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Puzzles for Kids: Explore the …

September 25, 2020 By Globetrotting Mommy

Puzzles have become one of my favorite pandemic pastimes. Until family vacations are back, here are some cool puzzles for kids to explore the world from home.

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Puzzles For Kids: Explore the World From Home

This World Map Foam Puzzle would be a great play date activity for young elementary school kids. Play some international tunes and serve fun global bites and the kids won’t even realize they’re learning.

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Foam World Map Puzzle

This wooden USA Puzzle Map from Melissa and Doug is a great way for kids and up to learn their United States geography.

This wooden USA map puzzle is a great choice for elementary school kids.

This 3D Globe Puzzle from Ravensburger is a good option for kids ages 7-12. The 180-piece puzzle features curved pieces that click into a solid ball when completed. I love that it includes a rotation stand for display.

3D Globe puzzle

Tweens and teens can spot some insta-worthy global landmarks in this 1000 piece Globetrotter Jigsaw Puzzle.

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Cool puzzles for kids – Globetrotter Jigsaw Puzzle

For artsy kids (and adults) Michael Storrings has a slew of scenic puzzles from favorite cities like NYC, Paris, London, etc. Here’s New York City’s Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, 1000 piece puzzle.

Which is your favorite?

Spotlight on Ireland: The …

March 17, 2016 By admin

In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, I’m talking about The Irish Fairy Door, one of Ireland’s most family friendly traditions that just recently launched here in America. Read on to learn more and find out how you can win your very own.

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

I am always intrigued by cultural traditions around the world so when The Irish Fairy Door Company invited me to their New York City launch party I quickly said, “Yes.” As we munched on Irish fare, I learned that Irish Fairy Doors are all the rage with kids in Ireland and England where they encourage kids to let their imaginations run wild as they leave notes and pictures for each other and decorate their surroundings.

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

Each Irish Fairy Door set contains a beautifully crafted wooden door (in varying colors and styles), a Fairy Welcome Guide, a Family/Fairy Lease Agreement, a fairy notepad, a tiny glass bottle with a key and a special code to register your fairy’s name online. The welcome guide explains how everything works. You basically decide on a spot for the door, choose your fairy name and sign the lease agreement. This humorous agreement gives kids a nice sense of easy-to-handle responsibility (who is in charge of food, laundry, decor, etc.) as it outlines who is responsible for what. Since my daughter has been asking for a pet, I couldn’t wait to see how she would handle her fairy responsibilities…

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

I positioned the door in her bedroom and waited for her to notice after school. It looked cute but I couldn’t help but wonder, would my city savvy six-year old actually believe in magical fairies. Well, she noticed it right away and started shooting off questions about fairies… We read the book together, decided on a name (Lola) and signed the contract. She went right to work drawing pictures and writing to Lola so yes, she really did believe. That night, the key disappeared and Lola arrived. Lola responded to my daughter’s note and even left some fairy dust…

Spotlight on Ireland: The Irish Fairy Door and Giveaway

I love anything that encourages free thinking and creativity but when it also encourages my daughter to practice her handwriting, I’m really sold. If you’re looking for a fun surprise for any girl or boy, this would make a great gift.

In celebration of their US launch, The Irish Fairy Door Company has partnered with The Starlight Children’s Foundation by donating Irish Fairy Doors to Starlight community partners.

Ready to win? The Irish Fairy Door Company is partnering with Globetrotting Mommy and one lucky reader will win their very own Irish Fairy Door!

To enter please leave a blog post comment below – Which door is your favorite?

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This giveaway ends at midnight EST on Friday, April 1.

Thanks to the Irish Fairy Door Company for inviting me to the NYC launch party and providing me with product to review. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Bratz Dolls Encourage Girls to …

September 1, 2015 By admin

One of the best times of my life was spent studying abroad in Rome during my junior year of college. I have such great memories of visiting the famed sights, eating tons of gelato (pizza too!) and living among the locals. When I heard that Bratz was reintroducing a new doll collection featuring a group of five study abroad characters, I couldn’t wait to check them out with my daughter.

Bratz Dolls Encourage Girls to Travel the Globe with New Study Abroad Collection

When I took Raya, the study abroad Mexico doll, out of her box, my five-year old daughter was immediately drawn to all her fun accessories. Raya comes with two trendy outfits that can be mixed and matched, jewelry, hair accessories, a tote bag, cactus and piñata key ring along with a roller board suitcase with stickers for kids to decorate.

Bratz Dolls Encourage Girls to Travel the Globe with New Study Abroad Collection

Dolls have come a long way since I was a kid and I loved all the attention to details on the outfits as well as the great hair that doesn’t immediately get knotty. I also loved that these dolls will expose young girls to different cultures through play. I also hope these dolls will encourage young women to study overseas as study abroad is on the decline.

The Bratz Study Abroad collection features Raya and the following dolls (pictured above) who all come with two outfits, jewelry and suitcases:

Cloe is just back from China with a teapot and teacup, a ying yang purse, a fortune cookie key ring.

Jade came back from studying in Russia with nesting dolls and a fabergé egg key ring.

Sasha returned from Britain with Union Jack purse, teacup and scones and a bunny bodyguard key ring.

Yasmin is back from Brazil with colorful sunglasses and a pineapple key ring.

In addition to the new Study Abroad dolls, Bratz revamped their entire line with a new look and feel that embodies the interests, passions and personalities of the modern day girl. The core collections are available now at Target, Toys”R”Us and Walmart stores nationwide.

I think these would make a great back-to-school gift for any globetrotting girl.

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Girls Gone South Part 2: …

January 22, 2015 By admin

My mom, daughter and I visited Charleston for four days and we packed a lot into our multi-generational getaway. If you’re planning a trip to family friendly Charleston, read on to see my recommendations. As mentioned in Girls Gone South Part 1, we loved staying at the centrally located Embassy Suites Charleston hotel.

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Girls Gone South Part 2: Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina

Here is a recap from our trip and my family friendly recommendations:

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

INDOOR FUN: The day we arrived was cold and rainy so our first stop was the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry which was a few blocks away from our hotel. Little kids really need some unscheduled time to run around on vacation and if you can’t be outdoors, a children’s museum is always a great option. The museum was large (yet uncrowded by New York standards for a rainy day) with several fun, interactive sections (a boat, a science area, a water area, an arts and crafts area, a castle, a mini-supermarket, etc.) to explore. If you ask my daughter, she will probably say this was her favorite part of our trip. Look for BOGO coupons in the visitor’s guide before you go.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Getting Around Town

GETTING AROUND: We stopped by the nearby Charleston Visitors Center to get some maps and finalize our plans and I found the staff very friendly and welcoming which was a nice change from our typical NYC days. Charleston boasts a free downtown trolley service called DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) which has several routes connecting to most of Charleston’s attractions. This is a great resource for traveling families since adults don’t need to deal with directions or parking and kids will love riding the trolly. Once you get your bearings, it is very easy to navigate and I was so surprised by the nice, patient drivers. Another fun way to get around (especially at night) is by pedi-cab. Just have the restaurant call you one and within minutes, your chariot (and warm blanket) will whisk you right up to your hotel’s front door. Now that’s what I call Southern hospitality!

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: South Carolina Aquarium

AQUARIUM FUN: The next day was still cool so we headed to the South Carolina Aquarium. My daughter is obsessed with dolphins and sea creatures so this was a big hit. The exhibits were very well done and there were several interactive displays, touch tanks and play areas. The floor-to-ceiling fish tanks towered over my daughter who ran from window to window checking out the pretty fish, sharks, turtles and other animals. The Madagascar Journey area was especially fun as children got a passport to stamp as they explored the exhibit. The aquarium is relatively small and easy to navigate in an hour or two making it a great option for families with small kids. Be sure to check out the famed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge views from the lookout decks.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston Harbor Tours

EXPLORE BY SEA: From there, it was a quick walk over to Charleston Harbor Tours where we boarded the Carolina Belle for a 90-minute narrated harbor tour. We sat in the windowed downstairs area because of the cold weather and there was plenty of room for my daughter to roam around. This is a great way to get your bearings as you sail by Charleston and famed attractions like Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown and the stately waterfront homes on the Battery. The sights are stunning but my daughter’s favorite part were several dolphin sightings along the way.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Palmetto Carriage Works

EXPLORE BY LAND: The weather warmed up a bit the next day and we opted for a sightseeing tour with Palmetto Carriage Works. This horse and carriage tour kept us entertained as our driver pointed out historic sights and described the area’s different neighborhoods. We shared our carriage with another family and their young son and the one-hour tour was just long enough without boring the kids who especially enjoyed learning about the horses.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Explore by Foot

EXPLORE BY FOOT: Charleston is a very easy place to explore by foot with several distinctive areas. We especially enjoyed strolling along the King Street shops, exploring around the City Market area (great for souvenirs) and checking out the Rainbow Row neighborhood. For a small city, Charleston has some amazing shopping with everything from small mom and pop stores, family friendly clothing stores, local art shops, jewelry stores and fancy shmancy boutiques. Kids will especially enjoy the many candy, cupcake and ice cream shops. My favorite finds were some Bourbon and Bowties bracelets, made by proud Southern hands!

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Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Waterfront Park and Pineapple Fountain

CHECK OUR CHARLESTON’S FAMED PINEAPPLE FOUNTAIN: A trip to Charleston is not complete without a visit to the city’s famed Pineapple Fountain and I was so happy when the sunshine came out so we could make our way over to check it out. Waterfront Park features several large family sized swings, grassy areas, scenic lookout points, waterfront paths and the gigantic Pineapple Fountain where tourists (and locals) are invited to wade. My daughter jumped right in and had a ball dancing around. If you like to take pictures on vacation, this is an awesome backdrop.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

TAKE IN SOME HISTORY: The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is a family friendly spot that showcases various aspects of Charleston history during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. Children and adults will enjoy the Provost Dungeon where docents lead you through its eerie confines with entertaining tales of pirates and patriots. My daughter was a little spooked by the dungeon so we spent most of our time upstairs “signing” the Declaration of Independence but older children will love it.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Culinary Tours of Charleston

SAMPLE A CULINARY TOUR: Since my mom is a big foodie, I booked us on a Culinary Tour of Charleston with Bulldog Tours. While this 2.5 hour tour is not recommended for children under 12, my 5-year old daughter has taken foodie tours in NYC so I figured she’d be ok (I also had crayons and a coloring book just in case). Our guide was super informative and the many shops and restaurants we stopped in were all very accommodating to our group. This was a great way to sample some of the area’s famous flavors including: stone ground grits, Charleston Benne Wafers, locally made chocolates, southern pralines, sweet tea, collard greens, Lowcountry barbeque, spices, teas and more. We all had a great time and I highly recommend this if you’re a foodie family.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Joseph Manigault House

GO BACK IN TIME: On our last day we visited the Joseph Manigault House. I never know how much history a five-year old can handle but I was impressed how my daughter listened carefully to the tour guide. It was fun to see her little brain churning as she saw the old fashioned toilets and children’s toys and she was genuinely interested in how families lived way back when. If our trip was longer, I would have added in a visit to one of the area’s famed Plantations.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston Museum

VISIT AMERICA’S FIRST MUSEUM: Our last stop was the Charleston Museum conveniently located across the street from our hotel. The museum, founded in 1773, is relatively large with a very wide mix of historic artifacts (think Revolutionary and Civil War armory and uniforms, ancient Egypt, Rome and Greek art, dinosaur tracks, slavery badges and more), interactive exhibits, life sized animals and skeletons (and a gigantic whale bone frame) and an engaging kids section. My daughter insisted we all dress up in the hoop dresses and I loved watching her prance around like it was 1800-something. If you’ve got children in elementary or middle school, this is definitely a great spot to visit.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Dining in Charleston

EAT, EAT, EAT: Charleston has a wide range of restaurants offering everything from Southern fare and Lowcountry barbecue to high-end dining and dive-diners. We sampled several family-friendly restaurants and I was impressed with their kids menus (featuring Hush Puppies and Charleston history word searches) and staff. Some of my favorites were Magnolias (Southern fare), Peninsula Grill (Fancy with must have Coconut Cake), Virginia’s on King (Southern comfort food), Fleet Landing (classic seafood favorites with a view), Fish (innovative, high end seafood) and Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe (casual Southern fare for breakfast and lunch).

Want to see more? Check out this video:

NOTE: We visited in November. If you’re planning to visit during spring/summer be sure to check out the area’s family friendly beaches.

Bon voyage!

Special thanks to the Charleston Area CVB for providing us with a VIP Pass to explore Charleston. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation …

January 7, 2015 By admin

Attention Frozen fans…Do you want to build a snowman on vacation AND sleep in an ice hotel? Read on for my Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation Getaway suggestions and don’t worry there are plenty of fireplaces, hot tubs and saunas (as well as one non-ice hotel) so you’ll stay toasty warm…

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Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation Getaways: Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway

1) Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Alta, Norway

This 21,530 sq. ft. structure is made entirely from snow and ice every year. Frozen hotel experiences include:

· A new theme each season to offer guests a completely unique experience

· Reindeer leather sleeping pads and ultra-warm sleeping bags to warm your toes

· Outdoor hot tubs or sauna to help guests escape the cold temperatures

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Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation Getaways: Det Hanseatiske Hotel, Norway

2) Det Hanseatiske Hotel, Bergen, Norway

If staying in a hotel made of ice doesn’t give you the warm and fuzzies, head to Bergen, Norway instead to explore the real life inspiration for the Kingdom of Arendelle. Frozen hotel experiences include:

· As a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen district, Det Hanseatiske Hotel allows visitors to step back in time

· Located in a 16th-century building in the heart of Bergen, the hotel features 37 unique rooms with centuries-old timber walls, wood furniture and leather sofas

· Unique restaurants including a fine dining experience in an intimate and stylish 17th-century atmosphere at Finnegaardsstuene

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Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation Getaways: Balea Ice Hotel, Romania

3) Balea Ice Hotel, Cîrţişoara, Romania
Located in the Făgăraş Mountains of Romania and accessible only by cable car, Balea Ice Hotel provides travelers with a unique Frozen experience including:

· Rooms and furniture made by local craftsmen completely from ice blocks

· An ice restaurant, the first ecumenical ice church in Romania and an ice bar where drinks are served in glasses made of ice

· A variety of experiences including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sleighing and other winter sports

· For some family fun, the hotel also organizes fun games such as snowball fights, snowman building contests and ice bowling

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Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation Getaways: Igloo Village Kakslauttanen, Finland

4) Igloo Village Kakslauttanen, Saariselka, Finland

These thermal glass igloos keep guests warm amidst the freezing Arctic surroundings and provide a fun family experience fitting of Elsa and Anna:

· Each igloo pod has its own luxury beds and saunas, relaxation rooms, terraces, and an open fireplace, all available in adjacent log cabins

· The village also features the world’s largest smoke sauna

· Many exciting activities including snowmobiling, dog sledding, Northern Lights bus tours, Artic Ocean trips, and husky and reindeer safaris

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Top 5 Frozen Inspired Vacation Getaways: Kirkenes Snowhotel, Norway

5) Kirkenes Snowhotel, Kirkenes, Norway

Head to Norway and live in frozen luxury when you stay at the Kirkenes Snowhotel and enjoy an unforgettable Frozen experience:

· The hotel features unique, snow-sculpted rooms, an ice bar, restaurant and sauna to provide guests with a comfortable experience while staying in the -4 degrees Celsius temperatures

· From husky tours to Arctic King Crab fishing tours, cross country skiing to ice fishing, the Snowhotel offers fun activities for everyone

Whew, I’m freezing just writing that. Not a snow lover? If you would rather explore Norway by sea this summer, check out Disney cruises aboard the Disney Magic to the Norwegian Fjords. And, if you’d rather explore the area on land, check out Adventures by Disney’s Norway Family Vacation.

Bon voyage!

Thanks to Bookings.com for sharing these hotel offerings. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

I AM ELEVEN: Sneak peek into …

September 16, 2014 By admin

When I was a new mom, I remember venturing out to the movies to see a documentary called Babies that chronicled the lives of four babies around the world. I was amazed to see how different moms (and babies) had it in other countries (no wipes, no plush stroller buntings, oh my!) but the unifying theme was how the babies were loved and cared for in their communities.

I AM ELEVEN

I recently had the chance to see I AM ELEVEN, a new documentary that follows 11-year olds all over the world and it was a great sneak peek into the future for me. My daughter is almost five now and she’s so grown up in so many ways but clearly she’s still a little girl. Filmmaker Genevieve Bailey traveled to 15 countries to explore the world through the eyes of 11-year olds and the result is a fascinating look at the fleeting moment between childhood and adolescence aka middle childhood.

I loved seeing the children’s different environments and learning about their concerns and hopes for the future. Some children were orphans while others were living pampered lives but the overall message was one of hope, curiosity and excitement for the future. Their dreams varied from becoming a ballet dancer, actress or secret agent to being a famous rapper or getting engaged in college, yet they shared a love of singing and dancing.

The film is currently playing in New York City with plans to open in California this month followed by Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and other markets. I think its a fascinating must-see for children, parents and grandparents so be sure to check it out in a theater near you.

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Around the World in NYC this …

July 31, 2014 By admin

If you’ll be in New York City this Sunday, August 3, head over to Union Square for some free globetrotting fun at the IYF Culture Exhibition. We checked it out last weekend and really loved all the amazing dance performances from around the world (India, South Africa, Jamaica, Russia, Korea and more…) and multi-cultural exhibits.

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Around the World in NYC

Booths were set up on the periphery with toys, games and dolls, costumes galore, and cultural artifacts from around the world. There were also arts and crafts activities, face painting, photo ops and various multi-cultural demonstrations. My 4-year old daughter especially enjoyed learning about Chinese Checkers (my childhood fave), playing with musical instruments and the life size llama. I sorta wanted to take him home…

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Around the World in NYC

If you’ll be in the area between 10 am and 5 pm, check it out. The nearby Evelyn’s Playground is always a fun pit stop and there are tons of great kid-friendly spots to grab lunch in the hood like Clarke’s Standard, Coffee Shop and Max Brenner.

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Fun Food Friday: A Taste of …

July 11, 2014 By admin

New York City is home to some of best food trucks offering up flavors from all over the world. If you’re looking to savor a sweet treat from Belgium, just start searching for the closest yellow Wafels & Dinges truck (or cart).

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Fun Food Friday: A Taste of Belgium with Wafels & Dinges

The Belgian waffle debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, when a Belgian restauranteur served his wife’s famed recipe. The Wafels & Dinges trucks offer up this classic brussels version as well the liege wafel, a soft and chewy version. There are savory wafels as well as ice creams and coffees but you’ll really want to stick with the sweet ones. Once you pick your wafel, you can select from the dinges or toppings like dulce de leche (fresh from Argentina), Vermont maple syrup, Belgian chocolate fudge, spekuloos spread, whipped cream, Nutella, fruit and more.

Fun Food Friday: A Taste of Belgium with Wafels & Dinges

Looks good, right? Check out their website to find a truck or cart near you or call the Hot Wafeline at 866-429-7329. You can also follow them on Twitter to be updated on specials and truck locations.

Bon appetit!

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Global Inspired Gift Idea for …

July 3, 2014 By admin

Tired of giving the same old baby gifts all the time? If you’re looking for a fun, globally inspired gift idea for babies born in 2014, you’ll want to check out Jade Stars: The Great Race book and gifts.

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Global Inspired Gift Idea for Babies born in 2014: Jade Stars: The Great Race

We’ve all heard that this is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese Zodiac, but do you know the story of how these zodiacs came to be? This colorful book features modern cartoon illustrations of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs making it a great learning tool to teach young children about the various animals as well as colors.

My daughter and I had the chance to review this book firsthand. As the story unfolds, we learn that the Jade Emperor has organized a Great Race and all his favorite animals must compete against each other to earn their place in the lunar calendar. Its a cute tale that teaches kids about personality traits, strengths and weaknesses as well as working as partners. My four-year old daughter picked up on the lessons about teamwork and I learned a story I never knew before.

Since books are a great baby gift, I think this would be a fun unisex baby shower or baby gift for any globetrotting baby born in 2014. The books are sold individually along with matching plush animals and other gifts. The Year of the Horse Plush Limited edition is the first to be released. Cute, right?

Global Inspired Gift Idea for Babies born in 2014: Jade Stars: The Great Race

Check out the entire collection at Mini Magellan.

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Globetrotter Dining with …

May 12, 2014 By admin

If you’ve got a globetrotting tot, check out these adorable Disney It’s a Small World meal sets. Each three-part set includes a cup, bowl and plate that stack together to form a cute boy or girl from around the world. How cute would these be for your next play date?

Disney It’s a Small World India Girl Meal Set: