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Top Five Kid Friendly …

March 20, 2015 By admin

This seemed to be the longest winter EVER so I’m really excited that spring arrives today. If you’re looking for something different to celebrate the arrival of spring over the next few weeks, here are my top five kid friendly activities to celebrate spring…

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Top Five Kid Friendly Activities to Celebrate Spring

1) Spring means colorful flowers and kids of all ages will be amazed by the creations at the 2015 Macy’s flower show Art in Bloom opening this weekend (through April 4). If you’re in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, or San Francisco you’ll definitely want to check out this free show. Last year’s show was amazing so I can’t wait to see it this year.

2) Hersheypark is a great spot for family fun and their Springtime in The Park weekends are set for April 3-5 and 11-12. We took a road trip there last spring and its a great time to go without major crowds or heat waves. Check out my Hersheypark Review here.

3) For adventure seeking families in New York, Luna Park in Coney Island’s season opener is Sunday, March 29. Festivities begin at the famous 88-year-old coaster, the Cyclone with an egg-cream christening at 11:45 am. The first 100 guests ride free so be sure to arrive early.

4) New York’s 2015 International Children’s Film Festival wraps up this weekend so come check out a kid friendly flick or attend the family friendly closing night celebration.

5) If you follow me on social media, you know my daughter and I attended a preview of Cinderella last week with The Moms and we LOVED it. If you’re looking for a must-see spring movie that will charm girls of all ages, this version of Disney’s Cinderella does not disappoint. The costumes are amazing, the actors and actresses are perfectly cast and even though you know the story, this live action film keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. And, if you’ve got a Frozen fan, the Frozen Fever short beforehand is super cute.

What are your plans to celebrate the arrival of spring?

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Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 …

March 3, 2015 By admin

We’re big LeapFrog fans so when we were asked to review the LeapPad3, I knew my daughter would be up for the challenge.

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Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 Review

I occasionally let her use electronic gadgets at home but when we travel I let her use them as much as she wants on the plane or in the car. We had a 6+ hour road trip planned so I charged it up and surprised her with it as soon as she uttered, “Are we there yet?”.

She was immediately drawn to its child friendly size and cuteness (pretty in pink) and loved the attached stylus (brilliant!). With very little prompting, she was figuring out the various games, apps, videos and camera while learning how to control the stylus and touchscreen. She happily followed each game’s voice instructions and I happily had some uninterrupted time! Win win.

Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 Review

As with other LeapFrog products, the games are fun AND educational. While she was playing she was also learning math, reading and other problem solving skills. My daughter is in Kindergarden and it seemed like she was able to play with every game at various levels. Best of all, the games automatically adjusted to her skill level so there was never any frustration. It comes with 10 preloaded apps and hundreds more are available to download from the LeapFrog library featuring characters from Disney, Nick. Jr., Sesame Street and more. FYI, the games and apps can add up but if you have other LeapPad products your purchases can be shared by up to three devices.

She especially liked a Barbie game where you matched rhyming words, a puzzle game that involved a bit of geometry, the camera app and seeing her favorite shows like Paw Patrol. There was plenty to do without using Wi-Fi but older kids might enjoy playing with their friends online and chatting with other kids who have LeapPads.

I was really impressed with the LeapPad3’s rechargeable battery life (don’t forget to pack the charger) and overall sturdiness. My daughter loved playing with it and I loved that I didn’t have to worry about her venturing off into YouTube videos or deleting my files. The recommended age is 3-9 but I think 4-6 year olds will enjoy it the most. If you’ve got a long trip with little kids coming up, the LeapPad3 makes a great travel companion.

Thanks to LeapFrog for providing us with the LeapPad3. As usual, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Globetrotting Mommy’s …

December 5, 2014 By admin

Holiday shopping is in full swing. If you’re not done yet, check out my holiday gift guide for all the kids and parents on your list! Stay tuned for upcoming gift guides for the rest of the family and my picks for the best holiday toys.

Globetrotting Mommy’s 2104 Holiday Gift Guide for Kids and Parents

FOR THE KIDDOS:

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Globetrotting Mommy’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

For babes who have it all, the personalized books from I See Me are a great idea. For babies, I especially love the durable board books and the personalized My Very Own Name book which comes with a stuffed lamb.

If you’re planning any road trips with little kids, the Curious George Complete Adventures Deluxe Book and CD Gift Set will keep them mesmerized for hours.

I love coin collecting and I just stocked up on the State Series Quarters Collector Map and National Park Quarter Archive Map for my daughter. These work for kids of all ages and I love that the insides feature large maps of the US making it a great way to teach geography too.

Big kids who love to text will love RUUM’s texting gloves in solids and stripes. These stylish and warm gloves are labeled for kids 8-14 but they fit me fine so you might want a pair for yourself too since they’re just $4.75…

FOR PARENTS:

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Globetrotting Mommy’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

For globetrotting moms dreaming of a winter getaway, the next best thing is a gift from Fake Bake. Book her an airbrush tanning appointment at a local salon or give her some self tanning lotions. The perfect way to beat those winter blues.

For new moms, these Tobago Scarves are oversized infinity scarfs (perfect for nursing) inspired by the colors and sights from the Caribbean island of Tobago. They’re super lightweight, easy to wash and pretty so can use them for years to come.

For dads, Lands’ End offers a great selection of cozy flannel pajamas in an array colorful plaids. Since not all guys like PJ tops, I love that the pants and shirts are sold separately.

For the dad who wants to plan his next road trip, The New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada is a great pick.

Have a great weekend!

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

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Fall Fun: Pumpkin Picking on …

September 18, 2014 By admin

Back-to-school came and went and now its time for Halloween! Pumpkin picking on Long Island is one of my favorite fall activities but if you wait too long, the pumpkins are picked over and the crowds are crazy. So, pick a weekend (between September 20 and November 2) and head over to Fink’s Country Farm on Eastern Long Island. It’s not too far from the Riverhead outlets so if you’re feeling ambitious you might come home with pumpkins and a few new outfits!

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Pumpkin Picking at Fink’s Farm on Long Island

You’ll want to get there as early as you can (like 9 ish) to avoid crowds and get the best photo ops and pumpkins. The $13.25 admission price includes unlimited access to the Fall Festival weekend activities including Hay Rides, 7-Acre Corn Maze, Pig Races, Animal Farm, Barnyard Bouncer, Corn Crib, Live Music and more. Additional attractions are available for an extra charge including Pony Rides, Face Painting, Fall Photos, U-Pick Pumpkins on the vine, Kiddie Train, Corn Cannon and Pumpkin Slingshot. There are plenty of picnic tables and the food stand serves soups, sandwiches, hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob (delish!) and beverages (get the hot apple cider). The food line was really long the day we went so be prepared to wait or pack a picnic and snacks. Bathrooms are plentiful but they are port-a-potties (I know, I know) and there is an area for diaper changing.

If you’ve got older kids, you might want to bring a flashlight and check out the Spookie Flashlight Maze from 7:30 – 10 pm on October 25th. There is also a regular Flashlight Maze on October 18 from 7:30 – 10pm. And if you visit on Sunday, October 26th there will be trick-or-treating.

There was so much to do and see my daughter was running around checking everything out for hours. She’s a pro at pony rides by now and she enjoyed her first pig race and corn crib. The Animal Farm was pretty extensive and there were plenty of feeding and petting opportunities. The staff was friendly and I loved that it wasn’t as commercial or expensive as many other pumpkin patches on Long Island (you know who you are). We left with three big pumpkins and a bunch of gourds for $12 which I thought was a real bargain when you consider one pumpkin at the Union Square Farmer’s Market is $10+ dollars.

You can also buy Halloween decorations, plants, pies (freshly baked by Mrs. Fink), vegetables, cider and other fall favorites at the farm stand.

There were so many great spots for pictures so bring your camera. Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit…

Need more Halloween inspiration? Check out my post on Halloween costumes and Halloween gift ideas.

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Best Booster Car Seat for …

August 5, 2014 By admin

After years of dealing with baby and toddler car seats, I’m thrilled to report that my daughter now meets the requirements to travel in a booster car seat. If you’re looking for the best booster car seat for traveling, look no further than the BubbleBum inflatable booster car seat for kids ages four-11.

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Best booster car seat for traveling: Globetrotting Mommy BubbleBum Review

I recently got to test drive the award-winning BubbleBum booster seat and my daughter and I were really happy with its performance. First off, its so small and light which makes it easy to throw in your bag for taxi rides and perfect for taking on vacations. You simply unroll, blow it up in seconds (don’t worry, there’s an easy valve), place it on the seat, buckle your child in with the car seat belt and then slip the car seat belt straps through the red restraints on both sides. If your child is young, there is one more restraint that keeps the shoulder strap in place (its that red shoulder level loop pictured below). Seriously fast and easy and very comfortable according to my little passenger. Can you imagine never again having to contort your body as you reach though disgusting taxi and car rental seats searching for the LATCH bars while ruining your manicure? You’re welcome!

Best booster car seat for traveling: Globetrotting Mommy BubbleBum Review

We tried it in taxis, in friend’s cars and even when we went to test drive a car this past weekend. We’ll continue to use a permanent car seat in our car but I know the BubbleBum going to get a lot of mileage on vacations, in rental cars and when my daughter’s friends come along on weekend outings.

It exceeds US and European requirements, comes in four color options (black, purple, neon pink and neon yellow) and retails for just $29.99. In addition to traveling and taxi rides, I think it would be very handy for carpooling, babysitter and grandparent’s cars and fitting three car seats in a row.

Last but not least, there’s a BubbleBum app that features fun kids games (perfect for road trips) and checklists for parents! Win, win.

Bon voyage…

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Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 …

July 17, 2014 By admin

Summertime means visits to amusement parks and today I’m sharing my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania from my recent road trip…

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting HersheyPark, Pennsylvania – Globetrotting Mommy

1) Start your day early! You’ll want to be in line when the gates open so you can enjoy the most popular rides before the crowds arrive. If you can get your kids past the first rides they see and head towards the back of the park first, that’s an even better plan. And if you really want to avoid the crowds, try to schedule your visit mid-week.

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Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

2) Sneak a Peek! Guests who purchase a regular full-day admission ticket can enter the park for a sneak preview the night before (either 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm depending on closing times). This is a great time to tackle the more popular rides and make a game plan for the next day.

3) Download the Hersheypark app and you’ll be able to see ride wait times as well as find restaurants, shows, restrooms and more. Try not to leave it running all day or you might run your battery down.

Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

4) Prepare to get wet. Bring your bathing suit, water shoes, and towel if you want to visit the Boardwalk water park area featuring 15 rides as well as wave pools and lazy river. Don’t forget swim diapers and puddle jumpers for the little ones.

5) Take the shuttle if you can. Most nearby hotels offer free shuttle service to and from Hersheypark and that is definitely the easiest way to go. The drivers will put your strollers in the luggage compartment so its really easy.

6) Speaking of strollers, take one if you’re bringing kids who are five or younger. Even if your kids don’t get tired, you’ll be happy to have a place to keep your bags and towels. If you’re bringing older kids, rent a locker or splurge for a cabana so you can have a home base for your stuff because wet towels are HEAVY.

7) Divide and conquer. If you’ve got a mixed age group, you’ll want to pick a meeting time and place so everyone can enjoy different rides. Hersheypark is unique because the kiddie and adult rides are mixed together in each area making it easy for families to do one area at a time which is nice. And if you and your partner want to ride an adult ride (imagine that!) or if a parent needs to ride with more than one child, Hersheypark has a “child swap” option where adults or kids can take turns riding.

Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

8) Bring your camera! You’ll want to get some pictures of the Hershey characters so make sure to visit them throughout the park or book a Character Breakfast for a more personal encounter. If you’ve got a waterproof camera, bring that along too.

9) Make a detour to the Zoo America. Admission is included in your Hersheypark ticket so if you or your kids need a little down time (or a quiet place to nap), the zoo is a great retreat.

10) Test out some of the new for 2014 kid-friendly rides like Cocoa Cruiser (a kid-friendly roller coaster), Tea Cups (a classic spinning ride) and Sweet Swing (a gigantic swing that my daughter and I really loved).

Ready to plan your visit to Hershey, PA? Check out Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1 and Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2 for more suggestions of things to do and see.

What are your favorite tips for visiting Hersheypark?

Thanks to Hersheypark for providing our tickets. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Globetrotting Moms: Cute …

July 1, 2014 By admin

Heading out of town for a July 4th weekend getaway? Check out these cute weekender bags…

I think these would be fun for a beach getaway with or without the kiddos but they’d also work well for a visit to your favorite friend’s house or a weekend retreat.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Weekender Bags for July 4th Getaways

1) This neon pink and white canvas duffel from J. Crew is trendy and fun. It won’t stay this clean but since its on sale for $25 right now, I wouldn’t worry about that.

2) I love strips for a beachy retreat and the cool mint trim gives this Raleigh Weekender Bag a fun modern vibe.

3) Red, white and blue is a classic look for July 4th weekend and this Rail and Wharf 12-Hour Tote is patriotic in a classy way. Perfect if you’re packing light or sailing around for a day. It could also be a chic diaper bag if you just throw in some wipes and a changing pad.

4) This Ali Lamu Weekend Bag from Etsy is handmade from old cotton sail cloths. I love the one-of-a-kind factor and the rope handles.

Whether you’re heading near or far this holiday weekend, I hope you have a great time!

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to …

June 16, 2014 By admin

Looking for a fun and affordable way to explore North America this summer without leaving home? Michaels has teamed up with seven leading North American museums to create Passport to Imagination 2014, an in-store summer program where kids ages 5-12 can explore culture through crafting.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

This year’s theme is Museum Road Trip and each week will focus on a different museum with projects inspired by the museum and its exhibits. Projects teach lessons on natural history, technology, marine life, textiles and art. The in-store classes run today through Aug. 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 am to noon. Each two-hour session is just $2 per child at all U.S. Michaels locations. I don’t know where you live but for NYC parents, that’s an AMAZING deal.

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Michaels Kicks Off Passport to Imagination Museum Road Trip Summer Program

Here’s the lineup:

Week one – The Field Museum in Chicago – Showcasing a collection of more than 25 million natural history artifacts and specimens, The Field Museum is one of Chicago’s coolest museums. Kids will be making fossils, skeletons and other nature inspired projects.

Week two – Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta – Georgia Aquarium features more than 10 million gallons of water and 725 species! Visitors can dive into the wonderful world of whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, and also learn about African penguins, manta rays, sea otters, beluga whales, sea turtles and coral colonies. Kids will make dolphin, shark and frog art projects this week.

Week three – Pima Air & Space Museum in Arizona. Exhibiting 300 of the most amazing aircraft in the history of flight and over 125,000 artifacts, the PIMA Air & Space Museum houses the third largest aviation collection in America. Kids will be making biplanes and gliders, flying fighter planes and space shuttle projects.

Week four – Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas inspires minds through a world of hands-on learning, fun and concepts in science, math and technology, all within one spectacular location. Kids will make space and planet, create-a-constellation, zeotrope, optical illusion art and robot projects.

Week five – The Denver Art Museum features a collection of more than 70,000 pieces ranging from ancient to modern times. Visitors can view sculptures, paintings and photography and participate in family-friendly exhibits and events. This week’s projects include quilts, modern art and portraits.

Week six – The Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City explores past, present and future fashion trends, accessories and textiles from real-life fashion experts. Kids will make textural weavings, color & pattern wheels, fashion dolls, fashion inspiration boards, fashion sketches and a Duct Tape wallet or purse.

Week seven – The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, features almost 36,000 pieces including paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, photos and more. Its colorful exhibits and hands-on creative experiences make it a great place for imaginative kids. This week, kids will make abstract sculptures and stained glass vases, Picasso inspired pictures and masks, and musical instruments.

During the week of June 16, the first 50 participants at each store will receive a free souvenir album.

I think this is a fabulous way to add some culture and craftiness into your summer plans. For more information on Passport to Imagination and other in-store crafting events and classes this summer, go to www.Michaels.com/Passport.

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Spotlight on Hershey, …

May 27, 2014 By admin

Love chocolate, amusement parks and historic towns? This post is for you. If you’re looking for a family friendly getaway with activities and amenities sure to please chocoholics and adventure seekers alike, you’ll love a summer getaway to Hershey, Pennsylvania, The Sweetest Place on Earth.