1. Snacks

There is nothing more fun and distracting to a 1 year old than snacks! Bring a variety of snacks, for the wait in the airport and the plane, so you can always have one handy for when the toddler starts to get bored and wiggly.

If you know you’ll be traveling in a few weeks, you can save 1 small snack pack from each type you buy over the next month, so that you have a good variety of options and all the snacks stay interesting and exciting.

2. Favorite Toys

It may seem obvious to bring their favorite toys, but if possible, begin to hide a few favorites 1-2 weeks before the flight. Then, not only will they have their favorite toys, but they will be twice as excited to see them again since they haven’t been played with in a couple weeks.

3. Interactive books

Choose books with texture, flaps and bright colors to keep your little one focused for as long as possible during the flight.

4. Finger Puppets

These are so fun for little ones to play with in their plane seat, they can use them like dolls for creative play, or you can take a turn and make fun stories for them to watch.

5. Stickers

Bring a small notebook and sheets of stickers and let them go wild! Just make sure stickers don’t get left behind on your seats. You can also try a fun sticker book like this pack of 3!

6. Water Coloring

These simple water coloring sets are perfect for planes because it’s a mess-free way to let their creativity shine!

7. Balloon

This is the best tip I can share from times traveling with my toddlers. Bring a deflated balloon through security and blow it up once you reach your gate. This is a great toy for your one year old to play with while waiting to get on the plane, and it’s easy to throw away before you get on the plane.

As we all know, the best thing you can bring is your own patience, and make sure you’re ready to switch gears any second that your toddler feels bored.

The post Airplane Toys & Activities for a One Year Old appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

1. Don’t Fight for Your Rights.

If you are overseas, you have no rights. It doesn’t matter what the overall laws are in a country, it all comes down to Valkimir and what he feels like doing. He can make up some random law and fine you for something totally bogus if he wants to. Sure you can complain about it, but have you ever tried explaining a legal issue in the government office of a foreign nation?

Let’s put it this way. What is your favorite sports team, or America’s Got Talent act? You love them right? If you saw them at a restaurant you would half-secretly take pictures and live tweet them drinking soup through their eyeballs; or throwing footballs or something less interesting. N

ow imagine the competition, who you loath, comes to you and says they are cheaters and the soup isn’t even real, nor are their eyes. Even if they said it with sincere tears and begged you to listen, your immediate reaction would be to punch that person straight in the throat, right? Why? Because they aren’t one of your people, they are the enemy. It’s the same in the corruption scene. A government official is going to defend Valkimir if only to enjoy the fact that they finally have the power over the imperialist dog who is forced to interact with them.

2. Get Their Name, and Smile

Getting and officer’s name is an extremely powerful tool for a couple of reasons. One, when you speak to them using their name, it makes you more human to them. Officers of the law may wear a uniform but they are still human beings. It is a lot easier to blackmail someone you don’t know or don’t like. If you address them by their name and smile, the chances they will go through with the scam drop dramatically. Half the time they will be so disarmed they will literally say something like, “Your brake light was flickering, but it looks fine now. Make sure you get that checked out,” and walk away.

Showing any anger at all is the fastest way to get the biggest fine they can come up with. They already don’t like you because your are a foreigner, and if you are from a developed nations they see a giant dollar sign behind the wheel. Cursing them out does nothing but make it more satisfying for them when they buy that new Folex watch.

    3. Have Local Police Contacts

No official wants to look bad, even in a totally corrupt nation. Why do you think some of the most evil dictators throughout history have gone through epic efforts to have propaganda created that makes them look amazing? Even in precincts where everyone knows everyone else is corrupt, they tend to act on a more don’t ask, don’t tell strategy. Before you go you should get the phone number to the local police, and names as well. If you are being busted on bogus claims, politely suggest that you are going to call Valkimir’s captain and do so if needed. An even stronger strategy would be to go straight to the police station as soon as you arrive in the country and meet the Captain personally, get his cell number. If you can do that corruption is unlikely to be an issue at all. Even if the captain is corrupt himself, he will almost certainly reprimand the officer ripping you off to make himself look good. Name dropping has great power!

4. Get Other Locals Involved.

This goes along with involving people at a higher rank. If you are in a public area, try involving a local or two if you can. They may not know what’s going on, but usually someone is willing to stand up for the foreigner being taken advantage of, and they can do it with far less risk than you. Also, locals, just like in the States, are more than happy to go to the news about it if they think they can get on TV. Officers know this and will usually change their tune and put away their wallet.

5. Don’t Pay the Bribes.

For many people this is a morally gray area. They don’t see any issues with paying bribes if it will get them out of the immediate predicament they find themselves in. There are huge problems with paying though. First, as you probably know it simply feeds into the corruption culture, making it more likely the guy behind you is going to get ripped off too. But beyond that, paying bribes often comes back to bite you. Once they know you will pay, they will often either make something else up to get more out of you, or they will call their buddy down the road and tip them off about you. There is also always the chance that they will get you to pay, and then arrest you for bribing an officer to show everyone how “anti-corruption” they are.

   6. Always Have Your Papers at Hand

I can’t stress this enough. When you are driving/walking around you need three things on the dashboard, or in a cup holder, or anywhere you can grab within two seconds. You need your passport (with a piece of tape on the page with your visa stamp so you can turn to it fast), driver’s license, and insurance papers for your vehicle. Those are the most common things you will be asked for.

Often you will get waved/pulled over by police simply because they are curious about what you are doing there. It is in the time they ask you for papers, and you are fumbling around in a panic that they start looking for ways to make money off of you. If you can immediately produce them with a smile like a pro, they lose that window and don’t have time to make up something to get you for without a creepy awkward silence. It isn’t full-proof, but it has been proven to work hundreds of times now. If you are driving and an officer at a check point is checking everyone, hold your license and passport out the window at them as you arrive, half the time Valkimir will just wave you on.

The post 6 Strategies for Dealing With Foreign Officials appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

Camping vs Glamping

Thinking of camping for Christmas just drains the blood out of my face.  What a lot of work!  I love camping, but taking my house and moving outside provides enough work without adding all the holiday traditions, baking, presents, and the Christmas Tree. (Our Christmas is pretty low key; read about it here. How We de-stressed Christmas and You Can Too)

Just a side note: When camping for Christmas does one bring a tree? Or just decorate the surrounding available foliage with lights and ornaments?

Instead, what about Glamping for Christmas?  What is glamping?–glamour camping of course!  Made famous with the remodeling of 1950’s travel trailers into little luxurious suites.

Glamping ranges in style from Canvas African Style Safari Tents with colonial wood furniture inside, to space module minimalism with clean lines that even Hal might recognize (Hal is the computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey).

Glampinghub.com offers a way to plan these vacations around the world. With over 15,000 accommodations of 27 different types in 165 countries, they make glamping easy.

Want a tipi in South Africa, done! A tree house in Oregon, it’s ready for you, Christmas Camping in Australia find it here.  Recently I spoke with Jessica Armstrong, Head of Public Relations and Partnerships, at glampinghub.com,

Glamping hub started as a travel blog by founder David Troya, in 2011 while finishing his MBA.  Shortly after he invited two colleagues to partner with him creating a worldwide booking network of unusual luxury accommodations.

See pictures of Jessica’s personal stay in a treehouse in Julian, California, plus my dream destinations!

What Kind of Camping Accommodations Can You Expect from Glampinghub.com?

Everything!  Yurts with outdoor kitchens, tents with luxury swimming pools, tiny homes surrounded by wilderness and some really cool tree houses and greenhouses in out of the way locations.  Almost all locations included a modern bathroom and kitchen with running water–a far cry from me trying to camp in our no bathroom little vintage travel trailer for the holidays.

Need to bring Fido for your Christmas Camping Trip.  The Glampinghub.com site offers extensive information about flying with dogs and cats, E.U. pet regulations, and even a public transportation guide for pets.  In Seattle for instance:

The post Reasons you should go glamping for Christmas appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

Summer is almost here!  When you consider planning for the family “get away” keep the following thing in mind:

A Stress Free Vacation Requires a Budget

No one wants to come home from vacation overdrawn and sunburned.  Planning a budget for vacation can help soothe everyone’s nerves and stop the “back from vacation” hang overs.

4 Main Categories Stress Free Vacation Planning

Lodging- a lot of options here.

Check out National Park cabins, college dorms, YMCA, hostels also can be rented out for the summer, plus a family “airbnb” has some great rates.  Want some great memories at cheap prices pack the kids and a tent.

Food-where do I start?  No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen on vacation. Having  simple cooking facilities saves a bunch.

-divide up who does what meal and what meals are on your own– snack meals– e.g., breakfast on your own, when     you get up

– Lunching out is often cheaper than dinner out and can come with left overs!

-Planning to do meals in the rental space with a few special trips to the ice cream shop/bakery/candy store can save  on both frustration with picky eaters and dollars.

Travel-what are you willing to do for a  cheaper price or less hassle.

-leaving on a 6 am or 8 pm flight can help with flight cost, plus what about flying into a smaller airport (Dallas Love  Field instead of DWF)

-take the car–make the journey part of the vacation, plan this into the budget and enjoy the ride.  Down load family  podcasts, bring music just of the trip, play car games and plan special snacks just for the car ride.

-make the travel the vacation itself.  A train trip or a boat ride or even a ferry out to an island you have been wanting  to explore.   Make this the fun event and the way to get there.

Fun-Running wild or sitting at the beach we all want to Laugh

-this is why the beach and national forest are all kinds of fun for free.  Hours of riding the waves or exploring the woods are real fun and do not cost $89 per person to enter.

-campfires, cook-outs, picnics are just a few stress free vacation ideas that solve two problems for the price of a  bucket of chicken.

-start looking early for  coupons and deals.  If you are headed to a theme park or someplace with a high entrance fee, look for lodging and ticket combos. Join their email list in advance for special offers.  Read up on what you really want to do and find the dates that work for you.  Staying over night at the Georgia Aquarium is a breath taking experience and much cheaper than a hotel and meal.

Creating the time for a Stress Free Vacation

Summer sport leagues, spending time with family, work commitments and child care can slow down the stress free vacation planing process.  Not to mention trying to do a multi generational trip where several adult schedules are involved.  Uggh!  Sometimes this makes you just want to give up and stay home.  Which is not a bad idea!

-“staycations” are awesome!  Do all the things in your town that you normally only do with guests.  Visit the amusement park, take in an afternoon movie, go to lunch at the fancy restaurant, play a round of golf, enjoy a night at the theatre, take the kids to a restaurant for a big bunch meal.  You can visit the museum, park, lake, fishing hole you drive by everyday and wish you had time to stop.  Be sure you fold down the sheets and put chocolate on everyone’s pillow at night just to make it official that you are on vacation.

-Can you vacation at a time or place that is a little toward a”shoulder” season.  My family went to Dauphin Island, Alabama  for 3 weeks in August.  The kids in Alabama return to school in early August so we booked a wonderful house for 6 people for less than $140 a night.  The water was warm and the beaches contained only a few other families.

-try shorter weekend trips to close locations.  Paid vacation for many of us is as foreign as a duck billed platypus.  Plan frequent short trips that don’t require long travel times or extended time from work.

-camp in your own yard.  I love camping and can’t wait for it to stop snowing so we can dust off the camper and take her down the road–even just 20 miles or so, build a fire, roast marshmallows and talk about what we enjoy about summer.

Setting Expectations With Spouses and Kids

Make a list of all the things you really, really want to do this summer.  Hang it up in the kitchen in the spring.  Just the act of writing things down changes things.  After a little mulling over and a few parent to parent conversations, take the the top five suggestions and discuss what might really be possible.

-teach even young kids about budgets

-look on a map about distance–how long it would take to get there.  (We went to the Georgia Aquarium because the  one in Okinawa, Japan was a little out of our reach, for now!)

-what will give everyone the most satisfaction with the least hassle.  Camping for 3 weeks may give 3 out of the 4 of your family hives just thinking of it.  While a tour of 14 cities in 10 days may create a claustrophobic feeling for 2 of you.  Is sitting on the beach the right ticket for the workaholic in your family while the runner needs a lot more action in their days?

Fun Family Dinner Game For a Stress Free Vacation

Describe in detail your perfect stress free vacation experience. What would you do, where would you stay, what would you eat.

What is the best vacation you have taken ever?

If you were to vacation with these groups of people–immediate family, friends, just your kids, extended family, just your spouse, just you–what would you do?

Start with the family game.  It will give you an idea of where every one is in their lives right now without commitment.  Just fun thoughts?

The post How to Plan a Stress Free Vacation appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

 Disclosure: we were given tickets to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort in exchange for giving you our honest thoughts on this blog. 

One of the things I loved about visiting the Wizarding World at Universal Studios in Orland was how everything was thematic. While you may find regular “chain” restaurants through other parts of Universal Studios, when you enter the Wizarding World everything is magic. You aren’t going to find a Starbucks or a McDonald’s. Instead you’ll see the Three Broomsticks and the Hogshead inn.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is spread out between two of Universal Studios parks. You’ll need a park-to-park pass to visit both sides (which I highly recommend!). With this pass you are also able to travel between the parks on the Hogwarts Express. Amazing.

In case you only get to see one side, or if you’re just trying to plan which parks to visit when we’ll talk about food on each side.

On both sides you’ll find little carts that sell gilly water, pumpkin juice, butterbeer and fruit. There are also shops on both sides where you can buy souvineer food like bottled butterbeer, chocolate frogs, bertie botts every flavor beans and more.

HOGSMEADE

The city of Hogsmeade is located in the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Park.

Start your wizarding culinary journey at Honeydukes sweet shop. This is the perfect place to buy tasty souvenirs for all your friends, and get some snacks for your day of magic.

Next, stop by the three broomsticks for the most amazing lunch. We were amazed at the quality of the food inside the park. I mean… just look at this lunch.

It was REAL food, and so delicious. After a few days of vacation and eating not-so-great vacation food this was incredible. I got cottage pie with a side salad and my best friend got a chicken leg quarter, a full corn on the cob and a side of potatoes.

There were several amazing dishes like this to choose from, we had a really hard time deciding what to get. All very Brittish foods like, Fish & Chips, Cornish Pasties, and Turkey legs! There’s even a “great feast” option if you are there with a large group!

In the back of the three broomsticks you’ll also find the Hog’s Head. It’s a bar area where you can get Butterbeer, Pumpkin Juice, imported beers, wine, and even spirits and mixed drinks.

DIAGON ALLEY 

Diagon Alley is located in the Universal Studios Theme Park.

For edible souvenirs on this side, be sure to check out Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes shop. They have tasty snacks to bring home (or enjoy in the park) and lots of other must-have souvenirs too!

Florean Fortescue’s is right across from Gringott’s bank, and an essential part of the day in the Wizarding World. If you remember, this is Harry’s favorite shop and the owner used to give him free ice creams. They will let you get a few different flavors in one cup, so stock up on delicous flavors like Earl Gray and Lavender, Strawberry and Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel Blondie, and my personal favorite, Sticky Toffee Pudding.

The shop is small so we recommend crossing the street and enjoying your ice cream on the steps next to Gringotts and watching the wizarding world pass you by. It’s bliss.

After ice cream if you are ready for real food, walk back to the front of Diagon Alley and duck into the leaky cauldron. You’ll find more delicious Brittish Fare here, this time with sandwiches on the menu too! We only had one lunch and ended up eating it at the three broomsticks but from everything I could see the Leaky Cauldron had just as amazing options with real food to fill your belly!

One thing is certain, you won’t leave the wizarding world hungry. There is so much to do and EAT!!!

Looking for more magic – we’ve laid out the best path through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter so you can make the most of it! Click the image below to see!

The post What to eat at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

It’s really that simple.

Download the TraffickCam app, and whenever you stay in a hotel room, snap 4 photos in the room. Give them the hotel name, and room number too. (You don’t have to give any personal information).

The goal here is to create a database of photos and locations that law enforcement can look through when they have a photo of a trafficking victim but they don’t know where it was taken from. It can help them find where the girls are now, and where they have been. This can help both in rescuing girls and in prosecuting traffickers.

Watch the video below for more information about how law enforcement can use this tool here and how the idea came about, then make sure to download the app before your next trip so we can all help play a part in ending trafficking! Or read more here. 

The post How Taking A Photo Of Your Hotel Room Could Save A Life appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

Most people believe that in order to stay fit you’ve got to join a gym or take up running. While those are both great forms of activity, they’re not the only ones. With life, work and travel more often than not keeping fit gets sidelined.

Which is why bodyweight training is ideal. Not only are you using your own bodyweight as leverage but these exercises can be done anywhere! Use them individually to get the blood flowing to your muscles or pair them together to make a quick, mini circuit.

Exercise #1 Paused Squats

Squatting is a movement we use each and every day- and thus it should be trained! Squats help improve lower body strength as well as maintain a good range of motion.

Paused squats are even more challenging as at the bottom of the squat (the hardest position) you’re going to hold for three full seconds, driving the knees out, and then pushing back up to standing. This helps train your glutes which are an under-active muscle.

Exercise #2 Push Ups

Push ups are a classic exercise and a staple for anyone training using just their bodyweight. They target the entire upper body and core musculature when done correctly. They’re an ideal exercise because there are so many variations. Branch out from performing standard push ups and opt for close grip, staggered stance or inclined. Each adjustment gives your body a new stimulus.

Exercise # 3 Walking Lunges

Walking lunges are a great way to target the lower body while increasing your heart rate. If you’ve no room to walk, stick to reverse lunges making sure that you’re pulling up through the front foot.

Depending on what you’d like to target, if you lean forward slightly from your hips you’ll notice more muscle activation in the back of the legs versus staying upright and feeling the front.

Exercise # 4 Planks With Shoulder Taps

Most people are familiar with planks but this variations increases the difficulty. It requires you body to stabilize and counter the removal or a supporting limb while maintaining its position. When done properly, planks are an amazing full body exercise. Ensure you’re focusing on activating all the necessary muscles though instead of just locking the elbows and hanging out, you’ll get more bang for your buck.

Exercise #5 Glute Bridge

This exercise is crucial for anyone looking to improve their back side! The glutes are provide aid in a multitude of functions (athletic performance, preventing injury, improving posture etc) that it is key to train them. Make sure you come into a full hip extension at the top of the movement and really “squeeze the bum” in order to fully target them.

Staying active doesn’t have to be rigid or planned. If you’re busy, traveling or just can’t make it to the gym, these bodyweight exercises are perfect. Don’t opt out of being active, instead use these exercises anywhere you find yourself with a few spare minutes!

The post 5 Exercises you can do while traveling appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

I hate to say it but I am married to a man whose imagination is not sparked by the idea of travel.  Given a chance, I would hop on a plane at least once a month.  I am one of those that just wants to see what is over the next hill.

The boys and I did an epic journey this summer clocking over 3,500 miles from Colorado to Georgia with a 14 ft travel trailer–amazing journey and family bonding time.  See this trip on Youtube and please subscribe while you are there!

How are Best Friend Trips Different?

1. No kids to look after
2. To different income sources
3. 2 adults who can take care of themselves
4. Ability to be on your own or in the company of you girlfriend
5. No husband to consider (you know, what he likes vs your choices)
6. Did I mention no kids

What do you need to consider before heading out with you best friend?

1. Budget–even though there are two income sources, they may vary widely.  Be honest with each other about you budget.  You can always choose to do different attractions and meet up for lunch.
2. Discuss how you travel. Do you expect to be together all the time or to do some separate sight seeing, ( I am attending a conference and invited a girlfriend along who is perfectly comfortable wandering around Seattle on her own).  On another trip, I missed the cue from that girlfriend that she really wanted me to go to all the museums with her.  That was a big rough point in our trip.
3. Main attractions–make a list of the main attractions that you want to see. Compare lists, decide on the ones you want to do together and the ones that are just important to you.  Set a loose plan on the days you will do these thing.
4. Housing–what are the basics that you and your girlfriend need for comfort?  What are you willing to pay for it?  Do you need two rooms or your own bathroom? Do you snore? Do you know you snore?  ( this was a big issue for me when I was sharing a room with 3 other women. I “uhhum” bought them all earplugs.)
5. Schedules–are you a morning or evening person.  Do you need to get a run and shower in before you start you day?  Or, do you roll out of bed at the crack of noon and go until 2 AM?
6. Meals–with gluten, dairy-free, vegan, juicing, energy shakes, and all the like this has become a bigger deal than it used to be with three square meals a day as the basic formula–especially in cities where food is a primary feature.  Again budgets, timing, and taste are important to talk about together.  (My girlfriend once went on a camping trip where they brought all their food to cook, while the other couple expected to go out every meal.)
7. Shopping–I don’t shop.  I make that clear.  If you have something you just don’t do then state that up front instead of being miserable later.

Warning:  You don’t know someone’s habits until you travel with them. Just because your friendship is 2o years old, does not mean you know their intimate living style.  My friend went on a European trip with her girlfriend of more than 20 years.  Of course they had stay at each others houses over the years and knew each other really well. But long term travel, sightseeing and sleeping arrangements proved to be a challenge.

I love my bestfriend trips!  Fun new places, awesome memories and wonderful bonding with precious women in my life.  Planning and being honest can save heart ache and the friendship in the long run.

The post What to know before you travel with your best friend appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

Related: Find ideas from Food Network’s Sunny Anderson about eating healthier while traveling here.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that these gluten free foods are subject to the ingredients you purchase and it’s possible that the links could change or the gluten free status of certain products could change. Be sure to double check packaging and ingredients on your own.

Homemade Gluten Free Travel Snacks

• Roasted Crispy Chick Peas
• Chia Fruit and Nut Bar Recipe
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Power Bars
• Mint Chocolate Sunflower Bites
• Pumpkin Spice Roasted Chick Peas
• Power Breakfast Muffins
• Golden Kiwi Muffins
• Gluten and Nut Free Trail Mix Recipe
• Espresso Muffins
• Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bars
• Baked Banana Chips
• Spiced Coconut Chips
• Salty Lime Roasted Cashews
• Homemade Granola
• 4 Ingredient Applesauce cookies
• Zucchini Chips
• Roasted Seaweed

Gluten Free Travel Foods To Buy

(Affiliate links)

• Glutino Pretzels
• Pirate’s Booty Mini Bags
• Peanut M & Ms
• Lara Bars
• Kind Bars
• Applesauce
• Baby Carrots
• Mandarin Oranges
• Apples
• Grapes

Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks for your trip!

For more travel food ideas (though not gluten free) check out this post:

The post Gluten Free Travel Food appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.

Yes, it was a little bit crazy. Throwing kids on an eleven hour flight and hoping all goes well is not necessarily the perfect starting point for traveling families, but it was worth it.

Traveling with kids isn’t nearly as easy as traveling solo, but it’s worth it.

If you are on the fence about traveling with your young kids, I encourage you to go for it!

Kids are flexible – If you are calm about travel, your kids likely will be chill about it as well. We weren’t stressed in transit, we just waited in line, played silly waiting games and got on the plane. I kept it as low key as possible so the kids didn’t worry, and it worked! They did a great job in all the airports and stayed right by me.

Seeing history – When you travel with preschoolers they are able to touch history and learn so much more about the world than they ever could from a book or show. Hearing about distant Kings and Queens and the way they lived is one thing, actually getting to tour palace gardens with your kids and walk through the oldest zoo in the world? There’s nothing quite like that!

This is the palace where Marie Antoinette grew up. We were able to visit the zoo that is located in the palace gardens and used to be private only for the royal family. It’s open to the public now, and the kids got to see new animals that they’d never seen before, like polar bears! 

Exploring cultures – There is nothing like letting your kids interact with other cultures in the world. I loved watching them learn about the different ways people do things in other countries, and why. Seeing other cultures adds so much to any traveler’s life. It makes you seem small, in the most beautiful way. I also love that it teaches my kids that different is just…different, and it certainly doesn’t mean bad! It’s really hard to keep any subliminal prejudices when you travel and meet people from all different cultures and walks of life, and it’s something that I love to do with my kids!

It’s family time – Travel can really bring you together as a family. I don’t know if it’s the unique shared experiences or just spending so much time exploring together, but I always feel closer to my kids after I’ve spent time traveling with them.

You find the coolest places – I try not to get too caught up in hitting every “must see” tourist spot. There are so many neat things to see if you just go at the kid’s pace and see what they want to do. Sure, there are some touristy things every one will want to hit, but there are also some amazing things you can find just exploring with the kids (it helps if you are friend with people who live there, but exploring on your own can be fun too!).

We ended up riding the oldest running ferris wheel in the world because it looked like fun on the way home from something else. It was an amazing and memorable experience for everyone… and let’s not forget the parks. 

The parks – If you ever take your kids to Europe go find a local park and let them run free. We played at four or five different parks and each was unique and the kids had a great time. In fact, it’s one of the biggest things they ask to go do again!

Not too young – A lot of people say not to waste a trip on such a young child and to wait until they are older. While I’ve never traveled with an older kiddo, I found that traveling with preschoolers was really fun. They already see the world differently than me, so it was neat to watch their views change and grow, and even to see how they were excited and in awe of even the simplest things in a new place. It was such an amazing experience!

If you are considering taking your kids on a trip, let me encourage you to take the plunge. There’s nothing quite like sharing the exploration with your little ones, it’s something neither of you will ever forget!

The post Why You Should Travel Internationally With Preschoolers appeared first on Traveling Family Blog.