Every road trip with children seems to involve that dreaded chant of “are we there yet?” Children everywhere are under the impression that mom and dad have arrived at the destination and just not shared the information with the kids. It can be exhausting for the parents and end up ruining a perfectly good trip. Instead of getting upset when the chant starts, find ways to avoid the “are we there yet” all together.

1. Make a fold out map for the kids, complete with symbols for stops that you will make along the way or major landmarks that you will pass. Give them stickers to place on those stops and sites. Challenge them to find certain sites or items (city limits signs, historic marks and things of that nature). The map will keep them busy and informed about the trip.

2. Plan a movie time experience during the trip – complete with movie snacks and a new release rented from the local movie store. Be sure to save it as a surprise so that you can spring it on the kids when they begin to get tired of traveling. Include headsets with your portable DVD and the adults in the car will be able to have an actually discussion during the movie.

3. Keep the kids engaged in the travel experience. Let them research the trip before you leave and find interesting points along the path that you are taking. Use those points as breaks where you can get out and walk around, or use them as “mile marker” so that the kids know how far they are from the destination according to the information they discovered.

4. Play along the way. Bring along travel games or make up games that will keep the kids occupied during the trip. The more they have to keep them busy the less they are likely to be concerned about arriving at the destination. Make the travel as much fun as the destination and you will never have to hear those dreaded words again.

Traveling with kids is often challenging under the best of circumstances. Sitting for long periods of time, feeling out of control and just being bored will often lead to whining – usually involving the phrase “are we there yet.” With a little planning and a lot of patience the whole family can survive the next road trip with out having to worry about that phrase tagging along.

Traveling with small children can be a challenge on even the most normal of days. When the child is making a change in his habits, it can be completely insane. Finding ways to make travel possible, while the child is potty training, can be difficult but not impossible. It will take lots of patience and also some creativity to make it work for everyone involved.

1. Don’t expect to get there fast. There will probably frequent stops along the way. Map out a path that will keep you near populated areas so that there will be easy access to bathrooms or invest in a children’s port-a-potty (a training toilet specifically designed for use on the side of the road or in the car). It’s easier if you have boys because any isolated spot on the side of the road can become a make-shift bathroom in emergency situations.
2. Carry a few changes of clothes in the car that are easy to get to. Accidents happen, particularly when the schedule is turned upside down. Be prepared incase the unwanted happens.
3. Keep your cool. Try to avoid the urge to revert back to diapers “just for the trip.” If you will maintain your focus and keep you emotions intact then it will be easier for the child to stay focused on the challenge.
4. Remember to ask. Everyone gets caught up in the excitement of the trip and forgets to do the “normal” ordinary things. Be sure to ask the child about going to the bathroom. Staying on top of it will keep accidents from putting a damper on the trip.
5. Limit the fluids. Although you don’t want to push your child to dehydration, you also don’t want to over load him with fluids. Limit the number of drinks that he has (especially while in the car). Instead of filling his cup completely, only put a small amount in there each time.
6. Stay away from salty snacks. Again, the salt will make him want to drink more and more fluids will lead to more fluids.
7. Pay attention when your child speaks. It is just as easy for the adults to get caught up in the trip and miss the hints or comments the child might make. When the child says it is time to go, do waste a single moment (because there may not be a moment to waste).

Having a child that is in the middle of potty training doesn’t mean you have to put off all of your trips. Instead of waiting for the day of freedom, plan your trip around the potty training. By following a few of these tips and suggestions you will feel free to travel anywhere at anytime.

“Seeing is believing,” and today you can see the all the sites of the world up close (sometimes too close for comfort) and personal. Many of the adventure trips you can find offer great opportunities to view the local animals in their natural environment. It’s one thing to see them at the zoo or aquarium, but experiencing the magnificence of these creatures in the wild is something you won’t soon forget.

Outdoor Odyssey offers a sea kayak trip that will give you numerous opportunities to see the Orca whales and other large marine mammals the only way they should be viewed. The trip starts out in prime orca habitat, but they can usually be spotted during the entire trip. On land you will likely be greeted by the osprey and the bald eagle.

Yellowstone has long been a wonderful place to see wildlife. Now you can experience it in all its winter wonderland best. Adventure Associates have put together a cross country ski adventure where you can see the wildlife and the park as nature intended. There is no experience necessary, just bring your desire to see it all.

Article Ladies has put together a Hawaii experience that will open your eyes to all the native wildlife. The tour will give you the chance to learn about native plants, birds and wildlife. The coastlines are home to spinner dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles and flying fish and this tour will give you a wonderful view of all of them. Even the monk seals are likely to make an appearance. The guides are knowledgeable in all the native animals and will show you through the pristine tropical rain forests. Aloha Hawaii is a great introduction to the amazing inhabitants of the islands.

See Africa the way most people only dream about. Ontdek Kenya offers some of the best game viewing that can be done by taking you on foot through sanctuaries, national parks and local forests. See the Lions, elephants, and hippos all at their natural best. The name says it all: Ontdek (meaning discover in Dutch) will give you the chance to discover the real Africa.

If you can’t bear to miss the Alaskan wilderness, then Adventure Women has the perfect getaway planned just for you. The Alaska Bear Viewing and Wildlife Safari will take you to places that most people don’t dare to venture. See the Grizzlies and their cubs in their natural habitat, watch for humpbacks and orcas at Resurrection Bay, and watch the magnificent sea birds along the coast lines. The days are full of adventure and the nights are spent relaxing in deluxe lodges or adventure camps. You get the best of both worlds - adventure and luxury.

There is more to see than just great views and amazing natural wonders. The wildlife can take your vacation to a whole new level. Take a tour that will take you into the heart of nature.

Family vacations are taking on a whole new meaning these days. Today, people are traveling with cousins, aunts, grandparents and all sorts of extended family. It can make the travel experience less expensive and more memorable when you go with the whole clan.

Cut the costs. Rent a house or condo instead of hotel rooms and you can split the costs between the entire group. You will probably get nicer lodging and you will have more money to spend on other activities.

Share the chores. There will be more people to help pick up, do the cooking, and watch the children when you travel with extended family. You can rotate who does what or volunteer to do something you enjoy. One person can do all the cooking while others take care of the clean up. One person can keep up the laundry while others fold it and put it a way. It becomes a team effort and therefore easier to tackle.

Build relationships. Many families are spread far apart and there is no chance to build relationships among relations. By taking shared vacations, cousins can get to know cousins, or you can renew friendships with aunts and uncles. It helps to bond the family together that lives apart.

Create shared memories. Being together gives you a chance to create memories among the family that will be shared and passed down for generations to come.

It’s a reunion without the formalities. Most reunions are spent trying to cram a year’s worth (or more) information into a weekend or a day. Extended family vacations give you a chance to catch up and to reconnect in a relaxed and unrushed atmosphere.

More hands and eyes to keep watch on the valuables (including the children). When the adults outnumber the children it is always a good ratio.

Extra babysitters. When you travel with the extended family there are people that don’t get to see the children all the time. It’s not unusual for them to volunteer to spend time with the children and to give the parents a chance for alone time.

Traveling with extended family is becoming a great new trend. It allows you the chance to reconnect with family members that you might not normally see very often. It cuts down on expenses and enhances the experience. When it comes time for your next vacation, call up the cousins, aunts, and grandparents and make it a true family vacation.

Swimming with the fishes may not be the vacation experience you had in mind, but experiencing the fishes swimming could create memories that will last a life time. During your next vacation, take a day or two to visit the local aquarium.

1. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration wants to inspire you to care for the worlds oceans. It offers unique experiences with living marine creatures, educational classes, and some wonderful life animal shows. It is one of the few facilities in North America where you can view Stellar Sea Lions.

2. The Miami Seaquarium is a 38 acre tropical paradise full of dolphins, orcas, and sea lions. Even the sea turtles and manatees find a save home in this attraction. There are plenty of exhibits and eight different animal shows to keep you entertained, educated and inspired.

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is quite a find. There are over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in the exhibits and around 350 different species. Enjoy the freshwater displays of the tropical rainforest or enjoy the Shark Lagoon - an amazing 340 foot acrylic tunnel that will bring you face to face with some of the most extreme creature of the ocean water.

4. Monterey Bay Aquarium was established with the goal of motivating and inspiring visitors to help conserve the oceans and all the wonders in them. There are plenty of programs to delight an entertain you, an amazing exhibit of a white shark, and otters of all ages.

5. Shedd Aquarium is one of the world’s largest all indoor aquariums and is passionate about the animals and their habitats. You can travel the world through the 90 aquatic habitats or watch as a diver feeds the sharks, rays, and sea turtle. You can also be entertained by the penguins, otters, and other sea mammals living through out the aquarium.

6. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a wonderful collection of aquatic animals and exhibits. There is an interactive play zone, a chance to feed the stingrays, and more adventures than you can shake a stick at. One of the most unique animals is in the Mississippi River Gallery - “Spots” is a white alligator with steely blue eyes.

Make a stop at one of the many aquariums during your next vacation or just take a day to adventure through the underwater worlds. You will create memories and maybe even learn a thing or two along the way.

Going to the beach can be a fun time for the whole family. It can also be a time of tragedy. Before you take to the ocean and the sand, you should know a few terms and safety tips.

1. Rip Tides - These are actually undercurrents that push away from the shore. If you find your self being swept out to sea you should swim parallel to the shore instead of trying to fight the current and swim into the shore. By swimming parallel to the shore you will break out of the current and then be able to make your way in easily.

2. Sharks – Although they are dangerous predators, they do not hunt man. Typically the only people who are attacked are those that get between a shark and its dinner. Don’t swim during the pre-dawn and dawn hours and don’t swim at dusk. Also, be aware of the locations of bait fish (you can check local beach forecasts to find out). Staying away from dinner will keep you from becoming an appetizer.

3. Sand - Digging holes at the beach is almost a rite of passage for most people. Keep in mind that sand is NOT stable and the walls could easily collapse. Do not dig holes deep enough to get into because of the risk of being buried alive. Stick to sand castles instead.

4. Jellyfish - These are the glass looking (or jelly-like) blobs found along the water’s edge and floating on the waves during certain seasons. The tentacles are full of venom and can inflict painful stings (even resulting in death). Be sure to check with your location to find out the height of jellyfish season (and avoid visiting during those months).

5. Sting Rays - These creatures have received more attention since the highly publicized death of Steve Irwin. If you are swimming in an area where stingrays frequent, keep in mind that they lay quietly on the bottom of the ocean. They usually only sting when they are disturbed or stepped on. Avoid an accidentally encounter by shuffling your feet through the sand anytime you walk in the water. This is likely to make the stingray move to a different location.

The beach can be a fun and exciting place, but it is still a wild environment. Be aware of the dangers and take a few precautions and your vacation will likely be safe and enjoyable.

Dallas, Texas is full of big southern hospitality and even bigger attractions. Whether you want to look, to hear, to see, or to participate, this great southern treasure has the event to fit your need.

Art

- Find all the sculptures on the sidewalks of Downtown. There are pieces from the 19th century as well as contemporary works. There is even a sculpture of a painter capturing Dallas on canvas.

- The Sculpture Garden offers more statures for your viewing. Through out the gardens and waterfalls are 20 statures from French masters. You can find this peaceful getaway at the base of Trammell Crow Center.

- If nature is your statue of choice, then you need to check out Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive - adjacent to the Dallas Convention Center. The bronze steers and cowboys are located on the actual Shawnee Trail from the 1850’s and is the largest bronze monument of its kinds.

- There is more nature in the Mustangs of Las Colinas Sculpture & Exhibit. You’ll find nine bronze mustangs splashing their way through the stone and granite plaza of Williams Square. There is also a film that shows the making of the sculpture and gives you some information about the mustangs.

- The Southern Methodist University has a wonderful collection from the Spanish masters. When you visit The Meadows Museum you can see these paintings, view the other special exhibitions, and visit the sculpture garden.

Sports

Dallas is packed with opportunities for sports fans of all varieties. Professional team events are available for basketball (The Dallas Mavericks), football (The Dallas Cowboys), baseball (The Texas Rangers), hockey (The Dallas Stars), soccer (FC Dallas) all offer games in or near the Dallas city limits. Of course there are high school events to help you through the week as well.

It wouldn’t be Texas without some horsing around. You can find live quarter horse racing, some of the best rodeo action of anywhere in the world, and horse shows of every make and fashion.

Some people prefer to be in the action instead of just watching it. This city opens up for the Dallas Wellstone’s Dallas White Rock Marathon and several other smaller runs as well.

In the last thirty years, theme parks have started springing up like kudzu during a rainy spell. Many have focused on the having the wildest, fastest and scariest ride around. If you have children that span several years, you may be torn where to take them so that every one can have a good time. Here are a few family focused theme parks that just might do the trick.

The founder of Dollywood is all about family and her theme park is not different. Locate near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in Pigeon Forge is the creative vision of Dolly Parton. There are amazing rides for the whole family, live entertainment that features great country, bluegrass, mountain and gospel music and even stage shows. You can cap off your experience by visiting the craftsmen demonstration area where blacksmiths, glass blowers and wood carvers exhibit their centuries-old crafts first hand. If the park itself isn’t enough to keep your whole family intrigues, try stopping in during five of the South’s largest festivals - Festival of Nations, Kidsfest, Bluegrass & BBQ, National Harvest &Music Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Forget the mouse and visit Snoopy and his pals at Knotts Berry Farm. Not only would Joe Cool recommend a visit, but it has been voted as America’s #1 Theme Park. There are great rides for the thrill seekers in the family but there are also rides for the younger of age and the fainter of heart to enjoy. The Ghost town provides some great shows and also a place for old-time crafters to spin a tale and show off their talents. For those who are out to strike it rich, you can even pan for gold in the Old Farm Mine. The whole family - from oldest to youngest - is sure to get a kick out of Camp Snoopy. It’s just one more of the amazing sites at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.

If your sweet tooth craves a little excitement then Hershey Park may be the answer to its dilemma. Hershey, Pennsylvania is not only the sweetest place on earth, but it is also one of the best places for family fun. There are plenty of rides for the whole family to enjoy and a variety of entertainment to keep all the ages fascinated. You can take home a piece of the park with the “chocolate currency” as a great souvenir, or the $1, $5, and $10 denominations can be used like money within the park.

Branson, Missouri has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, and Silver Dollar City is one of the reasons why. This family friendly theme park boasts amazing rides, wonderful adventures, ans some of the best entertainment that Branson has to offer. Come for one of the many festivals or just for the everyday, inviting atmosphere. There are 30 thrilling attractions and rides and over 40 shows each day. In between the excitement, you can wind down with a wonderful meal at the numerous restaurants in the park.

A great family theme park has more than thrilling rides. It offers a wide variety of rides, entertainment and over all experience that the whole family can enjoy together.