New York City is one of the most exciting places to visit for Thanksgiving. You get the city at it’s best. The Macy’s Parade. Colorful Fall leaves (if you’re lucky). A peek at the Christmas season splendor.

With so many options though, what do you do with a long weekend in New York City?

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Before Your Trip

New York City is one of those places you could just wander. There are endless things to see and do and eat. With kids though, I think New York City is a place where you want to have a game plan before you land.

Research

When you are planning a trip to New York City, start with the big things you want to do.

• Are you going to the Macy’s Parade?
• Are you dying to visit one of the awesome museums?
• Are you planning to stay in Manhattan the whole time or are you going to branch out into the other boroughs.

No clue where to start? Begin with this: New York City with Kids or for your first trip you might just want to start with our 10 Must Dos for a first family visit to the city.

Books to Read

Before we head somewhere I like to read a couple of books with my kids and talk with them about some of the cool things we’re going to see. Older kids might also want to help you plan.

12+ Children’s Books about New York City

Packing

The most important thing to remember about visiting New York City is that you will spend innumerable hours walking around outside. You need to have great walking shoes and clothes to keep you comfortable outside.

Make sure to pay attention to the weather before you pack because the weather can vary a lot in November.

In general you will want:

• Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• Warm socks
• Jacket (warmth will depend on weather)
• Hat and Mittens
• Long Sleeved Shirts
• Pants

As a tourist, I also recommend that you carry a slightly less obvious bag (think not oversized backpack) and looking at a map before you leave the house/hotel. GoogleMaps on your phone will tell you how to navigate the city – including trains! Pull up directions, take a screenshot. Then, do your best to memorize your way to the train before you head out and look at your next directions on the train so you know where to go when you get off.

Another thing to consider is that although your phone is super helpful for navigating and that’s much easier than trying to figure out maps on your own, it does drain your battery. However, similar to finding bathrooms, places to charge your phone are elusive. Having a rechargable battery pack is super helpful.

Where to Stay

There is no easy answer to where to stay in New York City. This is especially tricky with kids because hotels tend to be on the small side.

A couple things to keep in mind:

Despite being relatively small in actual size, it can take a while to get anywhere in New York City. I would think about you want to do and then try to find somewhere to stay that is near those things.

I would also make sure that you are no more than a couple of blocks from a subway station. In New York City that isn’t hard to accomplish in most areas, but something to keep in mind. If it’s a train station with more than one train line running through that’s even better. Having trains close will cut down on your travel time.

Thanksgiving Weekend Family Itineary

The options are truly endless. New York City has something for everyone. While we were living in the city I compiled this rather thorough list of the Best of New York City for Kids with tips and tricks and advice along the way.

To help you narrow it all down for a Thanksgiving Weekend, here is what we most recommend:

Day One: Thursday (Thanksgiving)

You will likely arrive on Wednesday at some point. Grab a slice of pizza, explore the neighborhood where you’re staying, or check off something on your personal must-do list. Then get to bed early – Thanksgiving will be a busy day!

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

If you’re visiting NYC for Thanksgiving then it’s likely that going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on your list. I’ve done this three times, twice with my kids. It is an awesome experience, but you definitely need to know a few things before you go. READ MORE

Central Park

Central Park has my heart. It’s my absolutely favorite part of NYC and in my opinion it is a must for any trip to New York City.

Try to schedule this for the best weather day of your trip because you will obviously be outside, but it is a nice run around break for the kids after standing and watching the parade.

This is a park that is unfathomable until you actually explore it. The size is staggering. To give you a small kid-friendly taste, here is our guide to the 21 playgrounds in the park. Yes, TWENTY ONE. That wasn’t a typo. Depending on where else you’re going on your trip, popping into the park to visit one of these awesome playgrounds will likely be a welcome and easy play break for your kids.

See a Show

Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall are always a fun Christmas option. You can also see any number of Broadway shows. They are always changing so look on line for what is currently open. The age guidelines are pretty accurate in our experience.

Day 2: Friday

This is Black Friday and Black Friday in New York City is a whole new level of crowded and crazy. We went to Macy’s once on Black Friday for the experience and it certainly was an experience. If you aren’t looking for insane early holiday shopping, then here is what we’d recommend.

Christmas Market

There are Christmas Markets all over Manhattan. We like the one at Union Square because of a few booths we love and it’s proximity to the Strand Bookstore, but there are all good and pretty comparable.

The Bryant Park one has an ice skating rink which I’d avoid skating there on Black Friday but it’s definitely another fun option.

Strand Bookstore or other bookstore options

New York City is full of awesome bookstores. The Strand is one of our favorites. There is a great collection of children’s books for kiddos, but also book of all types and sizes for everyone else as well. Books Are Magic is another amazing shop.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating in New York City is one of those must-do things. There are a lot of options. Rockefeller Center is definitely the most iconic. We skated there once again for the experience and it was cool, but it’s also super pricey and crowded.

Wollman Rink in Central Park is another iconic option. We skated there this year. It is still pricey and crowded, although less pricey and less crowded and the rink is larger. Skating around as the sun set behind the city was a priceless experience.

Day 3: Saturday

One World Trade Center

If you haven’t been to New York City in the past couple of decades, then the 9/11 Memorial should be on your list. It is powerful and free to visit and sits between the 9/11 Museum and One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.

The One World Trade Center is fine for all ages although your toddler likely won’t be as excited by the view as the adults. If you want to go up in the One World Trade Center then you might want to consider purchasing tickets ahead of time. For more tips you should know before you visit, READ MORE HERE.

On the other hand, the 9/11 Museum is truly fantastic as well, but I would recommend that for 10+ depending on the sensitivity of the child.

There are also other fun things to do in Lower Manhattan while you’re down there. Here are our absolutely favorites: 9 Hours in Lower Manhattan

If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island this would also be a good time to tackle those because you’re relatively close to the ferry.

Sea Glass Carousel

This little carousel in Battery Park definitely an overlooked gem. It is one of the coolest and most unique carousels. This year we went at nighttime and it looked extra cool in the dark, but it’s cool anytime of day. The carousel is near One World Trade Center and the Staten Island Ferry so it’s pretty easy to tuck this into your adventures.

Day 4: Sunday

Sunday might mean that your weekend is coming to an end. Hopefully you still have a full day for adventures in the city because there is still lots to do!

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station is one of those iconic places. Standing in the center of the main terminal is a spot that just feels alive. I especially love it when it’s decorated for Christmas.

You kids might be less impressed by the splendor of an old building, so here is what you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting with kids.

• Trains! Not just the big ones, although you can see those too. There is also a fun train show in the gift shop. It runs all over the store which delighted my twins when they were younger.
• Whispering Corner. There is a spot around the corner and down the ramp from the main terminal where if you stand on opposite corners from someone and whisper they can hear you on the other side.

Rockefeller Tree and Holiday Windows

The Rockefeller Tree is not lit up for the season until the week following Thanksgiving so if you are in the city longer then hold off on this one until you can see it all aglow. If you have to leave before the lighting however it is worth strolling past, especially because the LEGO store and FAO Schwartz are right in Rockefeller Square.

Across the street you will also find the Holiday window display at Saks. This year it was FROZEN. They are always beautiful displays. If you have time, you should also pop down to the holiday windows at Macy’s in Herald Square which stretch two city blocks.

Insert Museum of Your Choice Here

There are a host of excellent museums in New York City and many are very family friendly. Depending on your family’s interests, spend the afternoon at the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Math, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, or any of the other awesome museums that sound interesting to your family.

Bonus Day? Brooklyn!

If you have a bonus day then I would definitely spend it in Brooklyn. We loved living in Brooklyn and there are tons of things to do that are often overlooked by tourists. I could write an entire weekend posts about just Brooklyn, but to get you started – if you have a day to spend in Brooklyn, I would:

• If it’s nice outside, visit Brooklyn Bridge Park and eat Pizza across the street
• OR Prospect Park. We loved the family friendly botanic garden inside the park, the playgrounds, and the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
• If it’s less nice, I would start at the Transit Museum – don’t miss the subways in the basement – but the Children’s Museum is also fun.

Our Full List of New York City Ideas!

Christmas is almost here. Can you feel the excitement growing? I think that – the waiting, the excitement – is probably my favorite part of Christmas.

Because we are a family that loves to go on adventures, Christmas Adventures are part of our holiday family traditions.

We started taking our twins on Christmas Adventures pretty much as soon as they could walk.

When they were two they toddled around the block at my parent’s house in Wisconsin to look for Christmas lights. That took a remarkably long time compared to the blocks my kids walk now with their Christmas lights scavenger hunts in hand, but it was an early attempt at exploring the season and laid the groundwork for our family Christmas adventure traditions.

Since then these traditions have grown and changed and we’ve moved several times, but getting out and finding the spirit of the season in our city or town is always a part of our December.

Download Christmas Printable

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10 Christmas Adventures for Kids

Below are 10 of our favorite annual Christmas Adventures. I hope you find at least one new one to try with your family this holiday season.

1. Searching for Signs of Christmas

As early as Thanksgiving weekend we like to go on a Christmas signs hunt. We walk our neighborhood or town and take in the signs of Christmas approaching – the decorations, the Christmas trees, the lights.

Last year we loved finding the smell of Christmas trees on the street corners in New York City.

This year we’re planning to wander Little Italy and Liberty Station, as well as our own neighborhood to search for signs of Christmas.

2. Christmas Book Shopping

We are a book obsessed family so really any excuse to go to the bookstore will do. I always love making a special trip around the holidays to read new Christmas books. On a cold winter day there is little better than snuggling up in a warm, cozy bookshop for an hour or two.

We have explored many bookshops over the holidays looking for gifts and new books to add to our already insane Christmas Book Collection.

This picture is from last December in the cozy children’s section at Boswell Book Co on Downer Ave in Milwaukee WI.

This year I’m hoping to do some Christmas book shopping at one of the local San Diego indies. If you have a favorite, let me know in the comments!

3. Window Displays

New York City window displays are famous and one of my musts if you are in Manhattan for the holidays, but even if you are somewhere else it is likely that stores this time of year in your area will have to festive window displays. Go take a walk and peek in.

Last year we were pressing our noses up to the windows at Macy’s.

This year I doubt we’ll find anything quite as impressive, but we’re planning to explore some shopping areas and see what we can find.

4. Holiday Parade

This has been one of our favorite holiday traditions in the different places we have lived.

In the Twin Cities we bundled up for the Holidazzle parade.

In Baraboo WI, we super bundled with hand warmers for the night time Winter Lights parade.

In Madison MS, we enjoyed the relatively warm holiday parade down main street and the chance to chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus afterwards.

In New York City, we watched the incredible Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with it’s detailed floats, performers, and jaw dropping balloons. (Read my tips for doing that with kids in this post)

I’m not sure what California has in store for us, but I’m excited to find out. We have the La Jolla Christmas Parade.

5. Holiday Lights Walk

This is another one we have always loved. I like to wait until about the week before Christmas. We bundle up one evening and go for a walk. We’ve used this Scavenger Hunt the past few years for some integrated literacy and because my kids are a bit scavenger hunt obsessed.

Most towns have an area infamous for their lights. When we lived in Brooklyn the Dyker Lights were an annual must.

This year we’re going to walk around our neighborhood and check out one of these holiday light displays.

6. Holiday Markets

Our favorites in New York City were the one in the Oculus and at Union Square. My kids love browsing the different little shops and we also take turns bringing them to pick out gifts for each other and for us (their mom and dad). We use these adventures as mini-math and currency lessons, much like going to the farmers’ market.

This year I’m planning to go to the Maker’s Holiday Fairy at the Broadway Pier and browse shops at our favorite Little Italy Farmers’ Market.

7. Special Holiday Displays

My kids are awed by a really special holiday display. This one is the luminary display in Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan and it was our favorite in New York City at Christmas Time.

This year we are planning to visit the San Diego Botanic Garden for their garden of lights and watch the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights.

8. Ice Skating

My kids love ice skating….or at least the concept of ice skating. Actually moving across the ice is a work in progress. We love trying though. I read this list of rinks in San Diego and was so excited that this wasn’t a Christmas adventure we were going to have to miss in California.

This picture was taking at the Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan overlooking the river, Lady Liberty, and New Jersey’s skyline. We also loved ice skating in Prospect Park in Brooklyn and although pricey, I thought skating at Rockefeller is one of those ‘you should do this at least once’ experiences.

9. Christmas Tree Hunt

One of my favorite things about Christmas are the beautiful lights and trees that pop up everywhere. Hotels, town squares, train stations, libraries. They are everywhere and we love searching for them. If you follow Little Kid Big City on Instagram I think she is the queen of hunting down Christmas trees every year.

This one is from the New York Public Library in 2017.

One of the things I love most about hunting for Christmas trees is that they often surprise you. You round a corner and wow – there is an incredible tree.

10. Find the Best Hot Cocoa

In our case this is more of a find good Vegan hot cocoa in our current town. Not an easy task. I’m a huge hot cocoa fan though so I like to taste test some this time of year.

Download Christmas Printable

What are your favorite holiday adventures? I’d love to hear about them and San Diego suggestions you have for us in the comments!

The Nutcracker is one of the more classic Christmas stories. It is a wonderful tradition that encompasses imagination, bravery, and dance among other things. Our Nutcracker Unit started with a conversation.  A conversation that started as many of our conversations do; about a book.

When my kids were four we opened Tallulah’s Nutcracker as part of our 25 Days of Christmas Books. A lengthy conversation over breakfast about the book and the Nutcracker left us with more questions than I could answer.

So we did two things;

• We watched portions of the Nutcracker on YouTube (it truly is amazing to me what you can find on YouTube)
• and I requested some more versions of the Nutcracker from our library.

From there, a Preschool Nutcracker Unit was born.

Preschool Nutcracker Unit

Our units generally contain three main elements – going places, reading books, and playing. Below are the ways we extended the interest in the Nutcracker.

(affiliate links are included)

Read: Nutcracker Book List

Nutcracker Night by Mireille Messier & Gabrielle Grimard
Find it Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m always impressed when an author can take a familiar topic and put a unique twist on it. I have a lot of Nutcracker books in my Christmas book collection but none like this one. This tells the story of a little girl who goes to see the Nutcracker with her dad, nothing novel there, but it tells the story mostly through sounds. It captures the Nutcracker experience in a completely different way. The swish of her new dress. The “pickle-dee zing!” of the orchestra warming up. The sounds of the audience responding to the show. It’s a fun way to describe the experience and so child appropriate. The sparse, active text is paired with soft, warm illustrations. Together they bring to life this experience through the eyes of a child brilliantly.

 

Tallulah’s Nutcracker by Marilyn Singer
Find it Online

Tallulah gets to be in real professional ballet production of the Nutcracker! She’s excited, even though she is only a mouse. Tallulah practices hard and feels ready for the big night. On opening night, disaster strikes and Tallulah learns that being a real ballerina isn’t being perfect, it’s getting back up when you fall. 3+

The Best Book of Ballet by Angela Wilkes
Find it Online

This beautiful book has a lot of general information about ballet that my preschooler found fascinating. It also talks about the most famous ballets, including the Nutcracker. 3+

Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers
Find it Online

This book tells the classic story of the Nutcracker with beautiful paintings. I bought this one to add to our Christmas book collection. 3+

The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet by Deborah Hautzig
Find it Online

Brief text and bright illustrations this is the perfect version for young children. My children adore the colorful, playful pictures. 3+

Jan Brett’s The Nutcracker by Jan Brett
Find it Online

This tells the traditional story of the Nutcracker with Jan Brett’s trademark classic style. It’s a beautiful book with rich details.

Bea in the Nutcracker by Rachel Isadora
Find it Online

Isadora’s Bea series is perfect for toddlers. They are the perfect introduction to ballet and this is no exception. The text is basic, the illustrations are sweet, and you feel inspired to get up and dance. 2+

*Even more Nutcracker Picture Books from Embark on the Journey.

Play: Nutcracker Activity Ideas

The Nutcracker being larger the product of dreams and imagination, it is only fitting that this is where our children spent most of the next few days. Here are some simple activities I used to integrate some learning opportunities into their Nutcracker play.

Imaginative Play :

• Consider adding some props. You could make some mouse ears and swords. If you don’t have ballet clothes, this no-tutu pattern on Just We Moms looks simple enough.
• Reenact the story with dolls and/or puppets. This set from Amazon is darling, but you can also use your own stuffed animals and assign roles.

Math :

• Ordering Nutcrackers by Size. Use a Nutcracker collection or a nesting Nutcracker, like this one, and invite your preschooler to order them biggest to smallest.
• Greater Than/Less Than Nutcracker Activity using this free printable from Every Star is Different
• Nutcracker Number Game from PreKinders

Literacy:

• Map Characters
• Compare and Contrast Nutcracker book versions
• Nutcracker Printable Learning Pack from Embark on the Journey
• Nutcracker Preschool Learning Pack from Homeschool Preschool

Cognitive:

• Nutcracker Puzzle
• Find Russia on the Map : Our twins have been fascinated by maps since our Maps Unit last year. We found Russia on our Little Passports map. We talked about how we’d get there, what landmarks we might see, and what else we know about that part of the world.

Self Help & Fine Motor

• Nutcracker Ornament Invitation to Create from Playground Parkbench
• Try a nutcracker. We practiced on oyster crackers first to get the idea and then tried a walnut.

Gross Motor: 

• 5 Basic Ballet Positions (you can download cards with the positions on Every Star is Different)
• Put on the music from the Nutcracker and dance!
• Tip Toeing Like a Mouse. We did this during transition times. For example, “Can you tip toe like a mouse to the back door and find your shoes?”

Go: Nutcracker Ballet

Nutcracker Ballet: This one is easy – go see the ballet! This year we are also going to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Jackson. Check your local ballet company for show availability and times!

*If that isn’t possible, there are several versions to rent or buy on Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas : 60 Bloggers from around the world have gathered to give you the very best of all things Christmas. Check out more by clicking HERE.

]]> 4740 https://bambinitravel.com/5-new-york-city-christmas-events-for-families-with-little-kids/ Wed, 06 Dec 2017 06:00:42 +0000 https://bambinitravel.com/WP/?p=3139 …]]> The season of the towering tree aglow with lights, the merry Santa that rolling into town on Thanksgiving, and the streets bustling with shoppers is upon us. Every year the magic of a New York City Christmas is brought to life in countless movies, books, and shows. It is a magical time to see any spot but New York is one of those special cities that everyone should see at least once.

Like most parts of the world, this is the season for joy and lights and twinkle on every corner and New York City is no exception.

read also:
everything you need to know about nyc with kids

We have been lucky enough to spend two holiday season in New York City for the holidays and the biggest problem is always narrowing down what to do.

If you are visiting for the first time then there are some things families must do in New York City but below are my holiday musts. You will probably notice that things like the Nutcracker (of which there are dozens of performances), the Rockettes, and several other traditional New York holiday spectaculars are not on the list.

This list is intended for families of children with young kids. These are things that I have personally done with 3 year olds and would work for most 2 and up kids.

5 New York City Christmas Events for Families with Young Kids

1. Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

The tree is impressive to anyone, but especially for a small child. It’s grand scale towers above the center and everyone below. All of the decorations around this part of Manhattan are fun and exciting to explore for little ones. Take some time to see it through their eyes.

You can certainly watch the tree lighting on November 30 but be prepared for huge crowds. If you are visiting with young kids and want to see it lit up, note that it is lit every night after November 30 until January 7.

Find Details Here

2. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

While yes, not exactly Christmas – in my house growing up Santa arriving at Herald Square is what kicked off the Christmas season. It is the starting point.

If you are in New York City at Thanksgiving time with young children, it is not to be missed. We got super lucky and ended up with warm-ish weather and a beautiful sunny sky for our day at the parade. The Macy’s Parade is something worth seeing in person at least once.

Our Top Tips for Going with Kids

3. New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show

This is not just an holiday train display. The details were astounding. The grand scale of the show was amazing. My kids soaked up the details and were not ready to leave when it was over.

4. Enjoy Some Holiday Shopping

We did a little holiday shopping during our trip and there really is no better place than New York for Christmas shopping.

Two of my favorite spots were the Union Square Holiday Market and the Strand Bookstore during our trip. The Union Square Holiday Market is this darling outdoor market that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a European Holiday Marketplace. It is filled with little shops holding all sorts of treasures. There is also a crafting spot for kids hosted by the Children’s Museum of Arts.

The Strand is just an amazing bookstore. The walls are lined with bookshelves and the second floor has a wonderful corner overflowing with picture book delights.

5. Macy’s

You can do a number of Christmas activities at Macy’s. With floor after floor of shopping, checking things off your Christmas list is definitely possible. You can also visit a magical elven land and see Santa. My recommendation is to make sure you take a little time to view the holiday window display.

The year we visited, 2015, Charlie Brown’s Christmas has come to life in the windows. Little episodes from the movie are re-created with moving puppets, text, and sound. It is truly a wonderful representation of one of my favorite Christmas movies. Around the corner you can also walk your way from window to window viewing the story of Letters from Virginia, another wonderful story.

Christmas in New York City is bustling and crowded, but it is also filled with delights. It places simple and magical touches on the holiday that are perfect for children young and old.

also read:
10 Christmas Adventures for Kids with Free Printable

]]> 3139 https://bambinitravel.com/top-10-gift-ideas-for-kids-who-love-animals/ Fri, 10 Nov 2017 06:00:54 +0000 https://bambinitravel.com/WP/?p=3045 I waited (almost) patiently this morning while my daughter carefully arranged her outfit this morning. Fox shirt. Animal print leggings. Owl boots and ear muffs. Deer sweatshirt. Polar bear mittens. Animals from head to toe just in case it wasn’t already clear to me that …]]>

I waited (almost) patiently this morning while my daughter carefully arranged her outfit this morning.

Fox shirt.

Animal print leggings.

Owl boots and ear muffs.

Deer sweatshirt.

Polar bear mittens.

Animals from head to toe just in case it wasn’t already clear to me that she is obsessed. She threw on her panda bear backpack and was finally ready to go.

Like a lot of kids, she loves animals and I want to keep that in mind when I’m shopping for her Christmas gifts. If you are shopping for a kid who loves animals, this list is for you. It is a carefully curated list of ideas that your child will love all year long. Everything on the list is something we already have and love or something on the top of her wishlist.

affiliate links are included below.

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Animals

1. Emolly Animal PJs

Part adorable costume, part comfy pajamas – these are great for animal fans. Giraffes, pandas, and everything in between. They come in a huge range of colors and animals and sizes (you can even get adult sized ones).

See the Full Range of Animal PJs HERE

2. Stuffed Animals

I often find my daughter’s stuffed animal collection overwhelming but they are her favorite things. You can find an adorable cuddly version of just about any animal. Make sure you invest in some sort of storage bin as well – we have tall baskets like this one.

3. Vet Set

A cute puppy or cat, a carrier, and simple animal care equipment, this vet set is a win for animal lovers. This was a birthday present this year for both of our twins and they have been their most played with toy for the past 6 months. These simple props helped to expand how our twins played with their animals.

Order the Dog Vet Kit Here

Order the Cat Vet Kit Here

You may also like: active toys for preschoolers

4. Miniature Play Animals

Another way to expand play about animals is to provide some small animals that work well with blocks, magnatiles, and loose parts. Our kids use this type of animal to build zoos, create elaborate play scenarios, and more. They also work well for counting and letter to object match learning games.

Find Zoo Animal Toys Here

Find Other Animal Toys for All Ages Here

5. Picture Books about Animals

When my daughter isn’t playing with pretend animals or pretending to be an animal (we were deer fawns this morning) then she is usually curled up with a book about animals. Animals are a common theme in my picture books. No matter what your child’s favorite animal is you can find a book – if you can’t let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction. Our favorite animal book collections are listed below to help but this National Geographic for Kids series is also a wonderful starting point.

Creaturepedia : Our New Favorite Animal Book This Year

10 Farm Books to Make Your Kids Quack, Cluck and Moo

Best Picture Books about Owls

6. How to Draw Animal Guides

If your animal lover enjoys art activities then a How to Draw guide might tickle their fancy. Drawing animals can be a fun way to explore their parts and details, as well as create stories about your favorite animals. There are a ton of options out there for various ability levels, but we love Ed Emberley’s books for young kids.

Browse Ed Emberley’s Drawing Books

You may also like: gift ideas for creative kids

7. Binoculars + Guide Book / Scavenger Hunts

It would hard to describe just how much my kids love their binoculars. We bring them on hikes and to places like the zoo. They would certainly work as a gift on their own, but for fun you could pair them with a guide book or a pack of printed scavenger hunts.

Find Our Favorite Kid Binoculars

Find a Kids Bird Guide

Collection of Scavenger Hunts

8. Animal Themed Board Game

There are so many inventive and games out there for kids now. We have quite the collection. For a kid that loves animals, there are also some animal themed board games that would make fun gifts for the whole family to use together.

Animal Upon Animal Ages 3+

Hoot Owl Cooperative Game Ages 3+

Snorta Ages 4+ (Looks like this might have been upgraded since we got it to the Snorta Deluxe version)

9. Animal Scene Kits

Being avid travellers, we have to have ways to bring our animals on the road with us as well. Below are two of our most beloved travel toys. We have a bunch of the Melissa and doug sticker scenes, but the animal one is a favorite. My kids also love the animal magnets that we pack with a small cookie sheet. Both are fun for creating scenes and telling stories in the car or on an airplane.

Buy Melissa and Doug Sticker Set

Buy Animal Magnets + Small Cookie Sheet

10. Zoo Membership

I believe firmly in the value of learning through adventure and experience. All the books and video clips and stuffed animals in the world could never compare to the value of seeing animals up close and personal. We have had a zoo membership in all 4 states in which we have lived and I have never once regretted it. If your child loves animals, add this to your list for year round fun.

If you live in NYC: Learn more about the WCS Membership to all 5 zoos + aquarium here. 

Other Fun Gift Ideas:

10 Fun Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Outdoor Adventures

10 Best Gifts for Families Who Love Travel

Or check out more carefully curated lists in the KBN Holiday Gift Guide.

]]> 3045 https://bambinitravel.com/10-best-gifts-family-love-travel/ https://bambinitravel.com/10-best-gifts-family-love-travel/#comments Fri, 03 Nov 2017 06:00:57 +0000 https://bambinitravel.com/WP/?p=3046 What do you get for the travel enthusiasts on your Christmas list? Speaking as someone who fits this description, it can be hard for me to come up with things that I want. The truth is I want experiences. I want to hop on an …]]>

What do you get for the travel enthusiasts on your Christmas list? Speaking as someone who fits this description, it can be hard for me to come up with things that I want.

The truth is I want experiences.

I want to hop on an airplane and travel somewhere new. This might not be helpful to someone looking for something they can wrap.

It is true that what we want is to travel. This is how our family chooses to spend our extra income and vacation days. We would likely be thrilled with money towards our next adventure or an invitation from you to join in on a trip.

However, if you are looking for something you can put under the Christmas tree you have come to the right place.

The following are ideas for parents, kids, or the whole family that will enhance or brighten their next trip!

*Affiliate links included. If you use one of our links to make a purchase we will get a small percentage of the profits. Thank you for supporting Bambini Travel.

Travel Gifts for the Whole Family

For the Kids:

Child Sized Backpack
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Our kids both have the monkey backpack pictured, but there is a whole collection of bags in this line. They are the perfect size for young children. We got these when our kids turned 2 and they still work great. They are perfect for airplane travel, road trips, etc. This year we are updating because at 6 my kids are too tall for these adorable backpacks (sniff) but they lasted us 4 good years of heavy travel!

Amazon Kindle Fire Kid Edition
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We have a great love for our Kindles. Our kids love the games and books that read to them. We love that they are happy, learning skills, and developing comfort with technology. We love the Kindle Fire in particular because they are durable, easy to use, have well planned parent controls, and are relatively inexpensive.

Travel Activity Books
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We have been so impressed by the Usborne activity books. They are great for preschoolers and up. Word searches, dot to dot, mazes, etc. These keep our kids engaged for a long time.

You may also like: active toys for preschoolers

Kids Music for the Car
Find it Online

Playing music in the car is one of our favorite tricks for changing the mood. Active music when we have the wiggles. Calming music when our kids need to settle in a little. Sing a longs when we need to change things up. We will be listening to some Christmas tunes on our holiday travels.

Read Also: Quality, Engaging, and Creative Activity Books to Bring on Family Trips

World Map
Find it Online

There are several world maps for kids around but this is our favorite. It has a look and find game aspect built in that engages my kids much longer than a typical world map. Another interactive option is this quality world map puzzle. Either one brings a piece of the world and travel into the home for those in between family travel times.

Little Passports Subscription
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At some point, even families that love to travel are going to be in one place for a while. Little Passports is a great subscription for kids to explore while they are in between adventures. Our kids have learned a ton about maps, world landmarks, and more from Little Passports.

you may also like: puzzles & games for 5-7 year olds

For the Parents:

The World is Our Classroom
by Cindy Ross

Find it Online

This is kind of like wrapping up inspiration for your loved one. This book is a thorough and inspiring account of parenting and educating children through travel and experiences. THE WORLD IS OUR CLASSROOM is a good blend of anecdotes and practical information. Ross shows through example how to learn about animals, history, other cultures, and more through travel. She offers resources, ideas and tips along the way that make you feel like ‘yes! I can take my kids on an adventure.’ You can’t help but be energized and awed by their family’s 3,100 miles on the backs of Llamas or canoe trip in the Everglades or even their more harrowing travel experiences. Great for parents who are curious about travel with kids, excited about the possibility of teaching kids through experience – full or part time, or want someone to show them little steps towards introducing the big world to children then this is an excellent gift.

FitBit or Accessories
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FitBits are a wonderful way to track your health goals while you are on the go. This one was my gift last year and I’m still obsessed with it a year later. They come in a range of sizes and colors. People that love to travel tend to also be people that love to be active. The FitBit will be useful on the road and at home.

If you know someone who already has a fitbit, then consider getting them additional bands. The Alta (that I have) has a huge range of interchangeable and relatively inexpensive bands.

Fun Camera Strap
Find it Online

Travel and photography often go hand in hand. I love to capture places and experiences almost as much as I love having them. If your travel fan has the photography bug as well, a fun camera strap is a great gift idea. You can find a bunch of different options on Amazon or Etsy.

For Everyone:

Hydro Flask Waterbottles
Find it Online

Families on the go need to stay hydrated. Hydro Flasks are a recent obsession in our family. They are as durable as Nalgene bottles, which we also love, but they do a much better job of protecting your fluids from the elements. If you are someone who prefers your water cold then this is for you. We’re addicted and have a growing collection of different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can find one for every member of the family.

Other Fun Gift Ideas:

10 Fun Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Outdoor Adventures

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Kids Who Love Animals

Or check out more carefully curated lists in the KBN Holiday Gift Guide.

]]> https://bambinitravel.com/10-best-gifts-family-love-travel/feed/ 2 3046 https://bambinitravel.com/holiday-parade-with-kids/ Thu, 18 Dec 2014 06:00:00 +0000 https://bambinitravel.com/WP/?p=7867 Holiday Parades have a been a favorite Christmas event for our family almost every where we have lived. We’ve also enjoyed Thanksgiving and St Patrick’s Day parades. Surviving them with little kids can be tricky some times. However, with a few tips they can become …]]>

Holiday Parades have a been a favorite Christmas event for our family almost every where we have lived. We’ve also enjoyed Thanksgiving and St Patrick’s Day parades.

Surviving them with little kids can be tricky some times. However, with a few tips they can become one of your favorite holiday events too. 

This past weekend for the first time we were in the La Jolla Christmas Parade. It was our first time not being one of the families huddled on the street curb. 

affiliate links may be included below.

Over the years we have enjoyed:

• Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis, MN
• Baraboo Light Parade near the Dells in WI
• Holiday Stroll Parade near Milwaukee, WI
• St Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago, IL
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City (my personal favorite)
• Madison Christmas Parade near Jackson, MS
• La Jolla Christmas Parade near San Diego, CA

Parades can be a blast for little ones, but they can also be difficult. Waiting is hard. Weather can be hard. Finding a bathroom can be really hard.

Top 5 Tips for Surviving a Parade with Kids

We’ve gone to parades with kids ages 1 to 7 and here is what I’ve learned to do in order to ensure your whole family enjoys the holiday parade:

1. Dress Appropriately

This can mean a lot of things. When we lived in Mississippi, this meant an umbrella in case it rained and our rain boots for puddles. When we lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, this meant multiple layers everywhere, especially toes and hands. Scarves and hats were a must and hand warmers were highly advisable.

Check the weather and make sure your whole group is prepared for standing still in whatever weather is out there.

2. Arrive Early

Arrive early enough to have a seat at the front. Little ones are not going to be interested in a parade they can’t see.

If you are going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade or Chicago St Patty’s parade, this requires a significant time commitment.

For a smaller event, a half an hour is usually plenty of time.

Click to Read Specific
Macy’s Parade Tips in This Post

3. Bring Waiting Activities

If you need to save spots, bring activities similar to those you would bring for waiting at a doctor’s office or sitting on an airplane. Small coloring books, action figure toys, travel games, etc.

However, if you can get your little ones moving during this time. When we went to the Madison parade last weekend we brought simple model planes to build and fly around. Our twins happily ran around flying and running after they planes.

Simply singing some movement songs like the hokey pokey would work too. You might feel a little silly, but helping your kids get their wiggles out can be key to them sitting still during the parade.

4. Bathroom!

Make sure to go to the bathroom early on in this waiting period. If you wait until right before the parade there will be long lines. Once you go to the bathroom limit fluid as much as you can so you can make it through the parade without needing to find another one. 

5. Clearly Define Your Rules

Mine are that they need to stay out of the street at all times and that they need to sit during the parade.

If you anticipate candy being thrown, have a plan for whether they are allowed to walk into the street to get it or not. Do they need an adult to go with them? Can they run out and come right back? You may have different rules.

Whatever your rules may be, be clear and definitive about them.

Then, Have Fun!

Little kids can get excited about just about everything. Get excited with them and I promise you’ll have more fun too.

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Adventure Ideas & Free Printable!

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