By: Patricia MickusWhen are we going to Disney? This is a question most parents are asked at some point in their child’s life. Then panic starts to set in and it’s the parents asking the questions. How stressful will it be? What age is the right age? What’s it really like to be there with young kids? The thought of taking young children to Disney can be overwhelming. The TV commercials show families enjoying the perfect vacation, but you see overtired, over stimulated, tantrum throwing kids in your head. The good news is that with a little planning and the right perspective, you can have that magical trip you dreamed about. My kids are so young, should I wait until my kids will remember? I often hear people say that they want to wait to do Disney World until their kids are old enough to remember the trip. Personally, I did not take my kids until they were 3 years old. Going to the grocery store with infants was daunting to me so the thought of managing them at Disney was way too big of an adventure. Do my kids remember their first trip at three? No, but I have some great pictures and we all had an awesome time. Timing is a personal choice for each family. Try taking a trip to a local amusement park. Now think how that same trip over a 4-5 day stretch. Disney for some is a once in a lifetime vacation and you want to feel you’re getting your money’s worth. The magic of Disney is never lost on a young child. For a preschooler, that really is Belle just waiting for a hug and Mickey Mouse really has come out just to see them today. Pre-Trip Planning
How does Disney help young families while in the Parks?
Characters
Dining
What are the Challenges with young kids? One of the most important tips I can give is to manage your expectations. Remember, you can’t see and do everything, and that’s OK. Pay attention to your kids' cues, if they are too cranky to wait for the 3pm parade then let them sleep through it. Or better yet, head back to the resort for a few hours and return to the parks refreshed later in the early evening. It’s more important to enjoy the things you do than to try to force everyone to do everything. If you are waiting until your preschooler is older to enjoy Disney, think again! From characters, parades, attractions and shows designed with them in mind, their days will be full of Disney magic. For more tips check out Simple Luxuries Travel’s Pinterest Board - Disney With Toddlers and Preschoolers
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by Micaela WilliamsonHidden amongst the suburban sprawl of Northern Virginia, the lush wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park is one of the best places for wildlife watching. The 1500-acre nature preserve boasts animals such as beavers, frogs, snakes, ducks, turtles, dragonflies, and over 200 species of birds. With its 1/2 mile boardwalk trail, Huntley Meadows Park is a perfect place for families to get out into nature without tiring little legs. Be sure to climb the observation tower to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful surroundings. For those wanting to walk a little more, there is a two-mile interpretive trail system. Since each season brings something new to Huntley Meadows, families will want to visit again and again. Please note that "netting" is not allowed in the park and no wildlife should be captured for observation. After hiking, be sure to stop in the Visitor Center on the way back to the parking lot. The Visitor Center includes interactive exhibits about wetlands, a few small animals, restrooms, a gift shop, auditorium and an information desk with maps and Fairfax County parks literature. Special programs are held in the Visitor Center throughout the year.
Huntley Meadows Park is open year-round from dawn to dusk but please check their website or call ahead for Visitor Center hours. Every year on the Saturday before Halloween, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum hosts its annual “Air & Scare” Family Day at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. Families can enjoy safe, indoor trick-or-treating and spooky activities for all ages at this popular free event.
by Micaela WilliamsonIn the spirit of the many free Smithsonian museums and facilities in the Washington DC region, Smithsonian Magazine is celebrating its tenth annual Museum Day! on September 27, 2014. During this one day, more than 1,500 museums across the United Staes will offer free admission to those who download a Museum Day Live! ticket. Each ticket grants the ticket holder (plus one guest) free access to any of the participating museums on September 27th.
To see the current list of museums, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday/venues. “Museum Day Live! embodies Smithsonian’s commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone,” says Stephen Giannetti, VP Advertising Sales and Marketing at Smithsonian Media. “For a decade, we’ve partnered with a wonderful array of museums – from the small and niche, to world-renowned institutions – and are looking forward to welcoming more guests this year than ever before.” For more information, please visit: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/ by Micaela Williamson Do you have an idol? My kids have two...Martin and Chris...the Wild Kratts. For the past couple of years, my kids have been obsessed with the Wild Kratts. In fact, they are hoping the Wild Kratts retire in 20 years so they can take over their show and call it "Wild Williamsons." When I found out the all new theatrical stage show Wild Kratts Live! featuring the Kratt brothers is beginning its tour in the U.S. and Canda, I felt like I had stumbled upon a goldmine. About the show: WILD KRATTS – LIVE! is an all new theatrical stage show based on the hit animated television series Wild Kratts. Martin and Chris Kratt, stars of the Emmy-nominated Wild Kratts step out LIVE ON STAGE to engage the audience in a classic Wild Kratts storyline. First, they start off in their "Tortuga" headquarters and receive word that an animal is in trouble. The brothers put on their Creature power vests and gloves and go off on the Creature Rescue. The show also features Wild Kratts characters, Aviva, the intelligent and level-headed inventor who always helps out the Kratt brothers, and the comical villian Zach and his robots. Along with the storyline, expect some "Wow Facts" about animals and multimedia video footages as Martin and Chris rescue the animal and return it to “live free and in the wild!” Wild Kratts Live US Tour Datesby Micaela WilliamsonThe Northern Virginia area is filled with many wonderful fall events, but sometimes the admission prices for the whole family can get hefty. For those looking to have some fall fun on a budget, check out one of these upcoming FREE Fall Festivals:
Fall Lakes FallFest September 27, 2014 1 PM-4 PM Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax, VA Free! Families will love this festival, packed with a live animal show, musical and dance groups, a free train ride, community booths, giant inflatables, carnival games and more! Fairfax County fire and police vehicles will be on display. Plus, tasty food and artisan crafts will be for sale. View the full schedule of entertainment online here. Clarendon Day September 27, 2014 11 AM-5 PM Clarendon, VA Free Lots of talented artisans and yummy local restaurants will be at Clarendon Day. Kids can climb, play, bounce, and have a blast in the special Kids' Zone. There is also face-painting, storytelling, kids' performers, and few surprises. Everyone can take advantage of the live entertainment too! c Manassas Fall Jubilee October 4, 2014 10 AM-5 PM Old Town Manassas Free! Now in its 32nd year, this year’s Jubilee will include an assortment of live entertainment for both kids and adults. With over 100 crafter and community booths, live music and entertainment, wine tastings, farmer’s market, children’s rides and activities and a pumpkin patch (sponsored by Wegmans Food Markets) you are sure to find something for everyone in the family! Fall for Fairfax October 4 & 5, 2014 10 AM-7 PM (Sat,) 10 AM-5PM (Sun) Free This is a massive festival that is free to attend. All entertainment and most programs are also free of charge. Some activities have a minimal fee to participants, which are indicated within their activity descriptions. The festival includes amazing train displays by the National Capital Trackers, a free ride on the trackless train, a petting zoo, rides, community booths, hands-on kids' crafts, and top notch entertainment such as The Great Zucchini, Mad Science, Wildlife Ambassadors and many more. This is a fun event geared towards toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary school aged children. Art on the Avenue October 4, 2014 10 AM-6 PM Mount Vernon Avenue (Del Ray,) Alexandria Free Here visitors can experience over 300 artisans, taste amazing gourmet food and be entertained with live music and children’s activities. Artist will be displaying and selling handmade items such as glassware, baskets, jewelry, hats, tiles, paintings, and much more. Kids will enjoy the Kids’ Art corner with over a dozen activities hands on activities. The whole event is jam packed with live entertainment, and the special children’s stage features dance and musical groups, a magic act, and a puppet show. SterlingFest October 11, 2014 Sterling Park, VA Free SterlingFest is a free admission community event filled with a variety of foods, crafts, businesses, community booths, and vendors. Children will love interactive activities and rides, and local entertainers, such as the Sterling Playmakers, will charm the whole crowd. Clifton Day October 12, 2014 9 AM- 5PM Clifton, VA Free Visit quaint and historic Clifton for a festival packed with artisans, unique products, antiques, children's activities, and entertainment. For added fun, ride the VRE train from Burke or Manassas. Merrifield Fall Festival October 18, 2014 11 AM- 6 PM Mosaic District Free This year the festival will feature: food vendors, a pumpkin patch, a beer garden, musical entertainment, craft vendors, local artists, and children’s activities and rides at the fun Mosaic District. Air and Scare-Smithsonian Air & Space October 25, 2014 2 PM-7 PM Udvar-Hazy Museum, Chantilly, VA (Must pay for parking,) Free admission Dress up in your costume for this fun, safe, indoor trick or treating option. The event includes kids' crafts, science themed activities, characters from Star Wars & Ghostbusters, storytelling and more. Plus, all the great regular museum exhibits are also open. Father – Son Road Trip: A review of the Frontier Culture Museum and Natural Bridge Park, VA9/4/2014 by Jay WilliamsonShe left us.
Alone. For the weekend. And not just any weekend, but Labor Day weekend – marking the end of summer and the start of school, possibly the longest of the long weekends. The boys have already done many of the things on Kid Trips’ list of 100 things for Kids to Do in Northern Virginia this summer. I hate traffic, bridges, tolls, tunnels, and any highway ending with a “5.” I need a plan, something epic and worthy of the weekend. A place that will leave them too tired to notice 4 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a row. I sit down at my computer and open my saved pages to Virginia.org’s list of 11 Award-Winning Virginia Craft Breweries. I think to myself that this may be the most important list I’ll read all month. Reading further I discover the Virginia has four craft beer trails. Devils Backbone Brewing Company and Blue Mountain Brewery both seem like great destinations for a father-son road trip. Unfortunately, while my boys aren’t old enough to drink, they are also too young to drive me home. I need to focus and find something fast, before they wake up. Staring at the map I see my opportunity in the mountains, just off Route 81. Story time is an essential and recommended part of family life, and now with the new Story Bug App by Cricket Media, kids and grownups can read a book or magazine together, even when they're apart. This is perfect for traveling or deployed parents or those with long distance relatives. The app combines video chat with an interactive reader and is now available for iPad and iPhones.
Story Bug users can choose from a customizable library of digital books geared towards concepts for children aged 0-6. Titles at launch include "Favorite Mother Goose Rhymes," a collection of favorite children's rhymes such as Little Miss Muffet, Jack and Jill, Old Kind Cole, Pop Goes the Weasel and more; "The One with the Freckle," a story about a little boy who learns to have fun without his twin brother on his first day of kindergarten; and "Big Sister's Goodnight," a story about a big sister who helps her baby sister get ready for bed. "We are thrilled to introduce the new Story Bug app for iOS," said Katya Andresen, CEO, Cricket Media. "Family members and friends have long turned to Cricket Media and our award winning library to entertain, enlighten and inspire children. Now with Story Bug, kids and their loved ones have a wonderful way to connect and come together to share the experience of reading our content whether they are in different rooms, different towns or different countries." The Story Bug App is available for free from the App Store on the iPhone or iPad or at http://bit.ly/1whBUU3. Users receive two books for free when downloading the app, and can subscribe to access dozens of other books, with more added each month, for $4.99 per month, $14.99 per six months, or $24.99 per year. Individual titles are also available for purchase at $2.99 each. By Heather Lataille Imagine a circus that is easy to get to, ample free parking, and everyone has the same ringside view. The Flying Circus Aerodrome and Air Show in Bealton, VA is just such a place. It offers a wonderful day of family fun every Sunday from May through October. It’s a relaxing 90 minute car ride away going west on 66 from the District line (use “5114 Ritchie Road” in the GPS). The show starts at 2:20pm, lasts about 90 minutes, and you won’t want miss any part of it. On our arrival just after the start of the show, we were greeted by a boy offering to guide us to the appropriate ticket window. Tickets cost $15/adult, $7.00 /child aged 5-12, and children 5 & under are free. As we rolled down the window, the car was filled with the smell of pasture. We were quickly distracted by the first plane to take off. We - mom, dad, big brother (4) and little brother (1 ½) - hurried to gather our things for the short walk to the airfield: the stroller; plenty of water; hats; sunglasses; sunscreen; camera; phones; chairs; and snacks. Bring cash for Fifi’s Cafe if you want to re-live the Hawaiian honeymoon with shave ice. We moved quickly to the main event. The spectators lined chairs along the wooden cow fence that divided them from the airfield. The experienced ones had umbrellas to shade them from the summer sun. Others occupied the wooden bleachers provided by the Circus. Several biplanes parked on the field about the size of two football fields. Others had their engines on and propellers spinning. The master of ceremonies fit the part. At times I felt that I was living in the Midwest in the 1950s watching pilots that were my neighbors. This show was authentic, and unlike other circuses I’ve been to, I didn’t feel like I ever needed to cover my children’s eyes or ears. The depth of information made the show feel like a visit to a museum but was as enjoyable as a day at a theme park With each act, there was something new. A parachutist opened the show as we all sang the national anthem. My children loved watching the biplanes compete to see which of them could pop more balloons with their propellers. Acrobatic flying was my favorite part of the show and Scott Francis is definitely as good or better on the stick than the “Blue Angels.” On the day we went, it was also the first day of a hot air balloon festival, which was an added bonus. It was completely awesome to watch the individual balloon teams inflate their balloons and take off. The scene was out of the “Wizard of Oz” and made me feel like a kid again. During the show, the M.C. passed off the mic to one of the captains of the teams and we learned the history of hot air ballooning and how it works. Don’t miss the chance to meet all of the pilots after the show. Ask them questions they have probably heard a million times because you don’t know the answers. It feels so much better than asking Google, and think of the example you are giving your kids. The miniature plane ride (picture a tractor pulling child-sized bi-planes) only costs $1.00 and is great for younger children. Before you leave, make sure to climb on the gigantic mound of turned earth on the south side of the airfield. We didn’t purchase tickets for the individual plane rides ($50-$140) before or after the show, but we definitely will plan to take the kids to do that when they are older. Children 5 and up will love this show. If you want to make this trip even more memorable, check out a few aviation-themed books from the library a couple weeks before you plan to go. Both of these books: “Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic” and “To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers” fit the theme. You could also download Little Mammoth Media’s “The Big Air Show” to get a preview of what lies ahead. The Flying Circus in Bealton, Virginia allows you to get closer to the action than many of the larger shows, and is an outing you and your family are not going to forget. About the Author: Heather Lataille is training to be a Montessori Guide for children from birth to 3. She runs Planes Child Care from her home in Falls Church by Micaela WilliamsonMy Gym is the number one ranked place for fun children's fitness classes! Personally, my youngest child, a preschooler, has been enrolled in My Gym classes for over a year. I have enjoyed watching how much he has grown socially and developed his gross motor skills. My child looks forward to his My Gym class every week, and as a parent and former early childhood educator, I love their interactive, positive fitness programs! Here in Northern VA all the gyms are offering a special Enrollment Week from August 25-30, 2014. During this week only, new families can get a free, lifetime membership and $25 off the first month of classes. Returning members (not currently enrolled in classes) will also receive $25 off your first month of classes when you re-enroll! If you're currently enrolled in classes, you'll get $25 off your next 4 weeks of classes for every friend you refer who enrolls (just have them mention you when they sign up!) Fall is a great time to get back to routines, including active and healthy programs to balance out children’s lives. What better time than Back to School to reintroduce fitness to your family? Check out the great programs at one of the 4 Northern Virginia My Gym locations:
Disclosure: The My Gym Northern VA locations are a sponsor of this blog. All opinions are our own. |
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