Did you know that March is National Reading Month? American’s use March as a way to encourage people of all ages benefit from books by reading every day.
In a recent survey conducted with the Harris Poll in 2020, digital library Scribd found that reading just 15 minutes per day can have staggering positive effects. The digital subscription service found that people reported being 33 percent happier, 69 percent more accomplished and 55 percent more relaxed.
photo: Courtesy of Scribd
In addition, the survey found that six minutes of reading can reduce stress by up to 68 percent! The results reinforce the power of reading, especially over a scroll through social media as an alternative.
Now that you know how beneficial it is, it’s time to pick up a book. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up hundreds of books that are perfect for a reading sesh with the kids. Keep scrolling to see the best of the best.
Red Tricycle Book Suggestions
Inspiring Women’s History Books Every Kid Should Read
From 60-year-old classics to sleepy lullabies and laugh-out-loud favorites, we’ve got something for everyone—the kids may start begging you to put them to bed. Check out our list of the ultimate bedtime stories.
80 Award-Winning Kids’ Books You Need for the Bookshelf
Quill Tree Books
Sweet picture books, lyrical stories and middle school graphic novels are just a few prizewinners you’ll find bearing the coveted winning seal. From Caldecott winners to the Coretta Scott King Medal, check out our top picks for award-winning kids books.
26 African-American History Books to Read with Your Kids
Bloomsbury Children's Books
Did you know that African-American inventors are responsible for the modern day supermarket and cell phone mikes? Or that a 9-year-old was arrested at a Civil Rights protest in 1963? Here is our list of twenty-six Black History books that will teach children the rich history of African Americans and enlighten, encourage and inspire your kids.
The Best 100+ New Books of 2020, According to Our Kids
Kokila
From bilingual board books to books that help kids deal with tough subjects like racism, cancer and more, this year showed a celebration of diversity, resilience and hope. We read every one of the books on this list (or our kids did) so this curated collection may not be all about the bestsellers, but it’s definitely a list to keep for years to come.
The evolution of Women’s History Month spans nearly five decades, beginning with International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8. Over time, congressional resolutions led to presidential proclamations and by 1995, March had become the designated month to honor women’s contributions to American history—to celebrate stories of remarkable women whose historic accomplishments had largely been relegated to the footnotes of history books. Early celebrations focused on the U.S. suffrage movement and highlighted contributions of a galaxy of pioneers—from Abigail Adams to Harriett Tubman—as well as women who were “firsts:” the first Supreme Court justice, first astronaut, first female Nobel Prize recipient, and so many more!
A century after the nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote, and decades after that first weeklong celebration of women’s history, Women’s History Month celebrations have evolved to include recognition of contemporary women heroes—a new generation—as well as their predecessors, the pioneers. It is in that spirit that we curated this month’s book selections—stories about women and stories by women: a beloved children’s book author whose most famous work was once “banned” from the library, an astronaut inspired by the first woman astronaut, and a Supreme Court Justice. Our list includes two compilations of short biographies of remarkable and inspiring women—Michelle Obama among them. Finally, inspired by Korean mythology, Dragon Pearl is the story of Min, a superhero on a mission, who overwhelms the vengeful with cleverness and bravery.
We hope you will enjoy reading these books with your children or perhaps hearing the stories retold once they have finished.
Grades Kindergarten to Second
The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
Once upon a time, most children’s books began with that sentence. And once upon a time, wonderful books that did not fit a certain mold were banned from libraries.
Children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown wrote stories that were different—books that helped children understand their own feelings. She fervently believed that children deserved important books. Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny paved the way for contemporary writers to create books such as The Book With No Pictures, and Sam and Dave Dig A Hole. Margaret Wise Brown did not accept the New York Public Library’s decision to ban her book and staged a peaceful protest on the steps of the library to make sure that she was heard.
Mae Among the Stars written by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington Mae Among the Stars is a beautifully illustrated picture book that will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars and aspire for the impossible. When Mae Jemison was a child, she wanted to be an astronaut and dreamed of dancing among billions of stars. Mae Jemison’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.
Grades 3-4
I Dissent : Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark written by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg! This picture book biography of Justice Ginsburg traces her achievements in the field of law back to her girlhood years as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. I Dissent demonstrates how her fearless objections to the inequality not only led the way to her career as a Supreme Court justice but also contributed to dismantling many discriminatory laws that prevented equal treatment.
Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Time written by Saira Mir, illustrated by Aaliya Jal
These nineteen inspirational snapshots of modern Muslim women doing extraordinary work in their fields will inspire and motivate your young reader! While overcoming many obstacles, each earned in their given field—among them science, fashion, and sports. Shirin Ebadi, won the Nobel Peace Prize, only to have it taken from her by the government because she is a woman. Yet she remains outspoken. Ilhan Omar fled Somalia at the age of eight, spending years in refugee camps. She found ways to get involved in her community, then made history as the first Somalia-American to the United States House of representatives. The complicated situations surrounding some of the women are described in a way that is easily digestible by children.
Grades 5-8
Dragon Pearl written by Yoon Ha Lee Dragon Pearl is a fast-paced Korean-inspired space adventure. It follows Min, a teenage fox spirit, who leaves a backward poor world to find her missing space cadet brother, Jun, as well as a powerful relic, the Dragon Pearl. Like all fox spirits, Min has Charm—the ability to influence minds and shape-shift into whatever she wants. Her quest involves leaving the comforts of home, hitching a ride on a spaceship, impersonating a space cadet, and going to a ghost planet. Min will be forced to use more fox magic than ever before, and to rely on her cleverness and bravery to defeat vengeful beings and find her brother.
Become a Leader Like Michelle Obama—Work It, Girl Series written by Caroline Moss, illustrated by Sinem Erkas
This chapter book is part of a new series of biographies written for children about modern, inspirational women in various areas, including astronaut Mae Jemison and author J.K. Rowling. Michelle Obama’s life is detailed with everything from her humble beginnings in South Chicago, to her hard work at Princeton and Harvard Universities, leading up to her role as the first African American First Lady. The artwork, accompanied by inspiring quotes, has a unique and powerful cut-out style.
Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.
The odds are your kids have heard names like Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross in history class. This year, make sure your children know and appreciate some heroes from history and present day that deserve a standing ovation. From activists to actresses to incredible feats of heroism and patriotism, read on and click through the links to learn about more than sixty heroes who have changed the world, forever and for better.
Perhaps you've heard of Sean Sherman aka The Sioux Chef who marries his passion for cooking with his rich heritage by raising awareness of indigenous food systems. As a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, the work Sean does is deep-rooted in a sense of pride and connection to his people.
New Yorkers may recognize the name of the sculptor Edmonia Lewis, who was born in 1844 to indigenous parents—her father was African-American and her mother was a Chippewa Indian.Though many of her sculptures depicted prominent American figures, Edmonia never forgot her heritage, paying homage to both her African American and Native American origins in sculptures such as “The Arrow Maker” (1866) and “Forever Free” (1867).
Not many kids history books talk about the Haida peoples of the Haida Gwaii archipelago, located off the west coast of British Columbia. Their preservation of land and water are admirable environmental achievements. Having a deep respect for his mother’s heritage,Bill Reid dedicated much of his work in the arts to the Haida peoples. Bill created, alongside other native artists, a sculpture depicting the story of human creation as passed down by Haida legend, among others. His work in bringing awareness to and preserving the stories of the Haida peoples is remarkable.
Mae C. Jemison is an American physician and astronaut. In 1987, Jemison was the first African American woman to be accepted into NASA’s astronaut training program. In 1992, Jemison was also the first African American woman in space, flying there aboard the spaceship Endeavor with six other astronauts.
Arturo Schomburg was a writer, historian and activist. As a leader of the Harlem renaissance, Schomberg collected art literature and other artifacts belonging to people of African descent. In 1926 his collection was purchased by the New York public library, and today the Schomburg Center is a research division of the NY public library. With more than 11 million items in the collection, the Schomburg center is devoted to the preservation and exhibition of Black history, and the arts and culture of the African diaspora.
Alice Allison Dunnigan was the first Black female White House Correspondent. She was also chief of the Associated Negro Press, and in 1948 she became the first Black woman to follow a Presidential campaign (Harry Truman’s) on the road. Years later, Alice Allison Dunnigan served as an education consultant on JFK’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
In 1862 during the Civil War, Robert Smalls commandeered a confederate transport boat freeing himself, his crew and their families. Later, Smalls was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. Robert Smalls was also instrumental in convincing President Lincoln to let free Blacks serve in the Union Army.
Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian descent to go to space, having served as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator on the space shuttle Columbia. Sadly, Chawla was one of the seven crew members who died when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere in 2003 following the space shuttle Columbia’s 28th mission. Chawla was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and several streets, universities and institutions have been named in her honor. She is regarded as a national hero in India, where she was born in East Punjab, in 1962.
Widely regarded as the first Chinese American actress of Taishanese descent to achieve superstardom in Hollywood, Anna May Wong was born in Los Angeles in 1905 and started acting at an early age. Her varied career spanned silent films, the first color films, television and radio. Although many of her early roles played into ethnic stereotypes, Wong was a vocal advocate for greater representation of Asian Americans in film and television, and she gained both critical and popular acclaim for her international acting roles. Wong famously lost the leading role of the Chinese character O-Lan in the film adaptation of Pearl S. Buck’s The Good Earth to German actress Luise Rainer, who played the role in yellowface and went on to win the Academy Award for her portrayal.
Although Haing Somnang Ngor trained as a surgeon and obstetrician in his native country of Cambodia, he is best known for winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1985 for his debut performance in the film, “The Killing Fields,” in which he portrayed Cambodian journalist and refugee Dith Pran. Ngor is the only actor of Asian descent to ever win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and only one of two non-professional actors to win an acting Oscar. Born in Takeo Province, Cambodia, in 1940, Ngor survived the horrors of prison camps under the Khmer Rouge. Ngor harrowing accounts of torture and losing his wife during childbirth in Pol Pot’s prison camps, as well as his subsequent journey to the U.S. as a refugee, are told in his autobiography, Haing Ngor: A Cambodian Odyssey.
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is a transgender rights activist. In 2015 she became the first openly transgender person to work as a White House staffer for President Barack Obama. Freedman-Gurspan has worked on criminal justice and incarceration reform, homeless shelter policies and issues facing transgender people of color.
Sandra Cisneros is a writer best known for her book The House on Mango Street. She is generally acknowledged as the first Mexican-American writer to be published by a mainstream publisher. She is a key Chicana literary figure both in Texas and among the Mexican diaspora.
Cesar Chavez is best known as the civil rights activist and labor leader who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with fellow activist Dolores Huerta. His work led to the passing of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which granted farmworkers the right to collective bargaining. In 1994 he post-humously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Read up on these and 14 other Latinx activists, artists and astronauts you should know about here.
—Candace Nagy, Sharon Brandwein, Teresa Douglas, Kipp Jarecke-Cheng
2017 is officially in the history books and along with it, shelves full of parenting research become part of history too. Fortunately for us, a few gems of research made it out of the universities and into our lives this year.
As I did last year, I spent the last few days of 2017 going through the major themes in parenting research to see what new pearls of wisdom we learned this year.
Minimalism is not just a buzz word; its benefits are backed up by research.
We heard a lot of talk about minimalism this year in the media. On the heels of the popular book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, more parents were cutting the clutter, scaling back toys and limiting junk around their homes. Their efforts are not in vain, according to research. Studies this year pointed out that having fewer toys actually helps encourage creativity in kids. Similarly, we saw more evidence that simple, classic toys are more beneficial for youngsters than those fancy electronic ones.
Kids’ intense interests are awesome.
Bring on the little paleontologists and toddler train lovers! Most of us who have been parents for a few years, know that our kids can go through phases where they are intensely interested in one topic–whether it be dinosaurs, trains or butterflies. I’ve always been fascinated by this and why it happens.
Well, this year research answered our questions and informed us that our kids’ intense interests are a great sign. It turns out that those intense interests are a great learning tool for kids. It’s often their first experience with delving deep into a topic, finding answers and developing mastery of a topic (e.g., they know ALL the dinosaur names). Research tells us that kids who have intense interests tend to have higher cognitive and information-processing skills as well as executive functioning skills like attention span. You can get on board with your kids’ interests by visiting museums that feature their favorite topic or find books that discuss it. It’s a beautiful sight to see a child so engaged in their own learning.
Self-care needs to be on our priority list.
We all know that self-care is important but it often gets pushed aside amide our long to-do lists. This year research showed us just us the consequences of lack of self-care for our parenting. Symptoms of insufficient self-care, like inadequate sleep, actually mimic some symptoms of depression making us less able to be patient with our kids. The result is often short temper and possibly yelling at our kids (and we all know that is not effective with our kids).
Similarly, research this year pointed out the mental load that moms carry (and yes, it is mostly moms). Although dads have increased their responsibilities for child care and household duties, it is still moms who carry the mental load. What is mental load? Things like remembering who is at what activity at what time, keeping up the grocery list and remembering who will run out of clothes if we don’t do laundry today. We all know mental load and feel it. Just another reason that self-care needs to be part of our lives.
Managing technology is one of the biggest parenting challenges of our era.
This year was full of research and media on how parents and kids are dealing with technology–together. Numerous reports emerged on how tech leaders are not giving their kids smartphones or iPads until they are almost adults. This, along with the Wait Until 8th movement, has opened parents’ eyes to the dangers of too much technology too soon for our kids. The challenge, according to research, is that we parents love our smartphones too.
New studies showed that parents who are hooked on their devices are more likely to experience “technoference” in the relationship with their kids. In other words, the device interrupts the parent-child interaction or relationship in some way. Device-distracted parenting is the new challenge facing our generation. This technoference seems to impact our kids as well. Early research indicates a link between technoference in parent-child relationships and negative behavior among kids.
This year’s revolution in gender relations affects parenting, too.
The end of 2017 saw a seismic shift in how we discuss gender relations and sexual harassment with the development of the #MeToo movement. Although those of us with young children may feel a little out of the loop with current events (when do we have time to watch the news!), this movement will no doubt affect our parenting. Compelling articles and research pointed us to look at how we raise the next generation to deal better with gender relations in schools, workplaces and families.
The most compelling work I think focuses on how to raise children (especially boys) with a full emotional toolbox so they can be prepared to deal with people of all genders, races, beliefs, etc. In past generations, children were often taught to stuff their emotions down. However, our generation of parents is focusing on raising girls that are strong enough to speak up and boys who are strong enough to be vulnerable and emotionally available. This takes work, patience and a change of mindset for many of us. Fortunately, research can help us. Studies showed us this year that how we speak to our children about emotions matter. Discussing how others feel really does help children develop a strong sense of empathy. Empathy, of course, is one key to helping kids look beyond their own self-interest and become adults who do the same.
Well, that is a quick summary of parenting research for 2017. Based on this, I think my parenting goals for 2018 are clear: focus on empathy, managing technology, fostering interests and simplify. What are your parenting goals for 2018?
Amy is a scholar turned stay-at-home mom of two young boys. When she's not stepping on Legos, she writes at The Thoughtful Parent. With this blog she brings child development research into the lives of parents in the trenches of child-rearing.
If you’ve set your sights on setting sail in the near future, we’ve got the list for you. Family cruises are fantastic vacation options for big groups, as they offer tons of experiences both on- and off-ship. From roller coasters and trampoline parks to ziplining and swimming with dolphins, family cruises offer them all. We’ve rounded up a slew of our favorites—so cruise on!
Galapagos—Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions
Meet the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands—from sea lions and blue-footed boobies to giant tortoises and Darwin’s finches. This 48-person cruise will have you snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and exploring the wildlife and local culture.
Kids will love participating in the onboard National Geographic Global Explorers program where they can choose among a host of cool activities—from recording wildlife sightings in their field notebook to collecting and observing plankton fresh from the ocean—all designed to help them develop what National Geographic Education defines as the attitudes, skills and knowledge of an explorer. They can collect points on their way to becoming a National Geographic Global Explorer—with the certification to prove it!
From $5,730/person for a 7-day Galapagos trip, kids save $500
If you want an ultra-magical family cruise experience, Disney has you covered. When you board a Disney cruise ship, character appearances, onboard themes like Pirate Night and all the magic of a Disney theme park set sail with you. Itineraries abound, from a three-to seven-night Bahamian adventure that kicks off from Texas, Florida or New York and includes an excursion to Disney’s very own private tropical island, Castaway Cay, to a two-to five-night cruise to Baja.
Onboard activities happen from opening time to closing time at the ship's kids club and the schedule varies: there are talent shows, a Magic PlayFloor where kids’ movements control the action (think flying over London with Peter Pan.) and for any Star Wars fans—Jedi Knight training and challenges. There's even a club for tweens and teens to hang out. Read all about the onboard activities here.
Stay tuned for 2022: Disney just announced that its newest ship the Disney Wish will be headed to a port near you! Around that same time, Disney plans to open another private island in the Bahamas.
UnCruise offers a different type of cruise, and families will love it. Think smaller ship, more individualized attention and programming that kids and parents will both enjoy. Just recently, UnCruise started sailing around Hawaii year round, and it's been an instant family favorite. You can visit four islands: Molokai, Hawai’i, Maui, Lanai, and you have the opportunity to view loads of marine life. No need to dock and pick up another boat to go snorkeling or swimming, there's an option to do so right off the ship, along with paddleboarding.
UnCruise prices its adventures to include everything from room charges, meals, alcoholic beverages and even off-ship excursions, so you know upfront what your vacation will cost. There won't be any expectations to bring fancy clothing to dress up for dinner, as meals are much more streamlined on UnCruise. It really caters to families looking for bucket list experiences. Kids eight and up are always welcome, and special exceptions are made for those seven and under.
Seven-day cruise costs $5,195 and up with kids 8-13 save $500
Iceland, Greenland, Arctic and More—Adventure Canada
Dennis Minty
A cruise unlike all others, an Adventure Canada expedition cruise takes you to far-away places that you've only dreamed of. Kids of every age can hop aboard zodiac boats to head ashore and explore Viking ruins, hike to waterfalls and learn all about villages buried under years-ago volcanic eruptions. Expedition cruise life means you'll get cultural immersion in the towns that you visit and learn from local experts and naturalists. These excursions are perfect for multi-generational travel as small ships are easy for the mobility-restricted to manage and not so big that you worry you'll lose the kids on board.
Kids under age 2 are free, those ages 2-4 pay only for charter airfare and everyone under 30 saves 30%.
Panama Canal, Costa Rica & Caribbean—Princess Cruises
Kristina Moy
Thanks to its Discovery at SEA program, Princess Cruises caters to kids of all ages both on deck and ashore. New programs are rolling out fleet wide, with new center designs launching throughout 2019 as part of Camp Discovery. The Treehouse is now dedicated to three-to seven-year-olds for hands-on play and fun; The Lodge serves up sports and comfort for eight-to 12-year-olds, and The Beach House will be the onboard hangout for teens. Did we mention these are all included? Learn all about it here.
Even better news? Princess Cruises MedallionClass Vacations now offer a variety of new features specifically designed to enhance everyone's vacation experience. Through the use of an OceanMedallion, families cruising with Princess can now expect an expedited ship to shore experience along with onboard on-demand delivery service, real-time navigation and interactive features on every floor. Learn more about the first MedallionClass ship enabled by OceanMedallion here.
Everyone can stay in comfort in a Mini-Suite with convertible bunk beds for the kids, or larger Family Suites with separate bedrooms. You’ll be well rested when it’s time to snorkel and kayak at a tropical port, like those on their 10-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean. You can get up close and personal with both baby and 600-pound turtles at Cayman Turtle Farm, encounter sloths IRL at a Costa Rican sanctuary or ride a rainforest aerial tram. Thanks to Discovery Family Tours, many hands-on experiences are designed for ages 3-12.
Guests on this European journey fly into Munich and board the riverboat in Vilshofen. A subsequent stop in Germany visits Passau (where everyone can learn to make marzipan!) before the ship sails into Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Along the way, guests enjoy an Imperial Evening inside a private Viennese palace, a cycling excursion along the Danube, medieval games in Slovakia and visits to castles, catacombs, an amusement park and sites from the film, “The Sound of Music.”
Parents enjoy this cruise because it’s fully inclusive, so there’s zero stress about mounting costs throughout the trip. Prices include all shore excursions, all gratuities, all meals, all onboard beverages (adult and otherwise), all activities, airport transfers, luggage handling and much more.
From $4,390/person plus airfare for this 7-night cruise
The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season) when you can explore rain forests or lounge on the beach without weather interrupting the fun. That's also the time when most tourists want to visit, meaning higher prices on hotel rooms and at resorts, along with more people.
Enter Windstar. The cruise line sails in the region in the winter only (both the 212-passenger all-suite Star Legend and 148-passenger motorized sailing yacht Wind Star run sailings) and accesses smaller ports and islands away from the crowds. Windstar makes "wet landings" because that's the only way to reach the shore in these tiny ports. Rugged inflatable boats deliver you directly from the yacht to the beach, where you disembark directly in the water. All of this means you'll still enjoy the best weather of the year, but on an uncrowded ship that also offers boutique, small-sized (and fairly priced) shore excursions that help you do things like sport fishing in areas protected from the winter winds.
Windstar has a naturalist onboard all of their Costa Rica and Panama Canal sailings, so guests get extra insight into the flora and fauna of the region. This cruise appeals to multi-generational families traveling together because of all the varied offerings. Kids must be eight and older to sail.
From the moment guests step onboard a Costa Cruise, they're treated to a uniquely immersive cultural experience. Families can embark on an unforgettable voyage through the history books on a 10-night Mediterranean cruise. Sailing roundtrip from Venice, Costa Victoria visits legendary ports throughout Italy, Greece and Croatia. The ship calls at Bari, Italy; Argostoli/Kefalonia, Athens, Santorini, Rhodes and Crete Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; and Split, Croatia. Families can enjoy a serene gondola ride through Venice's famed canal, walk in history's footsteps with a visit to Athens' ancient Acropolis or discover the Medieval treasures of Kotor.
Children can get up close and personal with Peppa Pig at the Squok Club or experience a thrilling water slide at the popular Aquapark. The Squok Club also provides special programming that gives junior cruisers the chance to either be “Captain for a Day” or “Princess for a Day,” where they can dress up, act the part and enjoy special themed activities.
From $1,009 per person for a 10-night Mediterranean cruise
Sailing to exotic islands in French Polynesia is special and offers families a way to experience this unique destination seamlessly. On all sailings, guests receive complimentary access to Paul Gauguin Cruises’ two exclusive retreats. Off the coast of Taha’a lies the private islet of Motu Mahana, where guests can enjoy a day of watersports, Polynesian activities, a sumptuous barbecue feast and cocktails from full and floating bars. In Bora Bora, guests can relax on a private, white-sand beach and enjoy refreshments, a game of volleyball, snorkeling and paddleboarding.
The ship's Moana Explorer program invites guests to discover and value the natural wonders of this breathtaking part of the world through hands-on, interactive learning on summer and December holiday sailings. While it is designed for children and teens ages 7-17, all family members are welcome to participate. Every day of the voyage, there is a combination of naturalist-led island and/or beach excursions, science activities, crafts, games and other adventures.
From $4,295/person including economy airfare from LA. The third person 17 and under in a stateroom is free, exclusive of airfare and taxes.
Crystal Cruises’ ocean vessels feature a fully supervised Junior Activities program for kids between the ages of 3 and 17 on holiday voyages and nearly all summer sailings, each with dedicated play areas for both young kids and teens. The kids club Fantasia for ages 3-12, and Waves teen club from ages 13-17, welcomes junior cruises with games, crafts, popular Sony PlayStation and Xbox 360 kiosks to play on large-screen televisions. Children aboard call also enjoy board games and personal computers with entertainment and education. Kids of all ages can also enjoy a special Junior Cruiser's menu (hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, etc.).
On the Colorful Cultures cruise, families can relish in the rejuvenating calm of the Caribbean while sailing from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan aboard Crystal Serenity. Families can snorkel in St. Thomas, participate in a semi-submarine adventure in St. Barts and hike in the rain forest in Saint Kitts while creating experiences to remember for a lifetime.
From $1,695/person for this 8-night cruise
Read more: crystalcruises.com
Castles along the Rhine—Uniworld
We love the river cruise option for families as it provides a smaller ship experience with tons of stops along the way. This 8-day cruise takes a maximum of 152 passengers down the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses, and get an insider’s look at one of the only castles on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, Marksburg Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg, then stroll through the fairytale town of Rüdesheim.
Families will especially enjoy the Generations Family Program, which includes special programs, events and excursions designed specifically for your world travelers in training. Travelers ages 4-17 receive a 25% fare discount on these trips.
From $2,999/person for 8-day Basel to Amsterdam journey
Why settle for seeing just one island on your Hawaiian vacation when you can cruise in style and explore four island jewels? Sailing with Princess is a far better vacation value and you’ll visit the top-rated Hawaiian islands—Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island—without all the time-consuming hassle of island hopping by plane. From enriching Discovery and Animal Planet shore excursions to the immersive "Aloha Spirit" program onboard, you'll discover each island's unique charm and fall in love with Hawaii's enchanting beauty.
This eight-day Galapagos cruise specially designed for families with children covers the highlights of the Western Islands. Spend your days discovering the beauty and wonders of the Galapagos and exploring the wildlife-rich shores of San Cristobal, Genovesa, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Isabela and Santiago. Celebrate crossing the equator with a King Neptune kid's costume party and enjoy shipboard educational activities such as board games, games with prizes, drawing contests, talent shows and ice cream sundaes. Kids must be five or older.
The M/V Victory I, designed for coastal cruising, will set sail on the storied Georgian Bay starting in May 2019. Guests can admire the natural beauty of Niagara Falls and take in the breathtaking vistas of the Southern Canadian Coast. This ship is purposefully-designed for coastal cruising, with every modern convenience to explore North America’s maritime history throughout the Great Lakes and southern Canadian coast. Guests onboard will enjoy immersive and inclusive shore excursions in each port of call, exquisite multi-course fine dining with specialty and casual options including spirits, beer and wine; onboard enrichment, evening entertainment and Wi-Fi in public areas.
To really experience The Last Frontier, families can embark on a two-week trip on a Princess Land and Sea excursion which includes exploring the Alaska Interior (including Anchorage, Denali and Fairbanks). Princess Cruise Line has been in Alaska since the 1970s (they are celebrating 50 years in 2019), so they have deep relationships in most Alaska communities. Princess is the only cruise line that owns lodges, as well as train cars, which makes for seamless travel (music to our ears when traveling with kids), so they are the go-to partner for many travelers for Alaska Land and Sea packages. If you can, book a MedallionClass ship, Princesses newest technology that make onboarding, managing services and keeping track of kids much easier. For more detail about how the Ocean Medallion systems works, click here.
TIP: If you’re doing a Land and Seas excursion, we definitely recommend scheduling the land portion FIRST. While Princess makes moving around Alaska interior pretty easy, after 4 or 5 nights in different lodges, it was a treat to unpack our suitcase in our cabin on the cruise ship and have our cabin and personal items safely stored for the rest of the trip.
Cunard’s Quebec City itineraries offer the opportunity for multi-generational families to travel and spend much-needed quality time together. Queen Mary 2 offers unique activities for families, including taking a virtual ride into space with the ship’s full-scale planetarium, watercolor painting classes and even learning how to fence.
Cunard offers a variety of areas dedicated to hosting and entertaining children while onboard. They include the Night Nursery, where infants aged 6 to 24 months are housed by childcare professionals and parents are given a pager in case their child wakes. For older children, Cunard offers the Play Zone for kids ages 2-7, and the Kids Zone for kids ages 8-17, which includes fun activities, arts and crafts, gaming consoles and planned excursions to the ship’s theatre or cinema. The Teen Zone accommodates ages 13-17 and offers planned activities such as deck sports, karaoke, gaming, quizzes and more. Infants under two sail for free, while ages two and up sail at half fare (when sailing as the third or fourth passenger in the cabin).
If you’re looking to zoom through Haitian skies on an absolutely epic zip-line (the longest in the world over water) or swim with dolphins in perfect turquoise waters, then a Royal Caribbean seven-night Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean cruise is for you (they have some 299 other destinations available, too). The adventure continues on deck, whether you fancy a surf in the FlowRider, thrilling waterslides, or mini golf—their Adventure Ocean youth program is a must for families.
Once the kids have discovered the Adventure Science Lab and Imagination Studio, they won’t even ask where you’ve gone (the Bottomless Galley Brunch, perhaps?). Little cruisers can jump into ball pits at Aquanauts while teens have a whole disco to themselves (dance party included). There are even Royal Tots playgroups for babies on board. Additional stops along the way include the Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first destination in Royal’s new private island collection, St. Maarten, the Bahamas Blue Lagoon Island and St. Thomas’s Turtle Bay. For a closer look, check out our insider's guide to the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship in the world!
If river cruising is more your family’s speed, Avalon Waterways has fantastic options for seeing Europe (or Asia or South America). You won’t find the clubs that keep the kids entertained during long stretches at sea, but you will find wraparound wonder with so much constantly in view right from the ship (your room included), making this a trip-of-a-lifetime for culture-seeking big kids.
If you have 9-16 days free in 2020, take a voyage down the epic Seine. A Grand France cruise stops at landmarks made famous by the likes of Napoleon, Joan of Art and Vincent Van Gogh. Plus, Paris! In addition to visits to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower, the kids will love counting the 37 Parisian bridges—or challenge the family to keep a tally on the whole journey. Their MyAvalon service will also help you personalize shore excursions to your family’s liking.
If you’re not sure a week-long cruise or hours on the open sea are for you, check out Riverboat Twilight’s one and two-day cruises along the Mississippi River. The two-day cruise travels between LeClaire to Dubuque, Iowa, on an authentic paddleboat and gives the family the overnight experience of being on board a ship while taking in the gorgeous bluffs along the Mississippi. It also includes excursions like admission to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
Prices start at $399/per person, with kids under 10 being just $159 (and children under 3 free).
The East Coast is a popular point of departure, and Norwegian is ready to sail you away to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, or the Bahamas. Head for Great Stirrup Cay—Norwegian’s own private island, complete with white sand and sea turtles to snorkel alongside. Don't forget to enjoy the complimentary taco bar, Abaco Taco (need we say more?). Norwegian’s youth programs, Splash Academy (ages three to 12) and Entourage (ages three to 17), are also complimentary for play and parties, while its Guppies Program hosts activities for parents and baby cruisers six months to three years (If you book a cruise on the Escape, there is also a Guppies Nursery.). While on Norwegian’s Breakaway, Getawa, and Epic ships, watch for Cirque Dreams to perform amazing acrobatic stunts.
TIP: On select 5 or 7-day cruises to the Bahamas, extra guests can sail for free!
Vast, wild and utterly gorgeous, Alaska tops many travelers’ must-visit lists. For families, a visit offers so much to see and do that nobody complains of being bored. Even tablets and iPods are likely to be set aside in favor of watching whales breach or listening to the thunder of a calving glacier. A cruise tour pairs the best of cruising with the best of land touring, showing off the heart of Alaska’s untamed wilderness and its scenic coastline. Aboard the Celebrity Millennium®, cruise the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Skagway before disembarking in Seward. Luxury motor coaches and glass-domed trains then carry you into the unspoiled interior, to lodges set in the shadow of awesome Denali. Take time to unwind and tuck into locally-sourced meals before joining a tour of breathtaking Denali National Park.
We love Celebrity Cruises for their inclusivity. They’ve gone the extra sea mile to ensure that their onboard environments are autism friendly for kids of all ages, with sensory toys and movie-viewing environments, gluten- and dairy-free menu options and well-trained Fun Factory and Youth Staff. Other services include priority check-in, equipping parents with contact phones while their kids are signed in to Fun Factory programs, and a Cruising Social Story booklet to download ahead of the cruise.
If you have rising history buffs in the family, want to take a closer look at medieval castle life, or be amazed by wildlife, take note that Poseidon Expeditions launched a brand new 13-day cruise, British Isles: Legendary History & Wild Nature, on May 22, 2019. You’ll have the chance to see baby puffins on the Skellig Islands off Ireland or spot otters and wild ponies while exploring Snowdonia National Park in Wales. Dolphins, whales, and seals are also likely to swim by. The kids can direct their nature questions to naturalist guides led by renowned historian Dr. Hew Lewis-Jones. With 55 guest suites aboard the Sea Spirit, the scale of this cruise isn’t overwhelming either, but rather a sure way to see remote and wondrous corners of Great Britain.
Did you hear? Carnival Panorama, their newest ship, will be ready to set sail from Long Beach and take your family on Mexican Riviera cruise starting this December 2019. Featuring the first Sky Zone Trampoline Park at sea (yes, you read that right!), the ship offers SportSquare’s mini-golf and games, ropes course, and the elevated SkyRide, as well as Choose Fun Waterworks (with two epic waterslides that are kid and parent friendly). The Camp Ocean kids club is another play area just for little cruisers (ages two to 11), while Serenity is an onboard retreat just for adults. The family can reunite for a comedy show or go head to head for a Lip Sync Battle.
The 7-day cruise takes you from Long Beach, CA with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy ziplining, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking among other activities. For a kiddo’s first-hand take on all the Carnival fun, check out our report.
Disconnect completely with a phone-free family vacation along the Peruvian Amazon in 5-star luxury aboard Aqua Expeditions' Aria Amazon. With no internet or cell reception, all 16 Design Suites on the Aria Amazon across the first and second deck measure 250 square feet, include air conditioning, polished timber flooring and its most amazing feature—a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass facing the Amazon River. Guests aboard the Aria Amazon can see sloths, elusive pink dolphins, all varieties of monkey, piranha, toucans, caimans, anacondas and more, and will visit multiple indigenous villages along the banks of the river. This one-of-a-kind digital detox will have the whole family reminiscing about their Amazon adventures for years to come.
Experience Norway’s beautiful fjords, charming ports, and rare wildlife under the midnight sun or the spectacular northern lights. On select Hurtigruten cruises, kids ages 6-12 can join the Young Explorers Program and learn about other cultures, the importance of nature in our daily lives and the impact humans have on our delicate and beautiful planet. A dedicated host will plan and organize all the activities, which focus on fun and eco-friendly learning events, tailor-made to awaken a sense of adventure.
If you think exploring Europe with kids is impossible, consider taking a cruise around the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean. You'll board in either Barcelona or Rome, and can enjoy exploring three different countries: Spain, France and Italy. There are plenty of kid-friendly excursions available to families, including pizza-making in Italy and beach days in Barcelona. Depending on which cruise you pick, you'll either be aboard the Oasis of the Seas or the Jewel of the Seas. Both ships are full of fun and adventure, including everything from Royal Caribbean's famous kids' clubs, original entertainment, pools, zip lines and more.
We are headed into summer but that hasn’t stopped plenty of new attractions at Disneyland from opening! From new experiences at the Downtown Disney District to shocking new shows, and the long-anticipated wait for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there are plenty of reasons to head to Southern California this year. Keep scrolling to see all the magic rolling into the parks!
The Star Wars-themed overlay is coming back to Space Mountain! Starting May 4, 2019, guests can warp back to Hyperspace Mountain, a limited-time special event that includes the sounds, dialogue, and music from a galaxy far, far away.
It’s been almost a year since King Triton’s Carousel was closed for good, but Jessie’s Critter Carousel is ready to ride! As of Friday, Apr. 5 the Western-themed Toy Story merry-go-round that’s packed with creatures from “Woody’s Roundup” is open. The ride sits adjacent to the newly redesigned Incredicoaster just over at Pixar Pier.
With Mickey's Mix Magic coming to an end soon, Disney has announced that its fan favorite Disneyland Forever fireworks show is returning! Starting Jun, 7, 2019 the nighttime spectacular which first debuted in 2015 will once again wow guests with fireworks, projection mapping and original music.
California Adventure’s Sunset Showcase Theatre is finally getting a permanent show when Mickey’s PhilharMagic hits the stage. The 3D experience opens later in April and features animated characters and songs from your favorite films like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. You can expect special effects and similar humor to the show that takes place at Disney World.
Downtown Disney District is home to a brand new experience, Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration. With nine unique galleries and hundreds of photo opps, this ticketed event puts guests face to face with the icon that is Mickey Mouse.
The newest and most exciting land yet, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will finally open its doors on May 31. And while you currently need a reservation and get just four hours to play, the fantastical new land promises to be one for the history books.
With flu season on the way out (hopefully), it looks like another disease is taking over the headlines—measles. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that as of Apr. 29 the total number of reported measles cases had reached 704 in 22 states.
So why does it seem like a long-gone disease is suddenly making a major comeback? According to the CDC, the upswing in diagnosed cases is in large part due to lack of vaccination.
Thirteen outbreaks of measles have been reported in the U.S. in 2019. Close-knit communities with low vaccination rates are at risk for sustained measles outbreaks. Read about the increase in measles cases in the U.S. https://t.co/9yjDuB4lrBpic.twitter.com/Zp2YP3wdzf
In a recent update on measles, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar noted that while most parents do choose to vaccinate their children, the United States is currently seeing the highest number of measles cases since the disease was labeled eliminated. Secretary Azar added, “Most of us have never seen the deadly consequences that vaccine-preventable diseases can have on a child, family or community, and that’s the way we want to keep it. Vaccine-preventable diseases belong in the history books, not in our emergency room.”
Nearly 94 percent of U.S. kindergartners who started school in 2017 had the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine, according to CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield. Dr. Redfield also added that two doses are 97 percent effective at preventing the disease (one dose is 93 percent effective).
If you’re wondering when the measles outbreak will wind down, unlike the flu this isn’t a seasonal disease. According to Dr. Redfield, “Measles is incredibly contagious. A person who has measles can make other people sick four days before they get a rash. If an infected person enters a room of 10 unvaccinated people nine of them will get measles.” Given the effectiveness of the vaccine, and the contagious-factor, the CDC recommends getting both doses—especially if you or your family lives in an affected outbreak area or plans on traveling outside of the country.
LEGO lovers know that the sky’s the limit when it comes to building—you can bring any idea to life with those bricks. We’ve rounded up some seriously cool LEGO creations that will have your jaw on the floor, from feats of architecture like the US Capitol to artistic pieces that belong in a museum. Just read on to see what all the fuss is about.
At LEGOLAND California, you’ll find lots of jaw-dropping creations made by master builders. This replica of the US Capitol in Washington D.C. is one of our favorites, complete with a marching band and tourists milling around in front of the building.
Another gem from LEGOLAND California, you can get up close and personal with Santa and his reindeer during the holiday season. There’s enough room in the sleigh for a memorable photo op.
This eye-popping creation can be found at the newly opened LEGO House in Billund, Denmark. The waterfall crashes down into a play area that’s filled with LEGO bricks for visitors to build with. Ahem, excuse us while we book our flights to Denmark.
In LEGO House’s Masterpiece Gallery, you’ll find amazing creations like this one by expert builders. This ferocious dino is just one piece from the gallery’s rotating collection.
The Tree of Creativity is the centerpiece of LEGO House, and for a good reason—it’s 50 feet tall and packed with intricate details and fun surprises. Made from more than six million LEGO bricks, this piece is wow-worthy from every angle.
Who said you can’t make real art with LEGO bricks? This recreation of Michelangelo’s David sculpture, from the Art of the Brick exhibition in London, is a masterpiece in its own right.
Spotted at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa, this giant wasp is seriously impressive (and a little intimidating). At least no one needs to worry about being stung!
This cool sculpture was created for the opening of a new LEGO Store in Edmonton, Canada. We love how it captures the movement of two siblings—spilled ice cream and all.
This intricate jungle landscape was on display at BrickCon 2014. With a wooden bridge, hidden pools and a rickety tree house, this creation holds enough details to tell an entire story.
This one's for all the little Avengers fanatics! At Comic-Con 2015, folks got to see an amazing LEGO recreation of the big fight between the Hulk and Ironman’s Hulkbuster armor. It took Master Builders 575 hours to design and build the Hulkbuster, using 78,083 bricks, with another 200 hours and 22,560 bricks to create Mr. “Smash” himself.
The Art of the Brick LEGO exhibition is a can’t miss for LEGO-lovers, and this particular sculpture is ob-la-di ob-la-da amazing. When the exhibition arrived in the UK, visitors were treated to a special section dedicated to British culture—including a life-size model of the Fab Four, crafted by Nathan Sawaya.
We’d like to think the founding fathers would be fully on board with this tribute. If you ever decide to take your LEGO touring to international levels, don’t miss out on the UK’s LEGOLAND Windsor, where an American monument gets the full building block treatment. It’s the largest model in the park, with a whopping 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
Raise your lightsaber if you’re a wannabe Jedi! Star Wars fans and Wookiees alike will be amazed by this out-of-this-world, full-scale X-Wing Fighter, the largest LEGO model in history. At 11 feet tall with a 44-foot wingspan, it’s 42 times the size of the commercial LEGO set you can build at home and was created to promote the animated series The Yoda Chronicles. Super impressive, it is.
Take me out to the miniature ballgame, take me out to the crowd! At the 2014 New Jersey Brickfair, people got a chance to see a whole other side of the Yankee Stadium, thanks to LEGO pro Sean Kenney. It was made over the course of three years, with the help of a Manhattan grade schooler, and it even features over 1,700 "microscale people."
You might just leave your heart in this LEGOLAND version of San Francisco. If you visit LEGOLAND California, keep an eye out for SF’s famous Victorian Houses. They’re part of a whole San Francisco-scape that includes cable cars, Pier 39 and even the sounds of sea lions.
Have you herd about these LEGO bison? A few years ago, they were some of 27 amazing LEGO sculptures created by Sean Kenney and a team as part of the touring Nature Connects LEGO exhibit. They started off at Iowa’s Reiman Gardens and will be moving around the country for the next few years, so don’t miss ‘em!
Created by Nathan Sawaya and featured in The Art of the Brick exhibition, this Lady Liberty is more than just a still statue. We love how dynamic this LEGO sculpture is—clearly, it was made with a lot of heart.
How terrific is this T-Rex? It’s yet another highlight of The Art of the Brick exhibition and clocks in at 80,000 LEGO pieces and a 20-foot length. Ol’ Rex also took an entire summer to build, each bone pieced together bit by bit. Talk about a LEGO creation for the history books!
Holy building blocks, Batman! These life-size LEGO sculptures of the Joker, Batman and Robin were spotted back at the 2013 Comic-Con, which is always chock-full of LEGO reveals and displays.
Sin City meets the Sunshine State! Located in LEGOLAND Florida, this Eiffel Tower stands tall at an impressive 13 feet. But instead of a Parisian influence, it's actually part of a LEGO recreation of the Vegas strip that also includes the MGM Grand, the Venetian, and even the iconic balloon sign.
The creator of this LEGO build, Andrew Lipson, truly got into the topsy-turvy spirit of M.C. Escher's famous Relativity drawing. You can get a glimpse of how this crazy 3D version was constructed by clicking here.
Hoth, Tatooine, Endor and the Death Star are all represented on this musical masterpiece. When the organ is turned, the carefully placed bricks touch mechanical sensors and the iconic Star Wars theme is played. Find out more here.
How do you take a LEGO creation to infinity and beyond? Make it a tribute to one of the best Pixar duos around. The movie versions of these pals may be tiny toys, but in LEGO stores across America, they get the extra-large treatment (Yet another reason to make a trip to your closest LEGO source ...).
Brickley the smiley sea serpent has appeared at many LEGO Stores around the world. Sometimes he's found winding his way in and out of rooms, and until a few years ago, he hung out in the waters of Disney World. He's made of over 170,000 blocks and even inspired a fun mini version.
