This summer caused a lot of families to press pause on vacation planning, and a recent survey conducted by InsureMyTrip proved that everyone is looking forward to planning their 2021 vacations more than ever. The survey showed that not only are nearly 90 percent of Americans hoping for a vaycay next year, but that bookings are already growing by as much as 500 percent in Europe and the U.S.!
As we all plan for a getaway, InsureMyTrip decided to rank all 50 states to show the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to camping. Keep reading to see how your state shakes out.
InsureMyTrip ranked each state by several categories that include campsite quality, species diversity, internet access, fuel prices and rainfall. So who made the top 10? With all the categories in mind, these states came out as the best:
Rhode Island
Utah
Maryland
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Minnesota
Colorado
South Carolina
Texas
Vermont
The worst overall were:
Wyoming
Montana
Nevada
Indiana
Idaho
North Carolina
California
Hawaii
Tennessee
Mississippi
The survey also ranked the best states for woodland camping, most convenient, and safest. To view the entire report, head over to InsureMyTrip’s dedicated page.
You may feel like your house is a zoo, but it’s still not as wild as the real thing. If your kids are starting to think tigers only exist in memes…it’s time to break free!
The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are back with a roar and thrilled to welcome you again! Their top priority is the safety and well-being of their guests, team members and their wildlife—which they’ve kept safe for over 100 years. Read on to learn more about safety measures in place, meet the newest additions to their family and to get excited about planning your trip!
After the zoo’s longest closure in its history, the team members and animals are excited to welcome you back! Visit old friends and meet some new ones, as you stroll through the zoo, getting up close and personal with your family’s favorite animals. With over 3,500 animals and 650 species and subspecies, you know you’ll be in for a wild adventure!
Two words: baby animals! While the San Diego Zoo was closed, they got a few adorable new additions. Akobi, a pygmy hippo calf (the first born at the zoo in more than 40 years!) and Agapito, an Andean bear cub are two of the not-so-little ones that your kids can see. The zoo also welcomed two Amur leopard cubs (an endangered species) and twin ring-tailed lemurs!
Get up close to your favorite wildlife at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! With a diverse array of habitats, including Africa, Asia, Australia and North America, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled the world! The Safari Park’s expansive grounds give your family freedom to roam and explore at your own pace—meaning you can spend as much time with the giraffes as you’d like!
The Safari Park also welcomed a few new friends! Come meet the babies: an adorable cheetah cub, two porcupine pups (aka “porcupettes”) and an already-famous giraffe calf whose name, Zahara, was chosen by her online fans. You can also meet one-horned rhino calves, a zebra foal and the park’s first-ever echidna baby, which is also called a puggle!
Get Close to the Animals–Not Other People
Now you can always skip the crowds and experience the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park like never before. Capacity is reduced to less than half of full capacity to allow for social distancing, meaning you get to spend more time watching your favorite animals, all with a front-row view.
In order to keep people at a safe distance, the zoo has also modified how guests move through the park. The changes include posted signs, some one-way direction routes, ground spacing markers to indicate six feet of separation and socially-distanced seating.
Plus, they’ve got extra cleaning covered, with additional and more frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout the facilities on an ongoing basis each day. Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are readily available in the parks for guests to use, as well.
Hours, Tickets & More
The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park are open every day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours are subject to change, so check their zoo and safari park websites for the most up-to-date hours and information. Due to limited capacity, tickets in advance are recommended.
It’s all happening at the zoo. In honor of American Zoo Day on Jul. 1, The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) wants to bring the zoo home to you. Zoo and aquarium fans can visit their favorite animals at AZA-accredited facilities around the country by “walking” through AZA’s YouTube playlist.
Hear from zookeepers, view up close footage of your favorite animals, and go behind the scenes to learn more about each species. YouTube playlists play automatically, so kids, big and small, can learn and be entertained while in quarantine.
Visit aza.org for more information and take a “walk” through a zoo virtually, while learning more about the importance of conservation.
Raising a child on the spectrum is not easy. It comes with higher demands of care and time than other children. Believe me, I know! I have four children ranging in ages from eight to 17. My youngest daughter has PDD, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a moderate form of Autism.
She is higher functioning and very smart. She also lacks impulse control, and with that comes language that has no filters or boundaries. My daughter has taught me an incredible amount of patience and also to laugh at the silly things that happen. Laughing and finding humor in some of the awkward comments helps balance life when things get too stressful and unmanageable at times. I have spoken with other families who have children on the spectrum and we all have agreed you just have to laugh sometimes.
My daughter was taking her nightly bath one evening. Of course, I’m always right next to her in the bathroom. She asked me why I never take a bath with her. I explained to her that I am a grownup and much too big to get into the bathtub with her. I told her that if I got into the bathtub, there would be no room for her.
She had a very serious face and replied very calmly, “Oh yeah. I keep forgetting you are the size of an elephant.” I laughed. She was not trying to be mean. She was not trying to make me feel bad about myself. She was just being her. I was thankful for the laugh, although I was remorseful for the Kit Kat bar I had eaten earlier that day.
My daughter is so smart; sometimes she asks questions I just don’t know how to answer. Thank goodness for Google, as every question ends up with me having to search the internet. My other children used to ask questions of curiosity like what my favorite color was growing up, or what television shows I used to watch when I was little, or the names of my best friends from grade school. My daughter with autism does not have an interest in any of those topics.
She wants to know what scientific family a slug is in. I had no idea—I had to look it up. She wanted to know how many species are in the gastropod family. I had no idea—I had to look it up. Then she wanted to see pictures of each species. I told her I don’t have that information either and that I would have to look it up. She told me very calmly, and in all seriousness, “I used to think you were smart.” Again, I laughed. I have been outsmarted by an eight-year-old!
Playdates at the park are no different. I always enjoy seeing how she reacts and how she perceives others. Each time we go is different, even when nothing around us is different. We have our good days and bad days like everyone else. I was talking to another parent and watching the kids play. One of the kids came up to me to tell me that my daughter was eating snails.
I went over to investigate what was going on. She saw me and right away told me, “I am not eating the snails. I was just tasting them. I have spit all of them out.” I laughed and told the other parent we needed to go before she fills up too much before dinner.
If laughter is truly good for the soul, I get a good daily dose from my daughter each day. I am thankful for her witty comments and the humor she brings into our life. Life is not easy having a child on the spectrum, but having a positive attitude and learning to laugh at the little things certainly makes it better. Wishing joy and laughter to all the autism parents out there!
This article was originally written by Carol Tatom.
Autism Parenting Magazine is the leading magazine for parents of autistic children as well as professionals seeking to work with children on the spectrum. Established in 2012, our focus remains on objectively publishing autism-related topics, events, developments, treatments, news stories as well as a variety of inspiring real-life stories.
Butterflies are more than just beautiful insects with wings: they play a vital role in the production of flowering plants which means without butterflies many, many plants would not flower, fruit and seed. Give these jewel-toned pollinators a place to call home with a few ideas for creating a butterfly garden no matter how much space you have. Scroll down to get the dirt.
Be poison-free. Do not use pesticides of any kind, anywhere. This includes nearby lawns and other garden beds. We promise, where there’s a problem there is a non-toxic solution. Click here for ideas on pesticide-free bug control.
When in doubt, go native. Planting native flowering plants and shrubs help sustain native populations. We’ve offered a few suggestions here for butterfly-friendly flowering plants that do good in most climates (some of which may be native to your neck of the woods) and are generally not invasive, but it is always good to cross-check with your local garden center or native plant society. One man's annual can easily become another one's nightmare weed.
Milkweed it: The single best plants for Monarch butterflies is milkweed—specifically Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). It grows in zones 9-11 (mostly California) but can be grown as a summer annual elsewhere. There are also many species of milkweed native to areas throughout the U.S. that are beneficial to all types of butterflies. Click here for the low-down on this important pollinator plant.
Gimme shelter: You can buy or make butterfly shelters that can be hung on the side of the building, near the community and school gardens and even in parks (be sure and get permission).
Even a single plant will help, but you can also consider buying or making a butterfly feeder. Here’s an easy how-to that takes just a few steps and is great for kiddos.
If you want to plant something in a window box, try nasturtiums and alyssum with zinnias and marigolds. The zinnias and marigolds grow straight and tall and the alyssum and nasturtiums trail, which makes a beautiful combo that butterflies love.
Create a mini-oasis with just a few pots of soil on your stoop, sidewalk or front yard. Add plants that support the butterfly larvae as well as container plants that offer nectar for adult butterflies.
For the larvae: fennel (requires a larger pot) and borage (gets beautiful blue flowers and is edible!) as well as ornamental grasses that provide shelter.
For the adult butterflies: Salvia, marigolds, alyssum, nasturtiums, zinnia, oregano, and pincushion flowers (scabiosa) all do great in smaller containers. Many species of milkweed will grow in decent-sized pots and are so loved by butterflies the most common variety of this plant is often called “butterfly plant.” Also, most plants that are in the aster or daisy family are popular among the butterfly crowd but you'll want bigger pots for these, as well as any lavender or lantana you'd like to try.
If you’re lucky enough to have a whole garden or garden bed, you can choose plants that spread out and like a bit more room to grow (though with the right sized container, many of these can be grown in pots). Be sure and plant taller plants and shrubs toward the back, medium-growth plants in the middle, and so on.
Tall plants: Hollyhocks, delphiniums, lilac bushes or any kind of flowering tree. Think cherry, apple, plum, etc, some salvia varieties, fennel, willow (great for larvae)
Plants that typically grow 1-3 ft high: Coneflower (echinacea), yarrow, salivas, lavender, milkweed (can grow higher in certain climates), globe thistle, bee balm, borage, lantana
Lower growing plants (under 1 ft or groundcovers): alyssum, nasturtiums, calendula, marigolds, zinnias, some verbena, oregano (warning! Oregano can become aggressive in many gardens), dianthus
It’s a boy! Last month Mabel, a 4-year-old pygmy hippopotamus at the San Diego Zoo gave birth to her first calf. This is the first successful pygmy hippo birth at the zoo in more than 30 years.
The male pygmy hippo calf was born just before 9 a.m. on Apr. 9, and weighed 12.4 pounds.
The zoo announced the birth on May 15 in recognition of Endangered Species Day. The zoo said, the calf, which has not been named, is meeting and surpassing milestones, including the ability to go underwater.
There are fewer than 2,500 pygmy hippos living in rivers and streams in the forest of West Africa, and their species are threatened by logging, farming and human settlement in their habitat according the the announcement on the zoo’s website.
Just because schools are closed and families are staying indoors for the foreseeable future doesn’t mean your family can’t take a trip to the zoo. So why not visit one of the most famous zoos in the world? The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have tons of ways your kiddos can see animals and enjoy wild adventures, all virtually. From live wildlife cams to learning about plants and animals, here’s a look at how your kiddos can enjoy the Zoo from the comfort of your own home.
Wildlife Cams Catch all the action on the San Diego Zoo’s 10 Wildlife Live Cams. Each camera features animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. These live streaming cams will help your little explorers feel like they’re right there among the polar bears as they watch the wildlife explore, eat, swing, roll, pounce, groom and play through their day.
Watch any of San Diego Zoo Global’s wildlife cams here:
San Diego Zoo Kids Kids can jump right into the world of wildlife with every visit to San Diego Zoo Kids. This family-friendly website is packed with videos about animals, fun stories, hands-on activities and games. You’ll also find information about how to be a superhero to help save species. Don’t forget to also check out the San Diego Zoo Kids Channel. This channel has tons of videos with “wild and cute” content.
ZOONOOZ Online Many readers are familiar with the print edition of San Diego Zoo Global’s magazine. But ZOONOOZ online includes even more fascinating stories about wildlife and ongoing conservation projects around the world. New articles are posted on the website each week, so be sure to visit often and check out the latest content.
San Diego Zoo Animals and Plants Did you know the slender-snouted crocodile is an avid tree climber? Or an ocelot has different markings on each side? From the African giant pouched rat to the zebra, and from cactuses to trees, they’re all on the San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants website. This awesome online site has detailed information, fun trivia, and a user-friendly A-to-Z guide about the most-asked-about species, many of which call the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park home.
Science Blog Middle and high school students can dig into science on the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research science blog. The engaging posts here cover the latest “flap” from the alala education program in Hawaii.
Help Track Wildlife from the Comfort of Home Anyone can become a “citizen scientist” and contribute valuable data to conservation researchers by helping to count, identify and track burrowing owls, giraffes and other wildlife online. Participants in San Diego Zoo Global’s Wildwatch Burrowing Owl and Wildwatch Kenya can view and classify wildlife images that were taken by remote trail cameras.
While life has been put on hold in many ways, it’s business as usual for the animals of San Diego Zoo Global and the crew of wildlife care specialists that are looking out for them. Be sure to virtually visit them soon!
Excited, you will be. The world can’t seem to get enough of Baby Yoda so we hoped to get another season to keep up with the subject of our favorite memes. There is not doubting that The Mandalorian was an immediate hit on Disney+. Lucky for us, the second season is already in production.
The insanely popular Star Wars spinoff follows a Mandalorian who finds himself hired to retrieve The Child, aka Baby Yoda, a member of an unnamed species. The series takes place after the fall of the Empire five years after The Return of the Jedi and 25 years before The Force Awakens. The show’s creator Jon Favreau confirmed that season two is underway via an Instagram post from the set.
It’s not every day you meet a T. rex named Victoria, but later this year American dino fans will get their first chance to meet this famous and very rare dinosaur.
Discovered outside of Faith, South Dakota in 2013, Victoria is the second most complete Tyrannosaurus rex discovery on record. Now for the first time, this special dinosaur is going on display to the public. Featuring 199 bones, Victoria’s 66-million-year-old, fossilized remains are going on a globe-trotting tour.
The first stop on the five-year tour for Victoria the T. rex is the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Museum visitors will be able to get an up close look at the 40-foot long, 12-foot tall dinosaur beginning Nov. 17, 2019.
photo: Courtesy of IMG
“The T. rex is the most iconic dinosaur known to man and the focal point of countless books, television shows and films. The discovery of Victoria is truly remarkable and really changes our understanding of the species,” said John Norman, Managing Director of Exhibitions, IMG. “Through Victoria the T. rex, we’re providing visitors with an in-depth look at the lives of the Tyrannosaurus rex and expanding upon existing knowledge to create the most exciting, engaging and holistic dinosaur exhibition to-date.”
The exhibition will run at Arizona Science Center until May 25, 2020 and then Victoria will make her way to other museums across the world. No word yet on where she will land next.
Every week, Xyza: News for Kids publishes a dinner table conversation topic. Why? We want to inspire real conversations about the world of news today with your kids. Because the world of news is fascinating, exciting and frankly, way too interesting!
This week we ask the question, “Who’s faster? A cheetah or an ant?” Why? Read our dinner table conversation topic below!
Did you know that the animal with the fastest moving body part comes from the Mystrium camillae species, otherwise known as the Dracula ant found in southeast Asia and Australia. Its jaws (or mandibles, if we’re being technical) can click at 201 miles per hour. That’s about 5,000 times faster than the blink of an eye. Ouch! Sounds like a pretty painful experience for the prey caught between those jaws!
So what’s the point of this discovery? Well, the ant’s jaw movement is unique because instead of keeping its jaw open wide and then snapping it shut, the Dracula ant starts with a closed jaw and then builds pressure, which causes the super-quick motion … much like the pressure that lets you snap your fingers.
The next step for researchers? To see how the ant uses these speedy powers in nature. Perhaps humans could use the ant’s jaw movements as inspiration to improve the way we use or build things in the future!
Now that we know which animal moves its body the fastest, inquiring minds want to know… who’s faster in the comic book world: Superman or The Flash?
We're two perfectly imperfect moms who have five very different kids between the two of us. We believe that topics in news are a fantastic way to spark conversations in families. That's why we started the Dinner Table Conversation series here at Xyza: News for Kids. Won't you join us in the conversation?
