While no one toy will do the job, several small toys will.  In fact, the right assortment of simple toys, frequently traded out and some imagination are better than even the most elaborate toy.  The goal is a quantity of quiet toys.  Any toy that makes loud or repetitive noises should be left home – it will certainly drive you (and the other passengers) crazy and some airlines even prohibit toys that make noise.

Before the trip, buy or create a toddler activity kit containing a variety of age-appropriate toys.  A good activity kit will include items that engage a child’s imagination, fine motor skills and problem solving abilities.  We always include stacking cups, links, cars, puzzles, finger puppets or small squeeze animals and chunky crayons.  All of these can be used in multiple ways to entertain a toddler if you think outside the box.  For example, the stacking cups can obviously be used for stacking and nesting activities but you can also hide a small toy under a cup and play the shell game or practice pouring items between the cups.  Squeeze toys are always fun in the bathtub but they are also perfect for creating a distraction.  Puff some air in a toddler’s hair or on their arm and you immediately get their attention.  In desperate times you can even fill one with water and watch the giggles start.

Use their short attention span to your advantage by swapping out toys often.  If a toy doesn’t immediately capture your toddler’s attention, stash it back in the bag and pull out the next toy.  As every parent knows, it never works to force a toy on a child – they are sure to hate it.   I always save squeeze animals for last because, for my kids, a quick puff of air in the hair always stopped a melt-down.

Afraid your toy supply isn’t up to the task?  Check out my previous post on entertaining toddlers with everyday items – no toys required.

Happy Travels

We keep our BusyKiddy bags in the car at all times – even in hot summers.  As everyone knows, crayons gets mushy in the heat; but, as long as you cool them off prior to touching them, they reconstitute nicely.  Thinking all Crayolas were the same, I recently refilled our kits with washable Crayola crayons.  Imagine my surprise when we opened up the crayon case to find a mess.  The washable crayons had melted and molded into a single block while the regular crayons that were in another BusyKiddy were just fine.

Lesson learned – only regular Crayola crayons survive a summer in the car!

My “free” time in a typical day is an hour in the morning when all the kids are at school.  The entire rest of the day is spent in transit between schools and activities.  YIKES!

Ask for help?  Here are the comments I have received in response….

“Cut down on the activities” – We want all the girls to play a sport and have stuck with tennis because they all enjoy it and I can coordinate the schedules so lessons are at the same time.  It only seems fair that they get to choose one other activity to experiment with.  This activity is only one day a week for each child so, by itself, not too taxing.

“No complaining if you voluntarily home-school.”  – We are home-schooling at our oldest daughter’s request.  She wants to be a professional tennis player and asked to spend a year playing A LOT of tennis to see if she likes it.  My mom is a retired educator (with her doctorate in education) and jumped at the chance to home-school for a year.  We will split the instructional time between us so, as with the activities, this doesn’t take an extreme amount of time.

“What else will you do all day?  Watch TV?” – Ummm, maybe run my small business, work at my other job, clean the house, do the laundry, cook, – need I go on?

I know I am not alone – anyone have the magic solution?  Or should I resume my countdown until Emily gets her license in 2,628 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes….

1.  Start getting back into a routine by creating an activities chart.  Similar to a chore chart but with fun things to do everyday.  Our list includes playing outside, reading time, art time, practicing ball tosses (for my budding tennis stars) and more.  They get a sticker for each activity they complete and it has really energized the kids (tv and computer time aren’t on the list!).

2.  Make crayon resist paintings.

What you need:  black tempera paint thinned with water, drawing paper, crayons, paint brush

What to do:  Design a picture using light colored crayons (dark colors don’t work well).   Lightly brush one coat of paint over the whole picture.  The crayons resist soaking up the paint so the picture stands out.

Tips:  If you want an area of white on the picture, be sure to color it white.  For easy clean up, put your drawing on newspaper before painting.

3. Create peek boxes.

What you need:  Shoebox (with lid), paper & craft supplies, glue, tape, scissors

What to do:  Take the lid off the shoe box and make a whole in one end of the box.  Build a scene inside the box (facing the hole).  Cut a 2 inch hole in the box top to let in light.  Tape the top of the shoebox on and decorate the outside of the box.

Tips:  This is a good way to introduce the concept of perspective and for stimulating creative writing projects.

4. Play the button pitching game.

What you need:  20 buttons for each player, tape or string, tape measure.

Rules:  Measure 1 yard from a wall and mark the spot with tape of string.  Take turns pitching buttons at the wall.  The object is to get your button to bounce off the wall but land very close to it.  All buttons must hit the wall.

Game Play:  For each round, every player pitches one button.  The player with the closest button to the wall wins the round and collects all the pitches buttons.  Play continues until one player has all the buttons.

5.  Go on a collage walk.

What you need:  Piece of cardboard or flat board and a bottle of glue.

What to do:  Go on a walk around the neighborhood.  Collect objects as you walk along and create a collage.

Tip:  For my little kids, we use plastic containers for collection and glue them on when we get home.

6.  Create puppets from paper bags, socks, popsicle sticks or even spoons.

What you need:  Puppet base, supplies for trim (buttons, feathers, year, markers, straws, etc) and imagination.

Help me out – what fun, crafty ideas do you have for the end of summer blues?

Just where is this spectacular place?  It is actually my Aunt & Uncle’s house nestled in the heart of Chesterfield, Missouri.  Not necessarily the hot spot for tourist travel but my kids love it just the same.  And what is not to love?  A trip to the Britt Resort is all about the kids.  We swim, visit the park, play games, do crafts, bake cookies and eat all their favorite foods.   While it is a fun and relaxing for all, it isn’t the only destination we want to visit on vacation.   It does, however, highlight the value of having a portion of each vacation day focused on the kids.

Unless you are headed to Disney (or have a Britt Resort of your own), it is unlikely you will find a completely kid-centric vacation destination.  So how do you mix in some fun for the kids with the things you actually want to do?  Take some good planning, flexibility and a sense of humor and you have the ingredients for a great family vacation.

Good Planning: Before the trip, decide on the non-negotiable must-see sites and plan on visiting these early in the trip but limit it to only one or two a day.  Find a few kid things to do (like the zoo, aquarium or park) and mix these throughout the trip – including one within the first few days.  Do something fun and unexpected everyday.  Head to the hotel early for swimming, stop at a playground, visit a book store or grab an ice cream cone.  These small things are often the best vacation memories that come home with your child.

Flexibility: Change the itinerary as necessary.  Did you plan for 2 stops but you aren’t done with the first by mid afternoon?  Roll the second activity to later in the trip.  Or, if things are going well, add an additional activity for a day.

Sense of Humor: Simply stated – this is a must for any vacation with kids!  Things can (and most certainly will) go wrong – the ability to laugh along the way will go far towards making it a fun vacation.

While a vacation shouldn’t be ALL about the kids, it is important to remember it is a family vacation and they should have fun too!  What steps do you take to create a fun, family vacation?

Add a safari tour.  Travel far on any major highway and you will see billboards advertising a wilderness or safari drive.  Ranging in price from $5 – $15 per car, they offer the glimpse of  wild or exotic animals.  While the “wild and exotic” may be nothing more then some deer or buffalo (and maybe a zebra if you are lucky) the excitement of searching for the animals as you drive through the park certainly breaks up the monotony of a long car ride.

Stop at a wacky or unusual attraction (largest ball of twine anyone?). The popular site RoadsideAmerica has a comprehensive list of offbeat tourist attractions so you can easily find one along your route.  They even offer an iPhone app updated with the latest in wacky sites.

Follow a billboard. Our family favorite is the “See Rock City” signs that dot the midwestern landscape.  The attractions they advertise are generally inexpensive, near the highway and – who knows – they just may end up being the stuff of family lore for years to come.

Take advantage of rest stops along the way. Many states pride themselves in having clean, park-like settings as their rest areas.  Bring along some cones, balls, jump ropes or even a pocket kite and spend 30 minutes having a snack and playing in a rest area.

Stop at the ubiquitous Cracker Barrel restaurants. With over 590 locations you are bound to find at least one along your route.  Why Cracker Barrel?  They have a well-rounded menu and a large country store filled with things for kids to explore (and plenty of toys out to play with).  Even if you don’t buy anything, it is nice to have a place to walk around and stretch your legs a bit.  Plus, they are used to travelers coming through and serve up a quick meal.

Some of the best (and worst) vacation memories are made in the car so add some spark to your next road trip and you just might find that getting there is more than half the fun!

This guide is based on our adventures in Prague.  I know there are places we missed (we have to leave something for our next visit) and opinions as to “important” sites will vary.  Our vacations are geared on creating fun, memorable experiences for all members of the family – not just the kids.  Recommendations are based on our family experience and we were not compensated in any way to include them in our guide.  In fact, no one even knew we would be writing about them!

Need to Know

Currency:  Koruna (symbol: Kč ) |   Exchange rate of approximately 20 Kč to $1 USD.  Euros are sometimes accepted but not at a favorable exchange rate.

Language: Czech  |  In the tourist areas, most people speak at least a little English and we encountered no language issues.

Visas:  Travelers from the US and Canada do not require visas for short-term stays (under 90 days).

Electricity:  Standard European 220v.  Outlets are two-prong with a round pin.

Safety & Security:  Prague is overall a very safe city.  As with any tourist spot, pick-pockets are around so keep track of your valuables.

Toilets:  Plenty of pay toilets are scattered throughout the city (expect to pay 5Kč – 10Kč).  We found shopkeepers and restaurants to be very accommodating to “emergency” stops.  We used their private facilities on several occasions.

Attitude toward families:  Very receptive.  The people of Prague are friendly and stopped us often to comment on our children (4 blond girls ages 2, 4, 6, and 8 are a spectacle everywhere!).  Few restaurants had children’s menus but they all offered smaller portions for kids. [Tip: Order one "adult" meal to split between two or three kids.  It is often cheaper than ordering from the kid's menu.] As a bonus, there were ice cream shops and bakeries everywhere – great for snack times!  Men are expected to help with strollers and we often saw guys helping women up curbs and on/off of public transport.

Where to stay:  We stayed at the Intercontinental Praha and I would recommend it to other traveling families.  I wrote more about the hotel in a prior post.  Location is key in this city.  It is easy to navigate on foot so pick somewhere close to one of the three major tourist spots.

Where to eat:  We had good luck at every restaurant we tried.  Given that restaurants are constantly changing, I recommend asking your hotel concierge and checking guidebooks (Frommer’s Prague had a good selection of restaurants – including kid friendly ones).  Even our pickiest kid had no trouble finding things to eat here.

History

Growing up in the United States, I am always amazed at how old things are in Europe and Prague is certainly no exception.  The banks of the Vltava River where Prague stands today were first settled in 500 B.C.  Now that is truly ancient!  Many of the famous buildings and historical sites date from the 1100s – 1600s.  Prague experienced its Golden Age with the reign of Charles IV from 1344 – 1378 and some of the buildings and the bridge constructed during his reign are still in use.

The Czech Republic transitioned through several types of government during the centuries, including 20 years of Communism that ended with the Velvet Revolution in 1989.   They have since become a member of the EU with a thriving democracy.

Geography

There are three main sites to explore in Prague – Prague Castle, Lesser Town and Old Town.  Prague Castle sits high on a hill overlooking the river.  Lesser town is nestled beneath the castle and Old Town is just a short walk across the Charles Bridge.  The historic Jewish center and New Town are also worth a quick visit but both are within walking distance of Old Town.  One of the great things about Prague is that the entire city is pedestrian friendly – you can easily walk from the castle to Old Town in 30 minutes – even with kids!

What to See

Start with the Big 3 – Prague Castle, Lesser Town and Old Town – and expand from there.

Prague Castle: Prague Castle dominates the skyline of Prague and, being uphill, is the logical place to begin the day.   Save little legs the walk uphill and catch the funicular railway up Petřín Hill. Get your bearings (and a great workout) by climbing the Petřín Tower – a 60 meter steel framework tower that resembles the Eiffel Tower.  Then walk through the gardens to Prague Castle.  The guidebooks will also steer you to the nearby mirror maze -  it is not worth the expense (50 Kč).  My kids spent about 5 minutes in it and were done. [Tip: Carry the Czech equivalent of pennies & quarters (1 Kč & 10 Kč coins) to use the press-a-penny machines located throughout Prague]

Construction on Prague Castle was started in the 9th Century and today it is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic and serves as the political center of the city and country.  It is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and a premier tourist attraction, which means it is very busy.  The spires that dominate the skyline are from St. Vitus Cathedral, located within the castle complex.  There are lots of quiet courtyards for the kids to run but the tours are geared toward adults and somewhat boring for kids.  There is a nice toy museum located here but it is a museum so the toys aren’t for playing (a concept my kids grasped once we inside).  There are plenty of snack/cafes and clean, functional toilets throughout (many with changing facilities).   As with most of Prague, umbrella strollers are a challenge over the cobblestones – Phil & Ted buggies are much more common.

Prague Castle is not a Disney Castle – it is actually a vast complex that looks much like old government buildings with the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral in the middle.  This can be disappointing to kids (and adults) with preconceived notions of what a castle should look like.

Lesser Town: A downhill walk/run leads you directly to Lesser Town.  Lesser Town was founded in 1257 and retains much of its original character.  The highlight of Lesser Town, for adults, is St. Nicholas Church.  Use the name to your advantage (think jolly old St Nick) and take a peek inside – it certainly doesn’t disappoint.  Lesser Town is filled with gardens and beautiful quaint buildings that quickly bored my kids [Tip: The buildings have intricate detailing that makes for great I Spy or scavenger hunt games.] There are many restaurants in this area so try and be here around mealtime.  From Lesser Town, walk across the Charles Bridge and continue down to Old Town.  The Charles Bridge was completed in 1400 and was open to wheeled traffic for 600 years.  30 Baroque statues adorn this now pedestrian only bridge and it still serves as a primary link between Lesser Town and Old Town.  A word of caution – this bridge is very busy and pick-pockets are known to frequent the area so hold onto your wallet.  On the way from Lesser Town to Old Town you will walk past the Jewish quarter.  This is an interesting area to explore but can be very crowded with tour groups.

Old Town: Walking into Old Town feels like walking back in time.  Old Town Square was the central marketplace for Prague in the 12th century and it still bustles today (although now it caters to tourists).   The Square is surrounded by buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic architecture and is simply breath-taking.  One highlight for kids is the Astronomical Clock.  Built in 1410, its doors open hourly to reveal a sort of medieval morality play.  My kids were entranced by the spectacle and we wandered back to see it a couple of times.  The Square itself often hosts festivals that get crowded with tourists and locals alike.  We were visiting during the World Cup and there was a huge TV showing the games, a stage with live entertainment, games and food stalls scattered around the Square.

Old Town is a fantastic place to wander and get lost in the maze of streets that are blissfully free of cars.  Many shops and restaurants are located in this area so snacks (and toy stores) are plentiful.   Fancy a tour?  Hop on one of the horse drawn buggies and get a ride around the area or take a vintage car tour – both start in the square.  Kids need to burn off some steam?  Pop into one of the numerous quiet courtyards and let them run around while you enjoy a pint at a sidewalk pub.

Getting out of Town: The Czech Republic is seemingly filled with castles so it seemed a shame not to head out to the countryside and visit at least one.   The closest two are Karlstejn Castle and Krivoklat Castle.   Both are about a 30 – 45 minute drive from Prague and it is possible to see both in the same day if you are speedy.   We were given the following descriptions of the Castles:

Karlstejn Castle:  Often crowded and very touristy.  The exterior is a classic, Disney castle but the inside and tour are disappointing.

Krivoklat Castle:  Less crowded (and limited dining options).  Plain exterior but spectacular inside and great tour.

We chose Karlstejn Castle because we knew that the kids would be awed be seeing a real castle and less interested in the interior.  This was definitely the right decision for our family.

Karlstejn Castle was constructed by Charles IV from 1348 – 1357.  It’s primary purpose was to safeguard the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire.  It has been restored to resemble its original medieval state.

Karlstejn castle is perched high up a hill and dominates the landscape and it does, in fact, look like a Disney castle – see for yourself at their website.  You park at the bottom of the hill and walk up a windy road through a small town (dominated with craft stores, tourist shops and cafes) to the castle entrance.  It took us about 50 minutes to walk to the top and it is a fairly steep walk for little legs – plan on taking some rest stops.  Luckily there are lots of fun things to look at along the way – a highlight being the chance to hold a live owl.   At the top, you can explore the courtyards and the Well Tower for free.  They offer beautiful views over the countryside and the kids loved looking down at how far they had walked.  The primary tour lasts about 50 minutes and takes you through the Imperial Palace, Hall of Knights, Chapel of St Nicholas, Royal Bedroom and Audience Hall.  It costs 250 Kč ($12.50) for adults and 20 Kč ($1) for children under 6.  The entire family enjoyed the tour and it was definitely long enough for the kids.  The guide shared some secrets of castle life with my kids (where the bathrooms were, for instance) that made my kids feel really special.   We have been on castle tours in several countries and this was by far my favorite.  It was the first one that really gave us glimpses of life back then – the good and the bad!

The walk down to the town took about 30 minutes and then we spent a few hours exploring the shops willed with locally made crafts and toys.  A late lunch at one of the cafes rounded out the day perfectly!

Summary

Whether your kids are world travelers or this is their first international trip, Prague is a first rate choice.  The city looks like it belongs in the pages of a storybook yet has all the modern conveniences that traveling families expect.  The city is used to welcoming tourists and embraces them with ease and charm.  Our family felt welcomed everywhere we went and all the kids are ready to go back again.

Happy Travels

Before going further, a quick Prague geography lesson might help.  Prague is nestled on the Vltava River.  Prague Castle is perched high over Lesser Town and a short walk over one of the historical bridges leads you to Old Town.  These are the three prime tourist areas of Prague – all within easy walking distance of each other.

After a nice, late breakfast they were off to take a boat tour of the Vltava River.  The boat ride was a huge hit as was the subsequent walk over the historic Charles Bridge to lunch in Lesser Town.  The Charles Bridge was constructed in 1357 and is open for pedestrian traffic only.  There are 30 Baroque statues lining the bridge that date back as far as the 1600′s.  As a word of caution, this bridge is extremely busy and a known area for pick-pockets to target.  It is worth walking across but the best view of the bridge, in my opinion, is from one of the other bridges spanning the Vltava or via boat.

They spent a little time exploring the quaint shops and admiring the buildings and parks in Lesser Town – including St. Nicholas’ Church – and then it was back to the hotel for swimming.  Just in time, as two kids started feeling bad on the way home and fell asleep while the others went swimming.

After about 12 – 15 hours of sleeping, everyone was better and ready to tackle day 3 – our first day with a driver and guide to showcase the city.

Coming up next – a family guide to Prague!  First hand accounts of where to go, where to stay and what to avoid.

If you are looking for the perfect place to take kids on their first European trip – this is the place.  It is a picturesque fairytale city complete with a castle,  a working astronomical clock and numerous parks.  Old Town has lanes to wander that are blissfully free of traffic and plenty of places for emergency potty stops or snack breaks.   My favorite feature is that it is easily walkable by even the youngest kids.  Word of caution – the cobblestone streets make for bumpy stroller rides and most people seemed to have Phil & Ted strollers instead of the umbrella strollers that are quite common in the rest of Europe.

We spent the day wandering the streets in Old Town followed by a quick dip in the pool.  In short, a relaxing, low-key way to start the trip.

Travel Tips from Day 1:

Plan an easy first day.

Always book a hotel that includes free breakfast.  We have discovered that breakfast in Europe can be extremely expensive – 30 Euros or more per person!