ML Interest Tag: passport

These Disney Springs Resort Hotels Are Offering Discounts to First Responders

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Throughout the summer Disney Springs Resort Hotels are showing their gratitude to America’s first responders by offering a very special rate.

If you are a a U.S. police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, 911 dispatcher, doctor or nurse you qualify for the First Responder Rate at the seven Disney Springs Resort area hotels in the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney World/Matt Stroshane

The following special rates are available now through Sep. 3:

B Resort & Spa – rates from $89 per room, per night

Best Western Lake Buena Vista – rates from $79.99 per room, per night

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – rates from $129 per suite, per night

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – rates from $119 per room, per night

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – rates from $99 per room, per night

Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area – rates from $95 per room, per night

Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista – rates from $75 per room, per night

All guests staying at the Official Walt Disney World Hotels also enjoy several other benefits including Extra Magic Hours, which gives guests a chance to experience the park either before it opens of after it closes, and the 60-Day Fastpass, which allows you to reserve Fastpasses for attractions up to 60 days before your arrival. Hotel guests also get the Disney Springs passport which features coupons for Disney Springs shops and restaurants.

To earn the special rate first responders must show appropriate supporting ID at check-in. For more information and to book a room at a First Responder Rate check out the link here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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This Teen Baked Thousands of Cupcakes to Take His Family to Disney World

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More Magic is Coming to Walt Disney World––Here’s What You Need to Know

 

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These 7 Walt Disney World Area Hotels Want You to “Escape the Cold” on the Cheap

by Erica Loop

Are you ready for a major warm up? No, the weather patterns aren’t suddenly shifting: Walt Disney World area hotels want you to escape the cold with sale rates and plenty of special events!

While the northern half of the country is in a total deep freeze, Florida is toasty. So why not visit the Sunshine State with a Disney-filled trip?

 

Walt Disney World’s “Escape The Cold” room rates are bringing deep discounts to visitors traveling to the seven Disney Springs Resort Hotels through Mar. 31, 2019. These include:

  • B Resort & Spa – rates from $108 per room, per night
  • Best Western Lake Buena Vista – rates from $143.99 per room, per night
  • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando — rates from $198 per suite, per night
  • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – rates from $167 per room, per night
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – rates from $166 per room, per night
  • Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area — rates from $119 per room, per night
  • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista – rates from $89 per room, per night.

And if you’re wondering what to do while you enjoy an oh-so-inexpensive stay (aside from the obvious Disney fun), late winter/early spring special events include the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Arts (through Feb. 25), Disney on Broadway Concert Series (at Epcot, through Feb. 25), Atlanta Braves Spring Training (at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, on select dates from Feb. 25-Mar. 23), the 2019 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (Mar. 6-Jun. 3) and the 2019 Garden Rocks Concert Series (at Epcot, from Mar. 6-Jun.1).

Oh, but those aren’t the only perks of booking your vacay now at one of the seven hotels. You can also score the Extra Magic Hours benefit (this gets you extra time before the park opens or after it closes at one of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks each day) and the 60-Day FastPass+ (this lets you reserve access to select park attractions, shows and other events up to 60 days before your visit).

On top of all the discounts, deals and general Disney fun, hotel guests are also eligible to receive the “Disney Springs Passport”, which features discounts and specials on merchandise, entertainment and dining! Visit the Disney Springs Hotels website here for more information on pricing and availability.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Disney Parks

 

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16 Tasty Treats Coming to Disney Parks This Spring

37 Epic New Attractions Coming to Disney Parks in 2019

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Zootopia Land Is Coming to Disney Parks

by Shahrzad Warkentin

If you’ve ever dreamed of frolicking through a mammal metropolis, you’re in luck: Zootopia Land at Disney is happening and we can’t wait to try everything.

There’s one big catch: you’ll need your passport to get there. Zootopia Land will be an expansion to Shanghai Disney Resort in China. The new section will be the eighth land in the park, which opened in 2016. It will be the first Zootopia-themed addition to any Disney Parks—and it couldn’t be a more fitting home, considering that Zootopia was China’s highest grossing animated movie ever.

photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort

According to the Disney Parks blog, Zootopia Land will feature “a new major attraction that will seamlessly blend Disney storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this fan-favorite movie and its characters to life—including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.”

Construction on the new land is slated to begin later this year, so you’ve got plenty of time to get your passports and travel plans in order before it opens.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo:

 

RELATED STORIES:

This Tokyo Hotel Is “Manned” by Robot Dinosaurs & BRB, Headed to Japan

Disney’s New “Toy Story” Hotel Will Let Guests Stay in Andy’s Room

Disney’s Riviera Resort Is Officially Open for Booking

 

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The “Carmen Effect” Explains Why Your Kids Will Love Netflix’s New Carmen Sandiego

by Shahrzad Warkentin

If you’re old enough to remember what a floppy disk is, then chances are you know all the words to “Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” That catchy tune and the incredible show it introduced left a lasting impression on a generation of young fans that can only be described as the “Carmen Effect.” What is the “Carmen Effect,” you might ask? A new generation of kids is about to find out.

Netflix reboots the Carmen Sandiego of our childhoods with a brand new series on Jan. 18. In preparation for the premiere, Netflix did some research and found that, besides her iconic red hat and trench coat, Carmen Sandiego left a deep impact on Millennials who grew up discovering new countries and cultures while they travelled the globe alongside the elusive thief. And now these Millennials have kids of their own.

Looking at five years worth of Twitter mentions of Carmen Sandiego, Netflix compiled data into four distinct categories that have impacted fans in what they are calling the “Carmen Effect.” Of the 300,000 plus tweets analyzed, the majority reflected Carmen’s Signature Style (60 percent of tweets), which has inspired everything from high-fashion runways to Halloween costumes. Passport Goals (20 percent) represented another big chunk of Carmen related tweets, with many fans attributing their love of travel to their early days jetting off with Carmen on television.

You can also thank Carmen for those random Trivial Pursuit-style grains of knowledge you have stored in your brain. As a childhood icon, she not only taught kids her Sandiego Smarts (16 percent), she was also a Trailblazer (7 percent) and a role model.

photo: Netflix

Now a whole new generation will get a chance to be introduced to the Carmen Effect as they join along in new international adventures that are sure to leave them with a little wanderlust and a stylish fashion sense of their own.

“I think parents are going to want their kids to watch the new Carmen Sandiego because it’s not only educational with the geography facts and other cultures, but it also portrays a strong, independent, loving educated woman,” said Gina Rodriguez, voice of Carmen Sandiego. “She’s a multi-dimensional character. She feels and loves just as much as she is strong and rebellious. To me, she’s a beautiful character to portray to our youth today.”

https://twitter.com/Jimmy_Ness/status/624644501492121600

You and your kids can explore and learn more about the Carmen Effect on the website here. The first season of Carmen Sandiego drops on Netflix on Jan. 18.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Netflix

 

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Netflix’s First Look at New Carmen Sandiego Cartoon Is Here & WOW

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Where in the World IS Carmen Sandiego? Actress Gina Rodriguez Stars in New Movie

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Plan a Family Date Night Dining with Little Diner’s Crew

by Maria Chambers

Moms and dads rejoice! We’re here to save you (and your kids!) from the standard kid’s meals and uninspired and unhealthy menu choices. Created by Chicago parents for Chicago parents, Little Diner’s Crew will soon become your go-to for a family date night out grabbing grub. Read on to learn how they got started, their mission and how you can snag a spot at the table. Grab your bibs and read on!

photo: Nicole De Khors

How did Little Diner’s Crew get its start?
Driven by a passion for experiencing restaurants that expose them to new flavors using quality ingredients, husband and wife duo D.C. and Alayna Crenshaw created Little Diner’s Crew. The stimulus for the concept was a desire to share their love of food exploration with their two boys, after a brief stint on the dreaded mac-n-cheese and chicken tender circuit.

What is the goal of Little Diner’s Crew?
The mission of LDC is 3 fold. They want to provide kids the opportunity to try new foods from around the globe, give chefs a forum to educate kids about the food they eat, where it comes from and how it’s prepared and, lastly, they want to bring families together to enjoy a unique dining experience.

photo: Little Diner’s Crew

What are the membership details?
There are several membership options, all of which include a passport that allows members to document their culinary journey and access to free appreciation events and tastings. Passports can also be used to redeem LDC perks at participating restaurants and partners.

Members will receive email alerts about free tastings, discounts and invites to openings from partner restaurants as part of the LDC Perks. You will also enjoy non-food perks such as family events, services and products.

Annual Eat Membership: $95/year per child, does not include cost of meals

Monthly Travel Membership: $9.99/month per child, does not include cost of meals

Explore All Access Membership: $29.95/month per child, includes cost of meals, additional exclusive Explore Member events, 1 complimentary child guest at an event per quarter

Family Membership: $150/month for 2 adults and 2 kids, includes cost of meals and exclusive Family Membership events.

photo: Little Diner’s Crew

Walk me through the event, please!
First of all, it’s important to note that LDC events start promptly. So, be sure to plan ahead so you can arrive on time—no small task for parents, we know! A different restaurant will be featured each gathering and have included such notables as Carnivale, Naoki Sushi, Riva and RPM. When you arrive, you’ll check in with an LDC rep and have your passport stamped. The dining experience will include either the Chef, GM or owner discussing different aspects of the restaurant’s history, menu and cuisine. The menu for kids and adults is exactly the same, but the portions are smaller for the kids. Also important to know, kids dine alone with their peers, while parents enjoy adult time nearby.

How old do my kids have to be to join the Crew?
LDC is best suited for kids ages 4-12 and their hungry chauffeurs (a.k.a. parents).

How do we stay looped in on events?
Good question! Be sure to keep tabs on their website to get the 411.

— Maria Chambers

Photos courtesy of Little Diner’s Crew

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How NOT to Spend a Fortune Going Skiing

by Kate Loweth

If the high cost of ski trip packages is the only reason you haven’t hit the slopes in 2018, then read on! We’ve got tons of budget-friendly tips—from ways to get kid gear on the cheap to how to maximize your time on the mountain (while minimizing cost). No excuses, plan that ski vacay today!

Check Craigslist or borrow gear from friends.

Resort at Squaw Creek

No one loves to drop major cash on ski gear for kids when it's a given they'll outgrow it all before the next season. Opt to borrow from friends, or check out Craigslist and Nextdoor to buy low-cost ski gear from your neighbors. 

Book early!

Resort at Squaw Creek

If you are planning a ski trip during a busy weekend like a school holiday, book early. There's not likely to be as many affordable options as you get closer to the date. By reserving your lodging far in advance, you get the first choice of the available options. Once you have your lodging set, check Liftopia to see if you can score any deals on lift tickets during your stay. 

Skip the hotel and reserve a house instead.

Resort at Squaw Creek

Reserving your own home away from home has a lot of cheap perks. You can find good deals on Airbnb and other rental sites. You can cook your own meals and save yourself from having to eat out, which can really increase the cost of your stay. Lots of ski towns have huge houses that are perfect for bunking up with your besties. By bringing another family along, the kids get built-in friends to play with!

Pack your own snacks.

The Village at Squaw Valley

A burger, fries and a hot chocolate for everyone in your family can add up when you are spending your days on the slopes. Make sandwiches, bring hot cocoa packets and pack water bottles to save a bundle. You can rent out a locker for these items at the lodge, or better yet, tuck them in your backpack for easy access. 

Going often? Get ski passes.

Vail Cascade Resort

If you plan to hit the same ski resort often this season, invest in a ski pass. Many will pay for themselves after three visits, so they are worth the purchase if you plan to spend major time on the snow this year. If you want to try out multiple mountains in one season, look into group deals like the Mountain Collective pass, Epic pass and M.A.X. pass that allow access to a number of ski resorts. 

Secure the gear.

Stowe Mountain Resort

Nothing ends a ski day faster than a missing mitten. Secure your kid's gear to her jacket so that you don't have to replace mittens and gloves with high-priced gear from the resort's ski shop. Zip-ties and carabiners work wonders for keeping kid stuff in place so bring some with you on the mountain. 

Choose ski school instead of private lessons.

Resort at Squaw Creek

Kids need to learn some ski skills? Book them in ski school. You will save a bundle compared to the cost of private lessons and as a bonus—they'll make some new friends while they are there. 

Check for Kids Ski Free deals.

Resort at Squaw Creek

Ski resorts are looking to get the next generation of skiers addicted at an early age. Check for "Kids Ski Free" deals before booking your stay. You can save a bundle on lift tickets when you only have to worry about the price of the grown-up tickets. 

Choose a smaller resort.

Resort at Squaw Creek

Though they may not offer the number of black diamond runs that the bigger resorts do, the smaller resorts offer lots of options. The crowds are typically smaller and these resorts often have special deals for families to encourage them to visit. If your kid just needs a bunny slope and a magic carpet conveyor lift, a smaller resort could be the perfect option. 

Choose a resort that offers a ski package.

Resort at Squaw Creek

If your plans include staying at the ski resort, find out if they offer any ski packages with your stay. By combining lodging, lift tickets and meals, you can save a bundle compared to paying for all those items individually. 

Have an older kid? Check out the skiing passport programs.

Resort at Squaw Creek

If your kids are in the 4th-7th grade range, see check out the ski passport programs. Many states offer free ski passes for older kids when they are accompanied by a paying adult. The rules vary by state, and you often need to submit paperwork in advance so check this option out before you head up the mountain to take advantage of the savings. 

Have you scored any sweet deals on the slopes? Share your secrets in a comment below!

—Kate Loweth

RELATED STORIES:

The BEST Ski Resorts for Beginners

10 Skiing Tricks to Memorize Before Hitting the Slopes

Winter Hacks: How to Buy The Right Ski Gear for Kids

 

 

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What Do San Diego Moms Always Tote?

by Nikki Walsh

Let’s face it: life in San Diego is pretty sunny and simple. But being a San Diego mom isn’t always about simplicity – just look inside our purses and diaper bags where you’ll find everything from hand wipes to Zoo passes. We peeked in a few hundred bags and came up with this list of what moms in America’s Finest City typically tote.

1. Sunblock. Living in sunny San Diego means constantly applying sunblock. We slather it on in the morning and then reapply during the day. Natural sunblock (with the least amount of chemicals) is on the minds – and in the purses – of all San Diego moms.

2. Recycled Wallet. We all know recycling is important. Little ones learn about it in school, and you BYOB (bring your own bag) to the grocery store. Every small thing helps Mother Earth. So it’s only natural your wallet is also of the recycled variety.

3. Legoland Swag. Not only do you have a season pass to Legoland permanently in your wallet, but you also have your little one’s Legoland driver’s license too.

4. Small Toys. Having crayons and toys makes the wait at the doctor’s office or on the 5 Freeway shorter and sweeter.

photo: Dylan’s World via Flickr

5. San Diego County Fair Ticket Stub. Still walking around with your San Diego County Fair ticket stub in your purse? We thought so! Wristband days, cotton candy and super slides — it’s a San Diego summer tradition.

6. Coffee Cards. Staying quick on our feet and full of energy is important when chasing little beach-goers around. Whether your frequent flyer card is the Starbucks app or Cafe Motto, we bet a Java pass is in your wallet.

7. Your Smartphone. Okay, this one isn’t just in the purses of SoCal moms. But we’d be willing to bet that one of these essential San Diego apps are on your iPhone or Android.

8. The Basics. Probably found in most mom’s handbags: instant stain remover stick, pen and pencil, baby wipes and a healthy snack.

9. Balboa Park Passport. Whether you’re a museum goer or a frequent flyer at the miniature train, the Balboa Park passport is burning a hole in most wallets.

10. Sand. You wouldn’t be in San Diego if the beach wasn’t somewhere in your purse. That San Diego sand seems to make its way into our cars, houses and, yes our totes, too!

What are the must-haves in your tote? Tell us in the Comments below!

—Nikki Walsh

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This Dad’s Facebook Rant on Traveling with a Baby is Freakin’ Hilarious

by Red Tricycle

Whether you’ve already traveled with your child or you’re waiting for the “right” time, you know the stressors of bringing a little munchkin. Matt Coyne, the guy behind Man vs Baby and father of six-month-old son Charlie, wrote a hilarious post about traveling with a his little boy. He gives tips that cover everything from traveling to a place with warm weather to the airlines “baby changing facilities.”

His post reads:

So, we’ve just come back from Charlie’s first holiday.

One or two people were a bit judgey about the idea of taking a 6-month old away. “So, you’re taking him on holiday?” Yeah. “Abroad?” Yeah. “Somewhere hot??” Yeah. “On an aeroplane??” …By which point I was tempted to answer: “No, me and Lyns will be going on the plane, but we thought we’d get Charlie there by driving him to Dover and firing him out of a f*cking cannon”.

What I actually said was: “It’ll be fine”. And you know what? It was.

Here’s some other stuff I learnt holidaying with our tiny human..

– We had a checklist for what to pack, it had just one item on it:.. ‘Everything’

The amount of stuff you need to take for a weekend is comical.. to go away for a whole week its roughly the same amount of stuff that the nazis took to invade Poland.

– Don’t take an expensive pram on a flight.. The moment you check-in and that pushchair disappears behind that rubber curtain it is collected by two WWF wrestlers who smash it against a wall for half an hour.. before it is transferred to the runway, where they reverse the plane over it a couple of times before placing it in the hold.

At your destination.. for some bizarre reason you have to collect whatever is left of your pram (a wheel) from a baggage carousel that’s f*cking miles away.. (I’m sure our stroller ended up closer to the airport we’d just left).

– One of our worries about the flight was that we’d get seated next to someone unhappy about being near a baby.. We hoped to be sat next to a kindly old Angela Lansbury type, with a soft spot for babies.. In the end we got sat next to a woman who had a face like a cats arse being burned at the stake..

To be honest, we didn’t care.. after 6 months we’re developing a thick skin for this sort of crap.. Some people have a problem with babies, whether they’re sat next to them in a restaurant or on a flight.. These people are what my dear old nan used to call ‘arseholes’. (Also, I suspect that if the woman in question had greeted us with a smile, rather than a roll of her eyes, we’d have been more inclined to tell her that she’d come back from the toilet with her skirt stuck in her tights, and was showing everyone her arse).

– When airlines say they have ‘baby changing facilities’ what they actually mean is: ‘a shelf’.

– Changing a baby in a plane toilet is like the hardest round on ‘The Cube’. Basically ..imagine trying to carve a turkey in a phone-box.. now half the size of the f*cking phone box, and arrange for an incontinent dickhead to bang on the door every five seconds.

– If your baby will sit quietly during the flight that’s great , if they will sleep.. even better. If like Charlie, your little one likes to ‘stand’ up all the time.. You can look forward to, what feels like a midget river-dancing on your bollocks for the next four hours.

– Baby Passports are, as I suspected, a rip off.. I’ve said before that all babies look like Ross Kemp, but the idea that any baby is still going to be recognisable on their passport photo 5 years after their birth is insane…. Besides which the immigration people barely even glanced at it.. Charlie could have sailed through passport control with a drawing of Gregg Wallace on the back of a beer-mat (..and it wouldn’t have cost us 50-odd quid).

– As for the heat.. It turns out taking a baby to a hot country is fine.. people in scorching climates have babies quite a lot, so it’s a bit daft for us to think that if we take a baby to a sunny place they will suddenly burst into flames, like someone’s opened the curtains on a vampire. It’s just common sense, ..shade, avoiding midday and applying factor thrumpteen suncream.

(Just a note on suntan lotion.. let it dry off before picking them up or anything, otherwise its like wrestling a seal that’s just left a massage parlour .. Charlie was in less danger from the sun than he was from me juggling him like a bar of soap).

– Even with all precautions there is a threat from the sun. To you. You will burn. You will be so preoccupied with keeping the sun off the baby.. You. will. burn. As I write this my face is a haunting red. (I think I applied suncream to myself once in the whole week). In fairness, I did mention to Lyns, before we went, that I wanted to come back with a bit of colour.. I just didn’t particularly want that colour to be the same as an angry baboon’s penis.

– Sandy beaches are a bad idea. A six month old baby puts everything in reaching distance in their mouth so, in hindsight, sitting them down to play on four acres of powdered glass is a bit dim.

– Unless you’re willing to use gaffer tape and a stapler, it is easier to get a squid to wear a bum-bag than to get a baby to wear sunglasses and a hat.

Finally, what I would say to anyone considering taking their baby on holiday is this: ..Go.

For all its pissy little challenges, to spend time together, away from our newly destroyed home, was incredibly special..

I will always remember Charlie’s face as he curled his toes in the sand for the first time. ..His delight at being pushed around a hotel pool on the back of an inflatable crocodile. ..And, his fascination as we sat on a bench, hand-feeding a sparrow some crisps, overlooking the deep blue of the mediterranean sea.

..Small price to pay that it was the same colour blue as my trampled bollocks after the flight home.

Do you remember your kids first vacation? Tell us in the comments below!

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Today Is #Wanderlust Day

by rtstephen

 

Daily
Today Is #Wanderlust Day
You’re in for a real adventure.
1

Get in the vacation state of mind with these handy apps and sites that make planning a breeze.
2

Learn from the pros: parents like you who have been there, done that and lived to blog about it!
3
The next time you’re staring in the face of 10 (or more) straight hours of travel with the kids, try these tips straight from
our own writers and editors.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Your Passport }

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From Caving to Canoeing: These Adventures Will Rock Your Summer

by Helen Walker Green

From spelunking, canyoneering and canoeing to stargazing, fossil hunting and fly-fishing, America’s national parks offer up a ton of exhilarating activities for your tiny explorers. Whether it’s a program led by park rangers or by national parks-approved concessionaires, each one is a spine-tingling good time. Read on to see our 12 picks for coolest national park adventures. Bonus: Find out how to help them become Junior Civil War Historians!

photo: Zion Rock & Mountain Guides via Facebook

Canyoneering in Zion National Park, Utah
Climb, hike, swim and rappel through one of the most stunning landscapes in North America. Zion Rock & Mountain Guides will take the family on a canyoneering adventure—no experience necessary. You’ll rappel in amazing slot canyons, down-climb over rock chimneys, swim in pools and explore places very few people see. The guides tailor the trip to your comfort level, so little canyoneers can enjoy the challenge without being in over their heads!

Cost: Full Day (6-8 hrs) $150-$110/person depending on number of climbers. Short Day (4-5 hrs) $130-$115/person depending on number of climbers.
Ages: 4 & up Open: Year-round Zion Rock & Mountain Guides Family Canyoneering Adventure

1458 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, Ut 84767
435-772-3303
Online: zionrockguides.com

Photo: National Park Service

Meet Sled-Dogs in Denali National Park, Alaska
Skeeter has a silly side, Annie is a social butterfly, Red Top likes to snuggle—who are these guys? They’re the sled dogs of Alaska’s Denali National Park. These Alaskan huskies are the only sled dogs in the USA that help protect a national park and the wildlife that lives there. In winter they’re working dogs, but in summer they like to play and love being petted by visitors. Take a ranger-led tour of the kennels, and learn how a dog sled works. Who knows, this visit may inspire a future Iditarod contender in your family!

Cost: Free All ages Ranger-led tours in summer only (mid-May – mid-Sept.) Kennels open to visitors year-round. Accessible via courtesy shuttle bus from Denali Visitor Center bus stop. Be at bus stop 40 mins before your tour starts.

Sled Dog Demonstration & Kennel Visit
Denali National Park George Parks Hwy.
Denali Park, Ak 99755
907-683-9532
Online: nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/sled-dog-demonstrations

photo: Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater via Facebook

Dive-In to Acadia National Park, Maine
Diver Ed will take you and your crew ‘o landlubbers out on his ship, The Starfish Enterprise, to boldly go where only a few kids have gone before. Ed and his Playmobil sidekick “Mini Ed” dive down with special video and sound gear that lets you see and hear the ocean floor in real time from the comfort of the deck. When Ed and Mini Ed come back up, they bring the creatures with them! You’ll have a chance to get up-close-and-personal with sea cucumbers, toad crabs, scale worms, lobsters, scallops and more from the underwater world of Acadia National Park. Don’t worry, all the creatures are safely returned to their homes.

Open: Year-round

Good to know: You can also catch a tour with a park ranger/naturalist on board. These are extended tours geared towards grownups but children are always welcome too. Cool bonus: Diver Ed’s Newfoundland Water Rescue Dogs go along on the trips.
Cost: $15/4 & under, $30/5-11, $40/12+, $35/senior, Reservations recommended. All ages

Dive-In Theater with Diver Ed
105 Eden St.
Bar Harbor, Me 04609
207-288-3483
Online: divered.com

photo: Grand Canyon Railway

Take a Train to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
“This is a stick up!” Watch out for wild west villains on the Grand Canyon Railway. Make your young cowgirl or cowboy’s first trip to the Grand Canyon extra special by throwing in a vintage locomotive ride (train robbery, shoot out and cowboy songs included) from Williams, Az to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You’ll ride in your choice of classic train car: Coach Class, First Class or Observation Dome, all stellar spots for taking in the stunning views.

Cost: 2 & under are free. Coach Class Round Trip $45/ages 2-15, $75/ages 16+; First Class Round Trip $110/ages 2-15, $140/ages 16+; Observation Dome Round Trip $140/ages 2-15, $170/ages 16+
Age: All ages

Grand Canyon Railway Williams Depot
233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.
Williams, Az 86046
928-635-4253
Online: thetrain.com

photo: Amy Moore via Everything Everywhere Travel

Hike IN a Volcano at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
A ranger-led hike of the Kīlauea Iki (little Kīlauea) trail will take you and your mini-volcanologists deep into the heart of Kilauea—a living volcano. You’ll see warm lava, hot steaming vents, cinder cones and spatter cones as you trek across the cracked floor of Kīlauea Iki Crater lava lake.  Peer into the vent that erupted in 1959, shooting lava 1900 feet into the air to form the crater – it’s below the Pu‘u Pua‘i cinder cone (Pu‘u Pua‘i means Gushing Hill in Hawaiian). Head over to the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park web site for upcoming tours. If there’s no ranger-led hike when you’re visiting, your family can enjoy the hike anyways.  Check out Amy Moore’s adventures on the trail with her 4 and 6 year-old kiddos on Everything Everywhere Travel.

Good to know: Be sure to wear sturdy footwear and a hat. Bring rain gear and layer clothing (you may need warm clothes when you’re up high). Take along lots of water to stay hydrated. Healthy snacks are a must too! Kīlauea Iki Trail Round Trip: 4 miles Elevation 3,874 feet, see Trail Guide.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
1 Crater Rim Dr.
Hawaii National Park, Hi 96718
808-985-6000
Online: nps.gov/havo

photo: Leon Reed via Flickr circa 1956

Fossil Hunting at Badlands National Park, South Dakota
If you’ve got a fossil nut in the family, Badlands National Park is the place for you. Prehistoric rhinos, three-toed horses, saber-toothed cats and more roamed here—and left behind one of the richest fossil beds in the world. Rangers will tell you all you need to know about the kind of fossils that can be find in the park, and what they reveal about the ancient life of the area. Visit the Paleontology Lab and watch paleontologists working with fossils. Then don a hat, sunscreen and closed-toed shoes (don’t forget the water bottle) and dig for fossils along the White River Badlands Trail.  Maybe your little diggers will come across an undiscovered ancient species!

Good to know: Ranger-Led Programs run Memorial Day Weekend to just after Labor Day Weekend.

Cost: Free
Age: All ages

Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Rd.
Interior, Sd 57750
605-433-5361
Online: nps.gov/badl

photo: James Marvin Phelps via Flickr

Stargazing in Death Valley National Park, California
“The sky begins at your feet!” says an old advertisement for Death Valley National Park. Death Valley has some of the darkest night skies in North America, which make it perfect for watching shooting stars, viewing the Milky Way, and even the distant Andromeda Galaxy. For your visit to the hottest place on Earth, check in at the aptly-named Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Park rangers offer night sky programs and hold stargazing events with astronomy organizations – kids can peer through a high-powered telescope for a stellar experience!

Open: Winter and Spring

Good to know: Death Valley is certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. This means the night skies are very dark there and minimally impacted by city lights.

Program Cost: Free
Ages: All ages

Death Valley National Park
Death Valley, Ca 92328
760-786-3200
Online: nps.gov/deva/index.htm

photo: Austria01 via TripAdvisor

Watch Bats Fly at Carlsbard Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Things are going batty in New Mexico! – Every summer evening, a swarm of Brazilian Free-tailed bats take to the skies in search of food. Your family can watch the bats’ exodus from the outdoor amphitheater at Carlsbad Caverns. Rangers tell you all about them and unlock the secrets of a bat’s life. Early risers can watch the pre-dawn return of the bats, and see their spectacular dives back into the cavern – reaching speeds of 25 mph!

Open: Summer

Good to know: The best bat flights are in July and August when baby bats join the flight.

Bat Flight Program Cost: Free, Reservations not required.
Ages: All ages

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Hwy.
Carlsbad, Nm 88220
575-785-3012
Online: nps.gov/cave

photo: National Park Service

Canoeing in Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Known as “the redwoods of the east,” Conagree National Park is home to rare old-growth bottomland trees – most of the old-growth forests in the eastern US were lost to logging but Conagree’s trees have been preserved. The 6 and up set can explore the wilderness on a ranger-led canoe trip down Cedar Creek. Look out for the towering Loblolly Pine, a huge Sweetgum, and Persimmons.  Watch out for swamps too!

Good to know:  Check out the just-opened “Kids in Parks” TRACK Trail – a 2.1 mile loop through some amazing forest in Congaree. Head over to Kids in Parks web site for bug spotting, scavenger hunts and more.

Guided Canoe Tours Cost: Free
Ages: At least one adult (18 or older) must be in each canoe. PFD’s are provided but participants must also know how to swim without the aid of one.

Congaree National Park
100 National Park Rd.
Hopkins, Sc 29061
803-776-4396
Online: nps.gov/cong

photo: Becky Gregory via Flickr  

Become a Young Scientist at Yellowstone National Park, Montana & Wyoming
Kids 5 and up can earn a Young Scientist patch (14 and over get a key ring) in a program that’s just at Yellowstone. Purchase a self-guiding booklet for $5 – then solve science mysteries in the park. Discover the science behind bubbling mud pots, spurting geysers and amazing hot springs – and the history of the fascinating animals that call Yellowstone home (including the return of the grey wolf).

Good to know: Let them test their animal instincts. Kids can take part in Wildlife Olympics—comparing their skills to animals’! Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at various locations. See schedule for details. Self-guiding booklets available at the Canyon and Old Faithful Visitor Centers.

Cost: $5 Ages 5-9: Self-guiding booklet available at the Old Faithful Visitor Center (where you’ll also need to borrow a Young Scientist Toolkit to help with investigations).
Ages: 10-13 and 14 & up (including grownups).

Yellowstone National Park
Wy 82190
307-344-7381
Online: nps.gov/yell

photo: National Park Service

Spelunking in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
No parents allowed! Kids 8-12 can take the Trog Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park; they’ll explore the subterranean life of the world’s longest known cave on this off-trail adventure. Young cavers will hike, crawl and belly-slide through secret passages and learn all about the animals of Mammoth Cave and how they survive in the darkness. The Trog Tour is cool (in both senses of the word) but they’ll be snug in provided coveralls (just bring shorts and t-shirt to wear underneath). The 10 and up set can even try a Beginning Caving class! All equipment (coveralls, helmets, knee pads and head lamps) is provided by the park. Visitors must provide their own boots. No personal caving equipment allowed. Parents, guardians and/or chaperones must attend the first 30 mins of the tour to assist when children “suit up” with their equipment.

Trog Tour Cost: $16; 2 p.m. daily Reservations strongly recommended.
Ages: 8 – 12

Mammoth Cave National Park
1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy.
Mammoth Cave, Ky 42259
270-758-2180 Online: nps.gov/maca

photo: Fly Fishing the Smokies

Fly Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
“It was this big!” Little fishermen and women will be telling you tall tales of the one that got away after this awesome fly-fishing experience in the Smokies. Your family can explore the mountains and streams on a private fly-fishing trip – kiddos are supplied with kid-sized rods and waders. The patient guides will teach the kids to fly-fish (if they’re not already experts) – it’s easy to learn, and fun, especially when they catch the big one!

Cost: $87.50/person
Ages: No minimum age (5 & up recommended)

Good to know: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of several national parks and battlefields where kids can become a Junior Civil War Historian. Read on for more.

Fly Fishing the Smokies
Bryson City, Nc
828-488-7665
Online: flyfishingthesmokies.net
Become a Civil War Historian
History buffs can learn all about the Civil War at national parks and battlefields and earn a special badge too. Parks include: Natchez National Historical Park, where your family can see what life was like in the American South just before the Civil War; and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield where the first major battle west of the Mississippi was fought.

Online: www.nps.gov

photo: Helen Walker Green

Passport to Your National Parks
Do you and the fam like to visit as many National Parks as you can? Keep a record of the parks you’ve visited with the Passport to Your National Parks. Buy a Passport at most Ranger Stations and Vistor Centers and online at eParks.com and don’t forget to let your Junior Ranger ask a Park Ranger for a park passport stamp. The passport has tons of info and maps, and there’s even a Kid’s Passport Companion. Passport To Your National Parks $8.95 Kids’ Passport To Your National Parks Companion $6.95 Passport To Your National Parks and Kids’ Passport Companion Set $14.95 Check out other ways kids can enjoy national parks on the National Parks web site.

What are your favorite national parks adventures for kids? Do you plan on trying any of the activities featured here? Tell us in the Comments below.

— Helen Walker Green

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