Traveling with tots in tow is no easy feat. Many parents use their smart phone or iPad to keep takeoff tantrums and road trip rage at bay—but there are also a variety of applications that can help you keep your cool while on the go. From sightseeing apps that banish backseat boredom to apps that help you locate the nearest rest stop when they really gotta go, these tools of the trade will help everyone stay on track.
Road Trip Bingo HD
Your trip is looking up (and out the window) with this fun app that is all about enjoying the journey. Road Trip Bingo allows two players to play side by side on the same device so that siblings can all get in on the fun. Players will search for items like road signs, vehicles, animals and scenery with over 40 different items to find. An app that encourages them to look away from the app? Bingo! $0.99 on iTunes
What tech do you rely on when traveling with tots? Tell us below!
–Phebe Wahl
Photos courtesy of iTunes; featured photo courtesy of Wickenden via creative commons
Soccer. Swim lessons. Piano. Play dates. Homework. More soccer. T-ball. Ballet. School science fairs. Spanish. French. Sign language. More play dates.
We’ve heard that there are only 24-hours in the day, but with the schedules our families keep — filled with extra-curricular, on the move, pack-something-into-every-moment fun — we’re certain that there must be more. There literally isn’t enough time in the day or the week or a lifetime to fit in all of the activities that our well-rounded kids love to do…or enough time for us to drive them to each one, for that matter!
While these new online art classes and art apps won’t solve all of your problems (sadly, they won’t do the grocery shopping for you, no matter how hard you try!), they will help you fit some creative time in for the young budding artists in your house, and, the best part — you won’t have to run across town to do so!
Apps: Draw Something Stop hogging the iPad, Mom! Let your kids get their creative side out with a little Draw Something action. After all, you’re already addicted to it and hiding in the bathroom to play just one more round, right? This popular app is a fun way to let your kiddos get some technology-meets-art time in, as well as allowing them to connect with other “artists” like grandparents, cousins, and friends. In the likeness of Pictionary, Draw Something goes back and forth between two people, allowing one person to draw, while the other person guesses. It’s interactive, typically age appropriate (you may need to help them figure out a word or two here and there) and perfect for kids who can read. Also, it’s ideal for on-the-go — doctor appointment running late? Stuck in traffic? Downtime between soccer games? Yes, yes, and yes.
Find it: You can download Draw Something from the app store on your favorite smart phone or tablet — it’s available on most versions.
Buy it: Draw Something is available for free, as well as for purchase for $2.99, which gets you an ad-free version. Since this app is geared towards adults, as are the ads, we suggest breaking the bank for the upgrade.
Tips: Pick up a stylus for your little artist to use, rather than their finger. Not only will it improve the quality of their drawings, but it will keep their sticky fingers off of your iPad screen!
Downloadable Programs: Crayola Art Studio Our kids already love their crayons and now their favorite drawing tools are going online with the Crayola Art Studio. Perfect for kids who are starting to be comfortable, or who already are pros, at navigating the computer, Art Studio is a good introductory program to expand their artistic side. We especially love that you can set up the screen with the features and tools that apply to the skill-level of your kiddo — adding in some fun buttons for older, more experienced artists, and keeping it simple for newer ones. Don’t forget to stalk up on ink cartridges — there’s going to be a whole lot of printing going on!
Find it: Head to Amazon, where you can choose to purchase the program to be mailed to your home (via CD) or, download it straight from Amazon onto your computer. Art Studio is available for PC only.
Buy it: Both versions — the CD and the download — are approximately $20 via Amazon.
Tips: If they’re loving Art Studio, make the upgrade to Crayola Creative Studio ($33), which integrates the same features, plus animation, watercolors, the ability to make invitations and cards and more.
Online Classes: Thrive Online Art Classes In what began as a Kickstarter campaign, Thrive Online Art Classes are now revolutionizing both the way that kids take art classes (the lesson is online, but your kids draw on, gasp, paper!) and the way that online programs for kids are approached. Each 30-minute lesson is lead by Thrive founder, Theresa Harris, a mom of two, who leads kids ages 3 and up through the step-by-step drawing process. Our favorite part of each video is the way that Thrive makes them so well-rounded — there is background and real photographs of the drawing that they are about to create (for example, what are float planes anyway?) and classical music playing in the background of the video to keep them stimulated during the coloring portion of the lessons.
Find it: Online at thriveart.com — all lessons can be done using a laptop, desktop computer, smart phone or tablet
Buy it: A membership that includes unlimited access to the lessons is $80 (until the end of April 2013, when the price goes up to $100). We love that your kids are going to want to do each lesson over and over again — to try a new technique on their float plane or castle drawing, or to use different colors. These six lessons are going to take your kids much further than the week it will take them to work through them!
Tips: Jump online and check out the free class before signing up!
Tip for Parents: Channel Your Inner Artist We promise not to tell. Grab your own supplies and join your kiddo in these lessons and apps… if they’ll share! Not only is this an awesome way to fit in some quality time with your kids when they’re least expecting it, but there is something so soothing about creating art, which we all could benefit from, right? We shouldn’t have to remind you to keep to yourself while you’re working alongside your little one — no unsolicited suggestions! Let them be and focus on your own creation. It’s pretty likely that your 8-year old’s is going to be way better than your own anyway!
What is your little artist’s favorite way to be creative?
— Katie Kavulla
photos courtesy of Draw Something website, Crayola Art Studio website, & Thrive facebook page
Most moms today have their smart phones glued to the palm of their hand. Its uses range from texting (darling hubby: please pick up pizza for dinner, stat) to game playing (level 70 of Candy Crush is crazy). But while out and about with kiddos in the concrete jungle, it’s nice to rely on the smart phone for other things – like finding new ways to entertain the kids or the perfect spot for a family lunch. Check out these super helpful smart phone apps that will make your life navigating the city a little easier. You’ll wonder how you lived without them.
My Los Angeles 311
Abandon couch really messing with your curb appeal? Notice some street lights out? Need a new trash can? Use this app to deal with City issues first hand for everything from graffiti removal to more mundane things like who to call when your power goes out. You'll get a handy list of citywide services along with helpful tips on who to call when. News and twitter updates round out the mix.
Picture yourself just a few hours outside of the city, hidden in the Oregon wilderness, soaking in a steamy hot spring with not a car nor electronic gizmo in sight. Such a place surely only exists for couples on a weekend tryst, right? What if we told you this fantasy getaway is real, and kids are welcome too? If you haven’t started packing the car already, we suggest you start now, because by the time your kiddos have finished Finding Nemo, you’ll be at Belknap Hot Springs saying hello to stress-melting steam relaxation. And before you start worrying about people getting naked, don’t fret: naked is not an option here.
What to know before you go – Print out directions, your smart phone is not going to help you.
– This place has a list of rules and petty charges that will remind you of dorm days. If you can take this with a sense of humor and appreciate how things stay clean and comfortable because of these rules, you’ll have an awesome time.
– Bring your own beach towels to use at the pool. The towels they hand out, and we would add sparingly, are tiny towels.
– Unless your kids are on a raw food diet, get a kitchen. Buy groceries before you leave the city. There is nowhere nearby to stock up on anything organic or remotely healthy. There’s nothing nearby. The closest is beer, and it’s 8 miles away.
– If you decide to stay overnight, don’t count on cell service or wifi. Rooms don’t have phones. There aren’t even television stations coming into this place. The rooms have VCR and DVD players and the lodge keeps a library of kid movie favorites they rent for $3.00 and $4.00 each.
What to expect once you’ve arrived
Obviously the major attraction here are the two manmade pools full of hot mineral spring water piped in from across the McKenzie River. Pools start at 3 ft. deep where most 4 year olds would be able to touch with their head out of water. The deep end is 5 ft. And parents with rambunctious kids need not fear, as the steam rising up around you and the roar of the river drown out any disturbances caused by splashing kids. And a bonus for the too-big-to-carry kids, they’re sure to get a kick out of being cradled baby-style in the gravity defying hot spring water.
Insider Tip: The colored lights in the pool indicate the hot water inlet. Keep little ones clear of these…they’re hot!!!
Kids will love running around barefoot across the geothermal heated tiles. Adventurous kids can even take themselves to the dining room for breakfast (complimentary with your stay) and let mom and dad sleep in–win! Though the breakfast might be worth waking up a little early for: cranberry juice, fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, toasted bagels, muffins and hot chocolate.
When you’re fingers start to get all puckered, head to the great room full of tables and board games as well as large, well-furnished stairway landings.
Insider Tip: The pools close at 9:00 pm so if you’re trying to schedule solo time to soak, don’t count on waiting ‘til after bedtime.
Need to cool off after the hot springs?
The lodge pool is just out the back doors of the lobby and is open to overnight guests as well as daytime visitors. The upper pool is a short walk from the lodge and open only to overnight guests.
In the pool, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. To enter the pool area, children must be 2 years old and toilet trained. Swim diapers are not allowed. The upside? You won’t be inhaling chlorine fumes.
Pro-mom tip: Pack alternate suits to avoid getting into a cold, wet bikini. Mornings are a good time to rock some vintage-inspired swimwear. At night you won’t feel the need for as much coverage.
Belknap is close enough to Portland for a daytrip. But really, it’s worth a weekend. There are short walks through the woods at Belknap and places to sled or ski within half hour drives from the lodge. In addition to lodge rooms, there are cabins and campsites too.
Insider Tip: You might not think about staying hydrated while spending so much time in the water, but carrying a bottle of water at all times is a great way to make sure everyone stays happy and hydrated.
Planning a family getaway soon? Will you heading to Belknap Hot Springs in the near future? Already been? Share your experience and tips in a comment below.
— Amber Dennis
photo credit: Don Hankins via flickr & RonaldJohn via tripadvisor
For our kids, normal is swiping the screen of a tablet dozens of times per day, a mom who carries her laptop around 24/7 like it’s the neglected younger sibling, and never having heard the hum and beep of a dial-up modem. Since technology in all forms has infiltrated our lives whether we like it or not, we’re bound to have some funny (literally laugh out loud) moments with our kids and their interaction with these nifty devices. Below are some funny stories from the modern day, plugged-in mom, which will make you laugh and even say, that’s happened to me too.
My two year old son Cameron totally knows how to navigate himself on our tablet, including skype. One night, Cam decides to skype with his Uncle Lyndon. While “chatting”, his Grandma appears in the background and starts to talk. But he says, “No, no grandma…” and starts to swipe his fingers across her face—as if he could actually move her and “swipe” her off the screen!! Yvonne, New York City
A month ago, my seven year old daughter decided to send me a message about her one true “need” in life and decided to use my smart phone to deliver it. Well, little did I know there were a number of apps where one could doodle, cut and paste photos and send messages, but much to my surprise, I got the message loud and clear – it was a picture of my daughter with her new “friend” and a note that said, “I want a dog!” (Editor’s note: See photo above for Shamini’s daughter’s creation). Shamini, San Francisco
When my son was four he accidentally bid $200 on a set of Playmobil trash cans on ebay—and won! We quickly figured out how to lock down the website so he couldn’t make purchases. Cathie, Portland
We were on vacation, staying in a hotel. There was a newspaper sitting on the table that my husband had bought the day before. My two year old daughter picked it up and handed it to her dad saying “Here daddy, here’s your tablet.” Alanna, Portland
I knew it was time for a password on my phone when my Kindergartener ran upstairs and interrupted me as I was putting her younger brother down for a nap to say, “Mom, you just got a text from Shannon, she is complaining about her job again. I think you need to call her. She used symbols and A LOT of exclamation marks.” Kara, Seattle
My daughter is the subject of countless photos, but she must have gotten tired of being the subject because she quickly learned to play photographer using my phone. Now, I find tons of pics in my photo stream, mostly all blurry, of little toes, stuffed animals, even some candids of myself! Gabrielle, San Francisco
Last spring, my friend gave her four year old her tablet to use in the car during a long road trip. He figured it out rather quickly and spent the entire trip playing games. She said it was one of their best car trips ever! But, the next day my friend received an e-receipt from iTunes for $600. Apparently, every time a pop up ad appeared on the screen her son hit the “yes” button resulting in $600 worth of gaming apps!! Lesson learned: If you give your child your tablet to use, disable your credit card info. Kristina, Seattle
Got a funny story to share about your kids and technology? Share it with us in the comment section below! We’d love to hear.
