Growing up in a world of adventure.

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July 17, 2017

Family Travel to St. John USVI: 5 Helpful Resources

Almost as much as my husband Slaed likes going on vacation, he enjoys planning for our upcoming trips. For our recent trip to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, despite the island’s small size (just under 20 square miles), we used an arsenal of resources to learn more about the culture, geography, restaurants and beaches of this beautiful paradise. With only a week to spend on the island, we wanted to maximize our time! Plus, especially from the west coast, to get to St. John requires a quite a bit of travel, so it’s important to know the ins and outs of transportation.

Here I’ve compiled the material we found most helpful & explain what we thought was particularly useful about each resource. If you are interested in finding out exactly what we did while on St. John, take a peek at our 7-day St. John itinerary!

July 14, 2017

Travel in the Caribbean: Packing Tips for Families

When we returned from our week stay on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, aside from falling in love with this beautiful island, we learned one valuable lesson for beach travel. That lesson? Don’t over pack!

St. John, along with the rest of the Caribbean is laid back. And especially since we were staying at house with a washer and dryer, there was no need to pack outfits for everyday. When you have amazing (and world renowned) beaches to visit every day, the basics are all that’s necessary.

After traveling to Maui as a family of 4, we shared our beach vacation packing list for families. That packing list will get you started, but the Caribbean as we learned is a whole different animal. That being said, we wanted to highlight some essentials. We found the items on the following list to be extremely helpful in keeping us comfortable and protected from the elements (mostly sun, bugs, & humidity) while on the island.

July 7, 2017

Whidbey Island, Washington with Kids: Where to Eat, Play & Stay

Whidbey Island is a place we will return to over and over again. This easily accessible island north of Seattle is one of my favorite Pacific Northwest getaways. We’ve been day tripping and taking visitors here for years, but it wasn’t until just recently that we actually stayed the night as a family.

One of the reasons I think Whidbey Island is so special is the arrival. There are two ways to get to the island: Take a ferry and arrive on the south end of the island or travel across the Deception Pass Bridge and arrive on the north end.

Cruise along the water enjoying amazing views throughout the Puget Sound or journey across a historic bridge stopping to marvel at the way the land meets the water? You really can’t go wrong! Because of that, our family usually opts to arrive one way and depart the other.

In the following guide, you’ll find our recommendations for things to do with kids on Whidbey Island, family friendly eateries, and our lodging recommendation for families.

May 23, 2017

Summer Sandals for Active Kids: M.A.P. Sandals Review

It’s finally sandal season here in Seattle, and we are celebrating! Our travels to the Caribbean this spring allowed us to get a jump start in testing the fun kids sandals from M.A.P. shoes, so I’m looking forward to sharing our thoughts. We also hope it might help you make your decisions as you prepare for an adventurous summer season!

You may have read our review of the M.A.P. Footwear sneakers last fall. We also appreciated their cozy boots to keep Georgia’s toes warm this past winter. We are big fans of the brand! In addition to trying out the Emmons Fisherman Sandals (for Bergen) and the Niagara T Fisherman Sandals (for Georgia) during our vacation on St. John, we’ve also put them to the test this spring. Activities have included biking, hiking, scootering, beach play, and of course just typical day to day life of errand running and family hustle and bustle.

May 9, 2017

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands with Kids: 7-day Itinerary + Photo Tour

It’s a lot of work to get two young children to St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands) from Seattle, but my husband and I can say with confidence that it’s well worth it! Because we have a 2-year old who isn’t so keen on sitting still, and hasn’t yet given in to the power of movies and games on the tablet, we broke the trip up.

First we flew from Seattle to Philadelphia, and stayed the night in a hotel near the airport. The following morning, bright and early, we flew from Philadelphia to St. Thomas. We then took a 45-minute taxi ride to the ferry dock. And finally with much anticipation, we took a wild 20-minute ferry boat ride to Cruz Bay, St. John!

We opted to rent a car on St. John, so we also had the pleasure of walking with our 5+ pieces of luggage to the car rental spot along bumpy sidewalks. When our car rental registration was complete, we were off on just a 5 minute drive to our rental house.

May 8, 2017

Spring Style for the Active Mom with Ibex Wool Clothing

As a mom of two, I’ve been learning about the benefits of wool for children for a couple of years now. Merino wool is a particularly good choice for kids because it does not tend to have the uncomfortable itchy feeling that can come with other types of wool. Specifically, we love the merino wool clothing from Chasing Windmills, and the cozy wool pants from Ella’s Wool.

Unfortunately for me though, other than wool socks, I hadn’t added much wool into my own outdoor gear. When I was contacted by Ibex Outdoor Clothing to try out some pieces from their 2017 Spring Line, I was intrigued.

March 27, 2017

Stonz Wear: 3-Season Outdoor Gear for Kids

With winter recently coming to a close, you might not be interested in cold weather gear. However, if you live in a region still experiencing chilly temperatures or want to plan ahead for next fall and winter, you’ll want to consider Stonz Wear.

Stonz Wear is a children’s outerwear brand featuring cold (wet and snowy) weather accessories. They specialize in boots and mittens, and we particularly love the story of their origin. Try as she might, Stonz’ founder Lisa Will, could not keep her young son’s feet warm. She wanted to shoe or boot that would protect those tiny feet from the cold AND stay on, so she got to work designing and creating her own.

March 9, 2017

First Family Snowshoe Adventure: Mount Rainier National Park

With a toddler not keen on snow and cold weather, and a preschooler who’s never strapped on snowshoes, I wasn’t sure what to expect for our first family snowshoe adventure. Bergen, our 5-year old, loves hiking, and has been climbing mountains with me since he learned to walk. But snowshoeing?

I foresaw him getting frustrated with the plastic clodhoppers and throwing them off in disgust. Then after being relieved of the clumsy feeling, he’d end up sinking in three feet of accumulated snow. All the while, our 2-year old would grow tired of being carried in the backpack. I envisioned her whining, screaming, or worse throwing a complete tantrum no snack, treat, or lollipop could pacify.

No, that’s not exactly how our first family snowshoe adventure transpired. It ended up being a whole lot of fun for most of us, but it wasn’t without a few bumps! To give you an idea of our set-up, here are a few nitty-gritty details: Slaed has his own snowshoes, I borrowed a pair from a friend, and we rented a pair from REI for Bergen. Georgia was carried in our Deuter Kid Comfort 3 for the 3-mile trek. We chose to hike along the Wonderland Trail (Longmire to Cougar Rock Campground) for it’s easy terrain, pretty views along the Nisqually River, and easy accessibility from Mount Rainier National Park’s south entrance.

February 8, 2017

The Next Generation of Animal Responders: Teaching Kids How They Can Make a Difference for Wildlife

How do we inspire the next generation to care for our planet?

In the words of Benjamin Franklin,

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

One of the best ways to instill a genuine respect for living things is through experience. Children need to be provided with opportunities to be a part of the natural world. Formal and informal, structured and unstructured, adult-led and independent, this dedicated time leads to knowledge. And this knowledge leads to understanding, power, and action. Jane Goodall said, “Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved.”

There are so many ways to build upon a child’s “nature IQ”. Hiking, camping, nature-based projects, classes, field trips to environmental centers, and good old fashioned backyard fun are just a handful of ways to start learning! We also love utilizing zoos, aquariums, and science centers as we explore locally and when we travel. These facilities often provide hands-on activities and opportunities to observe flora and fauna in an engaging way.

February 6, 2017

14 Family Travel Destination Ideas: Where the Experts are Vacationing in 2017

Do you have an exciting travel destination on the calendar for 2017? As we go about the new year, even though we have several other trips coming up, there is ONE in particular that we can’t stop thinking about. It’s the ONE we are most focused on in terms of preparing and planning. Slaed is purchasing travel guides and reserving books from the library. I’m scouring websites and daydreaming over gorgeous instagram photos. And together, we’re also watching all the YouTube videos we can find on the location!

It finally dawned on Slaed how much we are turning our attention to this one single trip, and that got me thinking. Are other families doing the same? Where are other traveling families headed in 2017 that they can’t stop thinking about? Is there one particular place they are telling their friends and family about, and focusing all of their planning and preparation on?

I asked my fellow family travel writing friends to share their “family’s destination of the year”, and YES, it turns out, we are not alone. Other families are also equally excited about one vacation in particular, and they were gracious and generous enough to share!

Here you’ll find 14 family travel destination ideas from the experts. You’ll learn a little bit about each locale including why it was chosen and what makes the destination a great choice for families. If you’re looking to add adventure into your 2017, you just might glean some inspiration and ideas!

Where the Experts are Vacationing in 2017

North America

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands: Our Family!

January 11, 2017

Snohomish County, Washington: Travel and Adventure Guide for Families

Due to it’s close proximity to our home in Seattle, we usually explore Snohomish County, Washington via weekend day trips. Less than an hour, depending on our specific destination, north of us, we can enjoy all the culture, recreation, shopping, and outdoor adventure the region has to offer, and still get home for naps or bedtime.

Last fall though, we got to do something a little different. We actually stayed the night! As I mentioned in my recent staycation post, planning a trip close to home has so many benefits. One of those benefits is that you get more time to enjoy the destination. We were able to pack so much fun and adventure into a short weekend in Snohomish County! Today I’m sharing our family friendly recommendations for things to do (indoors and out), places to eat and drink, and where to stay.

A note before we start: Snohomish County, Washington is quite a large area (over 2,000 square miles), so this is by no means an exhausted list of all the area has too offer! We’re just scratching the surface of this rich region.

January 2, 2017

Hello 2017: Progressing Toward an Adventurous New Year

Happy New Year! Believe it or not, 2017 is here, ready and waiting for us to dive in. How are you feeling? I have such a huge feeling of excitement, hope, and anticipation. If I can stay focused, active, and intentional, I know 2017 will be an amazing year for our family. Sure there will be bumpy parts, there always are, but we’ll persevere and rely on the good to get us through. I’m looking forward to all that 2017 has to offer.

December 20, 2016

2016 Gift Guide for the Travel and Outdoor Loving Mom

I’ve saved the best for last with this year’s gift guides! Today I’m sharing 8 gift ideas for the travel and outdoor loving mom in your life! In this gift guide for moms, you’ll find ideas to make travel and getting outdoors easier, items that will inspire, and items that will help mom plan an amazing year of adventure. Many can be purchased last minute, so if you are just getting around to buying gifts, you’re in luck!

Gifts for the Travel and Outdoor Loving Mom

December 8, 2016

2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor and Travel-Loving Kids

Season’s Greetings! It’s that time of year again. As much as I love giving, I can get bogged down with all the possibilities. In case you might be feeling the same way and want some ideas for things that kids will actually need, use, and play with, I have over 20 gift ideas for the young adventurer in your life!

Here you’ll find gifts to help kids get outside (gear), gifts to inspire a life of travel and adventure (books), and gifts to light up your child’s playful spirit (toys and games).

November 21, 2016

Deuter Kid Comfort 3 Kid Carrier Review

Georgia and I have been busy testing the Deuter Kid Comfort 3 Carrier this past summer and into fall. We’ve loved the opportunity to add some experience with another hiking style carrier to our repertoire. This review is intended to help more families make informed decisions about the product they ultimately decide to purchase. If possible, we always advise to visit an outdoor store, such as REI, to try on the carriers yourself. When you see them in person, you are better able to see each carrier’s features. You can also feel the pack on your very own shoulders, back, and hips. However, hopefully our review will give you some things to think about as you compare and make your decision.

October 24, 2016

Troy Sneakers from M.A.P. Footwear Review: Lightweight Shoes for Active Kids

While our kids are active and spend a lot of time outdoors, they are not always on the hiking trail climbing mountains. Consequently, a hiking shoe is overkill for our everyday adventures, but some sneakers aren’t quite rugged enough for our rough and tough kids.

Thanks to M.A.P footwear though, we’ve found a great in between shoe! Bergen has been testing the Troy sneakers from M.A.P. (Motion. Adventure. Play.) Footwear this past summer and early fall. Overall we are pleased with the fit, support, and durability of the shoes.

To give you an idea of our testing process, here are a few details:

Testing Time: 3 months
Testing Conditions: long urban walks on sidewalks, long bike rides, forest school, flat well worn hiking trails, parks and playgrounds
Other Notes: most of the testing has taken place in warmer weather, often worn without socks

September 21, 2016

Lake Chelan, Washington: Things to do with Kids

When I first moved to Seattle so many of my colleagues and students that I taught (I’m an elementary school teacher currently on “sabbatical” raising my kids), raved about this mysterious place called Lake Chelan. Growing up on the east coast, I’d never heard of the area hosting Washington State’s largest lake, but I quickly learned that it was the place to go to get away from the gloomy and gray of Western Washington. Visitors could swim in the water (in summer) and play on the sandy shores, participate in water sports, and generally just enjoy the lake life taking in views of the surrounding mountains and being treated to the region’s natural bounty. I put Lake Chelan on my already long and growing list of places to see in the Pacific Northwest.

August 11, 2016

4 Ways to Enrich Your Next Hike featuring Central Cascade’s Spada Lake

I’ve mentioned before how much fun it is for us to adventure along side friends and family. They might add another layer of logistics (and we have to be on our best behavior), but getting to hike with companions makes such a difference in our enjoyment and adds some richness to the experience.

We recently had the pleasure of hiking with my cousin who also lives in the Seattle area, and as I was thinking back and processing the time on the trail with her (and Bergen and Georgia), a hiking tip just popped into my mind: Go with an expert!

Rambling all over Washington State (and beyond), my cousin is an avid hiker, and really knows her stuff. As we trekked along the service road to the overlook we had a goal of making it to, she introduced us to delicious edible berries, matched up conifer cones and fallen leaves to their rightful owner towering above us, and helped us identify wildflowers.

August 5, 2016

Zoo Tunes with Kids: Seattle Area Adventure with Steel Pulse and Ziggy Marley

Outdoor concerts are a huge part of summer in Seattle, so we were happy to return to one of our favorite outdoor venues at the Woodland Park Zoo for their Zoo Tunes Summer Concert series. We’ve enjoyed many concerts, it’s a bit of a family tradition, here on the north meadow, and all the effort to prepare a picnic, fight traffic (we have a few tricks), wait in line, and madly search for the best possible spot when the gates finally open is always worth it!

This year we were able to arrive earlier than usual in order to view two of the zoo’s latest additions: Yola, the baby gorilla, and the Butterfly Garden. Members of the zoo are allowed to “line-up” early inside the zoo & are admitted first, so thanks to our cooler and chairs, we saved ourselves a spot in line, and went on to explore the new exhibits.

July 22, 2016

14 Kid Friendly Hikes Near Seattle

Of course we love adventure. Of course we love travel. And of course we love getting out for a hike. With two little kids though, who both still nap, and prefer to do so in their own beds at home, we can’t always venture too far. Since Bergen was a wee toddler, I’ve researched, investigated, and explored kid friendly hikes near Seattle (in or at least with in an hour’s drive of the city).

What’s considered “kid friendly”?

Low mileage: Most of these hikes are 3 miles or less. Some much less, and many with opportunities to add more if little legs allow.
Exciting features: lakes, waterfalls, view points, story boards, bridges, etc. to help peak interest and motivate
Mostly flat: Too many hills and inclines can bring out the whines (at least in my young hiker)!

Here you’ll find 14 of our favorite kid friendly hikes in or near Seattle. It is in no way an exhausted list, and I hope to add to it in the future. Make sure to click on the hike’s title for either a more detailed trip report from our site or another trusted resource like the Washington Trails Association (WTA).

Looking for more?

Grab our Seattle Area Kid Friendly Hiking Guide

with 25 Adventures you and your kids will love!

July 20, 2016

Travel Vlog: Sea to Sky Gondola with Kids

Before settling into our rental condo in Vancouver, BC over the 4th of July weekend, we bypassed the city and continued north to the Sea to Sky Gondola. We worked in Georgia’s (our 18-month old) afternoon nap to occur right after crossing the US-Canada border (luckily she cooperated!) so we needed to continue driving to fill her sleep tank before a big afternoon and evening of exploring.

The Sea to Sky Gondola is located in Squamish, BC, about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. The gondola opened in 2014, and takes visitors from “sea level” at the Howe Sound to “sky level” at their Summit House in the mountains above.

June 28, 2016

Woom 3 Bike Review: Helping the Transition from Balance Bike to Pedal Bike

As you may have learned from our post on transitioning from balance bike to pedal bike, our 4.5 year old son has been confidently riding his Woom 3 bike for several months now. It’s opened up a whole new world for our family. On our daily afternoon walks, instead of dragging him along on our 2 to 4 mile treks, we’re chasing after him as he races ahead on his bike.

April 27, 2016

Savoring the Season with a Spring Bucket List

Now that the real spring weather has returned to Seattle, and we are back to mild temperatures after a bout of hot weather, it’s time for us to get cracking on our spring bucket list! If you aren’t familiar with our seasonal bucket lists, here’s the scoop: Each season, we create a list of about 10 fun adventures or projects that are specific to the season.

We dig through our favorite nature books, think about our favorite happenings of that particular season, and look at our calendars as a way of being more intentional with our time and to take advantage of the best things that nature has for us. To learn more, check out our summer, fall & winter bucket lists.

Here’s our 2016 Spring Bucket List in no particular order!

April 11, 2016

Ocean Village Resort in Tofino, BC: Comfortable Rustic Family Accommodations

During our February visit to the small coastal town of Tofino on Vancouver Island (British Columbia), we had the pleasure of staying at Ocean Village Resort in one of their cozy 2-bedroom cabins. After several days of urban exploring in Victoria, plus a full day of driving, the resort and the surrounding area was the perfect place to slow down, immerse ourselves in nature, and bond as a family.

March 27, 2016

Travel Guide to Seattle, Washington with Kids

This extensive Guide to Seattle with Kids is brought to you in collaboration with Expedia.com. All opinions and ideas are my own, and the content was created and written by me. Special thanks for providing the push that I needed to finally create this (hopefully) helpful and long overdue resource for families!

As a resident of Seattle, Washington for over 10 years, a teacher, and a mother of two young children, I’ve come to realize that Seattle really is a great city for kids! Over the past 4 years of blogging, I’ve certainly written about some of our favorite spots, including things to do and places to eat, but I’ve yet to compile it all into one handy guide for those visiting Seattle with kids, or for fellow Seattleites who are looking for more ideas…until now!

In this guide to Seattle with kids, you’ll find our favorite recommendations for activities and restaurants, plus a few of our recommendations for lodging. For planning or organizational purposes, I’ve divided the guide into two sections: The Downtown Core & Beyond Downtown (though still within the city limits). Of particular note and what I absolutely love is that most of our attractions can be enjoyed by everyone, not just children, not just adults, but the whole family!