Multigenerational Family Trip to Story Land

This year we experienced a first at Story Land!  We enjoyed a day at the park with not just our kids but also my parents!  Lets talk ratios – 2 adults to 1 kid – man on man was it nice!  My parents hadn’t been to Story Land since my childhood back in the middle 80’s.  My mom was impressed with how many new attractions there were but also with how many were still there from our previous visit.  I would definitely recommend a Multigenerational Family Trip to Story Land!

Story Land opened for business is 1954 and continues to thrill children of all ages each season.  They are open for the season in late May and close in early October.  Make sure you check the calendar for open hours and dates.  Check for pricing on day passes and season passes here.

I’m really exited to be able to offer a special discount to my readers!  Click here and save $6 off a regular day pass!!  You can also enter the Promo Code: blogger18.

Our kids have come to expect our visits and it is so fun to see them get excited.  They talk about all of their old favorite rides and what they are going to do.  After our first visit we realized we should come with the kids bathing suits so they could fully enjoy Oceans of Fun Sprayground.  They love getting sprayed and having a chance to cool off on hot summer days.

Our  Families 2018 Top 5 Rides at Story Land

1. Bamboo Chutes
2. Dr. Geysers Remarkable Raft Ride
3. Polar Coaster
4. Flying Fish
5. The Pirate Ship

For fun I left the list from last year here so you can see how things varied for us from year to year.  (disclaimer – this year it was colder so the kids didn’t do the Splash Battle and the Swan Boats were closed during our visit)

Our  Families 2017 Top 5 Rides at Story Land

1. Bamboo Chutes
2. Dr. Geysers Remarkable Raft Ride
3. Splash Battle: Pharaoh’s Reign
4. Swan Boats
5. Polar Coaster

Even though Chloe said she wouldn’t ride Roar-O-Saurus again after last year she decided to give it another go this year with her Gramie.  Since my dad was there as well he stayed with Buddy and hubby got to ride as well.  I love the picture we got of the four of us on the ride!

I would definitely recommend the Digital Picture Pass – we got it this time and for $29.99 I feel like it was well worth it.  I love the memories we captured and will be able to share with future generations.  My absolute favorite is of the kids and my parents on the Bamboo Chutes.  While Chloe may look terrified in the pictures you should know that she loved the rides!!

If you are in New England and looking for a fun family day make sure you check out Story Land and plan a visit.  Before you know it you will have started a new family tradition!

Save $6 on your One Day Ticket Today!

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Generations of Family Fun at Story Land

I love taking my children to theme parks and here is amazing as it allows them to experience a Land Where Fairy Tales Come to Life.  If you grew up in New England I bet at some point during your childhood you visited the Story Land.  I visited when I was a child and love that now I visit every year with my children.  You can definitely experience Generations of Family Fun at Story Land.

Story Land opened for business is 1954 and continues to thrill children of all ages each season.  They are open for the season in late May and close in early October.  Make sure you check the calendar for open hours and dates.  Check for pricing on day passes and season passes here.

I’m really exited to be able to offer a special discount to my readers!  Click here and save $6 off a regular day pass!!  You can also enter the Promo Code: blogger18.

Our kids have come to expect our visits and it is so fun to see them get excited.  They talk about all of their old favorite rides and what they are going to do.  After our first visit we realized we should come with the kids bathing suits so they could fully enjoy Oceans of Fun Sprayground.  They love getting sprayed and having a chance to cool off on hot summer days.

Our  Families Top 5 Rides at Story Land

1. Bamboo Chutes
2. Dr. Geysers Remarkable Raft Ride
3. Splash Battle: Pharaoh’s Reign
4. Swan Boats
5. Polar Coaster

This year I even convinced my daughter to be brave and ride Roar-O-Saurus with me!  Roar-O-Saurus is the newest coaster at Story Land, designed and built for Story Land’s unique natural setting and is the only wooden roller coaster of its kind in northern New England.  The coaster has a lift height of 40 feet and sends riders soaring down a first drop of 38.5 feet, features 1,242 feet of track length, and provides riders 12 unique airtime moments.

 

We conquered the Roar-O-Saurus! My brave little lady! #ad #storylandnh #mystorylandadventure #hosted #familyfun #newhampshire #newengland #kbnkids #kbnmoms #craftymamainme

A post shared by Shannon Arce (@craftymamainme) on Jul 30, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

I’ve got to say Roar-O-Saurus was more extreme then I expected and my daughter said she would not ride again at the end with tears in her eyes.  I definitely enjoyed the ride and would go on again by myself.  The minimum height requirement for the ride is 42″ with an adult and I’ve got to say I would use caution on that end of the spectrum.  My son chose not to ride and he is almost 48″ at 5 and he would not have been happy on the ride.

One other area that we had never explored before this year was the Loopy Lab.  The kids loved feeding the machines balls and sending them flying!

If you are in New England and looking for a fun family day make sure you check out Story Land and plan a visit.  Before you know it you will have started a new family tradition!

Save $3 on your One Day Ticket Today!

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Fun Family Adventures at LEGOLAND® Florida

Does your house look like a LEGO® store exploded? Mine surely does! We started out with Duplos when the kids were little and graduated up to Juniors and then regular sized LEGO®. The kids LOVE getting new LEGO® sets and playing with the LEGO® apps as well as watching LEGO® cartoons! I knew when we booked our trip to Central Florida that we would couldn’t miss LEGOLand® this visit. This was our first experience with a LEGOLand® and we definitely had a great time!  Read on and gear up for Fun Family Adventures at LEGOLAND® Florida!

We were staying in Kissimmee, Florida in a house we rented so we had roughly an hour ride to get to the park.  We headed out about an hour and half prior to the scheduled park opening so we could make the most of the day.  Unfortunately this turned out to be a BAD idea. We arrived just before opening and got in line to pay to park.  The line was long and it actually took almost 30 minutes to get up to the pay station.  This was not a fun wait – especially since by this time I really had to go to the bathroom.  We paid the extra money to park in the Preferred Parking area so we wouldn’t have to walk as far to get to the bathroom.  The Preferred parking was located in the shade of solar panels so that was definitely a nice perk.

Once we arrived and got out of the car we headed up to the gate. This process was quick (thankfully) and the bathroom was very close to the gate. We got our park maps and headed out on our LEGOLand® adventure.

We started our adventure with a stop on the Grand Carousel in Fun Town. While we were waiting to ride we saw lots of Star Wars characters come out for photo opps. The date we visited was during Star Wars Weekend – make sure you check out the LEGOLand® Florida website to see what special events they have coming up.

Next we went right and headed into Duplo Valley.  We walked through but didn’t stop.  We continued until we reached the World of Chima and the kids and hubby rode The Quest for Chi.  This was a boat ride where you could shoot water out at other riders. My mom and I chose to sit this ride out as we didn’t want to start the day soaked. The kids really enjoyed the ride and it set a great tone to the rest of our day.

We walked back to the LEGO® Kingdoms and the kids, my mom and I rode on Merlin’s Challenge.  This ride was surprising – I was expecting a kiddie ride that didn’t go very fast but BOY was I wrong! The ride really picked up a lot of speed.  In this section of the park the kids also went on Royal Joust.  The kids really loved that after our visit to Medieval Times the night before (read my review of our visit here).

We visited on a Saturday and it was BUSY!  It was Star Wars Weekend and Girl Scout Weekend from what we could tell. This meant that the bigger rides all had really long waits so unfortunately we didn’t get to go on any.  If you wanted to make sure you didn’t have that problem you can pay for a Premium Play Band to skip to the front of the line.

We ate lunch at LEGO® City Burger Kitchen. The food was good and definitely plentiful.  The wait was long but with the crowds that was to be expected.  As we were eating the wind rolled in and the skies darkened.  We got worried that a thunderstorm was rolling in so we skipped over the water park section of the park and headed back for MINILAND USA.  

When we entered the park we saw a sign stating there was a special scavenger hunt taking placing in MINILAND USA so we knew we didn’t want to miss that.  The kids both received a small prize for turning in the completed scavenger hunt form.  We searched the cityscapes for the hidden Star Wars figures so the kids could get their prize and had a lot of fun exploring and seeing the sites of some familiar cities. The cityscapes were amazing!

Finally we headed into the Heartlake City – themed for the LEGO® Friends as Boo Boo really wanted see it.  We didn’t end up going on any of the rides but did start our shopping there!  We had a great day that ended up in the gift shops!  The kids had fun looking at all the different LEGO® sets and ended up both picking up two to take home with us.  Good thing Gramie had extra space in her suitcase!

LEGOLand® is the perfect place to visit if you have small children that love building with LEGO®!  It was amazing to see all of the structures and figures built out of LEGO® (even as an adult). The kids really enjoyed going on rides based on some of their favorite LEGO® kits.

For more information about LEGOLAND® Florida visit them on their social media or website:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

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How to Pack a Day Bag for Fun in the Sun

Do you love summer?  I definitely do!  I live in Maine where you have to treasure the few days that summer really graces us with its presence.  While the kids are out of school we spend a lot of time outside, be it at the pool or out exploring our local area.  I’ve decided that this summer I will have a day bag that I take whenever we head out and have found a few items that are key to being prepared on the go.  Read on to find out How to Pack a Day Bag for Fun in the Sun!

Heading out the door before kids used to be so simple – now factor in the time to get myself ready, the time to make sure the kids get ready and the time to gather up everything we might need when we are out and I’m tired before we leave the house!  As the kids are getting older this is starting to get easier but  rounding everyone up and getting out the door on time has definitely turned into a challenge for us.  Having my Day Bag ready will help so I don’t spend so much time on a daily basis getting ready to head out.

What to Pack in your Day Bag for Fun in the Sun

• Small first aid kit (my main requirements for this are multiple size bandages and medicated ointment – I put these in a small zipper bag)
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray Wipes
• Tissues
• Diaper Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Medications (in a daily pill box organizer – see an awesome tutorial on how to make one here).
• Tampons
• Snacks
• Water Bottle

Check out the travel size products at Walmart for a lot of items mentioned above.  If you would prefer and already have the items at home you could just take them from a bigger package and put them in snack size zippered bags for DIY travel size portions.  

For me most of these items are simple to purchase – no thought required.  But to spend the day outside with the kids I have to think about sunscreen and for us that isn’t the easiest.  Since my sons birth my body has changed, I’ve become allergic to certain medications, had uncontrollable hives and even started to to be allergic to almost every sunscreen out there. And surprise, surprise my son has the same problems (minus being allergic to medications).  I have super sensitive skin but my son takes it a step further and has eczema that is easily irritated by just about everything.  He needs special body wash, lotion, and you guessed it…sunscreen.

We had one brand of sunscreen we had used since he was a baby that we used without problems…until this year.  We were on vacation in Florida and guess what…he broke out anyways and guess what so did I!  Like the old saying – misery loves company – and we both were itchy and miserable.  I should have stock in allergy medication for how often we take them in our house (and guess what we carry both children and adult in our medication box).  Luckily my daughter and my husband don’t have any skin issues so they can use whatever sunscreen we have on hand.  In the past we would have three kinds of sunscreen that we always had with us but now we have found Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen Sensitive and we use it on everyone and keep the whole family safe from the sun!

When I was in Walmart after our recent trip to Florida I found the big sunscreen display and set myself to the challenge of finding a new sunscreen that would provide protection and be sensitive enough that my son and I could use it.  

Over the years I have struggled finding a sunscreen that is paraben-free, chemical-free, and fragrence-free and was excited to see that Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen Sensitive was.  I also was interested to see the Patented Smart Bottle technology – the bottle changes color when exposed to harmful UV sunlight which can help serve as a reminder to reapply your sunscreen.  Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen Sensitive is dermatologist recommended and was created in Australia where the sunscreen standards are the strictest in the world!  The Blue Lizard® products all have a unique zinc oxide formulation and provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

If  Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen Sensitive sounds like a good fit for you take a peek at this amazing Ibotta offer!

Join iBotta and earn $4.00 when you purchase Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen – Sensitive, 5 oz. bottle only.

I am excited to find a brand of sunscreen that I can add to my Day Bag for Fun in the Sun that works for the whole family!  The big key to having your Day Bag ready at all times will be to restock it as you use items so it is always ready to go.  When you get home from a fun day out make sure you take a minute or two to replenish your supplies and you will ready for your next day!

From a day out at home or a full day in a theme park – your Day Bag for Fun in the Sun will make being organized and ready for the day so much easier!

Head over to your local Walmart to restock your Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen Sensitive today and don’t forget to use the awesome Ibotta offer!

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Spend Quality Family Time at Medieval Times 

Do you like to find new things to do together as a family?  When we travel I like to ensure that our children experience new things.  My husband and I had been to Medieval Times previously but this was our kids first visit and they loved it!  Find out more about how you can Spend Quality Family Time at Medieval Times.

On our recent trip to the Orlando area I tried to think of some new things to do with the kids.  Since we visit the area every few years I try to find some new attractions or entertainment each time to make our trip unique.  This time I recalled my fond memories of visiting Medieval Times and decided that the kids would be old enough to enjoy the show.  Boy was I right!  They watched with gaping mouths and excitement in their eyes.

Your admission fee includes dinner and the show all for one great price.  If you haven’t been to Medieval Times before let me warn you that you DO eat with your hands (this isn’t my favorite thing to do but they do provide you with wet wipes to clean up after you eat).  The meal is amazing and a ton of food.  Your dinner will feature a first course of garlic bread and tomato bisque, a second course of roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn and herb roasted potato, and finish with a pastry of the castle and coffee service if you are so inclined.  Your meal also includes two rounds of non-alcoholic beverage service.  There is a vegetarian option available upon request.

The castle opens 75 minutes prior to the start of your selected performance.  Arrive early to allow yourselves time to explore the Medieval Life & Museum as well as the Castle Hall.  Upon arrival to the castle you enter through the front doors and head to the ticket window to check in.  You are given your seating cards and directed into an ante room where you get your picture taken.  After having your picture taken you head into the main hall which has a bar and gift shop where you wait until the doors open for you to file in to find your seats.  We arrived and were seated in the Green Knights section (spoiler alert – he actually won!!).

 

Our Green Knight won! @medievaltimesflorida #hosted #ad #florida #familytravel #familyfun #familyvacation

A post shared by Shannon Arce (@craftymamainme) on May 12, 2017 at 4:36pm PDT

The show is such fun to watch – where else do you get to see real live jousting?  The horses are beautiful and the live action is memorizing.  My kids sat still the whole time and didn’t have much to say (if you have met my son you know that is pretty shocking ).  During each competition you are supposed to cheer loudly for your knight.  After each competition the knight’s earn flowers to give out to their fans in their seating section and my daughter was lucky enough to receive one – she was over the moon!

Would I recommend this show to families with young children?  Definitely! The show is entertaining and the food is good.  The kids get the same portion as the adults so we also went home with a large takeout box full of leftovers.  Whether you are looking for a fun night out as a family or as a place to celebrate – Medieval Times is the perfect solution.

Find more information about Medieval Times below:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest

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Four Tips to Navigate Family Road Trips like a Pro

Today we have a special guest author – Meredith Sinclair, author of “Well Played: The Ultimate Guide to Awakening Your Family’s Playful Spirit?” Meredith is a mom of two boys and knows all too well the annoyances that the “Are we there yet?” phrase can have.  Read on for Four Tips to Navigate Family Road Trips like a Pro and keep your sanity while traveling!

Memorial Day is often linked as the official kick off to summer and the start of family road trip season. According to AAA, nearly 80 percent of family travelers are planning a road trip this year, but higher gas prices mean shorter trips for most families this year.

I’m a mom of two boys, and if our trip is one hour or three hours, it still comes with the annoyances of packing up the car and finding a way to keep the kids entertained in a small space. Sure, we all know the fun is in the planning and doing- landmarks to visit, must-see views, parks to stretch your legs, local attractions and favorite eateries to try. However, the journey is just as important as the destination – and one part of the planning that many parents overlook is car time. It doesn’t take a lot of extra effort, but planning ahead with a few ready-to-go ideas that will keep the kids entertained (sans screen time!) so Mom and Dad can focus on the road and you can all enjoy your time together, certainly goes a long way.

Here are a few of my favorite creative travel tips and car ride activities that will help you navigate the backseat squabbles, “are we there yets?” and much-needed pit stops when traveling near or far with kids this summer.

1. Car Ride Grab Bags: Hang a mystery bag in the back of the car. For each hour you’re on the road, have your kids open one bag to find some fun goodies they can use during the trip. For example, fill it with little toys or easy craft materials so when they are finished drinking a juice box they can turn it into a rocket ship or sailboat. The Juicy Juice Family Time website has so many great craft ideas.
2. Pocket Full of Quarters: When my boys were younger, we used to take road trips to see their grandparents eight hours away. One of their favorite things was to stop at the Turnpike rest stops and buy those small toys and trinkets from the vending machines. We turned that into a behavior incentive! As the boys displayed good car behavior, we would dole out a quarter for them to pop in their pockets. They loved EARNING change for the little goodies that in turn kept them happy and entertained in the car for the next hour!
3. Pack a Cooler: Sometimes when the crankiness or boredom sets in, your little one just needs a little boost (sound familiar?). Skip the greasy snacks and sodas with added caffeine, and save your extra cash for spending money, by packing your own cooler with no-mess options like lower-sugar Juicy Juice Splashers and high-protein trail mix to give them some extra energy.
4. LEGO Challenge: Kids vs. Parents: This one can be done in a plane, train or automobile! Fill a plastic container (with a lid), with a slew of LEGO pieces in various sizes and shapes. Give each family member a small LEGO base- the large bases can be cut into 4×4 inch squares. Now write some LEGO building challenges onto index cards like, ”build the tallest building you can,” “make a LEGO playground prefect for you and your friends,” or “create a new animal no one has ever seen before.” Then, set a timer on your phone and everyone races to complete the task. The driver of the car or one “reader of the challenge” picks the winner each round.

Bonus! Airport Scavenger Hunt

If you’re flying to your destination, I created a “Bored-ing Pass” printable for kids and parents to use together during their long lines, layovers and delayed flights at the airport. Work together to find quirky things going on in the terminal.

Find more of my travel related posts here:

Kid Friendly Trips

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How to Make Vacation Planning Easy with Kids 

Do you love to travel?  We certainly do!  As our family grew from just two adults to a family of four things got a bit more complicated (and expensive!).  I want to share some GREAT ideas on how to make vacation planning easy with kids!  Is that really possible you ask?  I think so!  

The more we travel the easier it gets – there are two reasons I can think of 1) the kids get older each time and 2) they know what to expect.  Planning is also KEY!  We try to plan flights at times that won’t be as taxing for the kids and try to think of fun pit stops to break up a long road trip.  An amazing family vacation is waiting – take a look at the suggestions below and get ready to head out for some awesome family fun!

Crafty Mama in ME’s Top Travel Tips

How to Keep Your Family Healthy While Traveling

Tips for Traveling with Kids

10 Things to Do in Washington DC with Young Children

How to Have a Fun Day at a Disney Water Park with Preschoolers

How to Keep Busy in an RV

Travel Tip Round Up

Packing Tips

5 Tips To Make Packing For Vacation A Snap from Making Our Life Matter

Teaching Kids to Pack for Family Travel from Moneywise Moms

What to Pack for a Family Beach Vacation from The Professional Mom Project

Road Trip Tips

8 Ways To Make A Road Trip More Fun from Prairie Style File

5 Tips for Packing a Sightseeing Bag for Day Trips from Simplify Live Love

How to use RoadTrippers to Plan Your Route from Drive By Towns

Practical Tips for Taking Kids on Long Flights from Mama Smiles

Tips to Survive a Last Minute Trip from Something 2 Offer

5 Easy Tips for Eating Real Food on Road Trips from Simplify Live Love

Field Trip Ready Car from Field Trip Iowa

5 Things You Need For A Family Road Trip from Clarissa Explains It All

5 Tips for a Chaos-Free Family Road Trip from Chaos is Bliss

Road Trips with Tweens from Moneywise Moms

4 Essentials for a Better Family Road Trip from What’s Up Fagans?

Reasons To Make Pit Stops a Priority from Something 2 Offer

Travel Tips

5 Ways to Manage Travel Anxiety from Jamie Says

Tips on Traveling with Toddlers from Living Sweet Moments

{How To} Create A Portable Trip Binder from Making Our Life Matter

1 Tip to Have the Most Amazing Vacation Ever Coffee With Us 3

5 Tips For Traveling With Your Cat from Living Sweet Moments

Making Your Home Energy Efficient While Traveling from Making Our Life Matter

Why Weekend Getaways Can Be Better Than Extended Vacations from Simply Sherryl

How to Minimize Family Vacation Expenses from Simply Sherryl

Staycation Vacation Ideas

13 Staycation Vacation Ideas from Encouraging Moms at Home

As I said before we absolutely love traveling as a family – I’ve written a lot about our adventures.  You can find more of our exploits in the Kid Friendly Trips Archive.

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Hit the Road as a Family {Free Bingo & Essentials List}

Do you love heading out road trips with your family?  We certainly spend a lot of time in our minivan in the spring and the summer.  We drive to and from the baseball fields all spring and spend more time each weekend with family as the weather warms up and we can get outside again!  Keep reading to hear how I get our minivan ready for us to the hit the road as a family.

Get your Car Ready to Hit the Road as a Family

First things first – to ensure your car is ready to hit the road you have a few standard maintenance items you should make sure are complete.

• Check the oil – make sure you get an oil change if you are due.
• Check the windshield wiper fluid.
• Make sure your cabin air filter is clean.
• Check your cars recommended maintenance schedule.  Complete any necessary work.
• Fill up the gas tank and hit the road!

Hubby is the car maintenance man – my skill levels include passing tools and holding a flash light if necessary.  We take the car to the dealer for its oil changes but other maintenance he takes care of himself.  He checked the fluids and then decided to look in the cars owner manual to see if there was anything else that should be done.  He saw that he should check the cabin air filter (Make sure you follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual.)

I did a quick online search at Walmart to see what cabin air filter my car needed.  If you don’t know what filter you need or even if you car has a cabin air filter the search tool at Walmart is perfect for you!  I honestly had no clue we had a cabin air filter – and I found out they are frequently an overlooked part of routine car maintenance that you could easily do yourself.  I wrote the part number down and picked it up on my next trip to Walmart.

So…now you know you have a cabin air filter – but what exactly does it do for you?  Cabin air filters clean the air that you breath in the car.  With my quick  search I found that FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filters were the best choice for me to help keep the air in our car clean and protect my family against dirt, dust, and allergens.  The FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter is the only cabin air filter on the market that uses the ARM & HAMMER® baking soda to provide a natural deodorizing of the outside air.

Ok – so now I’ve convinced you to change your cabin air filter and the big question is…how?  I will walk you through how Hubby (with me as moral support) changed our cabin air filter in our minivan but if you want directions specific to your cars make and model by sure to visit FRAMFreshBreeze.com to see the instruction guides they provide in the part lookup section.  These installation guides are great as you can watch a video or read written instructions.

Changing our Cabin Air Filter

1. Search on Walmart.com to find the part number for your FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter.
2. Order online (or write the number down to purchase the item in store on your next visit).
3. Once you have your FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter get ready to install.
   1. Find your installation guide at FRAMFreshBreeze.com (you can even have this texted to your phone for ease of access during the installation process).
   2. Empty your glove box.
   3. Remove the new FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter from the packaging.
4. Our next step was to disconnect the arm on the left side of the glove box.
5. Once the arm is disconnected you release the glove box by pushing in on both sides of the glove box until the glove box disengages and swings freely towards the floorboard (it is still attached by the bottom hinge).
6. Locate the cabin air filter tray – this is towards the top of the compartment.
7. Once located unlock the tray by pushing in on the left and right side tabs.
8. To remove the tray pull it out straight towards you.
9. Remove the dirty filter from the tray.
10. Put the new filter in the tray with the air flow arrow pointing down.
11. Replace the air filter tray and ensure it locks back into place.
12. Reattach the glove box by putting in position and pushing in on both sides to re-engage the glove compartment stops.
13. Finally reconnect the arm on the left side, put everything back in the glove box, and close it.

Family Road Trip Essentials Kit

Now that your car is ready, I wanted to also share our families road trip essentials.  We have a tote in the back of the van that contains most of our essentials – others like snacks and the kids activities are in their seat back organizer or up front with me.  Take a peek at how I keep us organized and get a list of the essentials I wouldn’t leave home without before a road trip.  Since we have a dog I also always have a portable water dish and pet waste bags with us in the car as well.

Download your own free Road Trip Essentials Kit Printable below:

Road Trip Essentials Kit

Road Trip Car Bingo

Spring is in the air in Maine and we are just starting to think about spending more time out and about.  More time out equals more time in the car.  As a mom I like to have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to longer car rides.  My kids are getting older but they still start to get a little stir crazy when they are cooped up for hours.  I decided to make a fun Road Trip Car Bingo game for the kids to play.  

Download your own Free version of Road Trip Car Bingo below:

Road Trip Car Bingo

I created four different game boards.  If you want the cards to last for more than one game I would suggest printing on card stock and laminating.  

• Print Cards on cardstock
• Laminate the cards
• Cut each sheet in half to make two game cards
• Use dry erase markers to mark the items found with an “x”

If you are gearing up for a big road trip make sure you take the time to complete all necessary maintenance and pack the essentials! 

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10 Things to Do in Washington DC with Young Children

Are you planning on a trip to Washington DC in the near future?  It is an amazing place to visit and has so much to see and do – it can be a little overwhelming right?  We just took the kids for their first visit over our February break here in Maine and had an amazing time.  The DC area is a special place for hubby and I as we met and got married there  Read on for our list of 10 things to do in Washington DC with Young Children.

My list is in no particular order – just 10 things that we either did or have bookmarked to do on a future trip.

1) Ride the Metro

This is a MUST!  Especially if you have a child that is obsessed with transportation!  Both kids loved riding on the Metro.  I would recommend if you are using the Metro for your main source of transportation that you do some research as they are doing serious construction that closes lines and creates lengthy delays (as of Feb. 2017).

2) Ride the Capitol Wheel and visit the National Harbor

 

Having a #familyadventure in Washington DC #wheelfun #hosted #familyvacation #familytravel #craftymamainme #kbnmoms #kbnkids

A post shared by Shannon Arce (@craftymamainme) on Feb 16, 2017 at 1:27pm PST

The kids love Ferris Wheels so I thought they would really enjoy a visit to the Capitol Wheel.  We visited on a fairly blustery afternoon and had the wheel almost to ourselves.  We enjoyed the ride and the climate controlled pods we rode in.  It was fun to see Alexandria across the river which is where my husband and I lived and worked.  The ride was the perfect length as it stopped just as the kids were starting to get antsy.  It was a fun start to our trip.

***My family and I received complimentary tickets for review purposes***

3) Visit the International Spy Museum

 

We are spies! #hosted #familyfun #familyvacation #familytravel #craftymamainme #kbnmoms #kbnkids

A post shared by Shannon Arce (@craftymamainme) on Feb 17, 2017 at 9:50am PST

One of my daughter’s classmates (who is also her bestie) had visiting the International Spy Museum with her family in November and talked it up!  Boo Boo and Buddy decided that they ABSOLUTELY had to go when we were in DC so we made it a priority.  We headed to the Spy Museum on our first day (so we wouldn’t be asked the whole visit when we were going to go – as a parent – you know how that goes).  Bonus for parents with kids 6 and under – they are free!

We had a great visit but had to be very flexible – this museum had a lot of cool stuff to look at but the kids attention spans weren’t long enough to stand around for us to read much of the information about said cool stuff.  Our kids loved the first exhibit you walk into after the video where you get to take spy challenges.  I think as they get older they would spend more time in the exhibits but they still had an awesome time and would recommend it to their friends!

***I received a complimentary media ticket in exchange for review purposes***

4) Visit the Natural History Museum

In my opinion this was the highlight of our trip – from the mummies to the butterfly pavilion (additional cost) there was something for all of us.  The kids loved this museum we actually spent a few hours two different days just to see everything.  Some exhibits they didn’t love as much but for the most part they really enjoyed it.  Boo Boo loved the mammal exhibit and seeing the butterflies up close.  Buddy loved seeing the mummy cat and the dinosaurs.  

I had the most fun exploring the geology section with Buddy as he was really interested in having me tell him what the signs all said.  What I love the most about the Smithsonian Museums is that they are free so you don’t have to feel obligated to stay more than a couple hours a visit.  You can follow your child’s lead and enjoy your time. 

5) Walk on the National Mall

We walked around the National Mall on our visit (no it’s not for shopping Boo Boo! lol).  We looked at the different museums and walked all the way down to the front of the Capitol.  You could also take your children on the carousel.  It would be difficult for most small children to walk from one end (by the capitol) to the other (Lincoln Memorial) in one visit.  We did each half but on separate days.

6) Visit the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia

I love the Udvar-Hazy Center – I went the first time with Hubby years ago.  I knew it would be on our list of places to take the kids when we finally visited the DC area with them.  The building is HUGE and full of airplanes!  You can even visit an observation tower and watch planes come in for landing at the Dulles Airport.  This was my first visit since the Space Shuttle Discovery took up residence.  Take a peek at the delivery video below.  (If you don’t have transportation you can also stay in DC and go to the National Air and Space Museum located on the Mall).
 

7) Visit the National Zoo

We love visiting zoo’s – I think hubby and I love them just as much as the kids.  We visited over President’s Day weekend which meant higher crowds but also we visited on a very historic day for the zoo.  We stumbled upon Bao Bao the giant panda’s farewell celebration!  The zoo is a little bit of a walk from the Metro so this day we used Uber from where we were staying – it was easy and dropped us off right at the main entrance.  We arrived early and went straight to see the pandas and it was already a bit crazy (I’m very glad we didn’t try to come in the afternoon).  We saw the pandas as you can see in my video below and then headed out to see the other animals.  By early afternoon we had seen almost everything and decided to head out as the crowds had gotten quite large.  

I would highly recommend a visit to the zoo – if you can I would suggest visiting on a weekday and not during a school vacation to help minimize crowds and maximize enjoyment!

 

We are here on a historic day! #ByeByeBaoBao #familyvacation #familytravel #craftymamainme #familyfun #kbnmoms #kbnkids #welovezoos

A post shared by Shannon Arce (@craftymamainme) on Feb 20, 2017 at 8:05am PST

8) Visit the Memorials

This trip we visited Vietnam Veterans Memorial, U.S. Navy Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, National World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, and the Washington Monument.  We essentially hit the memorials that were all close to the National Mall.  If you have time I would highly recommend walking around the tidal basin and visiting all of the memorials located there.  If you plan to come during the Cherry Blossom Festival be aware of the large crowds.

9) Drive or walk by the White House

We looked at the White House from afar this trip – we saw it as we drove by one day and then from the Mall by the Washington Monument another day.  You can also submit a request to visit the White House in person following the directions found here.  I was lucky enough to visit the White House on a trip when I was in middle school and hope someday my kids will see the inside as well (Buddy will be living there someday if his promise of growing up to be the President come true!)

10) Visit Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is breathtaking.  You can witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visit the eternal flame at JFK’s gravesite, visit the Memorial Amphitheater or see the Arlington House (Robert E. Lee Memorial).  We did not make it to the cemetery on this visit but have been many times in the past.  

Do you have a favorite place to visit with your kids in the Nation’s Capitol?  If so let me know the comments below!

The post 10 Things to Do in Washington DC with Young Children appeared first on Crafty Mama in ME!.

Visiting San Francisco’s Aquarium of the Bay

Pier 39 is a great place to visit.  I had been on my previous visit to San Francisco with my then boyfriend (now Hubby).  Fast forward 8 years and two kids and our visit had a slightly different focus.  This time as I planned our visit I focused on kid friendly things to do.  One of the first things that jumped out at me for our San Francisco visit was the Aquarium of the Bay.  My kids love anything that has to do with fish or animals so they were excited for our visit.

The walk from the parking garage to Pier 39 and the aquarium was quite exciting.  The area screams fun with the ambiance it portrays.  We headed straight up the stairs and into the aquarium to start our visit.  Upon entering the aquarium we were greeted by a few tanks to explore prior to taking an elevator down to the tunnels.  The first of the two tunnels was home to the near shore habitat.  Walking through the tube surrounded by fish was so awesome.  

The kids (and me to be honest) were happily pointing out different fish and asking what they were or telling us what they were if they knew.

The second tunnel was the deep water habitat.  It was home to a lot of the bigger fish and even sharks.  I love this picture of Buddy walking with the fish behind him!

How awesome is it to be able to walk under a shark?!?!

After the tunnels we saw an Otter exhibit.  The kids were so happy to see the otters swim and act silly – they were so infatuated in fact that we ended up taking two stuffed otters home with us.  We wondered past some other exhibits containing toads, snakes and more.

Our last stop was the touch tank, we were lucky enough to be there at feeding time.  One of the employees talked about how the animals eat.  Check out part of his presentation here:

Our visit was great!  I would highly recommend a visit to any family that is in the area.  If you live in the area keep an eye out for the special programs and events that the aquarium puts on throughout the year.  

Visit the Aquarium of the Bay online at the links below:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Take a look back at some of the other great places we visited in California below:

Visiting the Point Arena Lighthouse with Children

Hornblower River Cruises – Sacramento

Visit the hub for all posts about our California Trip here.

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