Get the scoop on traveling on vacation with kids

Today’s paid guest post comes to us from Kiley Morrow, a content strategy writer from Beaches.com, and she shares the pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation. Kiley writes about some of the great benefits from spending time with your kids and creating treasured memories, but she also sheds light on some of the things that might not be the most fun, like dealing with excess baggage and bored kids. Overall, Kiley covers a wide array of pros and cons you should consider when thinking about vacationing with your children.

What are some of your stories while vacationing with your kids? We’d love to know. Share your comments with us below.

Thanks for the great article, Kiley!

Enjoy.
– Will

Pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation

Traveling with your entire family is incredibly fun, but things can get a bit stressful sometimes. And when you add kids to that equation, some parents will feel dread, while others will be excited about all the activities they can do together.

Yes, it is challenging and you have to multitask throughout the day, but making good memories your kids will fondly remember is more important. Being well prepared and knowing all the difficulties you might face is crucial.

So here is everything you need to know before you pack up your bags and head out for a vacation with your kids.

Pros of taking your kids on vacation

Spending quality time with your kids

First, in our list of pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation is spending time with your kids. Being a parent is a full-time position. You have to take a proper care of your kids and you sometimes forget to actually have fun with your youngsters.

If you are a working parent, you might feel even more disconnected from your kids. This can change during a vacation because you will have plenty of time to hang out with them and try different activities that will bring you closer.

You will be away from your work during the vacation so focusing on your family and kids will be easier. Forget about the deadlines or work related stress and live in the moment. Your primary goal should be reconnecting with your kids and making the trip unforgettable for everyone.

A new experience

Taking your kids on family vacations means that they will get to experience plenty of things for the first time. Their enthusiasm when you get to a beach will make you enjoy that place even if you have been there countless times.

Sign them up for interesting mini adventures, such as seeing the local animal world or tours of the local area. Simply sit back and watch their faces light up when they see something new to them. Soak in the excitement and you will get to experience these things from a whole new perspective

Learning opportunities

Kids are very curious and they are eager to learn new things and taking your kids with you on vacation is no exception and is next in our list of pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation. Traveling will allow them to absorb information quickly because the environment is completely different from a standard classroom. So if you are traveling to a country that has a lot of historical sights, make sure you take them there.

You can do a bit of preparation and act as a tour guide. Your kids will become better students and probably learn some other practical skills which will be useful later on. So make sure you include some interesting quests during each family vacation.

Treasured memories

Some of our most cherished family memories are closely related to travel and is one of the top positives in our list of pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation. Many unforgettable moments happen while you are exploring the world. You can probably recall a couple of them right now. So if you want your kids to experience similar things, do your best to travel as much as possible as a family.

You will often mention the adventures from your vacations even after you come back home and they will stay with you forever. Continue the tradition and your kids will do the same once they have their own families.

Cons of taking your kids on vacation

Unsatisfied kids

Sometimes your kids might not like a certain place and they could feel bored. The chances are they will start complaining and asking to leave even if it is not possible. Different weather conditions might have an influence on their mood and the heat can make them feel agitated.

There are plenty of solutions to this problem such as handing them an iPad and letting them play video games or watch a cartoon. You also have to listen to their needs and make sure to include engaging activities into your daily schedule.

The price

Going on a vacation as a couple is more affordable than traveling with kids and is definitely something we won’t forget to mention among our negatives in our list of pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation. Taking your whole family out of the country will definitely cost you more. You can either accept this or try to find a more affordable version which will be more budget-friendly.

For instance, try to find an early bird or last-minute offers on trusted discount websites. There are some great offers that are ideal for families. All-inclusive vacations are a good idea because the price includes unlimited foods and drinks, as well as other activities within a resort which can be something your kids will enjoy.

If you do go all-inclusive, just remember there’s family-friendly resorts and adults-only resorts. Look at the marketing materials and pick one that works for kids and adults. You don’t want to be staying in the honeymoon suite with your kids.

Excess luggage

Traveling with kids often includes additional luggage and you might feel overwhelmed and this is among those in our list of pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation.

They do require more space because they would want to pack toys, games, etc. Plus, there are piles of clothes, gadgets, baby equipment, and so on. You need to know what to expect. After all, there is a huge difference between a stay at an all-inclusive resort and a camping trip. The latter will require much more baggage.

The best thing you can do is to try not to over pack. Be smart with your decisions and limit the number of clothes, especially if you are traveling to a warm place. Allow a couple of toys for each kid and bring only the necessary equipment. Your kids will probably forget that they have no toys because there will be so many new things to do on your family vacation.

So, what do you think of this list of pros and cons of taking your kids on vacation? Do you have something to add? Something that you completely agree with? What is your experience while vacationing with kids? Please share with us by leaving a comment below.

About the Guest Post Author

Kiley Morrow is a content strategy writer from Wilmington, Delaware for Beaches.com who submitted this paid guest post submission.

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Enjoy this infographic shared with us by Nature Rated and get outdoors with your kids, today

Today’s guest post comes to us from Joe Black of NatureRated.com, and he shared this great list of 15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature infogrphic. Joe speaks about the health benefits of taking 90 minute or longer walks and what it can do to help alleviate stress, anxiety and much more. He discusses that screen time for kids can have lasting negative affects where spending time in nature can inhibit those effects and he would love to see children inspired to climb a tree or build a fort and I happen to agree with that wish.

I too, would love to see children outside more often, not forced outside because mom or dad scheduled a playdate, but truly because they want to be outside. It starts with you, mom and dad, let’s show our kids how nature is something to enjoy and pursue activities that make us all get up and get outside.

We’re delighted that we are able to share this great infographic below with you from Nature Rated, and we are also happy that we were able to share it with you with a couple weeks left of official Summer to get out and enjoy it. We hope you get inspired by some of these 15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature infographic a little more each day.

Besides, with numerous lakes, trails and Lake Tahoe less than 30 minutes to an hour away, why not? It’s in our own backyard. The Northern Nevada region is perfect for a family-fun adventure. Get out an enjoy the outdoors, today!

Enjoy.
– Will

15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature

What are your kids doing this Summer? For many of us Summer time with the kids is a time to enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine and, if you’re lucky, the ocean.

As much as kids love Summer holidays, keeping them busy can be a real chore! If you don’t have the luxury of a Summer camp, then it’s up to you, as parent, to find things for the youngsters to keep busy with.

Failing that, your kids might spend all their time in front of a computer, tablet, cell phone or other screen and research has shown that spending too much time in front of a screen can have a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of children.

On the other side of this discussion, studies have shown that taking part in nature-based activities helps people who are suffering from mental ill-health and can contribute to a reduction in levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, a daily walk in nature has showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.

One in four people are estimated to experience bouts of mental illness and it’s on the rise. Doctor prescribed medication of antidepressants are also at a record high level and the demand for more invasive treatments are also on the rise. Health and social care commissioners are examining and commissioning different options for cost effective services for mental health and one of these options is a daily walk of 90 minutes or more. We need to learn from the past when kids got excited to spend their time climbing trees and building forts rather than spending hours inside, and in particular glued to a screen.

Joe at Nature Rated understands this all too well and has put together an infographic on 15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature.

From baking a blackberry pie to constructing a pond or insect hotel, there’s plenty for the youngsters to get up to. Head on over to his site for step by step instructions to get your kids out and about enjoying nature.

Video Credit: Tahoe in a Day | Summer at Lake Tahoe – 4K from Peyton Z Peltier on Vimeo.

About the Guest Post Author

An outdoor enthusiast, Joe Black is the lead editor at Nature Rated; a website which rates and reviews the best outdoor gear for people who quickly want to know what to get. He believes in no fluff, to the point reviews, which help you choose the right gear for your next adventure.

Whenever daily life gets him down he heads to the nearest lake or river with his kayak and camera spending time recharging his batteries.

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The way the game is meant to be played, on a Nevada Wolf Pack Cornhole game set, showing off your school spirit

Show off your team spirit with this officially licensed, regulation-sized, tournament grade Nevada Wolf Pack Cornhole game set! Grab your corn-filled bags and toss ’em with Nevada Wolf Pack pride during any tailgate, barbecue (BBQ) or family event at home or at a park or even while camping. If you don’t know about the game of Cornhole, it is a game similar to horseshoes where you take a bag filled with dried corn kernels and toss them at an opposing team’s game board. The game board has a single hole that aim the corn-filled bag at and try to get it to go through the hole. Each bag through the game board hole equals a point. The first team or individual to 21 points wins the game. Learn more about how to play the game of Cornhole at CornholeHowTo.com.

With this game set you get two choice quality wooden Nevada Wolf Pack Cornhole boards with folding legs, a complete best matching colors bag set (8 bags), and a FREE string pack to carry the bags (A $10 value!).

This Nevada Wolf Pack cornhole game set is in a position to play, right out of the box! No assembly required. We ship via ground service and fully insure against loss or damage.

These Nevada Wolf Pack cornhole boards are constructed with quality and use of 1/2″ cabinet grade plywood. Not the cheap stuff many other dealers use. 24″x 48″ with the 6″ hole centered 9 inches from the top and 12 inches from each side. The Nevada Wolf Pack cornhole play surface is framed with sturdy 2×4 boards and folding legs for portability. The back measures 12″ off the ground and the front measures 4″ off the ground.

Our standard bags are made of quality Duck Cloth canvas material measuring 6″x 6″ and weighing between 15-16 ounces filled with whole corn kernels, not sand. This is the regulation that every serious cornhole player uses.

Standard Features

• Quality 1/2″ Plywood Tops – Smooth finish, excellent playability.
• This isn’t like the plywood you buy at the local hardware store!
• Standard plywood tends to warp, may have voids, knots, and so on.
• Top Choice Finish Grade 2x4s – Superior to the basic framing boards others use.
• Finished with clear gloss sealant for protection.
• Strong pocket hole joint construction.
• Perfect 6″ holes. No jigsaws here!
• No visible screw holes or spackle on any painted surface.
• Strong, foldable 2×4 leg construction with carriage bolts and wing nuts
• Our legs may not snap in half when your friend or kids by chance stand on our boards!
• No tripping over our legs! Our legs do not fold back at the back of the board.
• We paint the sides and legs and touch up our boards!
• We touch up the joints, bleed, and so on. to give our boards a quality finished look.

The Details

• Officially Licensed Collegiate Product Nevada Wolf Pack cornhole game set
• ACA Regulation Size 24″ x 48″
• Tournament Grade Construction
• Includes Bag Set & Folding Legs
• Fully Assembled & Made in the United States

2014 PumpkinPalooza in Victorian Square in Sparks, NV, October 26 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Last year we informed you about the PumpkinPalooza in Sparks at Victorian Square. It was a great time and the various carnival games and free walk throughs of the train and readings at the Glendale Schoolhouse (built in 1864) managed through the Sparks Heritage Museum kept our kids busy and we had a lot of fun. Overall, the PumpkinPalooza is a great event to attend each year with friends and family of all ages.

Here’s what you can expect if you decide to attend this year:

Sunday, October 26 – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Build and race a pumpkin in the Pumpkin Derby
• Participate in the children’s costume parade
• Enjoy storytelling in the Haunted Schoolhouse
• Play carnival style games
• Compete in the pie-eating, pumpkin seed spitting, and mummy wrapping contests
• Enter their pumpkins in the beauty contest
• Enjoy live music

And so much more!

Last year, more than 5,000 people attended the 2nd annual event and this year the event appears poised to grow exponentially. And it’s all benefiting the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living. For more information, visit www.pumpkinpalooza.org.

Will you be attending the PumpkinPalooza this year? What are you looking forward to during this year’s PumpkinPalooza event? Please leave us a comment below and let us know.

About Independent Living for People of Disabilities

As a former employee of a large national organization that serves people with disabilities, this event means a lot to me, personally. The disability movement is one of the last movements fighting for civil rights in much the same ways that people of color did back in the 50s and 60s and women did in the 20s. There is push today for people with disabilities to live in an inclusive environment, within their communities and not in an institutional setting. Please notice that I make the choice not to call people with disabilities, “disabled people”, “handicapped” or going to the extreme of using the word “retarded“. People with disabilities are just people, like you and me. They just happen to have a disability and are fully entitled to respect, dignity and equality like any other person. Many people with disabilities can learn life skills that can enable them to live in our communities and give back in ways that are meaningful and benefit the communities we live in. The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living is “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with all disabilities by promoting independence through self empowerment, choice and community involvement” and “each person, regardless of the severity of his or her disability, has the potential to grow, develop, and share fully the joys and responsibilities of our society.” That is something that I can stand behind and gladly donate to by attending this event.

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The Summit’s Pink Pumpkin Festival & Sidewalk Sale

Farmers Market, sales and activities support breast cancer awareness

Our friends over at The Summit shared some great information with us here at Windy Pinwheel about a great fall event happening this Saturday to support the effort to find a cure for breast cancer. As October is nationally known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this is a great cause to get behind. Please come out and support this event this weekend and be sure to spread the word to everyone you know.

The Summit and Renown Children’s Hospital invite families to come out for a day full of autumn harvest fun on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the center plaza. The Pink Pumpkin Festival and Sidewalk Sale will support breast cancer awareness and will benefit the Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. The event is free and open to the public. Donations for breast cancer patient assistance are encouraged.

Event activities that day will include a sidewalk sale, live entertainment, fall farmers market vendors, pink Porcelain Doll pumpkins for sale, face painting, activities for children, health information booths, contests and recyclable bag/gift card giveaways.

Participants can enjoy food and drinks from various vendors at the market, which will feature fresh, local fall produce including grapes, apples, corn, potatoes, garlic, onions, squash, eggs, local honey and more. Also, all guests can enter to win prizes from The Summit, Renown Health and the farmers market.

The pink pumpkin patch, sponsored by Moana Nursery, will feature decorative gourds and pumpkins, including the popular Porcelain Doll pumpkins. Moana Nursery has partnered with The Pink Pumpkin Patch Foundation, an organization created in 2012, to aid in the fight against breast cancer. A percentage of proceeds from every pink pumpkin sold this year will go towards organizations involved in breast cancer research.

In conjunction with the event, The Summit will also host its first-ever, center-wide Sidewalk Sale. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., shoppers will enjoy the one-day, one-time only sale where exclusive retailers will display racks with sale items in front of their stores. The sidewalk sale will also feature stores including but not limited to Ann Taylor, Claire’s, GAP, Old Navy, Orvis and Talbots.

“This event and sidewalk sale are designed to kick-off breast cancer awareness month in Reno,” said Dan Davis, marketing manager at The Summit. “Many stores and restaurants will provide special pink products and offers, as well as showcase sale items from the Summer. My hope is those interested in spreading awareness will find that perfect ‘pink’ item to wear or display throughout the entire month.”

Benefitting from much of the event activities, the Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund helps to ease the financial and emotional burden on uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients throughout northern Nevada.

“Our patient assistance funds benefit those in our area who are battling cancer while struggling with financial hardships,” Joel Muller, vice president of the Renown Health Foundation, said. “These dollars help to cover desperately needed prescription, care and travel expenses for our patients. Renown Health is grateful to The Summit for its help and to be a part of this event once again this year.”

October is “Go Pink” month at The Summit.

Go Pink at your favorite stores and restaurants in October! Join The Summit and Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund in a month-long celebration of hope, strength and survival. Plus, for every Facebook “Like” for The Summit during the month of October, The Summit will donate $1 to the Renown Health Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund, up to a total of $1,000 and each “Like” must be a new “Like” to be counted.

Garden of Hope in the Pink Plaza throughout the month of October

Write a message of hope, love and healing to honor someone you know touched by breast cancer. Then tie your note to the branches of the plants and trees in the Garden of Hope located in the Plaza between Vans and Tilly’s. Visit the garden throughout October for reflection or encouragement. Sponsored by Moana Nursery.

For more information regarding events happening at The Summit, please visit TheSummitonline.com/Reno

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For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

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You. Me. Camping. Let’s get outside and do something you’ll remember this Summer and don’t forget to bring these free Summer time camping printable love notes with you for your kids.

Some of the best memories my husband has from when he was a kid was when he was outdoors and campaing. Well, with Summer time comes the time for campfires and s’mores. Are you ready to build lifelong memories with your children?

Start by printing these free downloadable camping printable love notes to share with your little ones to share with them during your summer outdoor experience.

What do you think? Do these camping printable love notes work for you? Which one is your favorite? Let us know by posting a comment below.

We hope this summer brings the most joy through a camping experience

Like or share to download these free summer time camping-themed printable love notes.

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For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

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July is here and the heat of the summer marches on. Here are some fun activities to inspire your summer.

Well, July is here and this Friday is July 4th… Independence Day. For us, here at Windy Pinwheel, the first half of the year really flew by. With the heat of the Summer in full swing, we thought we would share some great ideas for fun Summer activities found throughout the internet… well mostly Pinterest of some things to do this July 4th and beyond.

July 4th in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe, Nevada

First, we would like you to take a look bring some previous articles that we published last year around this time discussing the many things there are to do in the area on the July 4th Independence Day holiday, here and if you’re interested in a day trip to Lake Tahoe, please take a look at our write-up about where to go from a local’s perspective.

A summer treat

Have you ever had a root beer float? How about a root beer float popsicle? Well, now you can make your own. Find out how at Raining Hot Coupons.

I’m finished swimming, where can I hang and dry my swimsuit?

With Summer comes the unavoidable time for swimming, spalshing, and water play. So, where do you dry your swimsuit? Have no fear, this DIY project will set your mind at ease and bring a decorative element to your towel rack for all things swim and water-related. Learn how to make this craft at A Turtle’s Life for Me.

July 4th activities

• Over at Sophie’s World find out about some adventurous ways to have a fourth of July picnic.
• What Rose Knows shares with us how to create a beautiful patriotic-themed basket for hosting any dining experience during the fourth.
• I Love to Create brings back the 70’s the American way with their version of a DIY tie-dye red, white and blue shirt.

We hope these activies and other ideas inspire you this summer to keep cool and have a wonderful Independence Day holiday.

What’s your favorite article we shared with you in this post? Share by leaving a comment below.

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For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

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2013 PumpkinPalooza in Victorian Square in Sparks, NV, October 19-20.

Last year we helped inform you about the PumpkinPalooza in Sparks at Victorian Square. Even though it was a bit windy and chilly (the first cold snap of the fall season), we still had a great time and the various carnival games and free walk throughs of the train and readings at the Glendale Schoolhouse (built in 1864) managed through the Sparks Heritage Museum kept our kids busy and we had a lot of fun. Overall, the PumpkinPalooza is a great event to attend with friends and family of all ages.

Here’s what you can expect if you decide to attend this year:

Saturday, October 19 – 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

• Watch zombie cheerleaders
• Enjoy the official Lighting of the Pumpkins
• Dance the night away at the Zombie Prom (high school students)

Sunday, October 20 – 11:00 – 5:00 p.m.

• Build and race a pumpkin in the Pumpkin Derby



• Participate in the children’s costume parade
• Enjoy storytelling in the Haunted School House
• Visit with fortune-tellers
• Play carnival style games from Circus Circus
• Compete in pie-eating, pumpkin seed spitting, marshmallow shooting and mummy wrapping contests
• Live music

And so much more!

Last year, more than 1,500 people attended the inaugural event and this year the event is expected to grow exponentially. And the event benefits the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living. For more information, visit www.pumpkinpalooza.org.

Will you be attending the PumpkinPalooza this year? What are you looking forward to during this year’s PumpkinPalooza event? Please leave us a comment below and let us know.

About Independent Living for People of Disabilities

As a former employee of a large national organization that serves people with disabilities, this event means a lot to me, personally. The disability movement is one of the last movements fighting for civil rights in much the same ways that people of color did back in the 50s and 60s and women did in the 20s. There is push today for people with disabilities to live in an inclusive environment, within their communities and not in an institutional setting. Please notice that I make the choice not to call people with disabilities, “disabled people”, “handicapped” or going to the extreme of using the word “retarded“. People with disabilities are just people, like you and me. They just happen to have a disability and are fully entitled to respect, dignity and equality like any other person. Many people with disabilities can learn life skills that can enable them to live in our communities and give back in ways that are meaningful and benefit the communities we live in. The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living is “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with all disabilities by promoting independence through self empowerment, choice and community involvement” and “each person, regardless of the severity of his or her disability, has the potential to grow, develop, and share fully the joys and responsibilities of our society.” That is something that I can stand behind and gladly donate to simply by attending this year’s event.

Sponsor this article for $1.00

Enter sponsor title and e-mail.

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By sponsoring this article, your sponsorship will display for a period of 180 days (6 months). If, for any reason, and it is up to the discretion of the authors of Windy Pinwheel, we feel content linked to or the name provided does not coincide with the objectives of this site for our audience we will issue a refund and pull the sponsorship of the article. This action does not limit you from sponsoring an article on our site again. However, by sponsoring again, we will issue the same review criteria as the prior sponsorship and if it fails, we will follow the same process as before and issue a refund and pull down the sponsorship. We truly appreciate the support of our audience and hope you can help offset our costs of operating this site by sponsoring our site articles.

For all reviews, please exercise discretion. If the sponsor of the article is in conflict of the topic of the article, we will pull down the sponsorship to remove any conflict of interest with the article at-hand. For instance, there is an article about a hamburger restaurant and a competing hamburger restaurant sponsors the article; we will pull the sponsorship and issue a refund.

By clicking the button below, I agree with the Terms & Conditions.