There’s no way to deny that flying can be stressful. Doing the balancing act of putting shoes back on while moving with your other belongings being shoved down the conveyor belt at security is a disagreeable experience. On the plus side, there’s a lower chance of having a Home Alone style sprint through the airport since early arrival is now necessary to make it through security. Add kids into the mix, however, and nothing is certain.

Juggling your children’s suitcases in addition to your own, making sure you both get through security and reclaim all your items, and keeping them from being a disturbance when waiting at the gate is enough to swear off family flights until they are fully grown. While we can’t help you get your kid’s shoes back on after security, we can give some easy tips on keeping them entertained during any layovers this holiday season!

Head to the Bookstore

Always pack books for your child. If they are younger, be sure to bring their favorites that they like to read over and over; this can provided long periods of creative entertainment. However, going to the bookstore at the airport is a great way to spend some layover time. Let each of your children pick out a new book to read for the wait and in the airplane. Many of the stores have coloring books and small, travel games that could be fun for the whole family during the wait. Older children may also like to buy an easy crossword puzzle book or book of brainteasers.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt through the airport can be an incredibly fun activity and use up most of your waiting time. You could be “hunting” for anything! Make a list of different bizarre, fun, but airport appropriate tasks for the kids to do; for example, find someone flying to the Grand Canyon and get a picture. If you are in a big airport, a scavenger hunt could also be a good way to feed the troops; assign different parts of the meal to the groups. Remind the children to always be polite and to not run in the airport!

There’s an App For That…

Try to avoid turning on TV shows or movies on your phone or tablet; those should be saved for the direst of situations or when the kids are forced to stay seated on the airplane. However, your digital device can still be a great source of entertainment. There are tons of educational games available for download. Use this time to let your child practice reading with Dr. Seuss or improve their alphabet knowledge through another application. Just remember that many airports still do not have free Wi-fi, so download any apps you may want before you leave home.

Liz Childers writes about birdhouses for Backyard Chirper and waterproof picnic blankets for Picnic World. 

A camping trip sounds like a great idea, especially since the hot, humid days of summer are just a memory. Camping is a great family activity. Moms, don’t despair! Whether you are new to camping or are a veteran camper, there are ways to enjoy your camping trip without going crazy.

Preparation

Preparation is the key to any successful camping trip. And lists are the key ingredient to preparation. Making lists is one thing that moms know how to do.

• Make a list of the foods you want to take. As you are planning your menus, pick meals that don’t involve a lot of perishable foods. Chili is a great meal that just involves opening cans. Another choice that is similar would be tuna or chicken casserole. It’s best to have these hearty but simple meals when you have a lot of hungry campers.
• Go through each meal and decide what cooking gear you need. It’s best to cook on your portable camping grill and use the campfire for s’mores.
• Don’t forget cleaning equipment too. Choose environmentally friendly, biodegradable soap. Bring plenty of containers to keep your waste in. Paper towels and Handiwipes come in handy too.
• Organize your food into plastic bags, each representing one meal.
• Choose appropriate clothing. It’s best to layer clothes so you can adjust to changing temperatures during the day.
• Don’t forget the big items like your tent and your folding car camp stove. Also, don’t leave your sleeping bags behind. It can get pretty chilly at night time.

Choose Age Appropriate Activities

Choosing age appropriate activities is very important. Moms, you know your children best. If your children are old enough, they should be involved in choosing things to do on the campout.

• Your older children should have some input in the type of campground you choose. Do they have a special interest in swimming, fishing or horseback riding? If you follow their suggestions, you can be assured they won’t be bored.
• If you have babies or toddlers, they will probably be happy with their familiar toys. If you are at a beach or in an area where there is space to dig, buckets, shovels and toy trucks would be appropriate.
• There are lots of activities for school age children. Try to include some nature education in their fun activities. Bring paper and glue and crayons so they can make or draw collages from the rocks, leaves or twigs they find on the ground.
• Purchase a good nature field guide with pictures and learn about the different types of flowers or birds or insects that they are interested in. Bring a digital camera and encourage them to take pictures. Make sure to include the best birding binoculars that you can find. Good binoculars, will help them in their study of birds or even insects.
• Teenagers should be encouraged to journal about their experiences and especially how they feel about what they are doing. The writing can be accompanied by pictures. An album of the trip that includes writing and pictures could become a family treasure.
• Try really hard to leave the electronic devices at home. There are lots of card and board games that will interest everyone and will encourage a lot of family interaction.
• Allow time to sit around the campfire and tell stories and maybe sing a few songs. These are moments that will stay with your family for years to come.

Assign Chores

Everyone likes to feel involved in the trip. Assign chores for each member according to their abilities. Moms, you know best what each child is capable of doing.

• Young children can be responsible for finding kindling for the fire and marshmallow roasting sticks. They can set out the plates and utensils on the picnic table.
• The older children can choose a meal and prepare it. They can be responsible for getting water and bringing it to the campsite. Just make sure they always have a buddy with them.
• Everyone should be involved in cleanup. It’s important to teach children that even though it may not be fun, it still is needed and must be done.
• Your teenagers can even be responsible for setting up the tent. A camping tent with a swing door is a great asset if you have children.
• Of course, everyone can help carrying items from the car to the campsite.
• When it’s time to leave, send out a trash patrol to make sure you have left nothing behind.

A camping trip should be fun and easy for everyone. Proper planning will insure this happens most of the time and Mom won’t be overwhelmed with all the chores. However, if something does go wrong, just roll with it. Often, the goof ups are the things that are remembered and talked about in years to come.

Stephanie is the publisher of Always-Outdoors.com. The website contains many posts and articles on outdoor activities. She also reviews outdoor products.

Boston is known for its history and many monuments pertaining to the foundation of America. But, it’s not all tea parties and men in funny wigs. There is tons of fabulous fun to be had for kids of any age. Here are a few family favourites to pursue in Beantown.

BOSTON DUCK TOURS

Don’t just enjoy the sights alongside Boston’s famous Charles River, get well and truly in it and board one of these famous World War II amphibious landing vehicles. As well as touring famous sites such as the State House, Bunker Hill, Boston Common and Newbury Street, you’ll then splash straight into the Charles and witness amazing views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines. Don’t miss this unique, exhilarating way to enjoy a tour of the city.

FENWAY PARK

Play ball! Bostonians are fanatical about their sports, whether it’s the Celtics, the Patriots or the World Series winning Boston Red Socks. One of the crucibles of baseball, this historic, impressive stadium is a must-see for baseball disciples or total novices alike. On the Fenway Park tour you will see the dugout, the changing rooms, the press box, the playing field, and much more. And if you like what you see, why not hang around and catch a game? You can’t beat the atmosphere of a filled Fenway and the hot dogs always taste better at the ballpark.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

The perfect spot for rugrats of all ages. For over 90 years, the museum has helped educate kids in a hands-on, frequently messy manner. In the Art Studio, your little Leonardo will produce a masterpiece under the guidance of expert instructors. The PlaySpace features tree houses, huge toy trains, bridges, slides and The Messy Sensory. Kid’s TV favourites Arthur and Peep are represented and there are new exhibits arriving all the time. The perfect place to take the family on a rainy Boston afternoon.

BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS

If you get the urge to escape the city for a while, Boston is surrounded by wondrous nature and historic sites all over New England. Take the brief ferry ride from Long Wharf-North and enjoy the majestic Boston skyline as you approach either Georges or Spectacle Islands. There are over 150 activities to enjoy on the islands from hiking to kite flying and beyond. Go wild and take the family on a camping trip in the wilderness. Or explore the rich maritime history of the area with an extensive tour of the island’s lighthouses. Your kids could even become a Junior Ranger and collect island stamps in their Park Passports. You would never know that one of America’s biggest cities is just moments away as you enjoy the hush of the beach or the tranquillity of the forest.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

A must-see stop on any Boston trip with over 700 interactive exhibits, plus movies on a massive IMAX screen, a 3-D Digital Cinema, planetarium and so much more. In fact, it’s so fun, you kids won’t even realise they’re learning! The family can take a journey through space or under the ocean. They can learn everything they ever wanted to know about birds, bees and butterflies. Dinosaurs are fully explored as you’ll meet a T-Rex called Sue, while you can witness Vesuvius blowing it’s top, literally. There is almost too much crammed into this Boston institution – go early and plan to spend the whole day.

Dale Shaw is a freelance writer, currently working Wish. Wish specialise in unique days out and exciting experience days ranging from flying lessons to skydiving. Visit the site to find out more.

For kids who are already strong swimmers in their neighborhood pool, going to the beach can be another story altogether. Water activities are fun for kids of all ages, but to ensure that your family has the best time on your vacation this summer, put these beach safety tips into practice:

1. Watch out for rip currents. Rip currents are often called undertows or rip tides and are areas where the surf pushes water toward the beach while gravity pulls it back at the same time. This creates small surges of moving water offshore that can cause a swimmer to become trapped in an undertow. Unfortunately, up to 80% of drowning deaths are a result of rip currents.

 

To stay safe, spend time on a beach with lifeguards to greatly reduce the risk of danger in the ocean. If the surf is high, then it’s best to stay closer to shore and away from rip currents altogether. Bottom line? Don’t ever fight against a current because you won’t be able to overpower it. Teach your kids to tread water in a current until a lifeguard can bring them back to safety.

2. Don’t float out too far. If your kids have rafts in the ocean, it’s still important that they don’t float out farther than they’re able to swim. It’s possible for kids to slip off of floating devices or lose them altogether, leaving them stranded in deep water.

3. Swim in the daytime. Although shark attacks are very rare, you can minimize your risk of a shark related injury by swimming in the daytime and not wearing shiny jewelry in the water. Most shark bites are thought to be because of prey misidentification where a shark thinks a swimmer is a seal or a fish.

4. Always wear sunscreen! There is nothing that will spoil a vacation sooner than getting a nasty sunburn on your first day. Make sure that your kids load up with waterproof sunblock and reapply regularly, preferably every 30 minutes. When choosing a sunblock, check that it blocks both UVA and UVB rays, which are responsible for aging or burning. This will give your kids the broadest protection and make it less likely for them to burn badly after a day spent out in the sun.

5. Stay hydrated. Last but not least, hot temperatures on the beach make it easy for kids to get dehydrated. Keep cold water and Gatorade in a cooler, and give your kids snacks regularly so that they can keep their energy levels up and prevent exhaustion.

Bethany Ramos works at home full time as a freelance writer, and she also co-owns her own e-commerce website, The Coffee Bump.

Want your kids to love camping like you did as a child?

These great toys with a camping theme will warm them up to it.

Here are some great books that will get them excited about a camping trip:

And don’t forget to bring these kids sized items along with you to the camp site:

You don’t want the kids complaining that it’s ‘too hot’ to go to bed, right?

And, if you’re roughing it in the deep woods, your kids will really appreciate this: