I recently came back from a trip to San Francisco, where for 3 glorious days, I had some R & R with my husband, before I covered the PBS Annual Meeting started. We played tourist and had a wonderful time.

But one thing I didn’t have to worry about was my purse. I tested out Travelon’s Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag and knew things were much more secure.

I prefer cross body bags, because I can walk around lighter and with just the essentials. But I worry about being a target of theft, a determined thief can slash straps and panels. However, after I saw Travelon’s products, I thought their bags would be perfect for worry-free traveling. Plus, I knew my credit cards were safe inside (there’s RFID blocking card and passport slots).

Note – this is not a high fashion bag, it’s a black nylon-ish bag from Travelon’s classic line. However, the size, body length, and functionality was perfect. I would love to see this design in a slightly fancier fabric, with the exact same size, dimensions and features.

I am very picky about cross body length and the Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder bag was able to extend to a comfy length. And since this mini shoulder bag is perfect for traveling, it’s going to be my travel handbag. But if I was going to be running around a touristy area, I would definitely use this for the day.

How it actually worked: 

I did keep the front compartment locked and it did ease my mind that I could do that. I felt safer. With this bag, that’s where you should keep any valuables. It’s not completely sealed shut, you can slip a finger in, but not your whole hand.

I liked the flap on the outside of the bag. I kept my MAC compact and lipstick in that compartment.

On the other side of the bag, there’s another zippered compartment. I kept gum and my extra mobile battery.

Thank you to Travelon for providing the Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag for review. 

Travel Safety Tips, courtesy of Travelon

-Tourist spots, public transportation stations and restaurants are notorious hangouts for pickpockets and thieves. Always be aware of your surroundings. Be wary of sudden crowds or commotions around you,  these are often designed to catch you off guard.  

-Pickpockets often work in teams where one member diverts your attention elsewhere while the second member picks your pocket.

-Keep a small amount of cash in your pocket and avoid showing large sums of money in public. Use an anti-theft bag like Travelon or an undercover waist pack to keep your money secure.

-Every summer day around 100 tourists will be victimized near Rome’s Spanish Steps, the Coliseum, and the Vatican.

What travel safety tips would you add to this list?

Since this review posted, I’ve switched to Travelon’s Classic North South Crossbody Bag, which has more room AND space for a small water bottle. I use it for travel and every day and find it’s the perfect bag for me!

My middle kid always refuses to carry any kind of bag, but before they went on their semester abroad last spring, I convinced them to try the Travelon Essentials North South Bag and they keep using it.

Buy on Amazon.

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The Details

There are 190 miniature twinkling, plant-based replicas of famous NYC landmarks. Remember that unless there is a sign saying it’s okay, don’t touch the trains. Unfortunately kids keep doing that and it derails the trains – however, the employees keep an eye on this and we saw them fixing multiple trains. There are several trains that kids can touch – most are located outside before you go into the main area.

Check out our video!

There is Stroller Parking

There is stroller parking, as no strollers are allowed inside. If you have a tiny one, either carry them or take a fabric baby carrier with you. The Holiday Train show is too crowded and the pathways are much too narrow to let a stroller through. Your stroller is also a great place to stash your jackets, as the Haupt Conservatory is very warm for the plants that are inside.

Your railroad obsessed kids will be thrilled, plus there are lots of places to run around outside. Hit the nearby snack bar for some sweet treats and hot cocoa after you go! The snack bar is to the right of the NYBG Shop, which is filled with souvenirs, toys and even Santa from on Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 21–December 31, 2024.

Make sure to bundle up and bring your family to the Holiday Train Show! Now through January 20st. Plan your visit at NYBG.org and make sure to get your tickets in advance on their website as the Holiday Train Show sells out. We recommend taking public transportation as parking may be tough at times. 

Prices for the Holiday Train Show with Grounds Access
Adults are $39
Seniors are $35
Students are $35 (School ID necessary)
Kids (2-12) are $27
Kids under 2 are free.

If you don’t want to go to the Holiday Train Show, prices are much less for NYC residents (but they will check at the Haupt Conservatory to make sure you have tickets for the Holiday Train Show.

Membership

If you want to get into the Holiday Train show for free, we recommend becoming a member. Family memberships are $155 and if you are a family of 5 like we are, you will spend more than that anyway. Memberships pay for themselves usually pay for themselves even if you visit 2x a year.

Santa and Elf Photos

If you are looking to take Santa photos, head over to the NYBG Shop on Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 21–December 31, 2024.
https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/photos-with-santa-at-nybg-shop/

Adults Only

After dark, the roving Train Conductors welcome you to Holiday Train Nights, and set you on your journey through the warm glow of the Holiday Train Show. You’ll enjoy the colorful lighting, have a sweet or savory treat, along with a cocktail and sing along to holiday classics and Christmas pop favorites sung by performers in our Locomotive Lounge.

Holiday Train Show

November 16, 2024–January 20, 2025 from 10AM to 6PM at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Holiday Train Nights
Adults 21+: November 23, 29, 30; December 7, 13, 14; January 4, 11, & 18
All Ages: December 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, & 28
More info: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/holiday-train-nights/

Get more information: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/plan-your-visit/

Essential Info:
Strollers. Strollers are allowed throughout the Garden grounds with the exception of the Haupt Conservatory, where the Holiday Train Show takes place. Stroller parking is available.
Accessibility. Most key areas of the Garden are wheelchair accessible, including all of the Holiday Train Show. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitor Center and Mosholu Entrance. An ID must be left with a Visitor Experience representative. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mobility devices for Garden navigation. Accessible lifts are located in the Haupt Conservatory and at the entrance to the Mertz Library Building. Use our online accessibility guide to plan your visit or pick up an accessibility guide at an entry gate.
Travel light. NYBG does not offer bag or coat-check facilities.
Photography. You are welcome to take personal, non-flash photography. Tripods, monopods, easels, selfie sticks, and lighting equipment are not permitted in the Haupt Conservatory. Check their Visitor Guidelines for more information about photography at the Garden.

Make sure to discover the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden! It’s definitely a Mama Maven Must!

All photos and videos were taken by Nancy Horn for The Mama Maven Blog© and are copyrighted. Please ask for permission before using or linking to this post.

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Wobbly World, located on the second floor of the museum, is a result of a collaboration with toy designer Cas Holman, who created Rigmajig – the award-winning pop-up playground at the High Line in Manhattan. Here at the Liberty Science Center, she has created a magical, whimsical world where teeny-tiny babies can explore movement in interesting, fun ways.

The brightly-colored exhibit is a playscape with a variety of items that babies and toddlers can touch, climb, roll on, build and more! At the center, there is a giant body mobile, which is a carousel of sorts, where kids can balance and spin on. There are also oversized balance blocks, as well as a scales and stacking station, where kids can sort, stack and balance a variety of blocks.

Here are some of my favorites from the exhibit:

The gorgeous mobiles are not just for playing – they are also on display on the walls!

Click here to learn more about the exhibit and the Liberty Science Center. All visitors ages 12 and up are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

This is a sponsored post. All opinion is my own.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 14, 12 and 9.

The post Don’t Miss Wobbly World at Liberty Science Center appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

This summer, we took a trip to Ithaca, New York for a multi-generational vacation with my youngest child, my husband and my in-laws. Ithaca is a really fun destination for kids and we were so impressed with all the fun stuff to do with them. On the menu – two science museums, a children’s garden, and a waterfall or two. We were going to keep it loose and flexible because well, it was a kid-friendly vacation! You’ll have so much fun visiting Ithaca with kids!

Museums for Kids

There are two science museums in Ithaca and we planned our trip around them. One of the Museum of the Earth and the other was Sciencenter. Both were very different, but we really enjoyed them for different reasons.

The Museum of the Earth

If you have a child very into science, The Museum of the Earth is THE place to visit. Their website is fantastic and there are so many exhibits with hands-on aspects and videos.

We loved the two gigantic fish tanks.

They have an area where you can watch a real Palentologist clean up fossils. The staff was knowledgable and pleasant. Plus they clearly like children and can answer every question your budding scientist may have. In fact, they relish it.

On the day we were there, there was a cool activity where kids can touch fossils and draw what they see.

There’s even a fenced off area outside that you can see wildlife in (we saw 2 frogs and it made my kid’s day). Leave around 1.5 to 2 hours to see it completely. Adults will be mesmerized also.

There are short movies and things kids can touch – always important. If your kid is seriously into science, this is definitely worth a visit.

The Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg Road
Ithaca, NY

Check for hours and masks were required. Make sure you know any Covid-19 restrictions before you go.

Sciencenter

Sciencenter is located off one of the main areas in Ithaca and perfect for little and bigger kids. It’s big and offers so many hands-on activities for kids.

From babies to middle schoolers, Sciencenter will keep kids engaged.

There’s a large touch tank with hermit crabs, a sea slug, and a horse shoe crab. My almost 11 year old spent the majority of his time there. There’s also a pop up reptile room and a another animal room with local Brook Trout, sea life, amphibians and reptiles from all around the world (safely in tanks).

This is a place to definitely make a day of — there’s miniature golf outside (that is extra $), but looked like it was a lot of fun.

The HUGE outdoor playground is definitely a draw. Let your kids get some of their energy out in a safe space. If you are somewhat local, a membership here would definitely be used.

Sciencenter is very centrally located and if you don’t have the whole day, you can spend 1/2 the day and still get the full experience.

http://www.sciencenter.org/
601 First Street
Ithaca, NY 14850

Other Great Activities:

Ithaca Children’s Garden

The Ithaca Children’s Garden is free and lovely space for children of all ages to enjoy. Plus it has a playground right next to it! Lots of room for kids to run around and communicate with nature.

Kids will love climbing all over Gaia, the large turtle structure.

There is a playground inside with old tires and junk that kids will love to play in.

Right next to the Ithaca Children’s Garden is Cass Park and this lovely playground. There are picnic tables and a large shaded area that you can eat in.

Ithaca Children’s Garden in Cass Park
121 Turtle Lane
Ithaca, NY 14850

And don’t forget about the Falls! We chose to visit Buttermilk Falls, which had a easy-ish steps up and a playground right near it.

At Buttermilk Falls, you can chose either the Rim Trail or the Gorge Trail. We chose the Gorge Trail.

We think Ithaca is a fantastic family travel option.

We stayed at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
1100 Danby Rd #96b, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 256-1100

Let me know if you have any questions! We really enjoyed visiting Ithaca with kids!

The post Visiting Ithaca With Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Ever take a trip to Philadelphia with your kids? Epson recently asked my family and I to check out Crayola IDEAWorks at the Franklin Institute in Philly recently and it was amazing. I’m going to tell you all about this FANTASTIC Exhibit and how you need to make a trip yourself. Philadelphia was so kid-friendly and being that this was our first pandemic road trip, we just soaked it all up, while still social distancing and masking. Read our recap of our Family Trip to Philly: Crayola IDEAworks at the Franklin Institute.

Traveling to Philly:

We drove and the trip took 2.5 hours from NYC. We drove into Philadelphia with eyes full of wonder. We hadn’t been on a road trip in so long (we’ve only been to my in-laws’ house upstate). It was wonderful to get out of NYC. We left Friday afternoon to beat the traffic.

Hotel Info:

We stayed at the Westin Philadelphia and it was right in the heart of everything. Seriously. The rooms were spotless and check in was so easy. We had a suite and it was perfect with my family. We had a king size bed in the bedroom and we put a cot in the room for my daughter.

My boys slept in the outer room on the pullout couch. Since they are a little wilder than my daughter, it worked out perfectly.

We got some delicious welcome gifts.

Which went over very well. After a 2 and half hour trip in the car, everyone was a little cranky and this was a very welcome gift.

Our room had a small bathroom and a large bathroom with an enclosed shower and a separate tub with a shower. Which is very smart if you are trying to get a whole family ready. Everything was spotless.

We wore masks in public spaces and we self-parked in the lot which is connected to Liberty Place, a shopping mall right next to the Westin.

There is a door in Liberty Place where you can enter the lobby of the hotel (which is one floor below reception). And what I really liked about this parking garage is that you can plug your plate number into a machine and it will find your spot (so no more losing your car). It costs $42 per day to park in this garage or you can valet park your car in the Westin’s garage for $65 a day. We didn’t drive when we were staying in Philadelphia, but walked everywhere. We chose walkable activities and restaurants and it was a relief not to have to drive.

Safety and Social Distancing:

While I am fully vaccinated, my husband only had one dose at the time and my kids were not vaccinated. We still wear masks, social distance, wash our hands and use hand sanitizer. We also try to keep back from crowds and only ride the elevator with our own family. We also tried to eat outside as much as possible.

After a delicious dinner Friday Night at Giorgio and Pine, we headed back to the hotel and went to sleep.
They have a gluten free menu as well as a regular menu and my husband, who has Celiac, and the kids and I were so happy with their food. My youngest child even got up and congratulated the owner for a delicious meal. Note: We covered all of our own dining in Philly.

Giorgio and Pine
1328 Pine Street
Center City area,
Philadephia, PA
(215)545-6265
Reservations are recommended

The next morning, we got up and on Julia Beck‘s recommendation, we went to Green Eggs Cafe. There are 6 locations and we ate in the Midtown Square location. The portions are HUGE! If you have kids that aren’t big eaters, have them split an order of something. Even the kids meals were large.

Green Eggs Cafe
MIDTOWN VILLAGE
1301 Locust St
Philadelphia, PA
267-861-0314

Stuffed, we made our way to the Franklin Institute. It was a quick ten minute walk.

The Franklin Institute

Tickets for the Franklin Institute to get into the museum and Crayola IDEAWorks experience are $35 for an adult, $31 for children. Check sites like Groupon and the web for deals. If you plan on visiting The Franklin Institute more than 3 times a year, you may want to consider a membership — it’s a better deal that way.

To get to Crayola IDEAWorks, you have to walk up a ramp. The first thing you do is to make a special bracelet with a scannable code. The machine will guide you through it and kids will love being able to set this up for themselves.

Check out my video to learn more.

As you walk into the exhibit, there is a video that will tell you exactly what to do and what you’ll be seeing.

There are a lot of different stations and you need to visit them to complete your mission to get your badge!

It was fascinating and the best thing is kids won’t realize that they are learning so much about themselves and their creativity inspirations.

Once you exit the main room, you make your way into The Colorverse. Here you get to communicate from Mars (yes, really), restore coral reefs (this was my youngest child’s favorite part) and solve city planning issues. And if you’re a bit fatigued, you can sit and let your kids run around. My kids went to every single station because they were engaged and wanted to complete their badges.

My teen was the first one done and he was thrilled to get his badge, which shares which of your creative strengths was the strongest during your visit. My teen was creative like Royal Purple. They give you a little printed sticker (with Epson ink and sticker paper) and he was so happy.

My two younger ones also finished and we had a wonderful time at the Crayola IDEAWorks! Now, the one thing I wasn’t as happy with was that you have to walk through the Colorverse Gift Shop to leave the exhibit. Maybe it was a space issue, but for younger kids, it’s going to be hard to get through the gift store without your kids wanting something. I know that my kids would have wanted everything and I can only imagine the tantrums they would have had if they had seen this gift shop (which was a amazing, mind you) when they were younger. I would have rather had a separate gift shop so that I could choose to go in or not.

The Franklin Institute
222 N 20th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200

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Updated January 2022. There are some pictures from our visit in December of 2019 and you wouldn’t see anyone masked or distancing in those photos.

After a really long fall and as winter started, I wanted to take a breather with my daughter and celebrate her 14th birthday. We were up at my in-laws in Port Jervis, NY and the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark was only 45 minutes away (2+ hours normally from our home in New York City). We headed to Kartrite on a winter’s day. If you’re not aware, the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Monticello, NY is an easy drive and well worth the trip.

The Kartrite Resort‘s Lobby was warm and inviting, with plenty of places to sit and relax and large games of Connect Four available to play with. There was also a large screen playing a movie and a Big K that you could take a picture with. It’s the kind of place where you can tuck yourself in and comfortably read or hang out with friends. Covid protocols were in place and social distancing was encouraged. Mask use was mandated and there were signs all over reminding you to wear your mask.

The gentleman who checked me in was very friendly and explained everything well to me. You will get a wristband to wear when you’re at Kartrite – that will open your room (no cards to lose), to work the elevators, and also let you into the waterpark area. If you have a sensory kid who won’t wear this, you’ll have to hold onto it and go down to the lobby to get a new one if that one is lost.

We stayed in a junior suite room, which had two bedrooms (one with two double beds in it), plus two bathrooms (one in the master suite). If you have between 2- 4 kids, then it’s ideal for you. There’s also a place outside the main bathroom to hang up towels and bathing suits, as well as a kitchen/lounge area with a table, chairs, a TV and small couch. There are 324 all suite rooms at Kartrite and we were so comfortable.

The Waterpark

The Indoor Waterpark at Kartrite was huge and featured several fun slides, a lazy river, a hot tub pool that is both indoor and outdoor — so cool), a FlowRider surf attraction so you can ‘surf’, a kids activity pool with basketball and a kids area with multi-level play structure with slides, and a younger baby/toddler area called Puddle Ducks.

There’s also two restaurants (one with a bar) and a living plant wall – which was pretty cool. There were tons of life jackets for all sizes and an elevated cabana where families can chill out. There’s also a big hot tub pool that’s both indoors and outdoors that is for families called Affinity Springs.

Slides are the Kracken, Nor’easter, Jiggerty-Jaggerty, Time Warp, Empire Bay (the Lazy River).

There’s an energy-efficient 60,000 sq. ft Texlon transparent roofing system, heated to a toasty 84 degrees for year round fun.

Cabana Life

When we were at Kartrite recently, the hotel graciously offered a Cabana to use during our time at the Waterpark. Since we are in times of Covid, this was wonderful and we enjoyed it heartily. We had some time alone but were still able to enjoy everything in the waterpark. There were snacks waiting fo us and soft drinks, as well as fruit. We could close the Cabana for privacy to change and we brought our lunch upstairs and ate right outside our Cabana.

Where to Eat

BIXBY’S DERBY / BIXBY’S TAVERN & TAPROOM

We loved this simple and delicious restaurant with taproom-style fare. It appealed to both my son and I. There were a mix of cozy booths and tables. Open daily at 5pm for dinner and at 4pm for taproom-style fare. We sampled the salmon and the Buffalo Chicken Wrap and were stuffed. Our waitress was a sweetheart and so attentive.

EAT. EAT. EAT.
Eat. Eat. Eat. is a buffet that serves fresh and local cuisine to fuel up for a day at the waterpark or replenish after a day of adventure. There’s a hand crafted omelet station and pastry bar, steaks and seafood, and an epic dessert bar. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.

SURFSIDE GRILL
The bathing suit friendly waterpark restaurant is perfect for poolside fun, serving quick bites of classic burgers, hot dogs, salads and more to stay or to go. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

THE HIGHLINE
A modern and relaxing coffee shop serving coffee, as well as New York-style sandwiches and snacks all day.

POP’S SWEET SHOPPE
Kids will love seeing all the candy and sweets on display in this retro candy shop. Caramel apples, ice cream, homemade fudge, and a huge candy wall…I wish we had been able to indulge! Open noon to late.

HARVEY’S WALLBANGER
A nod to the “great American bar,” world-class mixologists serve classic cocktails and new inventions in a casual, friendly
setting. Adjacent to Van Winkle’s Alley, it’s the perfect evening watering hole. Open daily at noon for lunch and dinner.

When I came to Kartrite recently, this is where my daughter and I dined. While not inexpensive, the portions were HUGE.

BAR MEZ
Overlooking the waterpark on the mezzanine level, adults enjoy chilled drinks and warm sunshine year-round in the middle of all the action. Open for afternoon and evening drinks and food.

Note: Since we are in a pandemic times, confirm with the front desk as for times that bars and restaurants are open. We were there on a Wednesday night before New Year’s Eve and Bixby’s was not open. We ate in Harvey Walbanger’s.

Check out my video recap of our stay.

Rates:

Starting at $249 in low season, Starting at $449 in high season

$42 Resort Fee per night (plus tax, per suite) – Includes self-parking, daily in-room coffee and bottled water, select daily activities & crafts, Wi-Fi, water park towels, electric car charging stations, self service washers & dryers, access to hiking trails and guidebooks, movie nights, and water park life jackets.

Ready to book a trip? Go to our partner Booking.com and reserve your room now.

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My kids are happy this coming holiday season because they get a week and a half off from school here in NYC. Me? Not so much. Keeping them home is not an option as they’ll get cabin fever, but I’m also not going to let incontinence prevent me from having a blast with them and making memories. While I make sure to scope out the bathroom no matter where I go, I’m always protected with Depend® FIT-FLEX® Underwear. It’s ultra-soft, and I feel comfortable and more confident when I know I have all-day protection.

My game plan? I’m putting together a list of fun holiday activities I’m hoping to do with them this winter vacation. I’ve made sure they’re all bathroom friendly, so I can stay confident. I’m sure you can find a few of them that appeal to you too!

Skiing

Skiing is so much fun! If you’re lucky enough to live close to a mountain, skiing can be a great activity for even young kids and something that families can spend time together doing. My husband grew up in the Poconos, which is a couple of hours drive from us now. Before you put on your snowsuit, scope out where the restrooms are located beforehand. And if the rest of your family enjoys skiing but you don’t, just curl up with a good book by the fireplace in the nearby lodge and enjoy the warm, cozy atmosphere. We’ve been a couple of times and I love it, even if I have to stick to the bunny trail. Hint: Go before you get on the slopes and take a lesson or two.

Ice Skating

No matter your level – whether you can pirouette on the ice or barely move without holding onto the railing – ice skating is a fun activity. If you can find a place to go ice skating outdoors, you’ll get the bonus of a beautiful scenery. Restrooms will typically be located near the rink, or close enough. My kids have a blast and I love getting some exercise in the rink, too (though I’m not as graceful).

Museums

Visiting a local museum in the winter is a great activity since you can probably kill a few hours, depending on the size of the museum. Not all kids will be able to spend hours upon hours in a large museum, so consider a smallish museum, or a museum that can cater to kids – whether it’s a museum made specifically for kids or a museum that has cool artifacts, such as a natural history museum. You can also find specialty museums that showcase unique items, such as antique cars or watches. Be sure to grab a map for restroom info.

Visiting Historic Mansions

Historic mansions are always a cool place to visit – it’s the closest you’ll ever get to stepping back in time. This time of year is perfect because many mansions and historic homes are decorated for the holidays and have a festive atmosphere. It’s interesting to learn about the history of the place and about the historical context of the time when people lived there, plus you’ll likely find out about some juicy family stories. The only tricky part is taking kids – an infant in a baby carrier will be relatively easy to take, especially if you can time the visit around nap time. However, if you have school-aged children, you’ll have to make sure they are old enough to pay attention and listen, or at least can behave and not touch anything. Many historic homes do not have a usable restroom on premises but there should be one nearby – just ask the tour guide.

The Zoo

One great  reason to visit your local zoo in the winter? There are virtually no lines – you avoid the crowds and the humid, sticky days of summer. Many exhibits are indoor and have animals that live in tropical climates. There are animals, such as pandas, polar bears and Siberian tigers who thrive in cold weather and other animals that have adapted to the colder weather. Be sure to grab a map of the zoo to see where the nearest restroom is located.

Indoor water park

Winter vacation is the perfect time to visit a water park. It’s always perfectly warm and gives you a feeling of summer even if outside there’s a blizzard or torrential rain. Luckily, indoor water parks always have convenient restrooms everywhere.

Shows/Concerts

Going to shows or concerts is fun and there’s a variety of different shows and music events for any taste and budget. Restrooms are always available but there are usually long lines, so that can be tricky. It may be helpful to find a seat that’s close enough to the door and on the isle so that you can get quicker access to the restroom, if you need to. I usually ask right when I get inside to make sure I know where I am going.

Playing Tourist in Your City

You may know your city like the back of your hand, but there’s always an area you’re never explored before. Put together a mini walk and explore streets you haven’t yet discovered. Or try a new restaurant you’re never been to. Always check for local public restrooms if you’re in an area of the city you’re not familiar with. Most coffee shops and restaurants will let you use the restroom.

Library

If your kids are familiar with your local library, consider venturing out to a library they’ve never visited before. Older kids will enjoy a selection of books and younger kids will love playing with new toys and discovering picture books that interest them. Restrooms should be easy to find and are super clean. Some libraries even have small cafes or places you can bring a packed lunch.

As I’ve shared, I, along with nearly 65 million Americans, experience bladder leakage. But I definitely don’t let it get in the way of how I want to live my life and how I spend time with my family. In fact, I’m more confident with Depend. Don’t let bladder leakage stop you from living your best life. If you or someone you know is looking for advice and resource on bladder leaks, join The Incontinence Community, a private Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/InconCommunity.

The post Holiday Activities Your Kids Will Love appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We’re going on vacation later this week and I’m a little nervous where our almost 3 year old son will sleep. While he’s still in the crib at home, he is ready to transition to a bed. But I’m not sure that a vacation is the first time to introduce him to that. Rather than book a crib at our hotel, I figured out a better solution that will last for the many hotel and grandparent stays we do – KidCo’s PeaPod Plus Travel Bed ($89).

For children 1-5 years of age, we love how easy it is to use. It literally POPS open. We recommend using this with kids who are out of the crib, otherwise you may have a little wanderer on your hands! My son is about to be 3 and he can handle it. Before you use this product, make sure your child is old enough and understands that they will be sleeping in it. This is not a playard.

I admit I had trouble folding it back up into the little bag that comes with it (but I got it eventually).

Features:

• It comes fully assembled with a Micro-Lite sleeping pad already attached to the floor.
• Has s two large zipper panels
• Lightweight mesh for great airflow
• Adjustable window screens
• Anchor straps
• UV protection
• Storage/carry bag

Now a word of caution — the Peapod Plus I talk about here is NOT to be used with babies.  This is for older children, over 1 year. To be safe, I’d wait until your child is 2 or even 3. If you follow the instructions, there shouldn’t be any problems. 

Infants have suffocated in gaps between extra padding and on soft bedding. Use only the sleeping pad provided by the manufacturer. NEVER add a pillow, comforter, or another mattress for padding.
Failure to follow these warnings and the instructions could result in serious injury or death.
DO NOT place sleeping pad inside PeaPod. Sleeping pad is placed under the floor of the product and secured with snaps.
OPEN WITH CARE-When removing PeaPod from storage bag, use caution as it automatically unfolds rapidly when the safety strap is removed.
The PeaPod is not a toy. It is not to be used a pack and play/ playard.
DO NOT leave child unattended while zippered inside.
The PeaPod does not offer complete sun protection. As in, this shouldn’t be going with you to the beach. Note, models before 2012 have been recalled, make sure the version you get it newer than 2012.

You can find it on Amazon for $79 with Prime. If you are looking for a version for a baby, I always used the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light — here’s an Amazon link to that. 

And if you are looking for more toddler must haves for travel, head over to my list on Amazon.

Related Posts

Skip Hop Pronto! Changing Station – The Portable Changing Pad for Parents On the Go
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The post Take your Toddler on the Road with the PeaPod Plus Travel Bed from KidCo appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Growing up, we made the drive from New York to South Florida at least once a year from age 8 on. One of the safety tools my father always swore by was a radar detector. I don’t remember ever getting a ticket on the trip, so I’m pretty sure it worked! Since I’m a parent now, I’ve been thinking about getting my own radar detector. We go on a lot of road trips and I want to obey the traffic laws — however I tend to go a little faster than I should. A radar detector would help me to make sure I have a lighter foot on the pedal. So, I’m considering the Uniden R7 Radar Detector.   One Important Way to Keep Safer on Road Trips

The Uniden R7 Radar Detector lets you monitor how fast you are going with voice notifications and the MAX speed warning system that you will hear when you exceed the preset speeding limit. You don’t even have to take your eyes at the road! This will enable you to maintain a safe driving speed. Directional arrows indicate where the radar signal is originating from. The detector has a large screen so you can quickly and easily read the information while you maintain focus while driving. The Uniden R7 Radar Detector tracks up to four signals simultaneously for greater awareness as you drive. Avoid speeding tickets with this Uniden R7 radar detector. The large OLED display includes arrows that identify the direction of incoming threats and change color on a scale of green to red to indicate the signal’s strength. 

Features:

• Voice notifications| Allow you to focus on the road
• Works with most vehicles| Get real-time alerts in your existing vehicle.
• Color OLED display| The easy-to-see information display provides a clear view.
• Long-range detection| High sensitivity on all conventional and instant-on radar bands.
• K-Filter and Ka-Filter| Filter noise from the K and Ka bands to prevent false detections.

Buy the Uniden R7 Radar Detector at Amazon.

 Top Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

Bottom Image by StockSnap on Pixabay

The post One Important Way to Keep Safer on Road Trips appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We landed at Myrtle Beach International Airport in the early afternoon. The airport is very small and we got our luggage within minutes. Car rental is across the street and we picked up our car pretty quickly as well. We drove to The Caravelle Resort, our hotel, and checked into our room. We had a stunning oceanfront room which had this view:

The room was spacious, comfortable and clean. It turns out that all of the rooms at The Caravelle Resort had been renovated recently and all the furniture and appliances are brand-new. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations to the main areas and hallways.

This is how close we were to the beach:

I loved that the room had a mini kitchen, fully equipped, so you can make your own meals if you like.

The Caravelle Resort has several properties nearby; although we stayed in the main one, there are other hotels with different room sizes and different price points. During the autumn, which is considered the off-season, Caravelle is holding a special promotion until November 1st that allows you to extend your summer and enjoy the warm weather at the beach, across the street from the properties, as well at the many pools. This promotion, called “60 More Days of Summer” gives you a 35% discount on the room plus other extras, such as free breakfast at The Caravelle’s own Santa Maria restaurant (pictured below), winner of Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence.

Around dinnertime, we headed out to River City Cafe. My husband had a veggie burger while I had the Blackened Grouper Rueben, which came with sauerkraut and melted swiss. Absolutely delicious. We also loved the relaxed, beachy vibe of the place.

After dinner, we went to the Carolina Opry to see Time Warp, which showcases hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

There were about 8-10 singers, plus several dancers, as well as musicians. (Some singers also played instruments.) We’re used to New York shows with the immense talent so we weren’t expecting much. Suffice it to say we were blown away by the talent on stage. Each song was better than the first. It’s as if the performers kept trying to out-do each other; the show just kept getting better and better.

I loved how all the singers had very special voices and were able to sing a variety of hits. The addition of lights and lasers added to create an unforgettable performance. It was pure fun with a bit of nostalgia.

We especially loved Brad Long – he brought the house down with each one of his songs. The 7pm performance had lots of kids in the audience and is very family-friendly. (There are also booster seats.)

The next morning we woke up especially early and got to see this spectacular sunrise:

We had some time to kill so we walked around the hotel and got to see some of the amenities.

The pool and kids’ water park area:

Lazy river: (there’s also a smaller one for toddlers, not pictured)

Indoor pool:

Picnic area:

There are rooms with larger patios:

We left the hotel and grabbed delicious chocolate croissants at Croissants Bakery and Bistro. We then drove to Murrells Inlet and went kayaking at the saltwater marshes. We booked the tour through Black River Outdoors, a family-owned business. Our guide, Paul, turned out to be much more than a tour guide: he was a historian, a naturalist and an eco-tourism expert all rolled into one. Plus he was funny to boot. He answered all of our questions in detail and was happy to share his vast knowledge and point out all of the wildlife we saw on the way. Paul does eco-tours in Costa Rica in the off-season but in the fall, the marshes are abundant with wildlife; We got to see lots of different types of birds, a bald eagle in its nest and Paul even scooped up a jellyfish for us to hold (it’s a type of jellyfish whose sting doesn’t go through the skin, so we didn’t feel anything).

Paddling the kayak was easy and required very little effort. School-aged kids can kayak alone in a small youth-sized kayak and younger kids can go in a larger kayak with a parent. It was a quiet and relaxing experience. The highlight of the excursion was when a dolphin came up to our kayaks to splash around.

After the kayak tour, it was time for lunch. We drove to Brookgreen Gardens, just down the road from the inlet and had lunch at the Pavillion Restaurant in the gardens.

We had a delicious sandwich and quesadilla and then walked around the gardens looking at the stunning sculptures. Brookgreen Gardens contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country.

We strolled through the gardens, went to the zoo and had a little fun at Enchanted Storybook Forest. We strolled through the Lowcountry Trail where we got to walk by what used to be an active rice plantation. The walk has signs with descriptions of the rice plantation, as well as audio recordings which describe what life was like for the slaves. Archeological digs that have taken place about twenty years ago show parts of the slaves’ housing. The Lowcountry Trail is an homage and tribute to the slaves working on the plantation and I believe that learning about the history of a place is important even if it is at times unpleasant.

Getting a closer look at the former rice plantation:

Walking around the gardens was relaxing but the weather started getting hot. The high was 80 degrees in mid-October but with the humidity rising it was time to get back to our air-conditioned room at the hotel.

We rested a little and then went out to dinner at Pier House, a restaurant with a pretty view of the beach.

There were lots of seafood choices and I’m glad I ordered the lobster roll. It was delicious and a very generous portion for the price ($25). My husband had a pasta dish and a frozen mango daiquiri, which was to die for.

After dinner we went to see another multi-talented man: James Stephens III was performing his one-man show, at the Asher Theatre. This guy is so extremely talented, he can sing, play the piano, tell jokes, impersonate a celebrity and often he does all four things at once. He’s a natural entertainer and we especially loved his impersonations of Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Lionel Richie and Elvis. Adopted as a child after his father’s death, Stephens went to law school and then moved to LA to become an actor. He now continues to perform while raising money for underserved kids. His positive energy was contagious and we had a blast at his show!

We woke up Sunday morning and headed over to Johnny D’s for a hearty and delicious breakfast. I had the salmon benedict and loved the house-cured salmon. It reminded me of the lox I get in New York.

My husband treated himself to a banana split waffle, which was also delicious. In fact, Johhny D’s was voted by the Food Network as the best waffles in South Carolina. Not surprising.

When breakfast was over we decided to do a little shopping. After visiting some stores on the main strips we drove to Market Common. A former air force base, it is now a residential and shopping area with a movie theater and other entertainment venues.

I especially loved shopping at Southern Living and browsing the unique and elegant gifts.

There are about a dozen or so restaurants at Market Common and we ended up at Nacho Hippo. This cute, beach-themed eatery has awesome Mexican food and really yummy margaritas. We had delicious chips & guac and I loved my shrimp tacos. My husband enjoyed veggie tacos with a peach margarita.

After lunch, we wanted to see a little culture. The Myrtle Beach Art Museum is one of the few museums in the country which boast an ocean view.

The museum is small and admission is free. We happened to come during an opening of an art exhibit called Roots Run Deep by Sherry Strickland Martin. Martin creates watercolor paintings and mixed media works in very bright, vivid colors.

It’s a sweet little museum and we enjoyed seeing the permanent exhibits as well.

Around 2pm the weather started getting really hot and humid again. We were hoping to take a dip in the ocean or the pool but ended up taking a nap instead. We woke up refreshed and went to dinner at Art Burger & Sushi. This place is right by the beach and it was fun to just sit, relax and enjoy our meal while looking at the water. I had sushi while my husband had a falafel burger and sangria.

Everything was delicious and after dinner, we took off our shoes and went for a walk on the beach during sunset. By that time the weather had cooled down considerably and there was a nice breeze.

We walked up to the Skywheel, a huge Ferris wheel that’s right on the beach, and took a ride.

Afterward, we walked by the water a little longer and then decided to end our evening with one of the things Myrtle Beach is known for: miniature golf. Apparently, Myrtle Beach is the miniature golf capital of the world, with over 50 courses. We went to Captain Hook’s Miniature Golf Course and had a blast! I haven’t played in years and it took a few tries but I did have some beginner’s luck. This golf course was particularly great for kids as it has scenery from Peter Pan, complete with caves, The Lost Boys’ dwellings and audio recordings of various characters.

The next morning we walked on the beach before heading to the airport to catch our flight back home.

Our hotel:

It was the perfect ending to an incredible getaway!

Thank you to www.VisitMyrtle Beach.com for providing me with airfare, accommodations, tickets to attractions and a gift card for expenses.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post A Fun Weekend Getaway to Myrtle Beach: Perfect for Couples and Familes appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Let’s talk summer travel! Are you getting ready for vacation with your kids? Since we are traveling to a place with a pool the one important aspect for me is protecting myself and my family from the dangers of the sun and using the right sunblock.

Sunology makes sunscreen which is made with a complex that contains vitamins and Omega 6 and 9 oils and no chemicals. All of their products are SPF 50.

But sunblock is not enough. When the sun is strong, wearing appropriate clothing can make all the difference. Coolibar makes beautiful clothes and accessories for the entire family that can block UVA and UVB rays. Click here to pick clothes according to the activity you want to do.

Aside from being protected from the sun and having fun by the pool, the next most important thing when you travel – and this can make or break your vacation – is sleep; making sure young kids get their naps and making their nighttime sleep at the hotel as comfortable and as close to home as possible. When we go away we usually bring a bunch of our kids’ favorite stuffed animals and do our best to stick to their schedule but sometimes there isn’t much you can do; your kids will be cranky and have a hard time falling asleep on the hotel bed or crib that their hotel may provide.

Luckily the folks at Baby Bjorn have come up with the Travel Crib Light – a portable crib that weights only 11 lbs. and sets up in 30 seconds. It can be used for newborns and toddlers up to age 3. You can bring it outside by the pool, keep in the hotel room or even bring it to Grandma’s.

Instead of schlepping a stroller, you can take simply take a Baby Bjorn. The Baby Carrier Miracle has an adjustable belt that can come down to your waist so you can carry bigger babies (up to 15 months) which can make travel easier – no need to worry about walking up or down the staircase.

Making traveling with kids easy is no small feat, but with these great products your summer travel plans are definitely something to look forward to! Bon Voyage!

I was not paid for this post. I did receive a gift bag. This post contains affiliate links Great Products for Traveling This Summer With Kids

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Great Products for Traveling This Summer With Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

No matter if it’s for your littlest one, pre-teen or anyone in between, there are Netflix shows for everyone in the family to pack in their carry-on. And it’s not just Netflix originals, check out the ‘Available for Download’ menu on the Netflix app on your mobile or tablet device and browse all of the titles available to take with you whenever and wherever you want. Easy peasy, right?

For the Little Ones:

For the Big Kids:

For the Teens:

For the Parents:

Sound familiar? The official Netflix Family downloads jingle is taking a page from the infamous melody of the Orange is the New Black theme song. While vacationing may be easy, getting there is hard, and being trapped in the car on a family road trip can feel like being in Litchfield. This cute and relatable parody will have you humming along for the whole ride.

So, what will you and your kids be screening on the go? We’ve already downloaded our top pics for the ride up to Grandma’s house this week! And while I get ready for a huge plane trip to Israel in a week, I’ll have several movies and a few series from Netflix downloaded to my mobile device.

Here’s what I’ve downloaded for my flight (so far):

Alias Grace (6 part miniseries)

Little Evil

High Strung (movie)

What’s new on Netflix?

PROJECT MC2
PART 6
NOW STREAMING

DINOTRUX SUPERCHARGED
SEASON 1
NOW STREAMING

LUNA PETUNIA
SEASON 3
NOVEMBER 17

SPIRIT RIDING FREE
SEASON 3
NOVEMBER 17

STRETCH ARMSTRONG & THE FLEX FIGHTERS
SEASON 1
NOVEMBER

BEAT BUGS: ALL TOGETHER NOW 
NOVEMBER 21

Disclosure: I am a Netflix Stream Team Member. I am given product, certain opportunities, and I receive a free Netflix subscription in exchange for posting about Netflix. As always, all opinions are my own.

You May Like: https://www.themamamaven.com/dont-be-a-netflix-cheater/

The post Kids Holiday Travel Tip: Take Netflix Along With You for A Smoother Trip appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Most have you have probably heard about Colonial Williamsburg but did you know that Greater Williamsburg (which includes Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown) has so many attractions you could plan a multi-generational vacation to keep everyone in your family busy and happy! I recently attended Mom’s Night Out event hosted by MOMTRENDS and learned all about this fascinating area. I’m going to give you the top 10 reasons to visit Williamsburg, Virginia.Top 10 Reasons To Visit Williamsburg, VA

I’ve compiled no less than 10 reasons (in descending order) for visiting Greater Williamsburg; after all, it’s where America began!

10. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly; the first British colony in America was founded in Jamestown in 1606 (13 years before The Mayflower arrived in Plymouth). You can see a recreation of that at the Jamestown Settlement colony, as well as a recreation of a Powhatan Indian village where you can learn about Pocahontas. You can also step aboard the three ships that sailed from England to Jamestown in 1607.

9. Avid golfers will enjoy more than a dozen golf courses, making it a top golf destination. The courses, designed by some of the most notable architects, are set to rolling hills and scenic woodlands.

8. Kayaking in areas where you can watch wildlife, such as bald eagles and otters.

7. The Williamsburg dining scene features Colonial-inspired fare and locally-sourced ingredients, making dining in its restaurants a unique experience.

6. Hiking in wetlands and forests in James City County where you can view some of the 200 species of birds.

5. Lovers of archaeology are in for a treat: In 1994 the Jamestown Rediscovery Project launched and has since discovered 2 million artifacts from the Jamestown colony. You can view them at the Archaerium and then head over to Historic Jamestowne, where archeologists are still digging to find more artifacts from the time of the first colony.

4. Freedom Park has outdoor adventures, such as ziplining and hiking and features 20 miles of mountain biking trails.

3. The Williamsburg Tasting Trail combines breweries, wineries, and distilleries where you can enjoy a variety of handcrafted alcoholic beverages. The Colonial Wine Trail includes the Williamsburg Winery – the largest winery in Virginia – which sits on 300 acres of land.

2. Busch Gardens has recently been named the most beautiful theme park in the country. This popular amusement park is broken into hamlets, each one representing a European village with its unique style of food, music, shows, and rides – all themed to each hamlet.

1. Colonial Williamsburg is the largest live museum in the world! It allows you to “step back in time” and explore the beginning of America, meeting “shopkeepers”, “political figures” and “members of the enslaved community”. You can watch a reenactment of historic moments, visit historic buildings, shops and mansions and participate in hands-on activities.

Photos courtesy of VisitWilliamsburg.com

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Top 10 Reasons To Visit Williamsburg, VA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Although my youngest is the Thomas fan, my eight-year-old son and my ten-year-old daughter had a lot of fun as well and all three have been asking to go again next year. What is it about Thomas Land that appeals to kids? First and foremost, it is not overwhelming. It’s relatively small with 11 rides, a show and a 20-minute train ride. Thomas Land is part of Edaville USA, which is a larger theme park with other rides, plus Dino Land, a park with animatronic dinosaurs. A ticket to Edaville USA gets you in all three parks.

In addition, aside from themed rides, Thomas Land has buildings and decor straight out of the Island of Sodor. There’s also Tidmouth Sheds and Knapford Station with kid-sized “people”, so you can watch the Thomas stories come to life.

We arrived early so we were able to go on all the rides and avoid lines. It was fun to recognize all the famous characters and the rides were really fun. 

The show was cute and geared towards the younger set.

I loved the attention to detail:

It was a hot day and we were very happy to stop by the fans that spritzed misty water.

This was one of my favorite rides. It was really cool to see Thomas Land from above:

The train ride on Thomas was relaxing and we enjoyed the scenery.

We had an amazing time!

And what did my little Thomas fan think? He was in seventh heaven!

If you’re driving in from New York like we did, you can turn it into a mini getaway and visit other attractions in the area. We went to Plimoth Plantation (sic) where we saw Native Americans wearing traditional clothing and actors dressed up as pilgrims from the Mayflower, and we also had dinner at the gorgeous Plymouth marina. Other places of interest nearby are Cape Cod, Federal Hill, which is an Italian neighborhood in Providence, RI and the historic mansions at Newport, RI.

Visit Edaville USA to learn more and to purchase tickets. Click here to get $3 off each ticket. Parking is always free.

Read the post about guest writer Julianne’s visit to Edaville two years ago: http://www.themamamaven.com/2015/09/15/visiting-thomasland-at-edaville/

I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary tickets and meal vouchers, hotel stay and stipend for expenses.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Family Travel: A Special Day at Thomas Land at Edaville USA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Years ago, when my oldest was turning one, we went on a family vacation to Spain. I made lists of essentials and thought I did a great job packing but while we were visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, my daughter was feeling really hot and acting lethargic. I did not pack any Children’s Advil or other cold medicine and let me tell you, when you don’t speak the native language it’s quite a challenge trying to communicate with the local pharmacist in a foreign country. Eventually, we got her on the right medication and the rest of the trip went well but nine years and three kids later I have definitely learned my lesson! Family Travel Hack: Pack Medicine for Kids When You Go on Vacation In Case of Illness 

These days when I go on vacation, whether abroad, or even just a road trip, I make sure to pack, at the very least, pain and fever medication, plus cold medicine. Getting sick on vacation is pretty common and being prepared means you’re ready for anything. Trust me, you don’t need to spend your vacation running around looking for pharmacies and trying to explain what’s wrong with your child to make sure she gets the right medication.

When packing for a trip I make a list a few weeks before the trip and keep adding to it as I get closer to the trip. Aside from the usual essentials, such as clothes and toiletries, I always pack extra bandaids, Neosporin and a thermometer. Children’s Advil®, Children’s Robitussin® and Children’s Dimetapp® are also must-haves. I’ve dealt with tooth aches, coughs, tummy aches and colds on our family vacations and packing these small bottles takes merely seconds (I just throw them in a gallon-size zip-lock). Not having the medications when I need them will require me to spend time looking for them at stores – which means less time enjoying my vacation!

Buy Children’s Advil on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CM81Ty
Buy Children’s Dimetapp on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uFq49j
Buy Children’s Robitussin on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YPFDt8

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Family Travel Hack: Pack Medicine for Kids When You Go on Vacation In Case of Illness appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Thomas Land

You may remember our writer Julianne visited Thomas Land when it first opened (Read that post here – http://www.themamamaven.com/2015/09/15/visiting-thomasland-at-edaville )  but we were curious to see it for ourselves. 

Thomas Land features 11 rides based on Thomas & Friends and feature favorite characters, such as Thomas, Gordon, Cranky the Crane, Harold the Helicopter and more. The Island of Sodor will feature destinations such as Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station, and Brendam Docks. There’s also a 20-minute scenic train ride on a life-sized replica of Thomas the Tank Engine. Sir Topham Hatt will be available for photo opps and meet & greet opportunities. Click here to see all of the rides and attractions.

Thomas Land is set on over 11 acres and is a part of Edeaville, a much larger park which includes two other parks: Dino Land, featuring 23 animatronic life-size dinosaurs and Cran Central, an amusement park which includes vintage amusement rides, such as an antique carousel and an illuminated ferris wheel, as well as other attractions, such as a roller coaster, drop tower and more. It’s located in Carver, MA and situated between Boston, Providence and Cape Cod – perfect for a summer getaway. 

Visit the website to learn more. Click here to buy tickets. Parking is always free. 

I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary tickets, hotel stay and stipend for expenses.

Planning a Summer Getaway in New England? Visit Thomas Land at Edaville USA

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Planning a Summer Getaway in New England? Visit Thomas Land at Edaville USA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As a mom of three, I’ve reviewed a lot of strollers since I started writing baby gear reviews — first for the People’s Moms and Babies, Mommies with Style, and then finally Baby Center and on this blog. If you’re pregnant and looking for your first stroller, this is for you. If you aren’t happy with your current stroller, this post is for you. If you’re having another child, this post is also for you.

There are so many wonderful strollers models on the market – how should you pick one for your precious cargo?

Factor in:

• Where you live (urban, suburban, rural)
• Will you be using public transportation?
• What kinds of terrain will you be walking the most on (sidewalks, trails, grass..)
• Do you want a jogger – ie. plan to exercise with your stroller?
• If you have a car, is your trunk big?
• What features do you absolutely have to have (extendable sunshade, large basket, extendable footrest, 3 recline settings)?

Urban Dwellers: You can go two ways with this; Either go for a large, full-featured ride or a lightweight stroller (or even get both). If you walk almost everywhere, don’t have a car, and plan to grocery shop and run errands while you’re out and about with baby — you may want to go for the luxury stroller with more storage. Also, if you really pound the pavement, your baby may be more comfortable in a stroller with larger wheels and an easy push. These strollers are designed to take a beating and still deliver a smooth ride for your little one.

If you take public transportation frequently, then you’ll want something lightweight that can quickly be folded up and carried up and down stairs. A shoulder carry strap will make it a little easier, maybe choose a stroller under 13-14 lbs.

Suburban: If you drive everywhere, size may not matter as much. But is a bigger stroller going to fit in your trunk? You’ll also need a stroller that you can fold easily (you don’t want to be fighting with your stroller in a parking lot, while your child screams in her car seat).

Rougher Terrains: Do you plan to jog with your child? Or stroll over trails often? You can use a jogging stroller, with either a car seat or reclined (just don’t jog until they have good head control – which is usually when a child is 6-8 months old and up). An all-terrain stroller will be able to handle rough roads, but you may not be able to jog with it.

Compromise — What features are optional?
Is a shorter sun shade a deal breaker? Can you deal with a smaller under basket if the stroller folds up easily? A lightweight stroller won’t have the room and will tip if you overload it. What about a cup holder? If the stroller doesn’t come with one, you can buy a caddy that velcros or snaps on. Choose what features are musts and what features are preferred. My kids rarely napped in a stroller, so I never cared about recline positions; but I didn’t want any of my children getting sunburnt, so I always went for strollers with generous coverage in sun shades.

Is this your first or second (or third) child?
Take siblings into account. Will your older child be a regular rider or an occasional rider? There are a few brands that can add second seats and grow with your family. You can also attach ride-on-boards, for kids that just want to hitch a ride. If you need a double, you can get a side by side double stroller or a tandem (one in front of the other) stroller. There are narrower side by side double strollers that will easily fit through doorways and ones that will barely fit in apartment elevator. Measure any place you think you may have trouble fitting your stroller into and then check against the stroller’s measurements. Tandem strollers have become increasingly popular in the last few years and are good way to take up a smaller footprint on the sidewalk. The only con with a tandem is that one child may be much lower to the ground and storage gets the short shrift (so, get a backpack to hold everything or use pannier bags).

But what about Travel Systems?
I honestly don’t like them. Yes, they have the car seat included, but when your child outgrows the car seat (between 7 – 12 months) you’re stuck with a heavy, clunky plastically stroller that you may not like. It’s not going to have the best features and not be great for everyday use. All strollers have adapters that you can buy so you can put a car seat on them. If you aren’t sure what you want, a stroller frame (that you fit the car seat into it) may get you through the first two to three months. Just remember, it’s not good for babies to be kept in car seats all the time. Find a stroller with a bassinet or one that reclines flat for little ones.

Start by shopping on Amazon (note: we will get an affiliate sale if you buy through this link).

Note: This post was not about recommending a specific stroller, it’s just what to look for when you go shopping. If you would like me to do a post recommending some brands, write a comment under this post and I’ll do a followup. 

And yes, this post contains affiliate links. 

The post How to Choose a Stroller for Your Baby appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Planning a road trip over the holidays? It can be really busy on the roads and stressful, so you will want to be ready for your road trip –and making sure you get cash back on gas, grocery stores, and restaurants can be a big savings help. We’ve got some great ideas for holiday travel planning that may help you get some peace of mind and some money! These tips will rock your holiday road trip!

The Best Road Trip Tips

1. Know your route – while we love our Google Maps or Apple Maps app, make sure you know where you are going. Either go old school and consult a map or plan your route ahead of time and email yourself a copy. You can still turn on navigation in your vehicle, but this way you have a backup.
   
2. Have a charged mobile phone – in case of a roadside emergency, you’ll be happy if you’re at least 80% charged. If possible, carry a charged portable battery charger just in case you need to charge and you can’t turn your car on to do it.
    
3. Minimize distractions while driving – i.e. make sure kids are occupied with games, snacks, iPads, etc. You don’t want to be a referee while you need to concentrate on the road.
   
4. Make sure your vehicle is road trip ready – make sure you have enough gas, you’ve had your oil changed recently, and take your car in for tune-ups when it’s time. Do everything you can to make sure you’re safe on the road. 
   
5. Save money using the upside app – upside is a free cash back app that benefits both consumers and businesses -users can earn up to 25¢/gallon cash back on gas and food. When you sign into the app, it will tell you the cash back deals at gas stations, groceries, and restaurants right near where you are, so you can save some $$. Use New “Check In” and skip the receipt to upload.
   
   Just check In to redeem your offer at this station and any other locations that have a Blue Badge. No need to upload receipt. upside uses the last 4 digits of your cards from recent purchases to verify your purchase.
   Tap the “Check In” button when user is at business and select which card they’re using – no receipt pic needed. upside users earn up to 25¢/gallon cash back on gas, up to 45% cash back at restaurants and up to 30% cash back at grocery stores.
   Over 25 million consumers are earning cash back every day with upside and over 25,000 merchants are using upside to drive more business to their locations and increase profits.
   
   Plus there’s a referral program – users can earn a 15¢/gal bonus when they refer friends and give friends and family a 15¢/gal bonus. Referrers also earn 1¢/gal every time their referee gets gas using
   
   

   

   

   Top Image by Jan Alexander from Pixabay

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   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/tips-to-rock-your-holiday-road-trip/feed/ 11 https://www.themamamaven.com/family-road-trip-with-the-2016-toyota-sienna/ https://www.themamamaven.com/family-road-trip-with-the-2016-toyota-sienna/#comments Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:29:15 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=48075 They say the journey is part of fun and in our recent road trip, that was so true. Recently, Toyota lent us a 2016 Sienna to test out. We took my awesome father-in-law with us and  left early in the morning to head down to Williamsburg, Virginia. Note: I am actually Sienna owner and since I have...

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   ]]>

   They say the journey is part of fun and in our recent road trip, that was so true. Recently, Toyota lent us a 2016 Sienna to test out. We took my awesome father-in-law with us and  left early in the morning to head down to Williamsburg, Virginia. Note: I am actually Sienna owner and since I have an older model, the 2011, I was excited to check out the 2016 Sienna. Our Sienna is the base model, with added bluetooth and a backup camera, without automatic doors. Family Road Trip with the 2016 Toyota Sienna

   

   

   Our destination keyed into the Sienna’s navigation system.

   

   We were 6 people on this trip — with my husband and I in the front, my father-in-law and my youngest were in the second row and my daughter and oldest son sat in the third row. We had a jump seat (small middle seat) in the second row, unlike the 2011 Sienna that we actually own. To get in an out of the last row, you have to move a seat in the second row forward and down. If you plan on using the 3rd row and need to access the seats easier, you may want to remove the jump seat and store it for when you need it.

   I was a little nervous about my youngest child, on the last two road trips we’ve taken, he’s gotten car sick. I made sure I gave him medicine, we had tons of towels and paper towels handy, and I didn’t give him any books or mobile devices. Luckily, he did very well and actually slept for most of the ride.

   

   We made several stops and this time I made sure that I got in the picture. While my husband, my oldest and I are showing off smiles, the littles were cranky. Can’t win them all….

   

   This was my favorite stop. Everyone needs love, right?

   

   The drive took around 8 hours with multiple stops (including lunch).

   

   

   Features of the 2016 Toyota Sienna:

   • 18/25 est. mpg
   • Automatic doors
   • Keyless entry & start
   • Power liftgate for the trunk (touch a button on your keyfob and it opens right up)
   • Navigation system – with turn by turn directions and it also will tell you the traffic situations nearby
   • Moonroof
   • Driver Easy Speak – a built-in microphone up front that picks up your voice and transmits it to the back through the rear speakers.
   • Blind spot monitor
   • Parking assist sonars
   • Backup camera
   • Hands-free calling and music streaming through Bluetooth connectivity (I literally set this up in under 1 minute)
   • Sunshades for the second and third row windows to reduce glare for kids.

   

   What really blew me away? The gas mileage. We made it down to Williamsburg on ONE tank of gas and still had 30 miles to go before we would hit empty. The Sienna will TELL YOU how many miles you have left.

   You can get the Toyota Sienna in 5 grades – the L, LE, SE, XLE, and Limited.
   MSRP: $28,850

   Thank you to Toyota to proving the 2016 for a week. 

   The post Family Road Trip with the 2016 Toyota Sienna appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/family-road-trip-with-the-2016-toyota-sienna/feed/ 3 https://www.themamamaven.com/we-came-we-saw-we-dreamed-big-at-disney-world-disneysmmc-recap/ https://www.themamamaven.com/we-came-we-saw-we-dreamed-big-at-disney-world-disneysmmc-recap/#comments Mon, 23 May 2016 04:33:15 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=47353 Recently, I got the chance to take my family to Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. This is something that I’ve wanted for several years and I am so honored that I was chosen this year. While I will be doing several posts on this, this is post 1. This is a...

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   The post We Dreamed Big at Disney World: Day 1 Recap #DisneySMMC appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> Recently, I got the chance to take my family to Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. This is something that I’ve wanted for several years and I am so honored that I was chosen this year. While I will be doing several posts on this, this is post 1.
   

   This is a vlog I made right after I was offered this trip. I was completely overcome by emotion when I made it. I will share soon what happened the day before this trip — we had been going through something big with my daughter, A.

   It meant a lot to me that I was picked for Disney SMMC and that I was able to take my family, including my inlaws. It is a large financial commitment and I was grateful that we had the money. We paid for the conference for me and for each family member we took + flights and expenses. However, we received INCREDIBLE value with the room we stayed in, the amazing conference, and special meals with spectacular entertainment. We also got a lot of extras that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

   With two out of my three kids with ADHD, and one of them being really difficult —  I don’t think that we could have managed without my in-laws to help. Unfortunately I got sick on the way down, I was really hoping it was just the dust allergies I had been suffering from but it turned out to be a bad sinus infection. While I wanted to hug everyone, I had to refrain because I wasn’t sure if I was really sick. I still managed to have an amazing time, but I couldn’t do the parks justice on Saturday and Sunday. I am hoping that we return someday so I can see everything I really wanted to. However, my children had such fantastic experiences. They got to go on tons of rides and really have a wonderful time. They got to really explore the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but they would have liked more time at the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

   The Journey: 
   We had my oldest child, B, sleep at my in-law’s Queens apartment the night before so he could meet us at the airport the next morning. He had guessed where we were going already, but I asked him to keep it quiet for my two younger children (A & S).
   Here’s the video of how I revealed out trip to my kids. My daughter didn’t react the way I thought she would.
   

   We flew down pretty painlessly to Orlando to NY, but my daughter had a tantrum because she didn’t get the window seat. So my easiest kid turned into a pouting diva. Was not expecting that, but things rarely go the way we think they will. Surprisingly, my youngest (and most difficult child) was pretty happy. Thank you Delta for free movies on our flight! After we landed, we got our large suitcase and headed to catch the Magical Express.

   Did you know that if you are staying on property, you can take the Magical Express Bus to your hotel for free? You must make a reservation before (and they’ll mail you luggage tags and a confirmation sheet with a bar code).

   

   Note: Leave yourself a good hour or so to travel from the airport to your hotel, you may have to wait for the Magical Express.

   

   We had to wait around 10-15 minutes for the bus to come and it took us around 40-45 minutes to get to the Yacht Club (we were the 3rd stop). If you need to get there quicker,  ordering a car service or taxi may work better (but it may cost you up to $60). They show cartoons on the bus and it’s pretty comfy, and the price was right (free), so the Magical Express was great for my big family.

   The Disney Magic
   Disney World is truly magical. Every single cast member we encountered was so sweet and helpful. There were little special touches everywhere that just blew me away. Growing up, we always stayed at budget motels, so to be able to stay at the Disney Yacht Club with my family was amazing. Here’s our room tour.

   I loved the nautical decor and even how the housekeeping staff set up our Mickey Plushes on the bed to welcome my kids after a long day in the parks. The lobby is warm and inviting, with a large globe that you can spin and plenty of places to sit. There’s even a TV that shows Mickey Cartoons with kid-sized chairs. This was a big draw for my kids. The front desk was helpful too. My 5 1/2 year old wet the bed the second to last night we were there. I was able to clean him and the bed up and then put him in my bed to sleep. But I was worried that it would happen again. My husband spoke to the front desk and they sent up a shower curtain in a sealed package to line his bed with and sheets to put over it. Genius! I aired out the shower curtain for a while and then made his bed up. Luckily he didn’t wet it again, but it was protected. Note to self: Bring a Huggies Goodnights Disposable bed pad next time.

   The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration:
   After we dropped our stuff in  our room, I sent my husband, kids, and in-laws off to the parks. They went straight to Hollywood Studios on the boat.

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

   We finally arrived at Disney World Resorts. @disney #disney #vacation #travel #fun #DisneySMMC #DSMMC #disneyworld #happy #blessed #love

   A photo posted by Nancy Johnson Horn (@themamamaven) on May 5, 2016 at 12:50pm PDT

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

   I headed over to the Yacht Club Convention Center, which was right next to where were were staying. 

   I’ll totally admit that I felt magical as I walked the halls. 

   While I wasn’t feeling up to the Mickey Meet and Greet (I would have felt really bad making Mickey sick), I checked out the fab American Tourister Luggage on display. I love the Minnie Suitcase that American Tourister sent — check out my IG pic. 

    

    

    

    

   Can’t wait to meet Minnie Mouse with my fancy new luggage from @amtourister! Thank you so much! @disneymoms #dsmmc

   A photo posted by Nancy Johnson Horn (@themamamaven) on May 3, 2016 at 1:58pm PDT

    

    

    

   
   That night we headed over to the Animal Kingdom for our dinner event.

   We had a delicious dinner served buffet style. Luckily my youngest behaved as we waited our turn to get food. Then we headed over to Asia for dessert.

   We had a stroller coming early Friday Morning, so my husband carried him to Asia and then ended up carrying him when he fell asleep on our way out.

   Dessert was looser– tables of mini tarts, cotton candy, cream puffs, Mickey Ice Cream Bars (did you know they are dairy kosher), and fruit bars. The most exciting part was that we were able to ride Expedition Everest as many times as we wanted. I rode it twice and it was AMAZING.

   

   We took the bus back to our resort and put everyone to bed. Thanks for reading our day 1. Days 2-4 coming soon! We Dreamed Big at Disney World #DisneySMMC

   Take a look at my Disney SMMC Recap Video

   Read our 2nd day recap by clicking on the picture below or here.

   

    

    

   I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Conference and paid my conference ticket, and additional tickets for my family members, plus flights and travel to and from the airport. 

    

    

   The post We Dreamed Big at Disney World: Day 1 Recap #DisneySMMC appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/we-came-we-saw-we-dreamed-big-at-disney-world-disneysmmc-recap/feed/ 6 https://www.themamamaven.com/kia-sedona/ https://www.themamamaven.com/kia-sedona/#respond Mon, 04 Jan 2016 06:25:44 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=44571 I recently spent some time with the Kia Sedona Minivan at the end of November and we loved it. We had a lot of fun with it. I got away with my friends for a girls only weekend, went to Long Island for Thanksgiving, and up to my in-laws in Port Jervis, NY. But is it...

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   The post Traveling Around with the Kia Sedona Minivan appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> I recently spent some time with the Kia Sedona Minivan at the end of November and we loved it. We had a lot of fun with it. I got away with my friends for a girls only weekend, went to Long Island for Thanksgiving, and up to my in-laws in Port Jervis, NY. But is it right for your family?

   

   We started our girls only weekend by picking up my friend J and we traveled out to the Inn at East Wind in Wading River, Long Island. We relaxed and recharged in their gorgeous spa and spent night there. The Kia Sedona took us to dinner nearby and to the outlets in Riverhead (who doesn’t love a good bargain). I loved the navigation and how comfortable our ride was.

   

   

   My friend D got married here in 2010 and if you are looking for a great place to have a girls weekend or a couples get away, this is the place.

   

   The next day, after we got back to reality, I was very happy to be able to find a spot near my home — those are like gold in NYC! The backup camera was great for parking.

   

   Thanksgiving day we headed out to my parents’ house in Long Island. The Kia Sedona was so comfy for the kids. The middle seats recline so little legs can be elevated.

   

   We took a longer ride the next day, up to Port Jervis, NY. We let the kids watch movies, which made for a very quiet ride up.

   

   Take a look at the video I made about the Kia Sedona (my niece helped me film it).

   Kia Sedona Review Video

   And we also made this cute video in the car.
   

   I liked the roominess of the trunk and that you can put the back row down easily.

   

    

   I also really liked the navigation system. A google search? Yes please.

   

   These are some of the Kia Sedona that I really liked:

   • Forward Collision Warning System
   • Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)
   • Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
   • Power sliding doors
   • Dual sunroof
   • Outside mirrors with turn signal indicators
   • Memory seating and mirror system (IMS)
   • Smart power liftgate with sensor
   • Smart key with push button start
   • Front and rear park assist
   • Keyless entry system with burglar and panic alarm
   •  Power folding outside mirrors

   Verdict: We loved the Kia Sedona. It was very comfortable for my family and I felt very safe driving it.

   Thank you to Kia Motors USA and Driveshop USA for lending us the Sedona. No compensation was received.

   The post Traveling Around with the Kia Sedona Minivan appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/kia-sedona/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/review-woodloch-pines-resort-in-hawley-pa/ https://www.themamamaven.com/review-woodloch-pines-resort-in-hawley-pa/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2015 05:07:24 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=44334 Woodloch Pines Resort is the perfect place to relax with your family and have a wonderful time. It’s very rare that you can instantly feel the warmth when you check into a resort… from the staff and guests. But at Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, PA, that’s the norm. There’s plenty to do in cold...

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   ]]> Woodloch Pines Resort is the perfect place to relax with your family and have a wonderful time. It’s very rare that you can instantly feel the warmth when you check into a resort… from the staff and guests. But at Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, PA, that’s the norm. There’s plenty to do in cold weather (as well warm weather) and the customer service and food is outstanding.But is it right for your family?

   

   Ask yourself this: Do you want to spend time with your family, enjoy delicious meals, and be able to ride go karts, bumper cars, plus participate in activities like Gingerbread Wars, “horse racing”, scavenger hunts? If so, read on.

   Woodloch started as 12 acres and little boardinghouse – now Woodloch Pines features 160 guest rooms in four different room categories with most rooms accommodating up to six people.

   

   Check-in is anytime between 11am to 5pm. We drove up and stopped in Port Jervis for lunch (where my inlaws live). We drove into Woodoch — and followed signed for Registration (the signs are very visible).

   

   In the lobby, you can check in and then relax before your meals (the main dining room is right off the lobby). We were thrilled the warm atmosphere and abundance of comfy chairs and couches. Need a little tea or coffee? In the back of the lobby, you’ll find free coffee and tea open 24/7. The gift shop is right downstairs, so you can pick up a pair of gloves or a hat (we had to pick up gloves for the kids, which were actually $3 a pair). We were at Woodloch right before Christmas, so we enjoyed seeing all the beautiful decorations.

   

   

   You may see some characters — we saw a character before every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And the kids went wild each time a character showed up.

   My kids met Santa and were so charmed (we’re Jewish, so Santa isn’t something they really come in contact with).

   

   It was too cold to do anything on the lake, so we hope to return in warmer weather.

   

   Our Room:

   

   We stayed in Springbrook, a few doors down from the indoor and outdoor pool. There are plenty of places to stay at Woodloch, most are a quick walk to the main lobby/dining room – but people do drive and there are shuttle buses that run between the areas constantly.

   

   

   We had a living room and a bedroom with two double beds and a ensuite bathroom.

   
   This is a tour of our room:

   Because we are a family of 5 (with my youngest being a little difficult), having an living room with a pull out couch was perfect for us. Because my youngest wasn’t going to bed easily on the first night we were there, the other 4 of us had to go into the bedroom so we could sleep. If we had been in one room, he would have kept us all up. The second night my youngest son and my daughter slept in the living room (we did so many fun things and they both were exhausted). That next morning all three snuggled together – it was so cute!

   

   Food:
   At Woodloch Pines Resort, you can choose from a two meals per day plan or a three meals a day plan. There is table service and the wait staff is very attentive. Cocktails are available at lunch and dinner (for an additional cost).

   Note: They have special non alcoholic drinks for kids at the dining room. They are sparkly and bright (and cost extra). Your child is going to want them. Your child may lose his little mind over them. Keep in mind that you are not paying for many extras at Woodloch, so you may say yes.. one or two times. It will add up, so you may want to negotiate this before your trip.

   

   

   However, my husband and I treated ourselves to a drink each (we don’t drink that often). You can easily charge it to your room.
   

   Soft drinks are included in the meal plan, as well as juices and chocolate milk. They can serve the juices and milk in kids cup with lids.

   

   There were delicious bread included at dinner. My youngest child loved the pumpkin bread that was served on our first night.

   

   

   The side dishes (including salads) are served family style.

   

   If you have a food allergy or sensitivity, speak to your waiter. Since I do have a dairy sensitivity, I was able to find out if a soup had milk in it and avoid that. While I am eating gluten free, I don’t have celiac, so I didn’t ask about that — I just avoided eating things that I knew would have gluten.
   There are plenty of choices for the kids for lunches and dinners. The portions were huge and you can expect to see such kids faves as chicken tenders, fries, and pizza.

   

   One thing that you’ll notice is owner & CEO of Woodloch, John Kiesendahl is a fixture at meals. He greets all the guests warmly and actually goes from table to table checking in on everyone. He also makes the announcements during meals and highlights birthdays and anniversaries. And yes, they announced my birthday. Luckily they didn’t announce my age!

   

   Activities:
   There was tons to do. Check out the daily activity sheet for meal times, special events, and activities. They print out copies or you can check on their website — http://woodlochedge.com/.

   Most of the activities were included, like their six sided rock climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, bumper cars, go karts, bumper boats, kayaking, snow tubing, ice skating and more. My kids loved the go karts. There are Jr. Carts for kids between 48” – 58” to drive Jr. Carts.

   

   If you have a smaller child who wants to ride along with you, walk up past the rock climbing wall and drive the family carts — you must be over 58” and up to drive. I had so much fun driving the go kart with my little one.

    

   

   Another fun activity was Woodloch’s Festival of Lights. While it’s over for the season now, make sure to not to miss this next year.
   

   Find out more about the Festival of Lights.

   Woodloch Pines also offers Woodloch Forest, a fantastic indoor playground.

   

   For my two younger kids, this was their favorite activity. They loved climbing around and didn’t want to leave the Forest.

   

   There is an arts and crafts room in the main building, not far from the main dining room. Like the Toddler Room, you need to supervise your children. We wandered in after dinner and had fun drawing together.

   

   

   We participated in Gingerbread Wars. We teamed up with a family we met at Woodloch (they actually adopted us) and showed us the ropes. Our kids were similar ages and everyone got alone well.

   

   

   Woodloch Pines also has a fabulous sister resort called the Lodge At Woodloch, which is a Destination Spa and has been chosen by Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast as “One of The Top 10 Destination Spas in the World”. Since it was my birthday, my husband treated me to a massage. The spa was actually closed for renovations during my visit, so I went to one of the lakehouses for my treatment. It was amazing and probably one of the best massages I’ve ever had (I’ve a few before). Christine was professional and really listened to me.

   Summary:
   What I really liked about Woodloch Pines is that families were encouraged to spend time together. Families actually hang out as a group – this isn’t a “drop your kids off and go take a nap” kind of a resort. The staff was friendly and really wants to make sure you enjoy yourself. There’s a reason why families come back again and again — and we think we want to go back again too.
   We heartily recommend a visit to Woodloch Pines Resort. Tell them The Mama Maven Blog sent you!

   Thank you to Woodloch Pines Resort for providing us with accommodations in return for an honest review. 

   The post Review: Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, PA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/review-woodloch-pines-resort-in-hawley-pa/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/flowrider-at-kalahari-resorts-conventions-pocono-mtns-pa/ https://www.themamamaven.com/flowrider-at-kalahari-resorts-conventions-pocono-mtns-pa/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2015 18:10:02 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=42559 We just got back from a wonderful time at Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. I will be doing a huge post on Kalahari (we had such a great time), but first I want to call attention to the fantastic FlowRider in the Indoor Waterpark. 50,000 gallons of water each minute flow under you to...

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   ]]> We just got back from a wonderful time at Kalahari Resorts in Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. I will be doing a huge post on Kalahari (we had such a great time), but first I want to call attention to the fantastic FlowRider in the Indoor Waterpark.

   

   50,000 gallons of water each minute flow under you to create a five-foot ocean-like wave on this exciting attraction. Try your bodyboarding or surfing* skills in this incredible, (best of all) safe environment. The FlowRider is one experience that will never be the same twice!

   You’ll have to sign a waiver to use it and make sure your kids meet the height and weight requirements. Kids have to be at least 42 inches for body boarding, 52 inches for stand up riding. 

   

   Here’s our video with our experiences.

   My 10 year old son, almost 8 year old daughter, and my husband all gave it a shot. The lifeguards on duty were Emily and Ramon and they were fantastic teachers. they really gave 110% to my family.

   

   Safety Requirements:

   • Riders must be at least 42 in. tall to participate in body boarding and 52 inches tall for stand-up riding.
   • The maximum weight allowed on this ride is 300 lbs. (135.9 kg) Jewelry, hats, eye glasses, footwear of any kind, or loose articles of any type are not permitted on this ride as they may injure the participant or damage the ride surface.
   • This is a very strenuous ride. Riders must be able to swim in turbulent moving water. Use of this ride is a body-active, participatory sport. As with all sports, care must be taken to avoid injury.
   • Riders must be in good physical condition and free from any physical limitations to participate. Pregnant women, guests with heart conditions, guests with neck or back problems, and guests under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not permitted to ride.
   • Body Boarding: When instructed by the attendant, you may enter the wave as instructed. Enter the wave on your stomach, head first, with your hips along the rear edge of the board, and your legs extended straight behind you. Your hands should grip the forward rails of the board.
   • Stand-up Flowboarding: When instructed by the attendant, you may enter the wave as instructed. Participant will always enter from the bottom of the ride, never from the top. Participant will be instructed as to the proper footing by the ride attendant at the start of each ride, as well as, any other important safety information.
   • Single riders only. There is no double or tandem riding allowed at any time.
   • The flowing water may pull off bathing suit tops, bottoms, and any other loose articles of clothing. Cover-ups are highly recommended.
   • Horse play and daredevil stunts are not permitted at any time on this attraction.
   • CAUTION: Ride surface is very slippery. Use extreme caution when walking onto ride surface.
   • All riders must comply with the Pennsylvania Amusement Rider Safety and Liability Act, P.S. § 501-507 including heeding all posted and oral rules and to refrain from acting in a manner which may knowingly cause or contribute to the injury of themself or others or in a manner contrary to prohibited acts for riders set forth in the act.

   Thank you to Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, Pocono Mountains, PA for hosting us. As always, all opinions are my own. 

    

   The post FlowRider at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Pocono Mtns, PA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/flowrider-at-kalahari-resorts-conventions-pocono-mtns-pa/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/visiting-thomasland-at-edaville/ https://www.themamamaven.com/visiting-thomasland-at-edaville/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2015 06:59:51 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=41256 By Guest Contributor Julianne Strano As we arrived at the Edaville USA parking lot, we were excited to see Thomas the Train as he chugged on by blowing his whistle.  My 6 ½ year old son is a train enthusiast and was immediately in his element. My 3 year old daughter was equally entertained! I...

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   The post All Aboard! Visiting Thomas Land at Edaville USA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> By Guest Contributor Julianne Strano

   As we arrived at the Edaville USA parking lot, we were excited to see Thomas the Train as he chugged on by blowing his whistle.  My 6 ½ year old son is a train enthusiast and was immediately in his element. My 3 year old daughter was equally entertained! I had no idea that when we were planning our visit to Thomas Land that the charm of Edaville USA would also be part of the package. 

   

   Upon entering the park, our first stop was at the “Catch A Fish” station. It was included in admission.  The children were each handed poles with hot dogs affixed to their hooks. My children had never been fishing before.  They were excited to cast their rods, into the pond, as the fish peeked out from the lily pads and feverishly nibbled on the hot dogs and dragon flies flew over head.

   

   

   Our next stop was at Cran Central Junction gift shop. They both chose conductor hats as their souvenirs to sport for the day, along with their Day Out With Thomas tee shirts they were wearing. The hats were reasonably priced, just under $10 a piece.

   For Breastfeeding Mamas: In this building, there was a nursing mother’s private room. 

   
   Upstairs there were several kiddie rides and a cranberry bog ball pit that my children romped through. There were train tables inside equipped with only one train each. I would think it would be fun to bring a train or two from home, labeled with my children’s names, to guarantee play at the tables next time.

   The main attraction was the 20 minute Thomas the Train ride that departed the station every ½ hour.  Thomas tunes played as we rode along.  My son excitedly yelled out each time he recognized a familiar train in Thomas Land, as we rode around the perimeter of the park.  “There’s Toby…” “There’s Cranky the Crane!” We took advantage of a photo op in front of Thomas, after we returned back to the station.

   It felt as if we were stepping into the pages of a familiar storybook onto the Island of Sodor, as we approached Thomas Land. 

   

   Knapford Station Gifts Co. Toys and Collectibles sold Thomas themed shirts, hats, whistles, and had train tables to play at.  Thomas songs were piping over Thomas Land.  My son belted out “Blue Mountain Mystery” as we walked along. 

   The whole family enjoyed spinning in circles until we were dizzy on Toby’s Tilting Tracks.  My son most enjoyed Cranky’s Crane Drop and the Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster.  Cranky’s Crane dropped in a free fall feeling that gave butterflies in our stomachs.  He rode both rides repeatedly.  My daughter’s favorites were posing with the real life replicas of the trains and riding the Rocking Bulstrode ship repeatedly.  Fire Fighting Flynn was different than most rides I’ve ever seen, as it was a real water shooting experience for the family.  There were rides and attractions that kept them both very entertained. 

   

   Edaville USA had many kiddie train/transportation rides and attractions to easily fill our day.  After riding the Spinning Lady Bug Coaster, my son exclaimed, “that was the best ride of my whole entire life!”

   We also walked through the Dino Land that had motion activated dinos with smoke and sounds.  It was a little scary for my two, but definitely interesting.

   After a day of great railroad fun, my children saw Thomas as he headed back to his shed for the night.  My son actually cried saying good-bye to Thomas.  He’s already begging me to return this holiday season.  On our way out of the park that night at closing time, both of my children wanted to feed the fish a hot dog!

   
   Park Address:
   Edaville USA
   5 Pine Street Carver, MA 02330

   Parking is free!

   Tickets are $29 per person, under 2 is free.
   Go to Edaville’s website for more info.

   

   Thank you to Edaville for providing complimentary admission in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was received. 

   The post All Aboard! Visiting Thomas Land at Edaville USA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/visiting-thomasland-at-edaville/feed/ 6 https://www.themamamaven.com/necknapperz-travel-pillow-and-plush-animal-all-rolled-into-one/ https://www.themamamaven.com/necknapperz-travel-pillow-and-plush-animal-all-rolled-into-one/#comments Sat, 08 Aug 2015 12:21:27 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=40301 by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman My youngest is turning three next month and although he’s been dropping most of his naps, he’ll still nap in the car. I cringe when I see his little head droopy and falling over to the side and since I’m usually driving I can’t do much about it. Necknapperz are...

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   The post Necknapperz: Travel Pillow and Plush Animal All Rolled Into One appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman

   My youngest is turning three next month and although he’s been dropping most of his naps, he’ll still nap in the car. I cringe when I see his little head droopy and falling over to the side and since I’m usually driving I can’t do much about it. Necknapperz are amazing ergonomic neck pillows that support the head, but also convert into a stuffed animal!

   

   I received one of the Necknapperz for review. As a pillow, it fit everyone in the family, adults and kids alike. The pillow is made of soft material and contains microbeads that help conform to your shape. Once I unzipped the pillow and turned it inside out, it became a plush stuffed animal. My son loves his plush friend and when we’re on the road during his naptime I turn it back into a pillow, so napping is more comfortable to him and I don’t have to worry about his neck.

   

   There are nine Necknapperz that come in adorable shapes, such as elephant, panda bear and tiger. They’re perfect for traveling in a plane or car and also great for watching TV. They also make a unique baby shower gift.

   Visit the Necknapperz website to learn more and visit their facebook page. Click here to order. Price is $19.99.

   

   I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.
   

   ————————————————————————————————————

   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 2) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

   The post Necknapperz: Travel Pillow and Plush Animal All Rolled Into One appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/necknapperz-travel-pillow-and-plush-animal-all-rolled-into-one/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/field-station-dinosaurs-a-roaringly-fun-and-educational-time/ https://www.themamamaven.com/field-station-dinosaurs-a-roaringly-fun-and-educational-time/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2015 03:21:35 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=37683 We headed out the wilds of Secaucus, New Jersey last week to find some dinosaurs. Field Station: Dinosaurs was our destination and we had a trio of dinosaur fans with us.   Sadly, this will be the park’s final season in Secaucus and the last chance for fans to experience all their favorite dinosaurs in...

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   The post Field Station Dinosaurs – A Roaringly Fun and Educational Time appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> We headed out the wilds of Secaucus, New Jersey last week to find some dinosaurs. Field Station: Dinosaurs was our destination and we had a trio of dinosaur fans with us.

   

    

   

   Sadly, this will be the park’s final season in Secaucus and the last chance for fans to experience all their favorite dinosaurs in their current setting before they move on to their next home.

   

   

   

   Check out our video from Field Station: Dinosaurs

   Highlights for 2015 include the live show, “Talking with Dinosaurs.” Kids will roar, chirp and rattle as the Dinosaur Troubadour conducts the world’s first ever dinosaur Glee Club and learn what kind of sounds scientists believe dinosaurs really made.

   

   The new 3D movie, “Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet,” narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, features photo-realistic dinosaurs set in live action landscapes in an epic prehistoric adventure.

   Paleontologists’ Laboratory is the Field Station’s fun new hands-on activity where junior dinosaur hunters can dig for bones and learn the science of fossils. Visitors will also get to meet the Field Station’s new 15’ Tyrannosaurus rex which will be featured in the park’s live shows at the Field Station’s Goya Amphitheater.

   Pricing:

   

   Additionally, prices for Day Passes to Field Station: Dinosaurs have been lowered to only $15.00, and a new “anytime” ticket can be used any day during the 2015 season. The Town of Secaucus has lowered the environmental fee collected for parking to only $5.00 per vehicle.

   Hudson County is repurposing the land on which Field Station: Dinosaurs currently resides, making it necessary for the dinosaurs to find a new home starting in 2016.

   

   Field Station: Dinosaurs is located at 1 Dinosaur Way (off Exit 15X of the New Jersey Turnpike) at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, NJ. If you are using a GPS, input 1000 New County Road, Secaucus, NJ 07094.

   Admission to the park starts at $15.00 (when purchased prior to July 4) and tickets are available online at www.FieldStationDinosaurs.com and by phone at 855-999-9010.

   The park is open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM from through June 28 on Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day and from June 30 through September 6 from Tuesdays through Sundays and Labor Day. Season passes and add-ons for access to all of the park’s programming and activities are also available.

   

   Field Station offers over thirty life-sized, realistic dinosaurs come to life thanks to the brilliant engineering of the world’s leading roboticists and the imagination of our artists.
   Scientists from the New Jersey State Museum have worked to ensure that the exhibition encompasses the latest theories and discoveries in the fields of paleontology, geology, and environmental studies but at the center of it all is the fun, the joy and the wonder of dinosaurs.

   Field Station: Dinosaurs is sponsored by Goya, Beyer Ford, and Franklin Templeton Investments. Puppets designed, created and provided by Erth Visual & Physical Inc. All rights reserved.

   For more information on the adventure, tickets, special passes and offers visit our web site at www.fieldstationdinosaurs.com

   Thank you to Field Station: Dinosaurs for giving us complementary admission. As always, all opinions are our own. 

   The post Field Station Dinosaurs – A Roaringly Fun and Educational Time appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/field-station-dinosaurs-a-roaringly-fun-and-educational-time/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/visit-aquatopia-in-the-poconos-the-largest-indoor-water-park-in-the-northeast/ https://www.themamamaven.com/visit-aquatopia-in-the-poconos-the-largest-indoor-water-park-in-the-northeast/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2015 19:41:29 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=37640 by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman The largest indoor waterpark in the U.S. is in Ohio but there’s no need to venture that far; recently opened, Aquatopia, the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeast is right here in the Poconos – 90 minutes from NYC! I recently visited Aquatopia and stayed at the Camelback Lodge Resort....

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   The post Visit Aquatopia Water Park in the Poconos appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman

   The largest indoor waterpark in the U.S. is in Ohio but there’s no need to venture that far; recently opened, Aquatopia, the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeast is right here in the Poconos – 90 minutes from NYC! I recently visited Aquatopia and stayed at the Camelback Lodge Resort.

   When we arrived, at around 1pm, our room was ready for us so we went in and changed into swimsuits. All guests of Camelback Lodge have unlimited access of Aquatopia.

   The room was very comfortable with ample space for our family of five. It was nice to have a sofa to lounge on and even better: a mini refrigerator, microwave and a small table and chairs for eating.

   

   Once we were all in swimsuits we headed downstairs to Aquatopia. At 125,000 square feet it is the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeastern US. It features a transparent roof, which allows sunlight in but unlike an outdoor waterpark, you don’t feel like the sun is at your back all the time; there are plenty of areas away from the sun. The park features 13 slides, a wavepool, an adventure river, multi-level play and spray structures, toddler area, simulated surfing experience and food and beverage services, including a swim-up bar.

   The Wavepool:

   

   My three kids had so much fun! My two-year-old was a little afraid of the water but the toddler area had especially warm water so we were able to get him in easily. The temperature at Aquatopia is always 84° so it’s hot but not sticky and it was comfortable to walk around in a swimsuit or with a coverup.

   

    

   Toddler area:

   

   My older kids had fun playing in the toddler area, as well as the multi-level slides and spray area, which is designed for elementary-school-aged kids:

   

   

   

   Older (and more daring) kids can enjoy the simulated surfing experience, as well as larger slides such as Venus SlydeTrap Waterslide, the only combination slide of its kind in the world and Storm Chaser Water Coaster, the longest indoor water coaster slide in the world.

   My husband went down this:

   

   We spent the next day enjoying the park, including the lazy river, wavepool and more waterslides. We loved watching our kids get more and more confident and trying new slides.

   8 Tips for making the most of your stay at Aquatopia at Camelback Lodge:

   1. No need for towels – the park provides towels and you may exchange wet one for dry ones whenever you wish.
   2. The park has very clean restrooms and showers. The showers include soap so just bring shampoo for after the park and you’re all set.
   3. If you want to take pictures while in the water you can use a nylon pouch that protects your cell phone.
   4. There are lockers available for a small fee. You can also leave your wallet in your room – you get a bracelet that allows you to make purchases at the resort.
   5. The rooms at Camelback Lodge come with a refrigerator and microwave (some even come with a kitchen) so you can bring you own food and snacks. You can also buy food at the various venues at the resort and water park, such as a quick-serve restaurant, a buffet and a few other restaurants.
   6. The gift shop is surprisingly not as expensive as expected. We bought a medium-sized Camelback Lodge teddy bear for just $10. Aside from gifts and beautiful swimwear at affordable prices there’s snacks (and baked goods) and useful items, such as swim diapers, Tylenol, etc.
   7. Check in at the resort is at 12:30pm. Check in to room is at 4pm (unless it’s ready earlier) but you can head straight into the water park after 12:30.
   8. Check out of hotel is at 11am but you may use the park until closing (10pm). Just remember to bring a change of clothes and shampoo for the shower.

   Through June 14 Aquatopia offers sneak peek and allows entry without being a guest at Camelback Lodge. After the 14th you must be a guest at the Lodge. Click here to learn more and book a room.

   I was not compensated for this post. I received a complimentary stay and visit to the park.

   ————————————————————————————————————

   Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 2) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

   The post Visit Aquatopia Water Park in the Poconos appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/visit-aquatopia-in-the-poconos-the-largest-indoor-water-park-in-the-northeast/feed/ 5 https://www.themamamaven.com/a-day-at-sugar-sand-parks-science-explorium-and-science-playground-boca-raton-fl/ https://www.themamamaven.com/a-day-at-sugar-sand-parks-science-explorium-and-science-playground-boca-raton-fl/#respond Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:28:22 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=35455 Last week in Florida, we went to Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton to spend some time at their fabulous Science Explorium and Science Playground. On a bright and gorgeous day, we set off from Delray Beach. It was a quick, less than 20 minute ride. There was parking, but go early to make sure...

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   The post Sugar Sand Park’s Science Explorium and Science Playground in Boca Raton, FL appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> Last week in Florida, we went to Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton to spend some time at their fabulous Science Explorium and Science Playground.

   
   

   On a bright and gorgeous day, we set off from Delray Beach. It was a quick, less than 20 minute ride. There was parking, but go early to make sure you are parked close to the Explorium and Science Playground.

   

   The Children’s Science Explorium, located right in Sugar Sand Park, is a hands-on science center designed for children 5 – 12 years of age.

   

   It was an immediate hit with my curious toddler. It’s perfect for younger kids, who aren’t going to want to go through room after room of exhibits. It’s free, but suggested donation is $5.

   
   

   We loved the Secrets of Circles exhibit, created by the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

   

   

   

   

   My toddler was very happy to see a dinosaur fossils exhibit.

   

   There was another room across the hall that we enjoyed that was filled with very hands on activities.

   

   

   Next, we checked out the Science Playground (free).

   

   

   My little guy loved the dinosaur “excavation” pit.

   

   

   This was one of those sound machines.

   

   

   Check out our video!
   

   Science Explorium & Science Playground
   Sugar Sand Park
   300 S Military Trail
   Boca Raton, FL 33486
   (561) 347-3900

   http://www.scienceexplorium.org/

   This was NOT a sponsored post, I paid my own suggested donation. 

   The post Sugar Sand Park’s Science Explorium and Science Playground in Boca Raton, FL appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/a-day-at-sugar-sand-parks-science-explorium-and-science-playground-boca-raton-fl/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/schoolhouse-childrens-museum-and-learning-center-boynton-beach-florida/ https://www.themamamaven.com/schoolhouse-childrens-museum-and-learning-center-boynton-beach-florida/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:01:46 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=35402 We recently spent some time at the Schoolhouse Museum in Boynton Beach. My friend Joyce of Macaroni Kid Lake Worth and Macaroni Kid Boynton Beach -Delray  recommended it (she’s a member) and it was just perfect for my toddler. Entering the Schoolhouse Museum and Learning Center. They offer many classes and story time. You can find events...

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   The post Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center, Boynton Beach, Florida appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> We recently spent some time at the Schoolhouse Museum in Boynton Beach. My friend Joyce of Macaroni Kid Lake Worth and Macaroni Kid Boynton Beach -Delray  recommended it (she’s a member) and it was just perfect for my toddler.

   

   Entering the Schoolhouse Museum and Learning Center.

   

   They offer many classes and story time. You can find events listed on their website.

   But what really made my toddler happy was all the space to play! The bottom floor is a farm/train/hotel theme. Upstairs was a small town with a post office, store, and doctor’s office. This isn’t a huge museum, but ideal for small children who just want to play. Plus, there’s a huge playground right outside called Kids Kingdom.

   He immediately gravitated toward the train table. In fact, we could barely get him to leave it.
   

   This is a short tour of the ground floor:

   Visiting the Schoolhouse Museum @@schoolhousemuse in Boynton Beach #SouthFloridaTrip

   A video posted by Nancy Johnson Horn (@themamamaven) on Feb 24, 2015 at 9:33am PST

   

   Step into the train to get your inner engineer on.

   

   There’s an electric train display.

   

   Take a seat at the Boynton Beach Hotel and have a spot of tea.

   

   Or check on your plants in the Greenhouse.

   

   For info on the first floor exhibits, go here — http://www.schoolhousemuseum.org/FirstFloor.

   Then we went upstairs. There’s an elevator for those parents with strollers.

   

   My toddler loved Mangrove Manor.

   

   It’s a cool indoor jungle gym that lets children discover plants and animals native to Florida.

   

   My little guy loved the stuffed aligators.

   

    

   In the other side of the floor, there’s a post office, a doctor’s office and a general store.

   

   Enter the post office and decide where your mail will go. It’s a really cool way to explain Boynton history.

   

   Go through to the general store.

   

   There’s also a doctor’s office. Here is my son, taking care of the babies.

   

   Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center
   129 E Ocean Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
   (561) 742-6780

   Admission:
   $5 for adults
   $5 for children
   $4.50 for seniors
   Members and children under 1 are FREE

   Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.

   Kids Kingdom Playground was right outside the Schoolhouse Museum. This was also a huge hit.

   

    

   

   

   

    

   

    

   Kids Kingdom Playground
   208 South Seacrest Blvd.
   Boynton Beach, Fl 33435-4452 (it is right to the right side of the Schoolhouse Museum).

   I paid my own admission to Schoolhouse Museum.

   The post Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center, Boynton Beach, Florida appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/schoolhouse-childrens-museum-and-learning-center-boynton-beach-florida/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/on-the-go-with-baby-playskool-introduces-a-foldable-baby-toy-line/ https://www.themamamaven.com/on-the-go-with-baby-playskool-introduces-a-foldable-baby-toy-line/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2015 17:16:33 +0000 http://www.themamamaven.com/?p=35306 I remember those baby days. We’d go off to my mother and mother-in-law’s houses and bemoan the fact that we couldn’t take all the baby toys needed to keep our little one occupied. PlaySkool has a terrific solution that’s coming out – educational baby toys that FOLD up. Genius! We recently got to check out...

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   The post On-the-Go with Baby? PLAYSKOOL Introduces A Foldable Baby Toy Line appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> I remember those baby days. We’d go off to my mother and mother-in-law’s houses and bemoan the fact that we couldn’t take all the baby toys needed to keep our little one occupied. PlaySkool has a terrific solution that’s coming out – educational baby toys that FOLD up. Genius!

   We recently got to check out PlaySkool’s new Core Line. You can fit every toy in this line in the bag.

   Right now the bag that everything in this t fits in (which we loved) is not for sale, but that may change. I think it would be the perfect baby gift.

   Check out how this magic happens!
   
   These are on-the-go toys for on-the-go families! These toys are designed to be storable, portable, and adorable. With these lightweight and portable products,  you can bring playtime almost anytime, anywhere!

   Each item can be easily broken down and compacted to fit inside a stroller or diaper bag! PLAYSKOOL CORE products for 2015 include:
   STACK ‘N STOW Cups (Ages 9 months & up/Approx. Retail Price: $7.99/Available: Spring 2015) The space-saving STACK ‘N STOW cups make it easier to make play-time happen almost any time. The adorable lion base and seven colorful cups have easy-grasp tabs and colorful cut-out shapes to make playtime simple and fun for little hands. Little ones can begin to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they pile the cups on top of one another or nest them all together. When it’s time for parents to hit the road, quickly gather the cups up, lock the base, and store the set in a diaper bag or purse. Parents can also use the lion’s tail as a hook to hang onto a bag or stroller.
   ROLL ‘N GEARS CAR Toy (Ages 12 months & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2015) It’s time to hit the road! The two-in-one portable toy allows preschoolers to explore how gears work and cars move, making playtime fun for baby and easy for mom and dad. In car mode, this fun little vehicle has gears for wheels, allowing baby to roll it along the floor while watching the little passengers spin around inside. When the set is open, kids can begin to explore early engineering play by stacking the five removable gears up to the sky, or arranging them around the car to explore how they all fit together. The set helps to promote development of fine motor skills and allows kids to discover cause and effect when the gears they’ve placed begin to move and shift. When it’s time to pack up for another adventure, snap the gears securely inside the car, close it up, and toss it in a diaper bag for space-saving storage and transport.

   WOBBLE ‘N GO FRIENDS (Ages 3 months & up/Approx. Retail Price: $7.99/Available: Fall 2015) Little ones will love the roly poly rattling pals in the WOBBLE ‘N GO FRIENDS assortment! The adorable wobbly pets will make sweet rattle sounds with one gentle touch from baby. The bright colors, soft swaying, and weighted bottom will keep little ones coming back for more fun with their new friends. When it’s time to pack up for another adventure, these WOBBLE ‘N GO FRIENDS pals will collapse down to a small, space-saving size that can fit easily into a diaper bag, purse, or jacket pocket. When it’s fun for baby and easy for parents — everyone wins! Assortment features Bunny, Kitty, and Bug. Each sold separately.

   POP-UP SHAPE SORTER Toy (Ages 18 months & up/Approx. Retail Price: 12.99/Available: Fall 2015) The POP-UP SHAPE SORTER toy will be a PURRfect new friend for baby! Little ones will love matching and sorting the four recognizable shapes, then storing them inside the friendly kitten base until they’re ready for more fill and spill fun! The shapes also split apart into two separate pieces for added mix ‘n match play. As baby plays, they can explore shapes and colors and practice hand-eye coordination. When it’s time to go, the kitty collapses down flat for easy storage and portability.

   POP-UP ROLLIN’ RAMP Toy (Ages 12 months & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Fall 2015) Play can happen anywhere, even in the garage! Little ones can stop at the friendly garage at the top of the ramp when it’s time for a quick tune up. When they’re ready to roll, press the button to send the two cars with character pictures cruising down the ramp! The stop bar at the base of the ramp opens for chase-me car play, or can remain closed to contain the cars in the playset. When it’s time for little vehicle lovers to hit the road, parents can securely store the cars Page 1 of 2

   The post On-the-Go with Baby? PLAYSKOOL Introduces A Foldable Baby Toy Line appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

   ]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/on-the-go-with-baby-playskool-introduces-a-foldable-baby-toy-line/feed/ 2