. 

A NYC centric curated children’s boutique specializing in the most thoughtful, unique gifts for those looking to set themselves apart from giving the typical presents to kids. You’ll find the perfect “it” gift that includes a dash of nostalgia and a taste of your own personal past brought to life with the collection of kid tees, toys, music, books and more.

Lightweight, durable and soft, the quilted Cary Love Tote is not only the perfect diaper bag, but it is also an easy everyday tote overall. For each Carry Love Tote Diaper bag sold, 5% proceeds will be donated to Every Mother Counts. Check out Globetrotting Mommy’s thoughts here.

Time for Fun Prize:

This will be a hit with any junior fashionista on your holiday list. The kit contains an array of art supplies and fashion template so kids can create their own designs. From there, the designs come alive on the virtual runway thanks to a coordinating app. So much fun for kids and adults too! See what Globetrotting Mommy thinks about it Here!

More than just a watch, VTech’s Kidizoom Smartwatch lets young photographers take photos and videos. Plus, play mini learning games and tell time for learning fun on the go!
Wowza, right! We’re so excited about all the items available and hope you are too. So click on the rafflecopter below and start entering! Open to US entries only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Items can not be guaranteed in time for the holiday.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

signature

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Part 2: Top 10 Cool Things for …

By

We just got back from a fun family vacation at sea aboard the Norwegian Gem (see my Norwegian Cruise Line Review) and I thought I’d share some of my favorite kid-friendly activities for families on Norwegian Cruise Lines.  With close quarters (those cabins are tiny) and limited access to electronics and wifi, there is a lot of time for family bonding on cruise vacations.  Here are my top 10 Cool Things for Families that we enjoyed aboard the Norwegian Gem.

Family Travel, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Family Cruises, Cruising with Kids, Cruise with Children

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Get Crafty – Check out the ship’s daily schedule to find out about family friendly arts and crafts classes where you can make picture frames, keepsake boxes, and journals.  Don’t miss the Nickelodeon Arts and Crafts sessions in Bliss lounge.  My daughter got to decorate a Spongebob Squarepants picture frame, T-shirt and bandana.

Arts and Crafts, Family Travel, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Nickelodeon

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Go to a Pajama Party – If you’ve got young children, The Nickelodeon Pajama Jam features a buffet with fun foods like tie dyed waffles and pancakes and amazing donuts.  Kids can dance with several cartoon characters while adults drink their coffee in peace.  Thats a win-win.  Although this costs extra ($20 per person), you receive free 8×10 pictures from the meet-and-great that you would probably want to buy anyway.

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Family Travel, Family Cruise, Pajama Jam, PJ Party, Spongebob Squarepants, Nickelodeon, Dora the Explorer

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Dine Around the World – Check out some of the ship’s specialty restaurants to sample cuisine from around the world.  Our favorites were Le Bistro which featured a French inspired menu (and a great chocolate fondue with fresh fruit!) and the Teppanyaki restaurant where we were entertained all night with an origami menu and entertaining chef.

Family Travel, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Dining, Cruising with Kids

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Get Wet – Kids and water are a natural combination.  The Norwegian Gem features a twisty waterside, pool (there is also a separate adults-only pool) and bubbling jacuzzis. The enclosed kiddie pool has a tiny slide perfect for kids five and under and a small toddler friendly playground with a see-saw. At port, explore the nearby Caribbean beaches and water attractions.

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Family Travel, Norwegian Gem, Swimming, Water Slide, Atlantis, Caribbean, Family Cruise

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Take a Family Friendly Class – There are classes all day long where vacationers can learn about art, photography, cooking and many other topics. We especially enjoyed the Towel Folding Demonstration, Family Balloon Twisting Workshop, Family Circus Workshop, and Pastry Demonstration classes which were very family friendly. My mom and I also sampled an art class which was very informative.

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Family Travel, Caribbean Cruise, Cruise activities, Cruising with kids, Family activities

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Get Cooking – The family that cooks together has a good time. We attended Parents and Kids Pizza Making and Cupcake Decorating classes at La Cucina and my daughter had a blast.  The staff had everything arranged in an assembly line and kids (and adults!) got to make their own creations. This was a great opportunity for my daughter to feel grown up trying new pizza toppings and sampling new flavor combinations like pineapple and bacon, oh my!

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Family Travel, Cooking Classes, Cruising with Kids, Family Cruise

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Sea Gaze – Take in the sights from your balcony or the many onboard vantage points.  Start your sea gazing with spectacular New York City views as you depart. After a few days of sailing, my daughter and I spotted several dolphins from our balcony – an amazing sight we talked about for days! At night, check out the stars and other ships leaving port.

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Family Travel, Family Cruise, Cruising with Kids, Sea Views, NYC Views

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

See a Show – I really liked that several of the shows were at 7:30 pm which was perfect after an early dinner for my young daughter. The welcome show was a nice chance to learn about the ship and activities and see some of the upcoming acts. The favorites for our multi-generational group were the welcome and farewell variety shows, World Beat and Get Down Tonight.

NCL, Norwegian Cruise Line, Cruise Show, Family Entertainment, Cruise with kids, Family Travel

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Strike a Pose – The ship features so many fun areas for photo ops so don’t forget your camera.  If you’re looking for something more formal, have the ship photographers get some family shots around the pool or in their studio.

Family Cruise, Family Travel, Cruising with kids, Norwegian Cruise Lines, NYC Cruise

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

Check out the Circus at Sea – The last day aboard our cruise, my daughter got to star in her very first stage performance as a tiger in the Hilario Big Top at Sea circus show.  This is a must-see adorable show where kids 3 and up perform skits and circus acts they learned during the week in the Splash Academy kids program.

Family Cruise, Family Travel, Cruising with kids, Norwegian Cruise Line, Splash Academy

Top 10 Cool Things for Families on Norwegian Cruise Lines

What are your favorite family friendly things to do on a cruise?

signature

Special thanks to The Moms and Norwegian Cruise Lines for hosting us on the cruise. As always, all opinions are my own.

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

NYC Inspired Holiday Gift …

By

Who wouldn’t love a little piece of the Big Apple under their Christmas tree or Chanukah bush this year? Here are my favorite NYC Inspired Holiday Gift Ideas…

This is New York by Miroslav Sasek.  I had this on my bookshelf when I was a kid and its still one of my favorites today.  This classic storybook shows many details of city life with cartoon characters and colorful illustrations.  It works in a children’s bedroom or on a coffee table.

I don’t know one single kid who isn’t obsessed with the NYC Subway system. My Subway Ride by Paul DuBois Jacobs is colorful portrayal of the sounds and sights of the NYC subways.  Girls and boys will be equally amused by this one.


Eloise is a classic NYC character. For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this Ultimate Edition treasury is sure to please. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.

Maya Brenner’s Big Apple Charm is a great pick for girls of all ages.

New York City, Gift Guide, Maya Brenner, Necklace, Big Apple

New York City Inspired Gift Ideas

How fun is this New York State baking dish by Corbe?  I would definitely be serving an apple crisp in this one.

New York City, Holiday Gift Ideas, Baking dish

New York City Inspired Holiday Gift Ideas

Umbrellas are a necessity at home and away. I’m just loving this Cityscape Clear Umbrella from Felix Rey to add a little sunshine to a rainy day.

Globetrotting Mommy - Holiday gifts for women

Globetrotting Mommy – Holiday gifts for women

For the guy who has everything, these vintage NYC subway token cufflinks are sure to please.

New York City, Subway Token, Cufflinks, Holiday Gift, Ideas

New York City Inspired Holiday Gift Ideas

signature

 

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Fun Food Friday: Top 10 Kid …

By

Do your kids say “I’m hungry” all the time?  That’s an easy one when you’re home but when you’re on the go, you better be ready with some kid friendly snacks.

Here are some of my favorite go-to, mostly healthy snacks for traveling.

Kid friendly snacks, banana chips, chick peas, GoGo Squeeze, PackEms

Fun Food Friday: Top 10 Kid Friendly Snacks for Planes, Trains and Automobiles

1) Food that doesn’t make a mess is a win when you’re on the go.  I love squeezy fruit pouches like GoGo Squeez and yogurt tubes which I keep in my freezer.

2) String cheese.  If you’ve got little kids, these are probably already in your fridge.  A great snacks for parents too.

3) Yogurt covered raisins or pretzels.  The yogurt makes it healthy, right?

4) Rice cakes are great for kids of all ages.  Too healthy? Take along some single serving peanut butter pouches to spread on top and your kids won’t even notice whats underneath…

5) Bananas in any form.  Bananas seem to be a universal pleaser with kids.  If you’re not worried about squishing, take along some fresh ones.  If you need something more durable, try Barnana bites or my personal favorite, banana chips from Trader Joe’s.

6) Roasted seaweed snacks.  Maybe its a NYC thing, but the kids here all snack on seaweed.  It’s healthy, available in small packages and lightweight making it a great option for traveling.

7) Freeze dried fruit.  Its always nice if you can take along fresh fruit on your travels but when you can’t, freeze dried options (apples and berries for my daughter) are a great choice.

8) Trail mix, granola and energy bars come in all varieties these days making them a great option for a quick meal or snack. KIND and Luna bars are my faves but if you’re feeling inspired, there are a million DIY recipes on Pinterest.

9) Cereals like Cheerios and Puffins are great for traveling.  Just add milk or grab and go.  This one works for toddlers and teens alike.

10) Salty snacks are super popular in my house and pretzels seem to please in any shape or flavor. There are some great alternatives to greasy chips like Chick-a-peas baked chick pea snacks (a great gluten free snack option), wasabi peas which are great for older kids and popcorn in cheesy or sweet flavors.

Kid friendly snacks, Pack Ems, snack bags, eco friendly

Fun Food Friday: Top 10 Kid Friendly Snacks for Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I love when snacks are individually wrapped but sometimes its easier to portion out my own snacks.  If you’re looking for an eco-friendly snack storage option, I recently got to test out Pack’Ems and I think they’re a great option for on-the-go families.  The set includes small and large bags made of super durable plastic (BPA, PVA and phthalate-free of course) which is easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. The velcro closure is super easy for kids to open and close, but my favorite thing about them (especially for plane travel) is the way they stand when opened.  No more knocking over the bag of chips on your tray table ever again…

Have a great weekend!

 

signature

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

How to host a Caribbean themed …

By

My daughter recently requested a Caribbean themed party with dolphins for her 5th birthday.

This would have been super easy if it was summer and if we had a pool (and a backyard!) but for a New York City party in the fall, it took a little creativity. Read on to see my tips for hosting a festive, fun and relatively easy Caribbean themed birthday party…

Part one – Create an Under the Sea look

1) Blow up a million (or two hundred) balloons in varying shades of blue and spread them on the floor and/or hang them from the ceiling. I found these tiny tiny hooks from Command that made hanging super easy. Add in some giant beach balls, pool floats, mermaid dolls and inflatable blue dolphins…

Under the Sea, Caribbean, party decor, birthday, balloons, dolphins

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

2) Decorate the walls with crepe paper streamers in varying shades of green to look like seaweed. I used glue dots to make it nice and easy. Hang a happy birthday banner or letters, add some balloons (giant floating pina colada? Yes, please!), drape raffia around the table, add colorful decorations and you’re set.

Under the Sea, Mermaid, Caribbean, Party, birthday, decor, balloons, pina colada, fruit kebobs

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

3) Make some adorable fish out of paper lanterns….I just bought matching paper for the fins and tails and traced out a pattern. Finish them with pom pom eyes and big red fish lips and hang with fishing wire. Too cute.

Caribbean, party, under the sea, birthday, chinese lantern fish, pom pom eyes, party decor

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

Part two – Add some fun activities

4) Photo booths are fun for kids and adults. Tape a border to the wall, hang some pom pom flowers and throw some fun props and picture frames into a big colorful tub and you’re all set.

Caribbean party, under the sea, photo booth, DIY, photography, photo props, backdrop

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

5) My daughter is obsessed with Dolphins ever since we saw the Dolphin Tale 2 preview with The Moms. Move over donkey, we decided to play Pin the Tail on the Dolphin.

Caribbean Party, birthday, pin the tail, dolphin, party games,

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

6) Have a face painter, balloon twister and/or magician on hand or get some adults to help with these activities. Temporary fish or mermaid tattoos are another easy option.

Caribbean party, face painter, magician, birthday party ideas, Mermaid party

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

Part three – Time to chow down

7) We served goldfish crackers (of course), tropical fruit kebobs, and shell mac and cheese with hot dog octopuses (thanks Pinterest!). To drink we had pink lemonade, kiddie pina coladas, juices and water in fun palm tree and coconut cups with krazy straws.

Caribbean party, party food, under the sea party, fruit kebob, mac and cheese

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

8) For the cake, she wanted a crab on top which was a strange request but I was just happy she didn’t say lobster. I made a round blue and white cake with candy/pretzel palm trees, a brown sugar beach and blue candy ocean (sixlets, m&ms, Jelly Belly, and rock candy. Oh my). I made the crab out of red fondant and it was much easier than I expected. If you’ve ever handled Play Doh, you’ll have no worries here.

Caribbean party, birthday cake, under the sea party, crab birthday cake

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

9) I made mini fish cupcakes for the kids because I didn’t want 14 kids screaming at me telling me which part of the cake they had to have. Is this just a NYC thing? Anyway, the cupcakes were a little time consuming because you need to sort the mini m&ms and make the different colored frosting but they were super cute.

Caribbean party, fish cupcakes, birthday cupcakes,

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps

Part four – Send them home

10) After two hours, your ears will be throbbing and everyone will be ready to go home. For a parting gift, we gave everyone these cute HEXBUG Aquabot fishies which fit in nicely with the theme and didn’t involve candy. That’s a win win in birthday party world. Some of my other ideas were kinetic sand and make your own dolphin out of clay kits.

Aquabot, Hexbug, party favors, birthday party

How to host a Caribbean themed party in 10 easy steps.

And there you have it. Although this was a birthday party, I think these ideas could be tweaked for a cute Caribbean themed baby shower as well. For more fun party ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

 

signature

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Fun Food Friday: State Series …

By

Are you looking for a fun way to sneak in a little geography learning with your kids? Check out these handmade wooden State Series cutting boards from Etsy’s AHeirloom shop.

State Series Cutting Boards, Foodie, Globetrotting Mommy, Fun Food Friday

Fun Food Friday: State Series Cutting Boards for Globetrotting Foodies

I think they’d be a great gift for any budding culinary star or globetrotting family.  You can have icons engraved to commemorate cities where you got married, had children, went to school, etc. making it a fun family heirloom. Available in large or mini sizes, these cutting boards would also be a great gift for that person who has everything. Just pair it with a local cookbook or ingredients and you’ve got a fun foodie gift.

Bon appetit!

signature

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach …

By

We’re heading off on a tropical vacation later this month and I can’t wait. There’s a spa for me, shaded cabanas for my husband, a kids zone for my daughter and a white sand beach for all of us. If you haven’t had your fill of fun in the sun this summer, today I’m sharing my top 10 must haves for a beach getaway with kids…

1) Sunscreen is a must for grown-ups and kids and The Honest Co. makes a great family friendly version. If you’ve got a girly girl in your group, Glitter Tots’ Sparkle Screen is my daughter’s favorite. When she asks for more “skin glitter,” I’m always happy to oblige.

Beach Getaway with Kids, Must Have, Accessories, Globetrotting Mommy, Family Beach Vacation

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

2) On those days when its chilly coming out of the ocean or pool, I recommend hooded towels for kids. Some of my favorites are from The Company Store, Pottery Barn Kids and Carters.

3) A cute bathing suit is a must have. For moms, Miraclesuit makes some a stylish options that don’t scream “mom.”  For fathers and sons who want to be matchy matchy, I am loving the Tom & Teddy line.

Beach Getaway with Kids, Must Have, Accessories, Globetrotting Mommy, Family Beach Vacation

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

4) Hats and sunglasses for the whole family are a must. Flap Happy offers a great hat selection for babies and toddlers and I highly recommend their swim hat and floppy hats with the chin tie. Target also has a great selection of sun hats for the whole family.

5) Beach toys can be as simple as a plastic container or as complex as a fancy kite. You can’t go wrong with Melissa & Doug products and the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set and Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set are always popular with my daughter and her friends.

Beach Getaway with Kids, Must Have, Accessories, Globetrotting Mommy, Family Beach Vacation, swim float, Paddle Pak, Trunki

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

6) For those who haven’t fully mastered the art of swimming, bring along some accessories. For toddlers, I recommend taking along a Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket Vest (one of the few coast guard approved devices) while a backpack type floatation device like the Water Gear Back Float 4-Color Split Back Float is better for new swimmers who want to do more than just doggie paddle. Kickboards are also fun..

7) You’ll need some cute beach bags to carry all your stuff. For kids, I adore the Trunki PaddlePak waterproof backpacks that come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are the perfect size and kids will love the secret compartments and extras like a special tag to hang sunglasses. I also love this Stephen Joseph Mermaid Beach Tote above because the back is made of mesh so the sand stays at the beach. It comes with beach toys and is also available in a cute Shark version.

Beach Getaway with Kids, Must Have, Rash Guard, Beach Cover Ups, Accessories, Globetrotting Mommy, Family Beach Vacation

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

8) Picnics at the beach are great family fun but you want to be careful your food stays nice and cool. I took a PackIt Freezable Picnic Bag to the beach on a super hot day and it did not disappoint. You freeze it overnight and stays cool for up to 10 hours. The Picnic Bag is a great size for a small family but you could also use it for baby bottles/food, drinks and anything else you want to keep cool. They also make lunch bags, shopping bags, wine bags and more which are great for summer or if you live in a warm climate.

9) Cover ups are a must for the whole family. I love the cool cotton kurtas and dresses for kids and adults from Roberta Roller Rabbit. Rash guards are also great for keeping active kids protected when they’re swimming and building sand castles.

10) Nobody wants to bring sand home so don’t forget this trick… Put some baby powder in an old sock and the sand will magically disappear when you wipe the sock across your skin. You’re welcome.

I hope you enjoy your last few trips to the beach…

signature

Note: Some affiliate links are included in this story. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt …

By

Remember when I was home day after day mending my broken foot aka taking a NYC summer staycation?  Well, Morton Salt sent me a care package full of goodies to cheer me up and suggested I throw a playdate party to celebrate the Morton Salt Girl’s 100th birthday! She’s looking pretty good for 100, right?

Salt Dough, Recipe, DIY, Morton Salt, Happy Birthday, 100, Staycation Ideas, Globetrotting Mommy, Morton Salt Girl

Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

As I soaked my recuperating foot in Morton Epson salt baths (Eucalyptus and Lavender, yum) I decided that throwing a little DIY Salt Dough party for my daughter and her pal would be a win win.  The kids could get crafty, the moms could chat and the mess would be minimal.

I made the dough in advance to keep things easy. Kids plus flour is a dangerous combination in my book but if you’re feeling daring, this is a pretty easy recipe for little hands…

SUPER EASY SALT DOUGH

  • 1 cup of Morton Salt
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 3/4 cup of water
  1. Mix the salt and flour together in a large bowl.
  2. Gradually stir in the water and mix until it forms dough.
  3. Knead the dough and add more flour if it sticks to your hands.
  4. Roll out the dough and separate into individual pieces.
  5. Use cookie cutters or create your own designs.
  6. Bake in oven at 250 degrees for about two hours depending on size.

The girls got right to work with their designs…

Salt Dough, Recipe, DIY, Morton's, Happy Birthday, 100, Staycation Ideas, Globetrotting Mommy, Morton Salt Girl

Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

They added in some stones and played while they baked. When they were cool, they added on finishing touches with markers but you could also use paint or glitter glue.

Salt Dough, Recipe, DIY, Morton's, Happy Birthday, 100, Staycation Ideas, Globetrotting Mommy, Morton Salt Girl

Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

This is a great project for a rainy day or staycation.  I’m sure you already have the supplies so give it a try.

signature

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Back-To-School Giveaway …

By

I’m super excited to join some of my favorite bloggers for a Back-to-School Giveaway!  If you’ve got kids you’re definitely going to want to enter.

It’s time to get ready to head back to school and a group of us got together to share some of our favorite products that make that first day a little easier for both parents and students.

Read on and enter below to win everything on the list…

Back to School, Giveaway

Now to introduce you to the awesome bloggers hosting this giveaway! Stop by and visit them to say thanks!  Destiny of Suburban Wife, City Life, Courtney & Julie of The Chirping Moms, Lyla of Globetrotting Mommy, Kris of My Strange Family, Elizabeth of MommieDe, Esti of Primetime Parenting, Lynda of Main Street Mama and Jessica of Peekababy.

Here’s a breakdown and brief description of the amazing giveaway items…

$50 Stride Rite Gift Card

“A century of quality crafted footwear, designed specifically for kids.” Nothing says Back to School like a new pair of shoes and Stride Rite knows what little feet need.

$100 RUUM Gift Card

American’s Kids Ware ranging from birth to size 14Y this company will have you wishing picture day was everyday.  The clothes are casual and stylish with quality at it’s finest.

Mabel’s Labels – choice of Stylish Scholars Combo or Ultimate Back to School Combo

A waterproof, dishwasher safe and microwave safe set of labels to put on anything you don’t want to risk losing.  Their slogan is “Labels for the stuff kids lose.”  To read a full review please visit Suburban Wife, City Life.

Vamousse – bottle of Lice Prevention and Lice Treatment

No one likes to talk about these unwanted visitors, but it’s best to be prepared and Vamousse helps to take care of both.  These products are non-toxic and pesticide free.  Killing the lice in as little at 15 minutes.  A great secret weapon to have on hand.

BubbleBum – an inflatable car booster seat

This booster seat is the perfect item to have on hand when your child is going to someone else’s house after school or you’re picking up another child for a play-date after school.  It meets all US safety testing standards and is appropriate for ages 4-11.  To read a full review please visit Globetrotting Mommy.

Spbang – three reusable snack bags

This mom invented, made in the USA, lead free, phthalate free, bpa free and food safe bags are going to make packing lunches so easy.  To read a full review please visit MommieDE.

Little MissMatched – backpack of your choice

A new backpack is much more than a place to hold your school supplies, but an expression of your child.  These super fun bubble backpacks are not only stylish, but also so roomy!

Peppercorn Kids – $25 Gift Card

Whether you wear a uniform or everyday clothes allowing your child to accessorize shows their personality and fashion sense.   Adorable hats, ties and bow ties for the little man of the house or a fun hair accessory or necklace for the little lady.

Skip-Hop – choice of zoo backpack and insulated lunch bag

Skip-Hop has been creating these adorable animal backpacks for years, and they have some new animals they’ve added to the family.  Watching as your little one walks into the classroom is a little easier when they are wearing something so cute and functional.  The insulated lunch bag is easy to wipe clean and perfect for on the go.

Sneakz Organic – case (12) of Chocolate Milkshake

If you have a picky eater, who loves to drink chocolate milk then you are set!  Sneakz Organic combines 4 veggies into a delicious chocolate milkshake making you feel like a sneaky parent!

HABA USA – choice of Wildlife Mini Backpack

Perfect backpack for both school and exploring.  A roomy inside with adjustable straps and chest strap there’s no worry for your little one sliding this off before getting to class.

Wall Pops – Learn to Write Chalkboard

You always say don’t write on the wall, but with this we encourage your child to!  Wall Pops are easily repositionable and removable.

Raffi – Love Bug CD

Raffi has long been a passionate advocate for children and a sustainable world for today’s youth. ‘Love Bug’ resounds with Child Honouring principles and affirms Raffi’s place as the legendary children’s artist we all know him to be.

We are so grateful to all of the sponsors who are helping to support this giveaway with over $450 worth of products.  This giveaway will run till Friday, August 15th at 11:59pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

signature

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Recent Posts

Meta

Recent Comments