Latest news with #travelwithkids
Condé Nast Traveler
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Condé Nast Traveler
7 Most Toddler-Friendly Destinations in the US
When I documented the 88-day, 14-country trip around the world that I took with my 2.5-year-old son for Traveler's limited-edition family travel newsletter, I was asked two things on an endless loop. The first was some variation of 'Are you nuts?!' The second, from justifiably intimidated parents, was usually, 'Is there anywhere closer to home you recommend for toddlers?' Jury's still out on that first question but on the second I say, 'Yes! So many.' I couldn't have pulled off such an ambitious global trip if not for having plenty of practice in the US first. Though Julian's first big vacation—San Diego at 10.5 months old—was mildly disastrous, I kept pushing us. If I've learned anything from traveling extensively with a tiny, irrational human, it's to try, try again. Nothing with kids lasts forever. What follows are seven of my favorite U.S. getaways for toddlers. They offer vastly different experiences (Giraffes! Submarines! Fry Bread!) but have one thing in common: These destinations are as much fun for us parents as the kids we're so desperate to entertain. San Antonio, Texas Years before our son was born, my husband and I made a 16-month, 40-state, 229-city road trip across the US to uncover our next hometown. We kept a spreadsheet ranking our top picks and ultimately settled on Minneapolis. Coming in second was San Antonio, so naturally I was stoked to experience it anew with my toddler last summer. Merciless heat aside, it was every bit as vibrant as I had remembered and still boasts the tastiest food and friendliest locals. The 15-mile-long river walk with its riverside paths lined with beautiful trees is a popular attraction is San Antonio. Anna Breaux/Unsplash What to eat, see, and do The San Antonio Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country, housing more than 750 species, but it has newer attractions as well. Of special note is Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot, a 1.5-acre space designed for the 5-and-under set that includes a butterfly rainforest and interactive play area with faux fishing ponds and a mud kitchen. Spring for a giraffe feeding or kangaroo meet-and-greet, or join the drive-through safari at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a sprawling park with upward of 500 animals (zebras, bongos, and ostriches—oh my!) on the outskirts of town. Creature features aside, we had a blast exploring the sensory-friendly rides and attractions at Morgan's Wonderland, the world's first 'ultra-accessible' theme park; romping through a black-lit, artist-designed ball pit and more than a dozen other installations at immersive art gallery Hopscotch; and sipping micheladas from Künstler Tap Haus while Julian explored the toddler play area and splash pad at Hemisfair, the redeveloped site of the 1968 World's Fair. From the succulent Flinstonian beef rib at Pinkerton's Barbecue to the mushroom shawarma at Ladino, eating our faces off was another favorite pastime. The fluffy conchas at La Panadería and breakfast tacos at Con Huevos Tacos are both essential eating. Where to stay
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
14 Comics That Sum Up The Hell That Is Traveling With Kids
Family vacations sound like a nice idea, but the reality can be a frustrating logistical mess. Between the transit challenges, irrational kid complaints and total meltdowns, traveling with kids becomes a Herculean endeavor. But at the end of the day (or weeklong 'vacation'), all you can do is laugh about it. Here are 14 hilarious comics that capture the struggles of taking a trip with kids. Mom Comic Science of Parenthood Unearthed Comics/Sara Zimmerman Line Severinsen/Kos og Kaos Everyday People Cartoons Science of Parenthood Everyday People Cartoons Science of Parenthood Hedger Humor Line Severinsen/Kos og Kaos Hedger Humor Hedger Humor Mom Comic Fowl Language Comics 21 Too-Real Comics That Capture The Highs And Lows Of Breastfeeding Mom's Parenting Cartoons Will Have You Nodding In Solidarity 21 Hilarious Comics That Sum Up Back-To-School Season
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Parents are brutally slammed for leaving toddler at home while taking newborn on vacation
A couple has been brutally slammed online after they chose to take their baby on vacation, but left their toddler at home. Georgia and Chris Brown, both 30, from the UK, booked a four-day trip for three to Morocco. Four-month-old, Harry, went with his parents while George, two, stayed at home with his grandmother. The pair say they wanted 'one-on-one time' with Harry that wouldn't be possible with a toddler in tow. Business consultant Georgia and sales executive Chris took George to Sorrento, Italy, when he was a baby. They said they wanted Harry to have a similar trip, where he could be the centre of attention. 'We wanted to have that one-on-one time with Harry,' Georgia told What's the Jam recently. 'George's first holiday was all about him and we wanted that experience with Harry. 'When you have a toddler, it's a very different experience because you're always looking out for them. 'He's running wild and his brother sits in the back seat a lot of the time.' The mother-of-two added that the baby is often forced to follow his older brother's routine, and the youngster's life 'very much revolves around' what the toddler is doing. 'For example, I may have to wake Harry up from a nap to take George on a play date,' she shared. Chris booked the trip as a surprise for Georgia's birthday, and she was surprised when she saw that only one child was coming on the holiday. But in the end she agreed it would be best for all of them. Georgia said: 'Dads can struggle to bond at the beginning. He's the default parent to George because I'm breastfeeding Harry. 'Chris doesn't get to spend that much time with Harry because he's back at work so it gave him that time as well. 'It was a surprise that George wasn't coming and when he gave me the ticket and I saw one child, I thought "Where's the other one?" 'But I understood and thought it was quite sweet when he explained. 'George is a very loved baby so I never thought it would hurt him or he wouldn't have a great time with his gran.' Georgia shared a clip of her on holiday with Chris and Harry on TikTok and was bombarded with comments branding her a 'bad parent' over their decision to leave George behind. 'It's crazy, I didn't expect it to get the reaction it did,' reflected the UK-based mom. 'So many people have said we're bad parents, we shouldn't be parents and shouldn't have had a second child. 'People were saying "that poor boy," and that he'll grow up and never speak to me again. 'They said he'd tell the story in counselling. I was wondering if I was a bad parent but I'm absolutely not and I'm not going to listen to these people who think it's OK to put other people down. 'Other people said we can't handle the toddler but we can. We have a toddler and do handle him. 'A lot of moms were commenting. Moms know this is the hardest job in the world so the fact there's so many women putting me down because they don't agree with it is crazy. 'People are saying it'll really impact him and he'll remember. The boy cant remember what he had for dinner.' Georgia added that George is extremely 'independent' and that they 'FaceTimed him every day' during the trip. 'He wasn't crying asking where I was, he was telling us what he'd been doing,' she dished. 'I can't let it get to me because these people don't know me and are just online bullies.' Trolls also accused the couple of choosing to take one child on vacation because they couldn't afford to take both, which Georgia denied. She continued: 'About 100 people said, "Just admit that you couldn't afford to take both." 'I don't need to justify myself to them but that's not the case. Some people said that they would love to do it but they can only afford one holiday a year so they take all the children.' Georgia explained that despite the online abuse, she doesn't regret her decision. The North African holiday was back in March and the family have been on holiday as a four twice since to Germany and Ireland. She concluded: 'I'm so glad we did it. It was lovely. I genuinely don't care about all the hate I've got because we had an amazing time. 'People said the baby will never remember but me and Chris will remember. 'My mom and sister took care of George at ours so he wasn't disrupted and he had a great time. 'He went to the zoo, and went to his cousins to make pizza. He had an amazing time and it was amazing that my mom was able to spend time with George.'
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Travel + Leisure
18-05-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I Traveled Internationally With 3 Kids Under 5—and Thrived Thanks to These Tips
There's a misconception that once you have children, you can no longer travel, or, if you do, it will be too stressful to be worth it. Reader, I'm here to tell you this couldn't be further from reality. Some of my family's happiest memories are from our travels abroad: marveling at the Eiffel Tower on a summer night, making pasta together in Italy, jumping into the Mediterranean at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, which our children affectionately call "the pool house." Traveling is a wonderful way to connect with and enrich young imaginations, but as any parent will understand, the journey can quickly descend into chaos without the proper preparation. And with three kids under five that have collectively visited six different countries (including our home country of New Zealand—a 17-hour flight from New York), we have experienced a lot of trial and error over the years. The main things to consider when planning are what to pack, the travel logistics, and the destination. (Should you settle for a Caribbean all-inclusive over Capri, or is Disney World the only place that's actually exciting for kids?) From airport survival techniques to crafting itineraries around routines, these are my top insider tips for traveling with toddlers and babies. Create an itemized list of the most cumbersome items that you'll need; The Doona convertible car seat and a fold-up travel stroller are always at the top of our list (we alternate between the Yo-Yo and the Silver Cross Jet), followed by kids' carry-on suitcases with fun prints (State Bags and Pottery Barn have some great options). Invest in backpacks with luggage sleeves and load them up with essentials for the flight: a change of clothes, something warm, hand sanitizer, diapers, wet wipes, snacks, coloring books, and non-noisy, mess-free toys. If you're pumping, portability is key; I used to use the Willows or the Elvie inserts but have found the Zomee to be the most effective, even if you do have big bottles protruding from your chest (concealed with a nursing cover, in my case). And to limit excess bulk, leave the nursing pillow behind and request an extra cushion when you board the flight; it's all about minimizing the items to keep track of while having access to everything you'll need. Sudden turbulence has been making headlines lately, and since not all airlines offer infant seatbelts, I would advise buying a baby flight vest to keep little ones secure; we have the Baby B'Air, which is sturdy and functional. A toddler sits and on top of a suitcase with her your way through the airport is undoubtedly the most challenging part, but I cannot overstate what an absolute game changer American Airlines' Five Star Service is for families. On a recent (and perhaps overly ambitious) trip to Europe, we were equipped with seven suitcases, four duffel bags, and two strollers—a moving circus from the outset. However, once we arrived at JFK, we were met curbside by an AA representative who engaged with the children and escorted us through a check-in that felt more like a luxury hotel lobby than a major international airport. From there, we breezed through security in an expedited line and arrived at the glossy new Greenwich Lounge, which offers a la carte dining, sophisticated relaxation spaces with nursing areas, and Champagne on tap. No hustle, no halogen-lit halls, and no reason for the dreaded toddler tantrums that travel often triggers. Getting on the actual plane is usually a mad scramble for families, too, but we were ushered to the gate with attendants who assisted with our luggage and happily sang along to The Wheels on the Bus— something that we had no energy for after a 3:00 a.m. start. They took us all the way onto the plane first and ensured that everything was stowed away securely. Et Voila! This simple add-on improved the experience immensely , but the real advantage was when we arrived in Rome and the driver was nowhere to be found. He didn't speak English, and we don't speak Italian, and instead of standing at the arrivals hall, he was waiting in a car park a mile away. We would have been lost without the AA attendants at Fiumicino Airport, who coordinated with him and helped to keep everything together while happily entertaining the toddlers. A family walking together in the airport. If you can, book a flight that aligns with sleep schedules. We often take red-eye flights to Europe, and the nighttime routine can generally remain the same, but for the bath: dinner, book, bed (and perhaps some games and cartoons pre-loaded onto an iPad). Plan to nurse or bottle-feed during take-off and landing to ease ear pain from the change in cabin pressure, and, if accessible, book the bassinet in advance. For older kids, Stokke's JetKids Bedbox is a worthwhile investment, but be sure to check that the airline will allow it. And if you're flying business class, check the plane model when you're booking as some have more modern cabins with closing doors for added privacy (Air France and Delta both have this option). It goes without saying that planes are a hotbed of germs, so I always carry a pack of Lysol wipes and sanitize the seat area as soon as we board. Another tip? Have the kids wear slip-on shoes rather than lace-ups, and pack disposable slippers so they're not making bathroom trips in socks that will absorb everything. Pre-arrange everything that you can at the hotel: the crib, the diaper pail, baby toiletries, a bottle warmer, and a baby bath. To free up even more suitcase space, ship diapers ahead of your arrival and any formula or purees you may need. There is a huge difference between hotels that simply allow children and those that truly value them as guests, but more luxury hotels are prioritizing families, and some are masters of anticipating their needs. Take Airelles Chateau de la Messardiere, where rooms are equipped with play tents, new toys, Bonpoint bath amenities, macarons, and freshly prepared food. Once young jetsetters have settled in, they can board the choo-choo train down to the kids' club and unleash their creativity with a variety of musical instruments, a costume center, a games arcade, and a farm where they can play with animals and collect eggs to bake cakes with. It's worth connecting with the concierge to inquire about children's activities that you can sign up for (e.g. Antigua's Jumby Bay offers kids' wildlife safaris; Amanyara has exclusive science camps), and also to coordinate trusted local babysitting services for a child-free dinner, which you are bound to want at some point, even if, like us, you have a martini in one hand and the Nanit live-streaming on your phone in the other.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
My family's traveled to 44 states, but no place has wowed us as much as this Southwestern city
I travel with my husband and son often, and we've been to 44 states and over two dozen countries. Of all the places we've been, Las Vegas is one of our favorite family-friendly travel spots. We love Sin City's array of over-the-top experiences and proximity to natural wonders. As a travel writer and mom, many people ask me about the best place to take kids on vacation. After visiting 44 states and more than two dozen countries with my son and husband, my answer is still always Las Vegas. Although Sin City has a distinctively grown-up reputation, the abundance of over-the-top experiences found in this Southwestern hot spot also makes it an ideal spot to take kids of all ages. My tween has been numerous times over the years, and he's always asking to go back. Plus, our whole family enjoys it. Here's why we love it so much and think it's a great travel destination for families. On a recent trip to Nevada, we got a room at the Paris Las Vegas for just under $100 a night. Fortunately, I've found that deals on opulent accommodations like these aren't hard to come by in Vegas, especially when traveling during the offseason. Plus, we later got upgraded to a 1,000-square-foot suite complete with epic views of the Sphere entertainment arena and its fun projections. Even my tween was impressed. No matter where we stay, we love walking along the Strip and exploring the fun, elaborately themed resorts in Las Vegas. Whether we're riding the roller coaster at New York-New York Hotel, eating at the epic Caesars Palace buffets, or watching the Bellagio fountain show, we never run out of fun things to do at these mega-hotels. Vegas is widely known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World," and the city's ever-evolving array of shows and experiences means that there's always something new to discover. We've loved the jaw-dropping acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, the head-scratching magic tricks of Penn & Teller, and the awe-inspiring interactive art installations at Meow Wolf's Omega Mart. As my son grows and his tastes and interests change, we can continue to explore even more of the city's varied offerings. It's refreshing to have a vacation destination with so many options for fun. The glitz and glamour of neon lights is exciting, but we don't have to go far to get away from the bustling city. As a family, we've made unforgettable memories exploring the colorful towers of Seven Magic Mountains, which are about 25 minutes from downtown Vegas. We've also had fun hiking in the otherworldly Valley of Fire State Park that's just about an hour from the Strip. Vegas is also conveniently located near several otherworldly landmarks and parks. Our family has made a day trip out of the two-hour drive from Vegas to California's Death Valley National Park. Plus, we've driven two hours from Vegas to Utah's Zion National Park, passing magnificent red-rock canyons and snowy sandstone cliffs along the way. As avid road trippers, there are few drives we've taken that rival this one in terms of epic scenery. Exploring these remote desert landscapes makes us feel like we're worlds away from the big city — but we can still easily enjoy Vegas' award-winning food and resorts at the end of the night. Fortunately, nonstop flights from our home in Orlando to Las Vegas are both plentiful and affordable. I've seen round-trip flights on discount carriers like Spirit and Frontier go for as little as $120. These low prices only entice me to plan yet another glittering getaway to this Southwestern city. Read the original article on Business Insider
