Family Trip Deals

This is Part 3 in a Series of 4. For Part I: Packing, click here. For Part II: Traveling By Plane, click here.

PART III: ON THE ROAD

Ideas for making those car trips memorable in the very best way, contributed by parents who learned from experience.

1. WINDOW AS CANVAS If you don’t mind wiping the windows, let the kids use dry-erase markers to color pictures. My kids love to play tic-tac-toe. A baby wipe clears it up fast — makes the kids great travelers. — allkellyp

2. FOR VERY YOUNG ONES This is how we survived a long car trip with our 4-year-old son and high-energy toddler daughter:
* We picked up two clipboards at the dollar store to draw on. We tore pages out of coloring books and brought plain white paper. I let them use crayons - not as messy as markers.
* I brought along some favorite lost and forgotten figurines I’d dug out of the bottom of the toy box. It was fun and quiet. — mufasasmistress

3. TAPES & ZIPLOCS We have had success with lap desks for coloring, individual snacks for each child packed in their own Ziploc snack bags, and lots of sing-along tapes. — Rebekah

4. WIRED FOR PLAY We borrowed a small tv/vcr and hooked it up in our van so the kids could watch movies. They each brought headphones and tapes or CDs they liked. I got a couple of books on tape for my youngest that he really liked to listen to. The oldest brought cards that he played with whoever was sitting in the back with him at the time. I also packed a Frisbee, ball and gloves, and some bubbles in an easy-to-get-to place, so when we stopped at a rest area we could all get a little exercise. — Juanese

5. BOOKS & ACTIVITY BAGS First we make a trip to the library and each kid picks out a couple of books for the ride. Our two kids (8 & 10) each have an activity bag that straps onto the seat in front of them. They are stocked with their papers for drawing, activity books, and colored pencils (crayons melt in hot cars). We have a family activity bag with small magnetic games like checkers, Chinese checkers, etc. — heybambi

6. MODEL MAGIC We take a couple of packages of multi-colored pipe cleaners and several packages of Crayola Model Magic. I love Model Magic. It sticks to itself but not to the interior of the car or the kids’ clothes, it doesn’t blend unless the kids make it blend, the kids make their creations and we clean out the van each evening and then they start again. Any little crumbles can just be brushed out or vacuumed away. I used to distribute the pipe cleaners to avoid arguements but now they can handle it themselves and are quiet for long lengths of time. — Tammy

7. NIGHTTIME TRAVEL Even if it is a baby toy, kids have fun with ANYTHING that lights up. Our dollar store has neon glow bracelets and sticks (the kind you’d purchase at an amusement park or nighttime parade) that kids can connect and make bracelets or necklaces out of. Glow-in-the-dark star stickers are fun to get out too. Have them use their mini-flashlights on them to get them to shine. They can stick them above their seat in the car (if they are big enough), or you can have them do it before it gets dark when stopping for gasoline or something quick. — mufasasmistress

8. TRAVEL JOURNALS Our sons, now 9 and 6, have travel journals I started for them in a 3-prong folder. I print off info — state bird, state flag, state capital — on the states we will be vacationing in (and also driving through) from state Web sites. I also print out coloring pages from free Web sites on subjects having to do with those states (a moose for Maine, seashells for the beach). And to stop the dreaded “Are we there yet?” I print out a map of our route and highlight the roads, marking off the parts as we complete them. I then take all of the printables, add a few sheets of lined paper, and start each new section of the journal with “Our Trip to … Summer 2003.” Then the kids add what time we left, where we stopped, what we saw on the way, etc. They now have a collection of memories in one folder of all our trips. — msipley

9. TRAVEL BINGO I’ve seen auto bingo boards for sale, but I just make them myself and get the kids to help out. — terpntime

10. SMALL SURPRISES My sister, who used to travel a lot with her military family, prepared small gifts along the way to keep the children occupied. She would wrap them and tell her boys they would receive a gift if they were behaved until the next stop. — terpntime

11. CAR LICENSE GAME Play the car license game with them. Older kids can identify the states, and younger ones can look for the different oolors. — Emily

12. MAD LIBS We just finished a trip with a 6- and 8-year-old. The big hit of the trip was Mad Libs. The kids took turns filling in the answers and loved reading the funny stories. — 40sporty

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This is Post number 2 in a Series of 4. For Post I: Packing, please click here.

TRAVELING BY AIR

Ideas for making airborne travel less of a bumpy ride, from the FamilyFun message boards.

1. AIRPORT CARSEAT/STROLLER Traveling with a toddler and all the necessities can be overwhelming. It is hard to take both a carseat and a stroller, yet what do you do with the toddler, who is way too heavy to carry through a busy airport, along with the carseat? SOLUTION: I purchased a small metal luggage/package carrier, the kind that folds up with two wheels, and a package of bungee cords. I place the carseat on the metal fold-out piece of the carrier and SECURELY attach the carseat to the carrier with the bungee cords. I then place my toddler in the carseat and secure him in, as if he were going to ride in the car. I can pull the luggage carrier through the airport with carseat and toddler securely attached. After boarding the plane, I just fold up the carrier and place it in the overhead bin and place my little carseated guy in the plane seat. Sure beats dragging all the stuff around the airport and, most of all, carrying my heavy toddler. — flyingmom

2. PIPE CLEANERS We get lots of mileage out of a big bag of colorful pipe cleaners. Both my kids make different things out of them; the little one practices his colors and counting with them. Add some large beads and you’re set. We use them on planes mostly. The kids make things for the passengers and everyone seems happy. — becksh

3. EAR SAVERS For take-off and landing try to give a toddler a sippy cup or bottle or even pacifier. The sucking action works like chewing gum for older kids and adults. — Stay-at-Home Mom

4. SNACKS & QUIET TOYS Take along some of your child’s favorite snacks … Cheerios, graham crackers, small juice boxes … and lots of baby wipes. Keep small toys that are not very noisy available for the child to play with during the flight. If the flight time is during nap, try to keep that schedule. The doctor who delivered my son actually suggested a dose of Benadryl 2 hours before flight. (Realize that we were taking a 4 1/2-month-old from Illinois to Puerto Rico for our new duty station; my son flew 8 times before he was a year old!) — terpntime

5. TOYS BY THE HOUR I go to the dollar store for little things for them to play with, then wrap them up and give the kids their own backpacks with the presents inside. They can open one every hour. If you have a longish layover, find out if the airport has a playground (many do now). I also get toys for the airport (those little remote-control cars for $10, a ball that attaches to your wrist and comes back after you throw it, little $5 electronic games from WalMart, etc.) — Rebekah

6. STRETCHING ROOM If the flight isn’t crowded, be sure to ask for a seat assignment with an empty seat next to you so the child can sit there after take-off and have a little more room than just on your lap. If you purchased a ticket for the child, take the carseat along to use — he can see out the window better while on it. If not, be sure to send the seat through with the luggage so you will have it when you arrive. If you have a layover, let the child run, either in the airport or on the plane. Last trip several moms and tots stayed to run up and down the aisles as we waited the few minutes, and the stretch did them good. — Laura

7. SURPRISES & JUICE BOXES New toys that appear out of your bag do wonders. I went to the dollar store before my flight and stocked up for my 2-year-old. Don’t forget juice boxes — beverage service can be lacking! — Bazj30

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Traveling with children can be a challenge, particularly in the preparation and road/air travel phase. I will be posting a series of several posts today which includes Tips for Packing, Traveling By Air, Traveling On The Road, and Snack Ideas. These are brought to you courtesy of the Family Fun Message Boards.

Part I: Tips for Packing

PACKING

A little planning and organization can smooth the way, as these ideas from the FamilyFun message boards attest.

1. EXTRA BAG Make sure you pack a small empty duffle into one of your bigger suitcases for all of the souvenirs you’ll be bringing back. — A Stay-at-Home Mom

2. THREE-DAY BAG One difficulty traveling with a family making one-night stops is the luggage. If each person has his own suitcase, you end up taking ALL the baggage into the hotel each night. SOLUTION: Pack a “three-day bag,” into which each traveler contributes three days’ worth of clothes. This way you only have to take in ONE suitcase. Then, three days later, you take in a different suitcase! This works great for long road trips. And you can make “two-day bags” or whatever suits your needs. (Special note: I do not see this working for teenagers, but for my 2-year-olds and my neighbor’s 4-year-old and 3-year-old, it works out great!) — C_Ogg

3. BATHROOM BAG Our family has what we call our “Bathroom Bag,” an overnight case that we all use. We put things like toothbrushes, paste, shampoo, hairbrushes, makeup, medicine, etc., in Ziploc bags that go into the overnight case, which even has room for a hairdryer and curling iron, so my grandaughter was happy to stay with us this summer when we went to Disney — nothing had to be left behind. — katyfay

4. DON’T FORGET THE TABLECLOTH! Pack an outdoor tablecloth and clothespins. It folds easily and takes very little space in your luggage, plus it has many uses. If a motel has not-so-great blinds or curtains, clip the tablecloth over the window to block out the early-morning sunshine. It’s also nice to spread out on the floor in case the kids want to play and it isn’t too clean. Also, if you eat in the room, use it protect the furniture (or comforters) from spills and stains. — BAlieceHall

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Check out the Carnival of Family Life, where this trip blog, Family Trip Deals, is featured!

California is such a great location to go this time of year. The weather is still beautiful, and the tourist season is over. If you are looking for a great getaway to relax, take in a round of golf and let the children run on the beach, here is a great offer.

Located just over an hour north of San Francisco, the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa offers the best of the Sonoma wine country and a coastal resort. This fall, stay at this oceanfront AAA 4-Diamond resort for just $129 per night, Sunday through Thursday. This offer is good until November 15. Weekends are just $20 more.

These rooms are regularly $230 per night, and on top of it, they’re also adding over $100 in extras:

* A deluxe room with an ocean view, private balcony and fireplace
* Complimentary bottle of wine at check-in
* 2 complimentary desserts at the Lodge’s award-winning Duck Club Restaurant (w/purchase of 2 entrees)
* 2-for-1 flight of wines at Gourmet Au Bay wine bar
* $15 OFF greens fees (reg. $45-$90) at the top-rated Bodega Harbour Golf Links, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
* 10% OFF horseback riding on the beach at Chanslor Ranch (2 person min.)

Blackout Dates: Nov. 3-4, 10-11

For more hotel information and to book:

Click here or call the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa between 8:30AM and 5:30PM PST at 866-241-1496 and ask for the “Autumn Getaway.� You must book by Nov. 10.

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Have plans to do some Christmas shopping in Chicago and want to take the family along? Here are some family friendly ideas for things to do in Chicago!

(1) Take the family to one of the best aquariums in the world, Shedd Aquarium. Visit their website at www.sheddaquarium.com.

(2) Navy Pier has all types of shops, restaurants, special events and a giant ferris wheel. Be sure to check out their website at www.navypier.com for the special events schedule. It looks like Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an arrival on November 25!

(3) Experience the pageantry, horsemanship and romance of the Middle Ages in a European-style castle. Feast on an four course meal that you eat entirely with your hands while you watch sword fights! Go to the Medieval Times website for more information and show times.

(4) Take a Haunted Tour of Chicago where mom and dad get a bit of history about the city and kids can learn of the ghost that spook the town! Visit the Chicago Hauntings website for more information and prices.

(5) Take a speedboat ride on the Chicago Lakefront. Departing from Navy Pier, the 30 minute ride is the best way to see Chicago from the lake. (and the coolest for the kids) Visit www.seadogcruises.com for more information!

(6) Make sure to check Bidding for Travel for the best prices to bid on priceline.com in Chicago. Get a luxury hotel room for next to nothing, especially for the weekend.

(7) Go to the Chicago Children’s Museum. They currently have an Alice in Wonderland and Gingerbread Fantasy Factory special exhibit. The first Monday of every month is free!

(8) Visit a skyscraper! Take the children up on the Sears Tower skydeck. Click here for more information and pricing. You can also try the Hancock Building Observatory.

(9) Finally, let the kids run and play for free. Find the nearest park to your area at the Chicago Park District’s website.

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Don’t bother to check with your local meteorologist for winter weather forecasts this year. At Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, weather prognosticating requires no advanced degree: Always 84 degrees in the indoor waterparks.

This prediction is especially appealing considering December marks the start of the annual holiday tradition, Snowland. The resort is transformed into a winter wonderland of magical decorations and activities, happy holiday gift-making in the Cub Club, and real snow in the Grand Lobby.

You can enjoy all of the following with the kids: Story Time with Rowdy the Reindeer, Secret Santa Station, Polar Bear Race, Holiday Carol Sing-Along, Santa’s Arrival & Tree-Lighting, Door Decorating Contest, Writing Depot, and the Grand Lobby Snow Show!

And, of course, time alone as a family.

This offer is valid from December 2 through December 26. The package includes:

Suites starting at $129
Four waterpark passes for your entire stay
Four passes to Wiley’s Woods

Use promo code SNOWLAND when booking.

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Stay alert to the latest travel bargains!

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Pleasant Holidays has just reduced a 3-night Maui vacation with air from Los Angeles or San Francisco to $449 per person. The first 50 online bookings will also receive a FREE iPod shuffle.

Airfare to Maui usually costs that much by itself. You must book by November 26.

This package includes:

- Roundtrip airfare on United Airlines from LAX or SFO
- Departures between January 8-March 5, usually one of the most expensive times to fly to Hawaii
- 3 nights at the ASTON Maui Lu Hotel
- Fresh flower lei greeting

You can also customize your vacation by adding additional nights or upgrading your hotel. The lowest prices are for Monday departures, but you can depart on any other day for slightly more.

Click here to link to Pleasant Holidays and offer details.

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Are you spontaneous and have some time in November? Click here for information on last minute cruise deals on Carnival Cruise Line.

Get a four day Cruise on the Fascination for $189/person!
Get a five day Cruise on the Fantasy for $199/person!

Carnival has a great Camp Carnival program for kids, so parents can get some time alone and children can meet some friends.

Be sure to check out cruisecritic.com to read about the particular ship you are interested in. Cruise Critic has details about most cruise ships and cruiselines. It can tell you if it is a ship geared more towards family or adults, as well.

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I wrote a post a few days ago with many tips for traveling in D.C. with children. Check it out!

Now here is the perfect hotel for the getaway this holiday season for up to $200 OFF a night!

The Hilton Alexandria Old Town is offering rooms for just $79 a night over the following upcoming holiday dates: November 18-26 and December 21-30. In addition, all Friday-Sunday night stays through February are $99.

The hotel is located in historic Old Town Alexandria, an area known for its unique boutique shopping and restaurants. It is also adjacent to the brand-new King Street Metro station, offering direct access to the National Mall and other D.C. attractions.

To reserve a room, call 800-HILTONS (800-445-8667) and request group code “WWS,” or click here and do the following to book online:

* Select “reservations” from the homepage
* Enter your dates
* Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter “WWS” in the Group Code box (not Promo code) under “Special Accounts.”

Book by November 10.

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I’ve stated previously that when I was growing up, my family often took camping vacations (the link is a post to a family campground suggestion). It is a very inexpensive way to get away with your family, and see the world. I will admit, some of my closest family bonding moments were on those very camping trips.

Newsweek published an article with some very useful information about camping with your children. Among their recommended websites to help moms and dads pitch a tent and take the children along:

For some great inexpensive campsites in National Parks, go to nps.gov.

YMCA’s nationawide host Family Camps with tons of activities. Check out ymca.net.

Gorp.com and llbean.com have extensive packing lists.

They even recommend a book for great meals to make while camping. Click here for the amazon link.

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Want to see a unique place in Europe for a great price right now? Go to Amsterdam. I have only been here once, but I am very much wanting to return. It was a beautiful and fun city.

Just like Italy that I mentioned earlier today, this Amsterdam deal during the off season can’t be beat.

Travel dates: Select departures between November-March

Gate 1 Travel, in conjunction with the Netherlands Tourism Board, just made its popular Amsterdam package a can’t miss deal. For just $599, you can take off on a 4-night vacation, and save close to $300 off the price of similar packages.

Package includes:

* R/T airfare to Amsterdam from New York, Boston or Philadelphia (see more departure cities below)
* 4 nights at the Best Western Lancaster
* Daily breakfast
* Arrival transfer
* Half-day Amsterdam city tour
* Diamond center tour
* Airline fuel surcharges

This $599 price is valid for daily departures between November 30-December 11 and January 2-Febuary 21. Other travel dates are available (prices will be higher).

Departure cities: New York, Boston, Philadelphia … $599; Baltimore, Washington … +$47; Chicago … +$85; Miami … +$77; Houston … +$86; Atlanta … +$112; Dallas … +$120; Denver … +$126; Los Angeles, San Francisco … +$162, Seattle … +$216. Call Gate 1 for other departure cities.

Click here for more information or to book with Gate 1 Travel. Or, call 1-800-682-3333 to make your reservations over the phone. Additional taxes and fees of approximately $123 are not included.

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My husband and I went to Italy last January. In my opinion, it was one of the best times to go. The high tourist season is during the summer, so tourism is down. It was so easy to see the sights. In addition, because we traveled at the beginning of January, it was still “holiday season” for Italians since they celebrate the Epiphany (Three Kings Day). It was wonderful because so many Italian families were taking holiday at the time, and we had a true cultural experience. The beginning of January is a big time for families there, and in Florence on Three Kings Day there was a big family festival.

Take advantage of this time period with your family, and save money, too!

The following is a great travel deal on go-today.com:

Rome, Venice, Florence, Italy
Travel dates: Select dates between November through March

Take your pick between Italy’s 3 most popular cities for a 4-night vacation, each starting at $599. Whether you choose Rome, Florence or Venice, what really makes this affordable is the add-on pricing from cities across the U.S. The lead price is from New York, but many other departure cities are offered at equally compelling prices (see below for more on this).

This package includes:

* R/T airfare to Rome, Venice or Florence
* 4 nights hotel accommodations
* Daily breakfast
* Hotel taxes & service charges
* Airline fuel surcharges

To get the lowest price, depart out of New York on select Wednesday/Thursday dates, November 1 through March 7. Check out the add-ons (pricing varies, depending on exact itinerary): Boston … +$20-$40; Washington DC … +$20-$100; Chicago … +$20-$100; Los Angeles … +$20(!)-$160; San Francisco … +$140-$180.

Click here for full details or to book directly with go-today.com. Or call 1-800-227-3235 to make your reservations over the phone.

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Synonomous with refined elegance and classic values, The Cloister at Sea Island has been in place since 1928. It has been rated in the top 500 resorts by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Guests are encouraged to do everything or just spend time with their family. The impeccable personal service is evident in an array of activities, children’s programs, and recreation.

If you are one who longs to do activities and desires programs for your children, this is the place for you. Nestled on the coast in Georgia, it is a gorgeous property. There are also a variety of golf courses for the golfer in your family!

Click here to see the year round children’s activities. They also offer seasonal children’s activities.

Want to spend more time with the family? They have a selection of family activities including a petting zoo, a pajama party and movie nights.

The Cloister offers a variety of packages, including a special Christmas package. You can see the current packages by clicking here.

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