Summer is fast approaching. I will be spending lots of lazy summer days with my four children, but I know they will ask "where are we going today?" daily. My budget doesn't allow a lot of elaborate trips and new toys to be scattered around the backyard. Here is what we are doing to keep the cost down this year:
1. FREE BOWLING
Register on this website to receive 2 free games of bowling PER child for the entire summer. We did this last year and it was the perfect activity for those rainy summer days or when I needed to mix things up a little bit. Our bowling alley does charge for shoes, FYI.
2. LOCAL LIBRARY
Find your local library website HERE and see what activities they have this summer. We participate in a weekly reading program, ice cream socials, puppet shows, story time and cultural events throughout the year. And they are all FREE!!
3. PINTEREST
Pinterest is my new best friend in finding summer time activities. From activities to crafts to project ideas, this website is sure to keep me busy. Need an invite? Just let me know:)
4. PARKS
Our wonderful parks (Cleveland Metroparks) has year round activities to explore nature. From educational programs to swimming to fishing and anything else you can imagine, they provide activities for the summer. New this year is Kids Club that gives children a passport to collect stamps for a end of summer party.
5. SUMMER CONCERTS
Most towns hold summer time concerts for free. We have plans to see various music performance from West African drumming to community orchestras. Our town even hosts an ice cream social yearly.
6. ZOO
Our local zoo is free to county residents each Monday. While these are the busiest days, we pick one area to explore in depth and spent the first 2 hours of opening time there. Not only is the weather cooler, but we get a close parking spot and avoid most of the crowds.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Kalahari Resort, Sandusky Ohio
Our family has visited the Great Wolf Lodge and the Castaway Bay indoor water parks a few times since they opened. Now that our family has grown to six (children ages 13, 7, 6 and 3), we were ready to give Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky a try. From what we heard, it was the largest of the 3 in the Sandusky area which can be good or bad. Here are some of our thoughts after the trip.
The Good:
- for a family with children of different ages, there is plenty to do for every one
- during spring break week, they seemed to have plenty of room options just a couple of weeks in advance. When we arrive, they were booked to capacity though, so reservations are a must.
- even when full, the place didn't seem overly crowded and lines to slides were reasonable
-there are areas such as the lazy river and wave pool that the entire family can enjoy
-our room was clean and the pull out sofa was a good option for the children
-good coffee and donuts gave Mommy energy to keep up with the children
The Bad:
- it's difficult to stay together and find each other unless you make a plan to meet at a certain time
- wish they had more clocks to figure out what time it is when trying to meet up with your group
-late check in and early check out make the time spent in the room very limited, but the locker room facilities were adequate to shower and get ready to go home
-observing the lifeguards staring off into the distance and bored looks on their faces didn't give me the biggest confidence in their abilities to respond to emergencies, but I am CPR certified and actually use those skills, so I was ok with that:)
Tips:
-Many area rec centers offer discounted rooms when school is out during the week, but expect to see all your neighbors there :)
-arrive as soon as you can to avoid long lines at the reception area
-pack swimsuits in a separate bags and head to swim since rooms are most likely not ready right away
-research nearby restaurants and print coupons ahead of time as food is pricy at the resort itself
Will we be back to Kalahari? Absolutely. But next time we will likely return to Castaway Bay and combine it with a summer trip to Cedar Point.
OVERALL: 8/10
PARENTS: 9/10
KIDS: 10/10
FUN: 9/10
EDUCATIONAL: 2/10 (there are educational opportunities at the resort, but we didn't go there for that)
The Good:
- for a family with children of different ages, there is plenty to do for every one
- during spring break week, they seemed to have plenty of room options just a couple of weeks in advance. When we arrive, they were booked to capacity though, so reservations are a must.
- even when full, the place didn't seem overly crowded and lines to slides were reasonable
-there are areas such as the lazy river and wave pool that the entire family can enjoy
-our room was clean and the pull out sofa was a good option for the children
-good coffee and donuts gave Mommy energy to keep up with the children
The Bad:
- it's difficult to stay together and find each other unless you make a plan to meet at a certain time
- wish they had more clocks to figure out what time it is when trying to meet up with your group
-late check in and early check out make the time spent in the room very limited, but the locker room facilities were adequate to shower and get ready to go home
-observing the lifeguards staring off into the distance and bored looks on their faces didn't give me the biggest confidence in their abilities to respond to emergencies, but I am CPR certified and actually use those skills, so I was ok with that:)
Tips:
-Many area rec centers offer discounted rooms when school is out during the week, but expect to see all your neighbors there :)
-arrive as soon as you can to avoid long lines at the reception area
-pack swimsuits in a separate bags and head to swim since rooms are most likely not ready right away
-research nearby restaurants and print coupons ahead of time as food is pricy at the resort itself
Will we be back to Kalahari? Absolutely. But next time we will likely return to Castaway Bay and combine it with a summer trip to Cedar Point.
OVERALL: 8/10
PARENTS: 9/10
KIDS: 10/10
FUN: 9/10
EDUCATIONAL: 2/10 (there are educational opportunities at the resort, but we didn't go there for that)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
One of our first trips to Cleveland included a visit to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Our family was considering a relocation to the area and each weekend while visiting, we wanted to experience family friendly destinations. Since then, we have purchased a family membership and visit several times a year.
Most kids are instantly drawn to the huge dinosaurs that can be found in the dinosaur and fossil area of the museum. Ours are never bored when imagining these huge creatures walking on earth and what it would have been like to run into them.
A hidden gem of the museum is the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center and Woods Garden. A walking path takes visitors to various animals such as a bald eagle, owls, raccoons and otters (our favorites) to name a few. This is equally as popular with our gang in the summer time and also in colder weather.
The Smead Discovery Center offers opportunities for hands on learning for children of all ages. It can be found in the lower level of the museum.We have enjoyed digging for fossils, playing the bird song piano, finding treasures on the touch wall and playing various games. It also offers a nice resting spot for parents while waiting for a planetarium show to begin.
Speaking of the planetarium, the Shafran planetarium is another spot we try to visit each and every time. Ask for a schedule when you come and pick a show that suits your group the best. We recommend the baby show when traveling with little ones, it is just the right length before they get restless. Our older kids have enjoyed the children's show as well as the grown up version. We especially like the part where they explain what the Cleveland night sky has currently or what exciting what might be coming up.
Our rating of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is as follows:
OVERALL: 9/10
PARENTS: 9/10
KIDS: 9/10
FUN: 8/10
EDUCATIONAL: 10/10
COMMENTS: Bring your own lunch, the cafeteria food is expensive. Plan 4-5 hours to sample most areas and see a planetarium show. Check website for special events, especially on weekends. In the past, the CMNH has offered free days during the week.
Most kids are instantly drawn to the huge dinosaurs that can be found in the dinosaur and fossil area of the museum. Ours are never bored when imagining these huge creatures walking on earth and what it would have been like to run into them.
A hidden gem of the museum is the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center and Woods Garden. A walking path takes visitors to various animals such as a bald eagle, owls, raccoons and otters (our favorites) to name a few. This is equally as popular with our gang in the summer time and also in colder weather.
The Smead Discovery Center offers opportunities for hands on learning for children of all ages. It can be found in the lower level of the museum.We have enjoyed digging for fossils, playing the bird song piano, finding treasures on the touch wall and playing various games. It also offers a nice resting spot for parents while waiting for a planetarium show to begin.
Speaking of the planetarium, the Shafran planetarium is another spot we try to visit each and every time. Ask for a schedule when you come and pick a show that suits your group the best. We recommend the baby show when traveling with little ones, it is just the right length before they get restless. Our older kids have enjoyed the children's show as well as the grown up version. We especially like the part where they explain what the Cleveland night sky has currently or what exciting what might be coming up.
Our rating of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is as follows:
OVERALL: 9/10
PARENTS: 9/10
KIDS: 9/10
FUN: 8/10
EDUCATIONAL: 10/10
COMMENTS: Bring your own lunch, the cafeteria food is expensive. Plan 4-5 hours to sample most areas and see a planetarium show. Check website for special events, especially on weekends. In the past, the CMNH has offered free days during the week.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Websites and resources that help you save on family travel
Each summer, I ask my children if they have some favorite places they would like to visit locally. Their answers vary from destinations we visited the year before, Cedar Point (a summer tradition for us), local pools and of course they try to throw in Florida every time. I don't consider Disney World a local destination for us, but hey, can't blame them for trying, right? This year, we are spending summer in Northeast Ohio, since we are in the unpredictable process of adoption and we may need to travel to Ghana for our children. So in the spring, I started to compile a list of websites that I could check for travel discounts.
1. GROUPON
Groupon is a website that I keep a close eye on all year long. They feature a daily deal that might be for a restaurant, an attraction, movie rentals, sporting events, concerts etc. and it is arranged by city. There is an option for Cleveland or Akron/Canton and I also look at cities where we might be going for work or leisure in the future. With groupon you purchase a gift certificate (or a ticket) at a discount and there may be limitations on use, so always read the fine print!!!
2.LIVING SOCIAL
This website claims up to 90% savings on restaurants, spas, theaters and other local events. I have used them mostly for local restaurants (I love going out to eat, but hardly ever pay full price) and the deals are pretty good. I get their daily deal via e-mail every day, so I can keep an eye out for good deals year round.
3. Radio Station Websites
Cleveland and Akron area radio stations run some great deals on local events and attractions. Some of my favorite sites for this include The Fish Half Price Deals and Salem Supersavers
4. Membership Reciprocity Agreements
We love our local zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, especially now that the new elephant exhibition has finally opened! We have found that the family membership pays for itself quickly and we go to the zoo year round. In the winter time we focus more on the rainforest building, since it is indoors. Because of the membership, we can make quick trips to the zoo and never feel like we have to "do it all" in a day. Couple of hours in one area is a perfect summer afternoon for us.
As a zoo member, we also have free or discounted admission to other area zoos. We like to visit the zoos in Akron, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Columbus and any other city we may pass through while visiting family and friends. Here is a complete list of participating zoos.
Reciprocity agreements are also used with your other memberships such as Natural History Museum and the science centers.
5. Free Admission Days
When planning you summer day trips, see if your destination offers free admission days. These may be limited to resident of certain counties or have other limitations, but it's a nice savings for families. Just be prepared though to experience larger crowds and long lines.
6. Employer Discounts
Another hidden gem when planning family travel is found right at work. Many employers participate in benefit programs that offer discounts each year to amusement parks, plays, concerts, restaurants and even car repair. A family member is able to get us tickets to Cedar Point for $24 through their employer, but the tickets are good only during a specific week. Since we planned this ahead of time, the trip will be much more affordable than originally thought:)
I will continue to add to this list, as I find other websites or resources. What are the ways that you save on family travel?
~Jenni~
1. GROUPON
Groupon is a website that I keep a close eye on all year long. They feature a daily deal that might be for a restaurant, an attraction, movie rentals, sporting events, concerts etc. and it is arranged by city. There is an option for Cleveland or Akron/Canton and I also look at cities where we might be going for work or leisure in the future. With groupon you purchase a gift certificate (or a ticket) at a discount and there may be limitations on use, so always read the fine print!!!
2.LIVING SOCIAL
This website claims up to 90% savings on restaurants, spas, theaters and other local events. I have used them mostly for local restaurants (I love going out to eat, but hardly ever pay full price) and the deals are pretty good. I get their daily deal via e-mail every day, so I can keep an eye out for good deals year round.
3. Radio Station Websites
Cleveland and Akron area radio stations run some great deals on local events and attractions. Some of my favorite sites for this include The Fish Half Price Deals and Salem Supersavers
4. Membership Reciprocity Agreements
We love our local zoo, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, especially now that the new elephant exhibition has finally opened! We have found that the family membership pays for itself quickly and we go to the zoo year round. In the winter time we focus more on the rainforest building, since it is indoors. Because of the membership, we can make quick trips to the zoo and never feel like we have to "do it all" in a day. Couple of hours in one area is a perfect summer afternoon for us.
As a zoo member, we also have free or discounted admission to other area zoos. We like to visit the zoos in Akron, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Columbus and any other city we may pass through while visiting family and friends. Here is a complete list of participating zoos.
Reciprocity agreements are also used with your other memberships such as Natural History Museum and the science centers.
5. Free Admission Days
When planning you summer day trips, see if your destination offers free admission days. These may be limited to resident of certain counties or have other limitations, but it's a nice savings for families. Just be prepared though to experience larger crowds and long lines.
6. Employer Discounts
Another hidden gem when planning family travel is found right at work. Many employers participate in benefit programs that offer discounts each year to amusement parks, plays, concerts, restaurants and even car repair. A family member is able to get us tickets to Cedar Point for $24 through their employer, but the tickets are good only during a specific week. Since we planned this ahead of time, the trip will be much more affordable than originally thought:)
I will continue to add to this list, as I find other websites or resources. What are the ways that you save on family travel?
~Jenni~
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Welcome
Our family lives in the Northeast Ohio. We love to travel locally as well as internationally with our two children ages 12 and 6. We are in the process of adopting two children ages 5 and 3 from Ghana and we hope to continue to travel as a family of 6.
I decided to start this blog to share our travel adventures with others. In the summer time, we like to find destinations close to home for day trips. I like free or low cost options, so we can make our travel budget stretch further. I like to use coupons, half off deals and free admission days to cut down on cost.
Once or twice a year, we take a long car trip or fly to a warm destination. We also have family all over the US as well as overseas, so we have experienced long flights and layovers with our kids.
I am glad you found my blog and I hope you enjoy our adventures!
~Jenni~
I decided to start this blog to share our travel adventures with others. In the summer time, we like to find destinations close to home for day trips. I like free or low cost options, so we can make our travel budget stretch further. I like to use coupons, half off deals and free admission days to cut down on cost.
Once or twice a year, we take a long car trip or fly to a warm destination. We also have family all over the US as well as overseas, so we have experienced long flights and layovers with our kids.
I am glad you found my blog and I hope you enjoy our adventures!
~Jenni~
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