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Holiday Gift Guide – For the Kids

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1. KeeKee’s Big Adventure Books – These books are awesome for the little world travelers in your family! We love visiting and learning about new countries, so my boys will definitely be getting one of these. How fun would it be to surprise your kids with a trip and the matching book for the holidays?!

2. Heidi the Raccoon Paper Craft – Talk about gorgeous! These fun paper craft animals serve as a family project and home decor. We got the Raccoon one and will be adding it to my youngest son’s bedroom after the holidays.

3. Deluxe Twist & Fold Activity Gym & Play Mat Babies don’t need much, but this fun Infantino activity gym and play mat is the perfect all in one gift. It encourages babies to learn new skills such as visual tracking, tummy time, reaching and grabbing. The mat also folds up for easy storage and to bring on the go with you. It’s something every little one needs!

4. Car Seat Poncho – I love these unique car seat ponchos, they are safety tested and compliant which is important to me as a consumer and a gift giver. I got my oldest son the dinosaur poncho. It’ll be perfect for those car rides where you just want a little extra coziness. They have a lot of options to choose from and these make perfect baby shower gifts too!

5. Talk Box (German) – Another great gift for the traveling family or child in your life. Ever wanted to learn a new language, but it seems impossible due to time or financial constraints? Talk Box is the answer! It’s a box mailed to your home paired with online education to get the whole family engaged in learning a new language. We got the German box and hope to brush up on ours and teach the kids.

6. Whole Wide World Toys -These beautifully made play sets are a unique gift idea to expand your child’s horizon and foster their sense of culture and travel. We got the Ireland set as we hope to visit there soon. They also make a travel map where you can document your travels with your children.

7. Happy Pop Sox – Does anyone else’s children love socks as much as mine do? Naturally these Happy Pop Sox make a great gift in my family and I really love the various options you can choose from. My oldest loves sharks, so he will be getting the box of shark socks.

8. Workman Publishing Books – You can’t go wrong with books in our household. My kids love any type of books, fiction or nonfiction and Workman Publishing offers an almost endless amount of both. Have you seen the Advent calendar ideas where you wrap 24 books and that’s what your kids open each day until Christmas? These would be perfect for that!

9. Storytime Chess – So, my oldest son LOVES playing chess with my husband and learned how to play at a pretty early age. This Storytime Chess is a kid-friendly way to teach the game to youngsters. This is what my 4 year old will be getting this Christmas and I know he will be excited about it!

10. Build a Bear – Who doesn’t love Build a Bear?! Not only can you gift the stuffed animals, but you can gift the whole experience with a gift card to the store. My kids love going into the store and picking out their own animals and then going through the process of building them. I recently looked at the Build A Bear website and was surprised to see just how many options they have, including their new holiday collection.

11. Maya Games – We love board games in our house and these fun options from Maya Games look like the perfect addition for under the tree. The more active the game, the more my kids love it!

12. Personalized Tumblers– I love these personalized tumblers to give as a gift this holiday season. I got each of my boys one and can’t wait to give it to them. Since they are personalized there shouldn’t be any fighting over which one belongs to who!

13. Tech Subscription Box-Creation Crate is a tech subscription box that helps you learn electronics and coding by delivering hands on projects to your door. They make getting started really easy by sending you all the needed instructions, components, and courses from their curriculum. Each project becomes more challenging as you learn new lessons. Throughout their curriculum you will gain skills and experience needed to become a master maker with a future in tech.

In my family we also love gifting experiences, so here is a quick list with some ideas to help get your family out together!

Tickets to Local Shows – Some of my favorite gifts to give are tickets to local shows. For example we’ve taken the kids to Monster Jam and Disney on Ice and Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. In addition to those shows they host ice hockey games (NJ Devils) , Jurassic World, Harlem Globetrotters and concerts of all genres. Celine Dion will be there in March (okay maybe she is more for the adults- love her!), Billie Eilish, Marc Anthony, and Elton John to name a few.
Medieval Times– I’m so excited to surprise my kids and their friends with this one! We’ve never been before, but i’ve heard it’s a lot of fun for adults and kids.
Indoor Water Parks – Santa always brings our family an overnight stay to one of our local waterparks. We look forward to it every year! Luckily we have several close by including Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari, Kartrite and Aquatopia.

I hope you found these gift ideas helpful! Be sure to let me know what you get and leave any suggestions in the comments below. Happy shopping!

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travel

What to Pack for Iceland in June

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Iceland Packing List for Summer – Your Guide to What to Pack for Iceland

Having visited Iceland in June, I know firsthand what to pack for summer in Iceland. One of my most frequently asked question is about what to wear in Iceland. In this post I will go over everything from the best footwear for Iceland to the necessary travel accessories. But, first lets’s talk more about what summer in Iceland really means.

Summer is a relative term when it comes to talking about Iceland. An Iceland summer consists of temperatures between 50-55°F (10–13 °C ). That is exactly what we experienced when we visited Iceland in June. If you’re very lucky you will experience warmer weather, but don’t count on it. One of the sayings we heard when planning our trip to Iceland was if you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes. It’s true, the weather in Iceland is completely unpredictable and you should pack for anything. Whether you will be staying 10 days in Iceland or a stopover in Iceland, this post will be your comprehensive guide to what to pack for Iceland including clothing, accessories and supplies.

Ultimate Iceland Packing List

Clothing and Outerwear

1. Waterproof Jacket

This is an absolute must for Iceland in the summer. We encountered a light rain almost every day of our trip, plus you’ll want this when you’re walking behind waterfalls or close to them. Be sure your jacket is waterproof and not just water resistant! You can also benefit from packing a small travel umbrella as it’s not always windy. Here are my picks for the best coat for Iceland:

2. Waterproof Shoes

Just as important, if not more important than a waterproof jacket are boots for Iceland. In Iceland you’ll no doubt find yourself hiking around waterfalls, near the beaches, on glaciers and doing your best to avoid puddles. I wore my Hunter rain boots and although they were good at keeping me dry I would have preferred a pair of insulted boots or hiking shoes instead like the ones below. Here are some of the best boots for Iceland:

3.Rain Pants

Are you sensing a theme here? We did not have rain pants with us and that was our biggest regret. We ended up being soaked when we got up close to some of the water falls and the mist really carries pretty far in the wind. They have plenty of great options for kids and adults, definitely do yourself a favor and pack a pair! You can wear jeans or leggings under them and just take off the rain pants for when you’re in restaurants or out in the evening.

4. Lots of Layers!

You’ll need plenty of different base layers for under the above mentioned items. I suggest packing a few t-shirts as well as long sleeve thermals and sweatshirts or sweaters. You can wear them all under your waterproof rain jacket and then undress layers as needed throughout the day.

5. Gloves and Hats

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go to Iceland anytime of the year without gloves and a hat, especially with kids in tow. We needed to use ours just about every day and were so thankful we brought them. You might not need full on insulated winter gloves and can get away with a pair of knitted mittens or gloves, the same goes for the hat.

6. Bathing Suits

Iceland has an abundance of hot springs you can visit, so a bathing suit is an absolute must any time of the year. We brought two bathing suits for each family member just in case we didn’t have time to dry our first suit before our next visit to a pool. Don’t forget a pair of flip flops!

7. Wool Socks

I am obsessed with wool socks and these ones from Darn Tough Vermont are my absolute favorite. They are comfortable, keep you dry and warm and have a lifetime guarantee! You’ll appreciate them for keeping you both dry and warm while in Iceland, even during the summer.

Gear and Accessories you’ll need to pack for Iceland in summer:

1. Sleep Mask

It is light for nearly 24/7 all summer long in Iceland. Most hotels and airbnb’s will have room darkening curtains and shades, but trust me that won’t be enough. You can pick up inexpensive eye masks like the ones below before your trip to ensure you get a good night’s rest.

2. European Electric Adapter

The electrical outlets in Iceland are standard European outlets. If you’re coming from the US you will need a converter to use any of your appliances and chargers. Along the same lines, you’ll benefit from having a car charger (they use the same ones as we do in the United States) and a portable charger for charging up any electronics like your cell phone or tablets. The summer days are long in Iceland and you’ll likely find yourself exploring long past your normal bedtime and battery life.

3. Microfiber Towel

These quick drying towels will come in handy for your hot springs visits as well as wiping yourself or gear down after being outside during the rain. These aren’t your typical towels that take up a ton of room, these fold up so tiny, smaller than a pair of socks making them perfect for your trip to Iceland.

4. Reusable Water Bottle

You can drink the tap water almost anywhere in Iceland. It is possibly some of the cleanest drinking water you’ll find anywhere in the world. Not only is it clean and environmentally friendly, but you’ll save a ton of money on water by using a reusable water bottle.

5. Backpack

You’ll definitely want a backpack for your adventures in Iceland. I don’t think we saw anyone carrying a purse anywhere in Iceland. You can get a rain cover to go over your backpack or use a poncho when needed. You’ll appreciate having the extra storage that a backpack can offer you while out exploring Iceland.

6. Camera Gear

You’ll find yourself wanting to capture all of Iceland’s incredible beauty , trust me! I brought along my Canon 6d with a few lenses as well as our GoPro which was great for the hot springs and other times when we needed a waterproof camera like hiking behind the waterfalls.

7. Credit Cards

Iceland is a credit card country, meaning you don’t need cash for anything. I’m serious, we didn’t use any cash or exchange any currency. My favorite travel credit card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Clicking here will get you 50,000 sign on points which is generally enough for 2 FREE flights or 4-5 nights of FREE hotel stays! We use this card all the time and barely pay for any of our travel out of pocket.

8. Medications

Sure, you can buy plenty of over the counter medications in Iceland, but prices are much more expensive so it’s best to pack travel sizes of the medications you’ll need. If you suffer from any food allergies don’t forget to pack multiple sets of Epi-pens!

READ MORE: Our Iceland Itinerary

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travel

Travel Guide- Niagara Falls with Kids

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Your Guide to Visiting Niagara Falls

We finally got the kids their passports and have been anxiously waiting to take them on their first trip outside of the US. Since we were on a time crunch (nothing like waiting until the last minute for passports!) we decided it was the perfect time to make the road trip up to Canada and visit the falls. Niagara Falls in October is so beautiful and I highly encourage you to visit it in the off season.

American vs. Canadian Side of the Falls

The first question everyone has is which side of the falls to stay on. The answer is definitely Canada. There are a lot of hotels near Niagara Falls, especially on the Canadian side. The New York side (I’m sad to say this) was very dirty and disappointing. There were only 2 or 3 hotels to choose from and as soon as you leave the one block they are on you are surrounded by dirty, abandoned buildings and streets. It was borderline scary to drive through. So, Canada it is! If you’re going to visit the Falls you’ll want to make sure you have your passport anyway so why not just stay in Canada?

Booking.com

Things to Do in Niagara Falls

Once you have your hotel booked you can start planning your activities. As a family we generally try to steer clear of commercialized activities while on vacation and prefer to hike and sightsee on our own terms. The one activity we did do was the Maid of the Mist boat ride. This is an absolute must for anyone visiting the falls. The boat rides are the only way to see the Falls up close from the base of them. You can go on the Hornblower cruise from the Canadian side but we chose the NY side boat ride because parking was closer and the ride for our family was less because kids under 5 are free. Our boys loved the ponchos we got to wear on the ride! This is also the perfect activity to do if it’s raining in Niagara Falls because you are going to get wet anyway. Don’t forget to bring your GoPro or other waterproof camera!
Don’t forget to pack these necessary items too!

Besides the boat rides, the best places to view the falls are Goat Island on the New York side or anywhere on the Canadian side. There is a long pathway that follows the entire length of the falls on the Canadian side which gives you views from all different angles.

Parking in Niagara Falls

One thing to keep in mind is that parking is insanely expensive on both sides of the Falls. You will not find any close parking on either side for less than $20. Since we book all of our vacations through my credit card rewards the most expensive part of this trip was the parking, for 5 days we easily spent over $250 on parking. One tip to help you save money is that on the NY side parking is free after 6pm in the state parking lots. So, depending on the time of year you can still catch quite a bit of daylight after 6pm or you can take advantage of the free parking to get a glimpse of the falls lit up at night.

One of our favorite hikes was Whirlpool State Park on the New York side. It’s about 1-2 miles outside of main Niagara Falls tourist area and very easy to find since their are several road signs to get you there. You get an incredible view of the Niagara river as well as the whirlpool area. If you’re hiking without kids you can actually hike all the way down to the base of the river for an up close look at the whirlpools and jet boats that cross them. We opted not to do that because the stairs you need to take to get down there are old, and unsafe looking- just not a good idea with toddlers. If you have little ones in tow be sure to head to the playground though, it was beautiful and right next to the hiking trail.

No matter which side of the Falls you stay on you’ll want to take a walk across the Rainbow Bridge, this is the bridge that connects the US and Canada. Walking across it gives you the chance to stop and look at the Falls from another angle AND if you’re lucky the Canadian border patrol will stamp your kids passports when walking across if you ask them to (they don’t do this when driving across). Plus, you get to take a picture next to the international border and be in two countries at once!

Niagara on the Lake

We spent a day driving through Ontario via the Niagara Scenic Parkway (this is the road by the Bird Kingdom) and that was really the highlight of our trip. It was absolutely breathtaking! Along the way there are multiple scenic look outs to stop at and be sure to check out the dam. Our boys were completely amazed by the size of it! Once you get closer to Niagara-on-the-Lake you enter wine country. We stopped at Caroline Cellars and stocked up. Because the exchange rate is so good for Americans we got some really good deals on their amazing wines!

When you get into town you can find a parking spot and walk up and down the block, it’s such a cute little town. I was continuously in awe of their charming buildings and beautiful flowers and greenery on display. We drove around the residential area a bit and found a secluded waterfront park to let the kids play in. They had a blast playing in the water of Lake Ontario and building their rock forts.

Have you been to Niagara before? Let us know your favorite hiking and sightseeing spots!

Click here to read more about the American vs. Canadian side of the falls.

Keep Exploring
Did you know Niagara Falls is less than 2 hours from Toronto? Here is a suggested 48 hour Toronto itinerary that would be a great addition to your Niagara trip.

If you’re wanting to continue your adventure and are visiting in the winter, we suggest a weekend of winter camping at the Windy Lake Provincial Park. Read more about this itinerary add on from Traveling Mitch here.

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