The lazy, hazy and (hopefully not too) crazy days of summer are finally here! Will you be summering in your own back yard playing games with the kids? Hittin’ the open road seeking new adventures in places unknown? Or perhaps you’re leaving on a jet plane to soak up the sun, surf and sand in a tropical destination? Wherever your summer fun takes you, be sure to include our top picks for summer swag.
Who doesn’t dream of the ideal beach vacation? Hot sand. Cool water. Cold drinks. If you are like many parents, the days of international getaways are on hold or less frequent than your pre-child days. But do not dismay, you can get that Mexico feel right next door in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Penticton in the summer offers 30-degree temperatures, sandy beaches, festivals, farmers’ markets and lots of family fun.
If you have ever traveled with small children, you know how nerve-racking it can be. The stress level kicks up a notch when you are flying. Even short trips can be exasperating with an inconsolable toddler or multiple children. Maintenance delays and aircraft issues, traffic jams and construction, and many other un-anticipated issues often extend an already exhausting experience. Luckily, with a little bit of pre-planning, there are some easy ways to keep the kids occupied and happy while traveling, even on long trips.
As a family of five, we don’t fly if we can drive. However, with extended family on the other side of the country and three boys close in age, I can’t deny that we’ve been the parents on the plane with the shrieking, crying children; the ones that quickly become everyone else’s nightmare. Through trial and error, we discovered that there are a few things you can do to make everyone’s trip a lot more cheerful, while minimizing the stress of a long plane ride.
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