Want your kids to get interested in history? Let them step back into it and try it on for size. We visit America’s Historic Triangle and enjoy more than just American history. How about history mixed with roller coasters and cannon fire. Hear how Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg make for a great family vacation that teaches US history in a unique interactive manner focused on children and families. We even get our roller coaster fix in at Busch Gardens Williamsburg!
During a trip to Washington DC, children learn that freedom has a cost and that cost can be very high. Learn how to instill a lesson that helps your child to understand the cost of freedom and the history of the United States. On our quick one-day trip, we were able to see as much as we did thanks to the Old Town Trolley company. Their trolleys took us directly to the places we wanted to visit on our one day blitz of the nation’s capital.
We visit the world’s largest aquarium exhibit and swim with the fishes at the Georgia Aquarium. We were able to see amazing sites like Whale Sharks, Rays, Piranhas, Lion Fish, Beluga Whales and More! Hear how the kids enjoyed the trip!
Whether you are traveling to historic places like D.C. or just visiting the local historic locations, a bit of preparation can help your children really absorb and enjoy the history they will see. We share insights and tips on what to do to prepare: things like reading historic fiction, watching documentaries, discussing family stories, sharing pictures of you as a child in those places and many more tips help bring historic travel to life for kids and give them mental hooks they can hang their experience on to savor for years.
Traveling with children, parents and grandparents can be a bonding experience but it can also be difficult on the nerves. Learn what to expect and how to set everyone’s expectations so that your trip is a bonding experience and not a blow up.
We found a hidden treasure for vacations and family reunions where you can see ancient ruins up close, swim and have access to dozens of national parks and monuments. Blanding, Utah–the name sounds bad, but the place is amazing. Listen and learn where you might want to plan your next vacation.
The Abajo Haven Guest Cabins was our Base Camp and Bill was our incredible guide and amazing chef. His ranch and his family are wonderful! His knowledge of the area in encyclopedic. And his ribs are delicious!
Nancy, her kids and her mom experience Grand Canyon West on the Hualapai Reservation in Arizona. This is not the Grand Canyon you remember from childhood–there are cowboys and Native Americans, cultural experiences, great food, hikes and of course the Skywalk–4,000 feet above the Colorado. Listen to their experience and plan a trip! It was a amazing.
They take too long, cost too much and are too much work. Are vacations and holiday times worth it for the family? Why not just stay home? We discuss why they are important even when the family gets stuck in a blizzard driving across Oklahoma or running to catch a connecting flight in 10 minutes.
Nancy and her family just returned from Florida. Hear about the trip and what everyone liked best. There are tips to make your next trip enjoyable. Also, see the video podcast of Alex at Disney YES and see Nancy’s other podcasts at www.iseekissimmee.com.
We’ve done a show on Disney YES and here is a video of our experience of the program! It was a hit once Alex woke up and realized that school at Disney would be fun! Our teacher Tabia was incredibly energetic and happy while still teaching the kids great info. Tabia taught the kids about the first 18 presidents of the US and the challenges they faced creating the nation, keeping it together, and then expanding it West. We were allowed behind the scenes at the Hall of Presidents where we got to meet the presidents up close and personal–you could see every hair on the heads of their animatronic doubles. We also rode Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain before the park opened to other visitors–I really appreciated that later in the day when the wait was 60 minutes (I thought WDW was supposed to NOT be crowded in October)!
NOTE: The YES Program only recently opened to individual students and their families and is only available on select days but you should check and see if your dates coincide with YES programs because your school-aged kids 6 and older get an exciting experience in the park behind the scenes (along with a chaperon) and your entire family gets discounted park tickets (our discount was 50% off the regular ticket price—an incredible savings). Fore more information, check out their website at http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/ and check out my podcast where I interview the YES Marketing Director about the program and learn more details at http://www.themompodcast.com/2010/10/03/educational-opportunities-and-disney/
Disneyland and DisneyWorld have an exciting opportunity for families (and a huge discount!). Listen as we discuss the Youth Education Series with Christine DeMichael, Marketing Manager for Disney Youth Programs.
The YES Program allows children from age 5 to Grade 12 participate in an educational experience at a Disney park (ones that are usually reserved only for school groups). Not only do kids get to participate in a great program, but the participants, parents and other family members get to purchase tickets at the deeply discounted group rates (for us it was a discount of 50% off the regular ticket price and saved us $600).
Amy Eastman, creator of Growing Up Disney, shares insights and answers Nancy’s questions about DisneyWorld. She shares tips for where to eat and play, how to use Rider Swap and PhotoPass, and what a Hidden Mickey is. If you are thinking about going to WDW, listen and learn some great tips.
Amy Suggests:
Take a stroller even if your kids already walk because they get tired
Check out Tusker House for a meal in Animal Kingdom
Get reservations for dining months in advance if you can (we can’t)
If you can get it, check out the Crystal Palace
Guest Relations at the front of the park is extremely helpful and will be able to tell you if anyone has reservations open
Don’t miss the World Showcase
Check out It’s Tough to Be a Bug and Turtle Talk with Crush
Go on a morning safari so the animals are out
The Festival of the Lion King is a great show
If you have a car lover, check out Lights, Action, Motors
Look for the Hidden Mickey’s all over the park (there is a guide book to help)
Thinking about a trip to Sunny Florida? We’re talking with Jill Martin, Family Travel blogger for VisitFlorida.com. You’ll learn where to nurse your baby and fun places in addition to Disney World. We’ll even talk about educational opportunities in Orlando and Cape Canaveral (only an hour away)! Get your bags packed!
