Staycation Archives - Page 3 of 5

Top 10 Things To Do at Crayola …

April 7, 2016 By admin

We recently took a fun-filled road trip to Pennsylvania (more to come!) and one of the highlights of our getaway was a day at the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA. If you’re looking for an indoor retreat where kids (and adults) can unleash their creativity, this is a great option. Read on for more scoop and a Crayola Experience discount.

Top 10 Things To Do at Crayola Experience, Easton, PA (and ticket discount!)

You can easily spend the day at Crayola Experience. Grab lunch in the cafe or head outside to one of the nearby restaurants like kid-friendly Cheeburger Cheeburger. The website features an interactive map so planning your trip is a breeze. Here’s my list of the Top 10 Things to Do at Crayola Experience, Easton, PA.

Start with the live theater Crayon Factory show at Crayola Experience.

1) Start with the live theater Crayon Factory show. The best way to get oriented is to start with a crayon making lesson starring animated crayons and Crayola’s resident Crayonologist. As you leave, be sure to pick up your freshly made crayon.

Make a personalized crayon at Wrap it Up!

2) Make a personalized crayon at Wrap it Up! One of the all-time favorite exhibits, Wrap it Up! allows guests to choose a crayon color and make a personalized label. Take your crayon and label to the special wrap machine and voila, a customized crayon is born! These make great souvenirs for teachers and classmates. Note: A token (included with admission) is required.

The Cafe Stage show showcases the history and science behind different Crayola products.

3) Check out the Cafe Stage show. Enjoy a snack and take in a show while you learn about the history and science behind different Crayola products. This show was really cute and my daughter loved being selected to talk about gravity while playing with Silly Putty. If you’re looking to steal away from the crowds, this show is sure to please.

Create your own animated figures on the easy-to-use touch screens.

Create your own animated figures on the easy-to-use Art Alive touch screens.

4) Play in the Art Alive! animation room. Kids and adults will love creating their own animated figures on the easy-to-use touch screens. When you’re done, watch them float across the room on the animation screen.

Make a personalized puzzle at the Crayola Experience in Easton, PA.

5) Make a puzzle at Puzzle It! Color a drawing and use the special kid-powered puzzle press cutting machine to turn your creation into a six or 12-piece cardboard puzzle. Mail the pieces to a pen pal or grandparent and you’ll make their day. There are other crafty projects in this area with themes that change year-round.

Make one-of-a-kind crayon spin-art creations at Crayola Experience.

6) Don’t miss the crayon drip art. Located on the fourth floor, the drip art area is the place to make one-of-a-kind crayon spin-art creations. Select your crayon colors and spin the wheel fast or slow to change the patterns. This is a favorite for kids and adults.

Take a break to play in the bright two-story playground.

7) Take a break to play. Check out the bright two-story playground with a large climbing structure or Toddler Town area which features a colorful pegboard and giant ball maze.

Go back in time as you learn about Crayola’s history.

8) Take a stroll through crayon memory lane. See how the crayon colors and names have evolved over the years. Don’t miss the vintage advertisements and memorabilia throughout the museum.

The Crayola Experience gift shop offers a great selection of gifts and Crayola memorabilia.

9) Shop till you drop. The gift shop is huge with a great selection of gifts and Crayola memorabilia. You can create custom boxes of markers or crayons, make shirts customized with your drawings, purchase an endless supply of craft supplies and more.

The Crayola Experience features an array of colorful backdrops.

10) Take in the surroundings. From gigantic crayon and marker sculptures outside the lobby to colorful murals and crayon pathways, be sure to take some colorful outdoor pics of your kids running around.

There are so many other fun things to do so be sure to check out my full Crayola Experience review from our first visit. Planning a visit, book your ticket in advance with this Crayola Experience discount and save $4 per ticket.

Have you ever been to the Crayola Experience? Tell me in the comments below.

Special thanks to Crayola Experience for a providing us with complimentary tickets. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Exploring Central Park With …

March 2, 2016 By admin

Spring has finally sprung here in NYC and that means its time to go play outside! One of my favorite spots for families with kids of all ages is Central Park and springtime is one of the best times to plan a visit.

Exploring Central Park With Kids

Exploring Central Park with kids is especially fun when the park is in full bloom. After our long dreary winters, it is a treat to see green grass and colorful flowers and kids will love running around taking in all the fresh air and expansive lawns.

Pack a picnic, grab a frisbee and plan to spend a few hours (or a whole day) exploring Central Park. Here are some of my favorite springtime activities for families:

Visit one of the many playgrounds
Climb a statue or two (Alice in Wonderland is my fave)
Stop at the Central Park Zoo (and Children’s Zoo)
Take a spin on the Central Park Carousel
Go fly a kite
Visit Victorian Gardens (opening Memorial Day weekend!)
Get your caricature done
Visit Bethesda Fountain
Rent a row boat
Race boats at Conservatory Water
Check out a story time
Stop for lunch at the Loeb Boathouse
See a free Shakespeare in the Park performance (starting in May)

Check out my Tips for Central Park with Kids in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall story on TravelMamas.com for more details and be sure to visit the Central Park event calendar before you visit.

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2015 Holiday Gift Guide for …

December 10, 2015 By admin

If you’re looking for some holiday gift ideas the whole family can enjoy, today is your lucky day. Below I’ve rounded up some fun family gift ideas for globetrotting families to enjoy at home and away…

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

The Gift of Membership – If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, a family membership to a favorite museum, amusement park, zoo or other cultural attraction is an awesome gift. Some museum memberships include reciprocal benefits where you can receive complimentary admission to hundreds of museums across the United States. Check out the North American Reciprocal Museum Association and the Association of Science-Technology Center’s Travel Passport Program for more details.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

Go See a Show – Save a date and take the whole clan to see their favorite artists perform on stage. From Frozen on Ice, Peppa Pig LIVE! and the Big Apple Circus to Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba shows and musical concerts, there are dozens of family favorite events going on this winter. My top picks for families include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, Blue Man Group, Aladdin and The Lion King.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families – A Duck Tour around Boston makes a great holiday gift.

Take the Family Sightseeing – A staycation or vacation makes a great holiday gift. Give your family the gift of go with a Go City Card valid for tourist attractions in 11 cities across the US or book a family fun sightseeing tour like The Ride in New York City, a Boston Duck Tour or a Carriage Ride around Charleston.

Family Friendly Travel Books – From travel inspired coffee table classics like Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel and Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places to trip planning guides and Lonely Planet Kids Activity Books, books are a great family gift idea.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

Culinary Gifts for All – Foodies of all ages will appreciate culinary gifts that offer tasty treats from near and far. Some ideas include the Peninsula Grill Ultimate Coconut Cake® from Charleston, South Carolina, Tessemae’s Chesapeake Mayo from Maryland, Norwegian Smoked Salmon, Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport, The Everyday Eatalian gift box featuring products from Italy, a Great Lakes Food Club membership from Michigan or a Try The World foodie gift box subscription.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families

Must Have Family Friendly Travel Accessories – I’m always bringing home leftovers from holiday celebrations and Igloo has a great selection of chic insulated totes (Trend, Maxcold and Stowe) that make nice holiday gifts for everyone on your list. I especially love that these bags fold up for storage and are leak-resistant making them great picks for road trips and plane rides. For junior travelers, the adorable bag tags and travel journals from Mudpuppy are sure to please. Other ideas for family friendly travel accessories include selfie sticks (I know, I know) and gift cards to make photo books showcasing your travels.

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for Globetrotting Families – Family friendly games are sure to please.

On The Go Games – Family friendly games are great to bring to holiday get togethers and the classics from Hasbro (think Twister, Operation, Jenga and my all-time favorite Monopoly) are perfect options. I also love travel friendly family games like Melissa & Doug Travel Hangman, Spot It, eeBoo’s Color Go Fish Cards which are great for little hands.

I received some review items at the Momtrends holiday event but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Staycation Ideas 103: STEM …

November 10, 2015 By admin

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that my family and I love to visit attractions that encourage learning experiences such as science museums, historical sights and kid-friendly attractions. Some of our favorite local spots include MoMath, the Liberty Science Center and the Long Island Children’s Museum.

Staycation Ideas 103: STEM Toys for Home and Away

With winter is on its way, I’m gearing up for some indoor staycation time and today I’m sharing some of my favorite STEM toys and activities that inspire Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education.

The Magic School Bus – My daughter has been obsessed with this science cartoon series since pre-school. Miss Frizzle and the gang teach young kids about science, astronomy, biology and more as they drive through space, the human body and other unexpected places. The Magic School Bus DVD Set makes a great gift for young scientists (also great for long plane rides) and the monthly Magic School Bus Science Club subscriptions are great for rainy days at home or away.

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Project Mc² Dolls encourage girls to experiment.

Project Mc² Dolls – This new doll line from MGA Entertainment is all about teaching girls that Smart Is The New Cool. Each of the four adorable doll sets include a real science experiment, fun accessories and stand. We tried the volcano experiment with the Adrienne Attoms doll and it was a big hit. Click here to see…
Magna-Tiles® – I love toys that encourage imaginative play and if they are a breeze to clean up, I love them even more. If you’re looking for a family friendly toy that will keep children of all ages engaged, Magna-Tiles are a really good option. They are also great to bring along on trips as there are no small pieces to lose or step on…

What are your favorite toys and activities that encourage STEM education?

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Pretty in Pink. Everything …

October 8, 2015 By admin

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that one of my daughter’s favorite New York City haunts is The Plaza Hotel.

The Plaza Hotel, New York City, NYC with Kids

Pretty in Pink. Everything Eloise at NYC’s Plaza Hotel

If you think this legendary NYC hotel is just for grown-ups, think again. From The Plaza Food Hall (with fro-yo, cupcakes and cookies galore) to Rawther Fancy Tea Parties at the hotel’s Eloise Shop and Afternoon Tea at The Plaza’s Palm Court, there are plenty of adventures for kids of all ages.

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Pretty in Pink. Everything Eloise at NYC’s Plaza Hotel

Check out my All Things Eloise at The Plaza story on TravelMamas.com to find out my favorite Eloise inspired activities.

Do you have a favorite Plaza Hotel memory? Tell me below in the comments.

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Museum Day Live! – …

September 10, 2015 By admin

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

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!

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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Five Beach Must Haves for …

July 16, 2015 By admin

Beach trips with kids are way different from beach trips without kids. Your days of relaxing in the sand with a good book may be over (for now) but here are Five Beach Must Haves for Families that will help you keep your sanity or at least help keep the sand out of your sandwich…

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Five Beach Must Haves for Families

1) I’m the kind of person who likes to keep the sand off my beach blanket. While I can’t control wet sandy kid feet, these BeachTacs stakes are great for keeping my blankets and towels securely in the sand. The set includes four stakes, one of which doubles as a cup holder! You’re welcome. If you want to keep sand out of your picnic food and drinks, you’ll want these.

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Five Beach Must Haves for Families

2) You can never have too many beach pails and thanks to clever folks at Packable Pails, you can always pack a few extras. These colorful (Starfish Orange, Aquatic Aqua, Sunshine Yellow and Paradise Pink, oh my!) full-size pails feature a collapsable design so they fold down to just two inches deep. Whether you’re building sand castles, shell collecting or carrying around water balloons, these pails are a really great option for city dwellers, day trippers and vacationers alike.

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Five Beach Must Haves for Families

3) Kids love to run around in the sand but what happens when the sand is super hot or full of rocks and shells? Protect little toes with these Sun Smarties Sand and Water Socks. One of my very best mommy friends has a toddler who won’t go in the sand without these and I think they’re also great for kids who freak out at the thought of stepping on jelly fish…this may or may not apply to my daughter…

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Five Beach Must Haves for Families

4) For windy beach days, towel clips are a must. There is nothing worse than a dripping wet kid coming back to find that their towel is covered in sand. Avoid the potential meltdown and attach your towels to your beach chairs. I like Boca Towel Clips which come in adorable sets of two (think animals, flip flops, and sunglasses).

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Five Beach Must Haves for Families

5) Do you or your kids need to be plugged in even at the beach? Check out ECase’s waterproof electronics cases for phones and tablets. The touchscreens will work through the clear covers making them a great option for wet, sandy fingers. These are also great for everyday sticky kid fingers too.

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Five Beach Must Haves for Families

For more beach must haves like sunscreen, towels, swimwear, toys, totes and picnic bags, check out my Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway With Kids.

Do you have plans for a beach getaway this summer??

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes …

July 2, 2015 By admin

On an average day here in NYC, I walk between three and five miles a day and when I travel, that number is even higher. After breaking my foot last summer, I’m now all about wearing supportive shoes that look good too.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far

Here are some of my favorite summer choices in the Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far category.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far – Birkenstock

1) Birkenstocks have been in the NYC fashion scene for the last year or so and I’ve finally figured out why – they are the next best thing to walking around barefoot. Made in Germany since 1774, these chunky sandals come in a variety of styles and colors (including metallics and Mommy and Me styles!). They are super comfortable (molded footbeds ensure proper weight distribution and foot alignment) and casual, making them a great option for running to camp pick up or strolling around Europe.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far – Easy Spirit

2) Easy Spirit isn’t your mom’s shoe store anymore! They’ve added some fashion forward styles to their comfort collection like espadrilles, gladiators, wedges and woven sandals and they are all super cute and comfortable. My favorites include the ultra lightweight Talini Flat sandals (on sale now!) featuring e360 gel cushioning. In addition to casual options, Easy Spirit also has great options for day-to-night and evening styles.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far – Naot

3) Israel is known for its rough terrain so its no surprise that Naot, the country’s famed footwear maker is on my list. Naot offers a variety of casual and more dressy looks that will work with flowy dresses, jeans and shorts. The footbeds feature a layer of sponge that helps the shoes mold to your feet making them super comfortable. The Madison (in metallic gold leather) is my favorite style for day-to-night and the front and back straps are both adjustable, guaranteeing a perfect fit.

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far – Waldlaufer

4) If you’re planning a summer getaway where you’ll be doing a lot of strolling, Waldlaufer is a great option for stylish and well built footwear. I was recently introduced to this German footwear brand and I was really impressed with their handcrafted finishings and lightweight styles. They also feature removable footbeds in case you need personalized orthotics. The summer styles I like most are the Heliett, Hilena and Hadya (say that three times fast!).

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Globetrotting Moms: Best Shoes for Traveling Near and Far – Skechers

5) If you’re taking a vacation where you’ll be walking non-stop (think Disney!) but don’t want to wear sneakers, Skechers’ GOwalk collection might be your new best friend. Available in a variety of slip-on styles and neutral and bright colors, these light weight shoes are like yoga pants for your feet. They do not offer the highest level of support but if you are looking for an affordable casual shoe that can go from stroller pushing to sightseeing, these are a great option.

What are your favorite summer shoes??

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting …

June 23, 2015 By admin

Summer is fiiiinnaaallly here and that means time for some fun in the sun! Splish Splash water park, one of the best NYC area water parks, is celebrating 25 years of fun so we hit the road to check it out. Here are my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island:

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

1) Lather on the sunscreen at home so you and your kids can jump right on to the rides and slides when you arrive. There are many shaded areas for sitting and strolling but most of the pools are slides are in the direct sun. Be sure to bring along sunscreen so you can reapply throughout the day.

2) Aim to arrive around opening time since you’ll get the best parking spots and the park will be empty. We got there around 10:20 am and found a great parking spot right near the entrance. We headed to the kiddie areas first and there were plenty of chairs and no lines. The parking lot area is huge so I’m guessing the crowds get much larger as the summer heats up.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

3) Grab a map and make a plan. If you’re with older kids (48” and up), you’ll want to start with the more adventurous rides like Cliff Rider and Tunnel of Terror. If you’re with toddlers, start at the Octopus Pool and slides. If you’re with young kids (under 48”), start with Pirate’s Cove and the kiddie slides. The water attractions are spread out over 90 acres but things are really much closer than they seem on the map. Once you get your bearings, there are plenty of large maps along the way so you won’t need to carry around a soggy map.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

4) Grab a locker or have someone to help carry your camera, sunscreen and cover ups/towels while you are on the rides. There are plenty of lockers (starting at $14) and there are also a lot of free open cubbies where you can store your towels and shoes throughout the park.

5) Travel light but don’t forget family friendly summer essentials. If you’re going on rides, you really just need a comfortable bathing suit or rash guard and a light cover-up or sarong. Water shoes (the stretchy tight types – not crocs or flip flops) and sun hats are a great idea for kids. Some kids prefer wearing goggles in the water so if its your child’s first water park visit, bring a pair along just in case. If you have a waterproof phone or camera, you might want to bring that along too. Skip the heavy towels and bring a lightweight quick dry beach towel.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

6) If you’ll be splitting up kids and parents, plan to meet up for some family time. The wave pools, lazy river and Mammoth River raft ride are great for the whole family. If you’ve got teens, older family members or kids who nap, you may want to consider renting a cabana for the day so older kids can run around freely and check back throughout the day. If you’re with babies and toddlers, you’ll want to claim your seats or cabana around the Octopus pool (think water swings on tentacles!) and kiddie slides.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

7) Plan to splurge on calories and sweet treats. I think most families who visit amusement parks are looking for some variation of chicken, hamburgers, fried treats and french fries at lunchtime and that is exactly what you’ll find here. Ice cream at a water park is a natural fit and you’ll find lots of sweet frosty options including Dole soft serve. If you’re hoping to eat healthy fare, you’ll want to store your lunch in a car cooler and get your hand stamped to re-enter the park.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

8) Get wet! One of my 5-year old daughter’s favorite spots was Monsoon Lagoon which featured water slides and climbing ropes. It was a little hidden away so be sure to check it out. In addition to all the kid areas, the lazy river and wave pools were big hits. The open tunnel rides like Dinosaur Falls were also fun for us. There were plenty of attractions for her height and she also loved watching the ones she wasn’t tall enough to ride like Shotgun Falls.

9) Relax. All in all, it was a very fun filled and somewhat relaxing day. My daughter is a good swimmer and the kids water play and slide areas are surrounded by shallow water so I felt very safe letting her play while I watched from the sidelines. Each ride and pool area features multiple lifeguards who carry flotation devices (even in the kiddie pools). The lifeguards kept a close watch on all the kids as they went down the slides and exited the pool which was impressive. In addition, the grounds were very well kept and the staff members were quite friendly.

10) Tickets at the entrance gate cost $41.99 for general admission and $31.99 for kids (under 48″) and seniors. Save $7 on general admission and $4 on kids and seniors by using this Splish Splash coupon code.

Splish Splash is located in Calverton, Long Island about 90 minutes (without traffic) from NYC. If you’re heading to the Hamptons, this is a great pitstop along the way. If you want to make a weekend of it, there is plenty of family fun on Long Island’s East End.

What’s your favorite water park?

Special thanks to Splish Splash for inviting us to visit. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon …

June 2, 2015 By admin

Most little girls love to host tea parties so you can imagine my daughter’s excited face when I told her we would be celebrating her fifth birthday with afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel. Most of her teatime knowledge comes from Fancy Nancy (Pinkies up!) which meant she immediately started planning her “fancy” tea party outfit.