What We Love Right Now July 20, 2011:Road Trips

Back-to-school time might be lurking around the corner for many of us, but there is still time to squeeze a little bit of fun out of the last few weeks of summer vacation. What better way to get away with your kids for a few days than a good, old fashioned road trip. Load up your car, fill up the tank, and head out for a great adventure!

1. Edisto Beach, SC

If you’re close to the east coast, this is a beach worth visiting. Serene and secluded, this is one beach town that is still just that. Full of nostalgia and quaint beach cottages, great eateries, a golf course, and of course a lovely beach. There’s a great serpentarium for your reptile lovers, spend a day at sea with chartered boat tours, or grab a bite to eat at the infamously popular Sea Cow restaurant. For more information, visit Edistobeach.com.

2. Kansas City, MO

Near the Mid West? Hit up Kansas City. There’s a great zoo…The Kansas City Zoo. See some Polar Bears or go on an African Safari! Too hot for the zoo? Beat the heat at Oceans of Fun, a great water park with slides, rides, and fantastic lazy river. This place is great for all ages. After your adventures you’ll have to eat. Try lunch or dinner at the Crayola Cafe, where you kids can color to their heart’s content on their placemats while they eat! (open Monday to Wednesday 11am to 6pm, Thursday and Friday 11am to 9pm, Saturday 11am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 5p).

3. Chicago, IL

Ah, we love the windy city! It’s a big city with a great feel. There’s plenty to do with your kids. Try Navy Pier and take ride on the Ferris Wheel. Then stroll around Millenium Park. You can always spend some time at The Field Museum. Take the kids to eat at the Rainforest Cafe (Wednesday Night is family night)

4. Nashville, TN

If you leave in the southeast, but don’t feel like taking another beach vacation, head the music city! Get tickets to the Grand Ole Opry where there’s always a good show playing. Visit the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens where a great Family Night is hosted. Bring your picnic blanket and enjoy puppet shows, musical acts, and more! Forget dinner at a restaurant, try it aboard a dinner boat cruise on the Cumberland River!

5. San Diego, CA

If you’re remotely near the west coast, then a trip to San Diego is a must. There is so much to do: Legoland, Sea World, The San Diego Zoo, and La Jolla Beach. If you make to to one or two of those places your trip will be a memorable one for sure! There are also lots of great family-friendly dining spots, like Wahoos and the Corvette Diner.

Have you been on a great family road trip? Tell us about it in a comment below!

Cheap Summer Fun

Not getting away this summer? There are so many things to do during the summer months to occupy your time. You can pick an array of things ranging from fairly inexpensive to as costly as you like, all without leaving the comfort of your own home or town. We’ve got some great ideas for very cheap summer activities to fill some time during your summer staycation.

1. Plan a Day at a Pick-Your-Own Farm

Fresh fruits make great pies and jams during the summer. Kids love to pick them. Check your area (Chamber of Commerce) for local farms for strawberry or other berry picking. Plan your day accordingly. Wear sunscreen and clothes that you don’t mind getting stained. Once you’ve taken your berries home, you’ll be set to make jams, jellies, and pies of all kinds!

2. Host a Bike Parade

Gather up the neighborhood kids on a weekday afternoon for a grand event. Encourage each child to decorate their bike beforehand. Once everyone is gathered up, the parade can begin and all the bikes can trail throughout the neighborhood. All the kids are sure to love this. At the end celebrate with popsicles (they tend to be fairly inexpensive, so if you have a lot of participants you won’t be breaking the bank).

3. Tour a Fire Station

Have toddlers or preschoolers at home? Touring a fire station is one of the coolest things you could do with a little one. The firemen are usually very gracious and let all the kids try one uniforms, go in the big trucks, and tour the whole fire house.

4. Have a Family Movie Night

Nothing beats a good, old fashioned family movie night. Order pizza and pick a old movie to watch. Can’t decide on a movie? Here are our Top 10 Best Movies for Families.

5. Visit a State Park

State Parks offer a great scene, perfect for hiking, biking, and camping. If you can’t get away for an overnight camping trip, even for just a day you could experience so much. Pack a picnic lunch and don’t forget your camera-you never know what you’ll see!

6. Town Festivals

Check your newspapers and local listing for town festivals. Each city has unique events so be sure you’re not missing out!

Have you had a great staycation? Share you experience with us!

What We Love Right Now March 9, 2010: Spring Break Staycation Ideas

It’s that time of year! If you’re not traveling you might be bummed out. No matter the age of your children if you are stuck at home during Spring Break week you’ll be looking for an activity or two to entertain them (and of course yourself also!). We’ve got a few ideas for Spring Break staycation fun!

1. Organize a Block Party: Chances are you’re not the only people in the neighborhood who are hanging out at home. See who else on your street might be spending the break close by and organize a day of play, movie night, or neighborhood barbecue.

2. Visit the zoo: If you have younger children this would be a great opportunity to visit your local zoo. Pack a lunch and make a day of it!

3. Camp: Your backyard works-and if it’s rainy the livingroom makes a great spot too!

4. Visit a National State Park: State Parks offer tons of great photo opps and a chance of everyone to really enjoy the great outdoors. Plus, you never know what kind of really neat wildlife you might see while you’re out exploring.

5. A Day at the Beach: If you’re close, head to the coast for the day and soak up the sun. A day trip to the beach will lift everyone’s spirits!

6. Family Cooking Night: We think cooking together is a great idea, so why not get everyone involved? Make it easy and try spaghetti, salad and bread or pizza. This is a guaranteed to be a fun for everyone!

7. Game Night: Let each member of the family pick their favorite board game (older tweens and teens might like to pick a video game) and host a family game night that’s sure to be hours of fun.

8. Patio Picnic: If the weather is warm enough, have a dinner by candlelight on your back deck or patio. Little kids will surely think this is a treat and who knows, it might even become a family tradition!

9. Have a Mini-Vacation Weekend: Choose one weekend to mark off on the calendar as a mini-vacation. Turn off all the cells. Watch movies, go out to dinners as a family, shop, visit amusement parks, aquariums…Play tourist for a weekend. No chores for the entire weekend. The idea is to have fun and play like you aren’t really at home.

10. Attend a Farmers Market: Fresh veggies, handmade treats-This could be a fun outing for everyone!

Do you have a Spring Break staycation idea? Leave us a comment!

End of Summer Getaways

Labor Day is around the corner, which means summer is officially coming to an end. If you ‘re lucky, you may have a few days to squeeze in an end of summer vacation. SharpMoms has some suggestions for you if you are looking for quiet, family oriented beaches on the east coast. Skip the hustle and bustle of Florida and pack up your family for a trip to the beaches of South Carolina, where memories will be made to last a life time.

First stop: Folly Beach, South Carolina. With Folly Beach rentals and a hotel right on the water, this small beach town packs a big bag of fun for the whole family. The beach is quiet, the peir is great for fishing, and the restaurants are super. SharpMoms suggests you stop by Rita’s for a super meal before you head back home. For more information on this beach, visit www.follybeach.com.

Next up, Edisto Island, South Carolina or Edisto Beach as it is also called. With serene beaches and a golf course right on the island, everyone is sure to stay happy during your stay! Edisto Island is a great family vacation destination and there are many beach homes and condos for rent at reasonable rates. For more information on where to stay and what Edisto has to offer, please visit www.edistoisland.com.

The best news? You are just minutes away from historic Charleston, SC if you stay at Folly Beach, and just a few more if you stay on Edisto!

Why does SharpMoms love these beach picks? Both are uncrowded and offer a wonderful family atmosphere. After your visit, let us know what you think! SharpMoms would love to hear about your stay!