Archive for the ‘BlogCarnivals’ Category

posted by Travel Cat on Sep 10

It has started raining here in the UK – so it must be the end of Summer!

We still have some great articles though – as it’s still warm and sunny almost everywhere else in the world I suppose!

Lets open up with a nice one that is great at any time of year – but especially when you don’t really want to go outside: so take a peak at Erin Lenderts 50+ Beautiful & Inspiring Books that Teachers Should Read This Summer to kick off!

If you still have the summer parties or birthdays/Halloween to consider, then maybe take some advice from Debra Jacobson who has strung together some great tips on How To Be Frugal: Saving on Child Entertainment.  And if saving money is your thing, then you may also find MoneyedUp’s article on Things to do on Vacation for Cheap if you have a trip already booked.

Then there are these 4 great articles about real trips that you have been on with your kids – as always with some great shots along the way! 

First up is Pamela with her interesting take on a trip to a Disney theme park with California Adventure, followed by Charla Pearen’s article with a ‘more pictures than words’ theme in High Park Home Daycare: Taking a Toddler to Paris.

And then One Family offers a short story on a day out hiking at a tourist spot in One Family’s Blog: Hiking in Oahu – A Trip Report and ending with a regular poster here with a though provoking article on overseas ‘petting’ zoo’s: A Tiger Petting Zoo « Travels with a Nine Year Old from Theodora.

See you in October!

posted by Travel Cat on Jul 10

Welcome back for the summer holidays – and if you are running out of ways to entertain the kids – then we have some help for you here!

There are always plenty of ideas of kids entertainment.  Some parents prefer to pay for a theme park or other activities like rides and zoos, whereas other tend to take them in a more creative direction with making things, playing close to home, wildlife skills and family time.  So we really get a wide range or articles here – and hopefully you will enjoy those given below in this summer carnival.

Lets start with the best thing a mother or father could have when it comes to traveling with kids: A planner. Here, Bill Tyler helps you decide which type would be best for you with: How to Pick the Right Mom Organizer – obviously they work just as well for dads!

And filling the Summer Holidays with just such a plan is Alejandra Halvorssen with Summer Plans, Again for this school break!

Next a lovely little photojournal of the next step in a regular: where Theodora and her 9 year old bring us: Round Halong Bay by Junk with yet more great photos.

And why not take a leaf out of Phillip Lopez book, and plan to take your kids on one of these 10 Amazing Religious Pilgrimages. Not only will they be away from all the regular holiday-makers, rides and cotton candy – they will be experiencing a different culture and learning the respect of the old ways – they don’t need to be religious to follow a pilgrimage, but it is certainly a great experience for anyone.

Now, we come to the creative things for the kids to pass the time. Lets start with these 2 quickies from Joleen Parker; first up is Festive Flip-Flops « Jobie’s Crafts, then have some fun decorating your Summer Fun Tote « Jobie’s Crafts – just try not to get confused by all the ad’s in the posts……

Then finally – feast your eyes upon Olivia Davis seemingly endless list of things for the kids to do: Kids Summer Activity List: 100 Creative and Cheap Summer Activities For Your Kids. Maybe even getting the kids to spend time talking abut the list in the first place could kill another 3 hours!

Enjoy yourselves as much as the kids!

posted by Travel Cat on Jun 10

Summer is here again – and the sun is shining!

And just about the time of year when you are planning your summer vacations and short weekend trips – and also the time when the kids want to be out in the sunshine but you still have regular chores to do and need to keep them occupied!

So first off we have a short one for the journey to start the trip on the right foot, so Host Bee helps us with her Tip Tuesday – Easy Travel with Kids on Board!. Phew, step 1 complete!

And to add to this – for journeys, airports, bus stations or just while you just need some rest yourself try Wendy’s inspirational ideas for Summer Worksheets. Add to this with this short article – with ideas that could keep the kids quiet for hours – Rachel gives us her idea for a Fun Activity Box.

Mike Vogt steps in next with his twist on 10 Great Mission Trip Ideas, for an adventure that is totally different to anything else you might have planned.

Next up we have 2 stories about holiday adventures already in the making: First up is this little one from Michele Hays: Sundays with Sparky – Sparky’s excellent Strawberry Adventure, followed by Roger Elmore’s ideas for the 10 Best Amusement Park Resorts from his experiences.

And finally, a very helpful article from Sandrine Berges about her journeys with a special little person and how to overcome any difficulties with some forward planning with her experiences of How to get an autistic child onto a plane and out again..

So, I hope you can all use these stories and tips to make you vacation even better – and to make sure that you enjoy your trip as much as the kids!

Send me the photos!

posted by Travel Cat on May 10

Wow – the sunshine has been fantastic this month, and the talk of the big summer vacation is increasing!

But what has everyone already been up to?  Rather than waiting until July and August, many of you are just heading out there anytime and enjoying yourselves.  So let’s hear about some of them so far…..

Jennifer Miner starts of this bunch of articles with her great little story about a family trip to one of the most child friendly spots in Florida.  Take a look at the article and photo’s right here: Universal Studios Orlando Animal Actors on Location Show.

Dee Andrews then comes along with her little story of technology!  When travelling to some of the more remote places in the world – you have to remember that you can’t have all the modern trapping at your finger tips – and what you might have to do to get it there!  So do enjoy My Travails in Gaucin as a warning for your own travels!

This third article is only short – but what a great game!  I’ve never heard of this, but it certainly sound like something that would pass the time – so join Tom Ranieri to read about The Ultimate Travel Game.

One more about a glad-it’s-over car journey from Laurie Thornton with her Tips for Happy Car Trips at And A Mommy In A Pear Tree. She makes it cound so easy!

And finally Sarah Travaglio finds out what it’s like on the other side of the fence once she started traveling with her young son on a plane!  She was one side and now she is the other: Traveling with Kids « Miss Capa Tosta.

Let me know your plans for the next few weeks – and maybe even feature your own articles right here!

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posted by Travel Cat on Apr 10

Hello again, and what great weather we have been having at last! 

Walking in the sunshine always makes the day 10 times better!  And it’s great to spend more time with my nephews and nieces and realising how much they have grown since last spring – and how many more questions they have!

Amanda Sykora has an even better plan – take the kids before they can ask questions, and enjoy the trip yourself! Take a look at her honest review of a trip to Disneyland with her young child: Thanks for the memories!.

The memories aren’t quite so good for MummyT when her 9-year-old finds an unwanted creepy crawly in their room: Winged Creatures « Travels with a Nine Year Old.

Traveling while you are pregnant can also be a worry, but if you are considering this, do take on board some of the tips from Eternal*Voyageur traveling through South America with her family with her article Guide to Pregnant Backpacking.

And why not prepare your child for future travel (and some great job opportunities) by teaching them a second language from a very young age. Here is a great and extensive article on helping you to do just that: so join Mariana Ashley on her blog and see what steps you could take on How to Raise a Brilliant, Bilingual Baby: 100 Tips, Tools, & Tricks! I will be using some of these resources myself for my young niece!

Our first post from a young person (although it’s not strictly about travelling) – just a fun day out with her mom shopping! So join Antoinette Patterson as she struts here stuff in town: The Mother Escapades: To Bugis and Beyond.

See you next time with more traveling fun!