It’s bound to happen, there will be at least one day on vacation where the sun refuses to shine and the family will be trapped in the hotel room. If you’re lucky, the hotel has an indoor swimming pool where you can spend a few hours. But, swimming can’t last forever, so here are a few ways to keep everyone occupied.

1. The Once Upon a Time Game

This is a great way to see into the kids’ imaginations and get your imagination going as well! It works like this: you sit in a circle and start off the story with “One upon a time…” and finish the sentence with anything you like. For example, “Once upon a time there was a yellow frog name Jeff”. Then, you go around the circle and have each person add a sentence to the story. The only rules are that each person must say a complete sentence and no interrupting!

2. Dance Marathon

Dancing is one of the best ways to get all of that energy out and to teach them some of your killer dance moves: now cue the Beyoncé songs! You can make it feel like a party by turning off the lights and putting a flashlight app on your phone. The app uses your screen to turn your hotel room into a disco! Then, use Spotify to find a music playlist that everyone can enjoy!

3. Coloring

This may be an obvious one, but you can’t go wrong with some good ol’ fashioned coloring! Pick up fun coloring books or ask the kids to draw a picture of their favorite animal. Take this time for art lessons, you may not be a Picasso, but maybe you can draw a really good giraffe. Or, take out your tablet and check out YouTube videos like this one which teaches them how to draw an owl.

4.  Scavenger Hunt

If you’re stuck in the hotel, try making a scavenger hunt! Write down clues or riddles for the kids to figure out, then walk around with them as they find the hidden items. You can also just list items, such as find a man wearing a hat, look for a painting of a flower, etc. if riddles aren’t your thing!

5. Build a Fort

Our favorite thing to do, especially on rainy days, is build a fort with all of the pillows and sheets in the house and play pretend! Call down to room service for a few extra sheets and use hair ties and safety pins to keep everything together. You can even stand up the suitcases and us them to make a tunnel into the fort!

6.  Prep a Backup Plan

Use the concierge or websites like Trip Advisor to help find places to go that are nearby and keep you out of the rain. Check out local museums or catch a movie, and then grab some food from a place locals suggest! Also look into events happening at the local park district or mall-keep in mind, a lot of malls have indoor playgrounds for kids so after the event, they can go run around! You can even bring a few crafts of your own to make, Pinterest has a million simple, and not too messy, crafts for the kids to make.

7.  Go outside!

If it’s not too cold, head outside and splash around in the puddles. Make sure the kids are wearing clothes that you wouldn’t mind them getting mud on. Ask the hotel for a few extra can liners to put shoes and coats in so that they’re not dragging mud and water all over the hotel.

The post How to get through rainy days on vacation appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Whether you’re banking on the predictions of a small group of famous groundhogs or looking to meteorologists for a glimpse of warmer weather, one thing’s certain: it’s never too early to start planning for a wonderful family vacation! Spring and summer will be here before you know it, so beat the crowds and book your next adventure. For a destination with style, class and bucket loads of fun, be sure to secure the ultimate family vacation in Destin, Florida, where you’ll find everything your family needs to both enjoy the warm weather and soak in the fun, fun, fun!

With white sandy beaches and beautiful Gulf waters, Destin’s popularity is unmistakable. It was recently honored in 2015 with another of Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards, this time for being one of the Top Destinations on the Rise in the United States. If that’s not enough praise, here’s more: this family “hotspot” also has the honor of being named the “Best Family Beach” in The Travel Channel’s Best Beach Awards for 2013. In addition, it was named one of the top 25 destinations in the United States by Trip Advisor, and received the Travers’ Choice Award in 2011! With accolades like these, it’s no wonder that families are frantic to experience the tranquility and welcoming beauty of Destin, Florida.

Your ultimate family vacation should ultimately begin with family-style accommodations, and Destin has you covered. Choices indeed range from island-chic hideaways to sprawling beachside resorts, and everything in-between. For a list of the most family-friendly hotels in general, you can visit Trip Advisor for crowd-favorite suggestions. Otherwise, here are a few of the best beachfront resorts that also cater to vacationers with families.

The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is certainly one for the books. It covers 2,400 acres and several waterfront locations in the area. Regardless of your choice—along the Gulf of Mexico, the Choctawhatchee Bay or lakeside—you’ll receive access to all the resort’s amenities, including private beach access, kayak rentals, 4 award-wining golf courses, a spa, and the Village of Baytowne Wharf with dining and entertainment. Check out all the resort has to offer here: http://www.sandestin.com/

The WaterColor Inn and Resort is another top-notch destination. Situated just east of Destin, the 499-acre property is a true beachfront oasis, and is part of a larger resort complex of cozy vacation rentals. It offers guests a 1,400-foot-long beach, rooms with private balconies, kayak and bicycle rentals, 6 resort pools, and kids-camp activities, such as beach bonfires. View the beauty of this getaway and make your booking here: http://www.watercolorresort.com/

The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is another family favorite, and makes it so that you don’t even need to leave the property for food or captivating fun! Guests can enjoy 2 outdoor pools, 4 golf courses, 15 tennis courts and mini-golf, to name just a few activities. There’s also a Kids Krew program that offers activities like arts and crafts, games and building sandcastles. For more details, visit: http://www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com

As far as beaches are concerned, you’ll definitely want to visit Henderson Beach State Park, which received a noteworthy accolade as well as a 2016 Travelers’ Choice for Trip Advisor. With more than 6,000 feet of natural shoreline, as well as 60 campsites, a playground, boardwalks, and multiple pavilions for picnicking and family events, this breathtaking destination truly offers something for everyone! The white sand beach is also the perfect family enclave in that, as it’s located in a state park, it offers a plethora of additional activities in case the kids get bored of the water, and is also secluded enough from the crowds and people watchers to offer ample, safe and memorable family time. Add this stop to your itinerary and you won’t be disappointed.

Another must-see spot to tack onto your itinerary is the fun-filled Village of Baytowne Wharf, which received a Certificate of Excellence in 2014. Located within the gates of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay, this lively point of interest is a favorite among those in the know, and is a perfect place to unwind after spending a day at the marina or hours getting soaked with various water sports. Kids and adults alike will find activities such as a zip lining, arcade games, hamster balls, magic shows, concerts, shopping and dining—and much, much more!

Want to try your luck with creating a work of art, and all while soaking up the sun in the sand? Then don’t miss a chance to create a unique work of art with Beach Sand Sculptures! Book a class with these professional sand sculptors for the entire family, and you’ll learn the tips and tricks to creating your own sandy masterpiece. You can even buy a starter kit to continue the fun while on your own or back home. And with the Mobile Unit, the instructors can meet you at your resort’s private beach or a public beach based on where you’re lodging. It’s recommended to book classes in advance, as this hidden gem of family fun is gaining traction visitors. So don’t delay, visit the website for more information and to book your class!

If you have the time, you might make plans to visit the Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club. This stunning golf course, designed by the lead architect for Arnold Palmer, has been named one of Golf Digest’s “Top Places to Play in North America!” It’s also been designated by Emerald Magazine as “The Best Golf Course of the Emerald Coast” for ten straight years. The venue offers on-course circulating beverage carts, a state-of-the-art Parview GPS system on its golf carts, a clubhouse with a golf shop, chilled apples on the 1st and 10th tees, and mango-scented iced towels. There are also a variety of specials and packages to suit your needs, so be sure to inquire before you go. Another wonderful amenity is a full-service restaurant! Overlooking Lake Regatta, the Regatta Bay Clubhouse offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a daily happy hour with 2-for-1 drinks.

One of the most popular family venues in Destin is Harborwalk Village, where all sorts of fun—and at all levels—can be found around the clock! In addition to multi-level shopping right on the waterfront, guests get a thrill from the variety of aqua adventures offered, such as boat, Jet Ski and pontoon rentals, as well as fishing, and Harborwalk Village’s celebrated dolphin cruises! There are also weekly fireworks and live entertainment, as well as Cubby Caboose, a choo-choo train that weaves through the Village itself. Regardless of your family’s choice of fun, Harborwalk Village ensures that your enjoyment while on vacation will indeed come in many forms.

Destin Snorkel offers an exciting array of interactive tours for the entire family. Tours include a 2-stop snorkeling adventure where guests spend 3 hours throughout the day in search of crabs, shells, small schools of fish and other underwater delights. Guests are also treated to a dolphin tour as part of the adventure. Another fun tour from Destin Snorkel is Snuba, which combines the best of scuba and snorkeling into one amazing tour. The tour allows guests to breathe underwater by means of a 20-foot air line that is connected to a scuba tank. Sights include marine life not visible when snorkeling, such as toadfish, spadefish, sea anemones, and flounder. Shelling tours allow small children to get in on the fun. They can search for shells, learn about marine life and look for dolphins! Destin Snorkel also offers a variety of cruises, including sunset, dolphin and firework cruises.

The dolphin cruises, run by Olin Marler Charter Boats, will provide your family with enough memories to last a lifetime! Booking a fishing charter with Olin Marler Charters means that your family is in the capable hands of the oldest and longest running recreational fishing fleet in Destin, with 45 years in the business of charter fishing! The Destin Dolphin Cruises are popular for both the recreational and educational aspect of the cruises. Your family will embark on a daily dolphin watching tour and learn about the history of Destin itself! This family friendly approach to dolphin cruises and charter fishing is what has made Olin Marler Charter’s Destin’s favorite charter service since 1967!

Another cruise that will have everyone in the family joining in the fun is the interactive treat known as the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise. The Buccaneer Pirate Ship departs from the Harborwalk Village Marina. Guests will then sail the high seas of the beautiful Emerald Coast like the pirates of old! While out to sea, you’ll be entertained with sword fights, storytelling, water gun battles, singing, dancing, and treasure hunts! One of the advantages of the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise is that parents can either participate in the fun with their children or simply sit back and relax while watching their children have the time of their lives. As well as providing the Scurvy Dogs’ Club cruises for adults, the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise also offers birthday cruises for children, which include a private area on the quarter deck, decorations, a complimentary group photo, a flag raising ceremony, and a souvenir flag to being back home! The birthday child even gets to steer the ship!

For a bit of family-friendly entertainment on land, the Bart Rockett Magic Theater is a must-see! Bart Rockett is a global phenomenon, an amazing variety performer who has appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX, to name just a few of his media appearances. Offering a magic experience for all age groups, tickets for upcoming shows can be purchased online. Bart Rockett also offers magic and ventriloquism workshops for all ages. The theater has a magic shop as well, where one-of-a-kind show souvenirs and magic tricks/illusions can be purchased by those looking to test their skills.

As far as dining is concerned, Harborwalk Village has you covered, and then some! If you want to dine like a local, try Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, the sister eatery to Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi restaurant, which is also worth a trip. Brotula’s has a local fishing hole history similar to Jackacuda’s, but even more legendary. The Brotula is actually commonly known to the area’s local fisherman as the Cusk Eel, a rare Gulf fish that’s found in waters that are 300 or more feet deep. It is because of this fact that local fishing captains are some of the only people familiar with status of this rare fish. The restaurant was created to share the history and rich local tradition of the Brotula to the common public, and has create a mouthwatering menu to achieve that end. This fine restaurant offers a range of dishes to ensure good times and great taste! Try the Southern Poutine Fries with pulled pork and BBQ gravy, the Bro’s Shrimp Po’boy sandwich or the Conecuh & Potato Crusted Red Snapper, a fan favorite. There’s also a daily lunch menu. Brotula’s and Jackacuda’s are both AKA Mom favorites!

With Jackacudas Seafood & Sushi, the same thrill and expectation of fishing at one of Destin’s famous fishing holes is now available for all those who “charter” a trip to the Destin, and then to this restaurant for seafood and setting. Try the Fried Avocado, the Pulled Pork Nachos, the Southern Style Mac & Cheese with Bacon, Shrimp and Smoked Gouda, and the Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise. The restaurant also has an impressive drink menu, including international beer, wine and sake.

Away from the harbor, there are plenty of places to wine, dine and unwind! For starters, be sure to check out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. The eatery is mere steps away from Henderson Beach State Park, making it the perfect place to stop after enjoying Henderson’s white sands and emerald waves. Bubba Gump’s has a Kids Menu, as well gluten-free options, so you won’t have to worry about allergies and “making do” with your dining choice. For kids, try the Ribs or Popcorn Shrimp. There’s also pizza, healthy sides and Build Your Own Sundaes. Adults will get a kick out of the Shrimper’s Net Catch with peel ‘n’ eat shrimp steamed in beer, the Seafood Hush Pups, the Shrimp Po’ Boy or the Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp! There’s just so much here to choose from, you’ll want to eat until you drop or set aside multiple meal times just to try it all! One of the other noteworthy things about Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is its amazing grass roots organization known as the Shrimpossibles. This dedicated group is comprised of restaurant employees who support their local communities through volunteer work and fundraising, including fighting hunger, illiteracy and supporting the Special Olympics!

Another favorite is Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill. This place is truly an event in itself! There are eight different dining rooms, with enough space to host a family dinner or a family reunion! And during the spring and summer months, this crowd-favorite stopover provides ample outdoor dining so that guests can enjoy not only the scenery but the talent of local musicians. There’s also an on-site gift shop for souvenirs, such as t-shirts, not to mention the eatery even has its own app! For the kids and fun-seekers alike, Fudpucker’s has its own famous attraction as well, called Gator Beach, a free alligator exhibit featuring “Pearl,” one of the few albino alligators in the entire world. And families, take heart—there’s even a large playground and game room, not to mention the fact that the kids can get their picture taken holding a live alligator! With all of the fun right at your fingertips, Fudpucker’s is a must-see site indeed! Of course dining is the main draw, so be sure to try the Stuffed Shrimp Parmesan, the Fried Pickles or Gator Tail a la Fud. Don’t forget there’s a bevy of famous burgers, plus mouthwatering deserts, such as the Key Lime Creation. So grab your gear, visit the app and head on down to Fudpucker’s for food and fun!

Destin, Florida is a nonstop center of award-wining memories! This family favorite destination is a veritable one-stop shop of fun and feel-good times for the entire family, no matter what time of the year, but especially memorable in the spring and summer months. So don’t delay. Many of the above-mentioned destinations make use of social media, like Twitter, Instagram or Facebook—some even have their own apps! Additionally, each place has its own website and representatives standing by, so be sure to inquire and get in on this award-winning DESTINation—be sure to book your family vacation in Destin, Florida today!

The post Award-winning Family Vacations in Destin, Florida appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

With a new year having commenced, a new season already knocking on the door and Daylight Savings Time back again, it might seem like the old is making way for the new entirely.

If you’d like an exciting blast from the past, however—a rebirth, as it were, a revival of sorts—why not embark upon a festive quest. That’s right! A quest that is all travel and no travail—and one for the entire family—is waiting for you right in Arrington, Tennessee.

If you’re up to the task at hand, visit the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in Arrington where you can travel to all parts of the realm in a 16^th Century family-fun festival!

Owned and operated by Mike and Jackie Freeman, the festival celebrates the merriment of a Renaissance marketplace, with over 60 skilled artisans from all over the country in attendance and with their unique wares on display and for sale.

Celebrating its 30^th year, the Tennessee Renaissance Festival will kick off this year’s festivities on May 2, 2015, with advance ticket sales online beginning April 1st. This gives merry-makers ample time to purchase tickets. Choose from day passes, two-day passes, season passes or even group sales.

An impressive line-up, including variety shows, arts & crafts, traditional food and drinks, games, exhibits, and reenactments, will be held in a reconstructed English village from the 16^th Century, known as Covington Glen.

The village features its own reconstructed castle as well—Castle Gwynn—with tours of the 1^st floor and castle grounds included in your festival admission. Weather permitting, tours are held each day from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Tour Historic Castle Gwynn at The Tennessee Renaissance Festival

Castle Gwynn has an impressive history with the Tennessee Renaissance Festival, starting with the fact that it’s the only festival held at an actual castle—or castell—as it’s also called. Castell Gwynn (White Castle) is a modern-day replica of a 12^th Century border castle in Wales, known as Castell Coche (Red Castle).

Castell Coche served as the prototype for Mike Freeman’s dream house—he designed the initial sketch in his architecture class while in high school—with many talented electricians, engineers, builders, masons, and designers adapting the castle for modern living.

As depicted in the heraldic arms designed by Mike Freeman, Castle Gwynn will eventually be completed as a four towered structure. Currently, two of the towers are completed with a new middle section of brick arches and timber connecting the two. Repair and resurfacing work have also been done—resulting in the entire castle exterior being resurfaced—due to the effects from construction on nearby I-840.

When the festival moved to an adjoining site across New Castle Road due to construction on the I-840, a timber-framed covered bridge was constructed to connect the two structures.

To view the castle, guests must use the Castle Tour Bus both to and from the castle grounds. Use of the bus is also included in same-day festival admission.

At Castle Gwynn, both young and old alike can delight in impressive exhibits and replicas.

Like weaponry and expert craftsmanship? Be sure to check out the Rose-Dan Freeman Collection of Weaponry, including armor and swords, while touring the castle. And don’t miss the elegant designs of Imogene Stone—the festival’s Royal Tapestry Designer—which will also be on display at Castle Gwynn in the Needlework and Tapestry Collection.

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival also puts on Theme Weekends, with this year’s themes as follows:

• May 2-3: Opening Weekend – Family Discount and Community Appreciation

A family discount, this weekend only, to celebrate the opening of the 2015 festival. With the purchase of two regularly-priced tickets, two grandparents and all children 12 years and younger will receive free admission!

• May 9-10: Mother’s Day Weekend

Celebrating Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10^th) all weekend long, the first 400 mothers through the gates will receive a specially-crafted rose!

• May 16-17: Pirate Invasion Weekend

See a bevy of pirates galore—and dress up as one yourself if you’d like—during this themed weekend of swashbuckling fun! Kids can enter the Children’s Pirate Costume Contest or take part in the Children’s Costume Fashion Show that will also be held this weekend as well!

• May 23-24-25: Celtic Weekend

A Celtic touch to the festivities, with various games and contests that will focus on all things Celtic. Listen for Celtic melodies throughout Covington Glen. Kilts are definitely encouraged!

As the Tennessee Renaissance Festival has always strived to be a fun and fascinating children’s venue, the faire offers a number of free—free!—children’s activities.

• Children’s Knighting Ceremony, where young festival goers can become Ladies and Masters, knighted by Queen Elizabeth as Peers of the Realm of Covington Glen.
• Children’s Area, sponsored by Nashville Parent.
• Visit of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, who will involve the young ones in an interactive stage performance.
• Children’s Arts and Crafts Area, with supplies provided by News Channel 5.
• Children’s Costume Contest, in Arts and Crafts Area
• Children’s Costume Fashion Show on Pirate Weekend, where kids can dress up and display their pirate costumes onstage.
• Castle Gwynn Educational Tour

There will be plenty of other activities for children as well, while some shows are reserved for only the bravest of adults! For a full line-up of participants and events, or to download the Daily Entertainment Schedule, visit:  Entertainers and Performers at the Faire – The Tennessee Renaissance Festival

Keep in mind that, though costumes and costume accessories are allowed, there are exceptions. In particular, the Tennessee Renaissance Festival has a new Weapons Policy in place for 2015. Included in this policy are the following noteworthy warnings: (1) all swords, whether brought as part of a costume or purchased on the festival grounds, must be sheathed and peace-tied at all times. No exceptions! (2) Weapons will be inspected at the entrance for the safety of everyone; also (3) arrows must have tips removed and (4) firearms, whether working or replica, are strictly prohibited. For more information on weaponry and safety in general, please read the Rules of the Realm, here: Rules of the Realm – The Tennessee Renaissance Festival

For Educational Day information, and information on School Days at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival, be sure to visit the website for updates or reach out to the festival via its Contact Page: Contact Information, Comments and Questions – The Tennessee Renaissance Festival

So if you’re not quite ready to say adieu to the past, try saying huzzah instead! Then go ahead and visit the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in Arrington, Tennessee. After a rewarding day of ribaldry for the entire family, you’ll be glad you did.

For complete information, be sure to visit the festival’s main page: The Tennessee Renaissance Festival – your finest entertainment venue just outside of Nashville

The post A Bit of Old Britain at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival (May 2015) appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

One of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy family lifestyle is to create family traditions. What kind of healthy family traditions does your family consider important?  Do you play a sport together, swim or make healthy dinners as a team?  Now is a great time to start incorporating healthy activities into your own family.  I guarantee your kids will be game as long as you’re doing it together.  And as your children grow older, you can share the details about how your family traditions got started and why they’re important. They may even continue the traditions with their own families someday. Here are a few ideas you can incorporate into your own family:

1-Exercise as a family.  Incorporate it into your family fun such as day trips to nature preserves with hiking, going swimming at a local pool or lake, biking together as a family on bike trails or within your neighborhood, or even a game of kickball in your own backyard.

2-Be good role models for kids for healthy eating and exercise.  It’s hard to ask your kids to do something you’re not planning to do yourself.  Provide the family with balanced meals and snacks and show them how important physical exercise is for the mind/body/spirit.

3-Introduce your kids (and you!) to new types of exercise and healthy activities.  Attend a yoga class together, sign-up for a dodge ball league, sign up for a run that’s fun for even young kids like the Color Run, or try trail running as a family.

4-Make healthy food fun.  We convinced our kids early on that each veggie or fruit gives you some sort of super power—like carrots for amazing eyesight, green beans make you run faster, and bananas give you big muscles to lift heavy things.

5-To get your kids to try new foods, play the dice game.  They roll the dice and are required to eat as many bites as the number on the dice.  This could be used for new foods or just foods on their plate.

6-Start a backyard garden with the family.  It does double duty as it provides exercise and healthy foods.  Kids love to dig in the dirt and are so proud of foods they’ve grown themselves.  Once they are a part of the action, they are far more likely to find a love of new fruits and veggies.

7-Incorporate the family in meal planning and grocery shopping.  My kids love nothing more than to push the kid cart around the super market and help me find foods we need to complete our meal plans.  We take a few minutes each week to put together the weekly meal plan and when they provide input it’s more exciting for them.

8-Cook meals together whenever possible.  Kids love to help in the kitchen from stirring, to chopping up lettuce for salads and buttering bread.  Kids take pride in helping out and will be more inclined to eat what they’ve helped prepare.

Good luck!

Daddy Nickell

Parenting Expert and father of 7, Robert Nickell (aka Daddy Nickell) offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddy & Co., delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel for every stage of fatherhood, and the Daily Daddy Blog.  He is also the creator and producer of “My Life as a Dad,” the groundbreaking new web series that showcases celebrity fathers offering their personal experiences and parenting tips.

The post Creating Healthy Family Traditions appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

This summer, be sure to satisfy your family’s need for wet and wild fun in a truly adventurous way! Try visiting some of the best waterparks around and see for yourself if they’re worthy of boasting the “longest pool” or “tallest slide.”  Want a real thrill? Check out Ohio, the birthplace of Steven Spielberg, the Wright Brothers, Paul Newman, and Clark Gable, and which also happens to have a rather long list of some of the best waterparks in the U.S.

So grab some sunblock, a towel and an appetite for adventure—Ohio is calling your name!

The following list offers a few indoor and outdoor waterparks that have been deemed both kid- and family-friendly, as well as offering additional amenities other than the traditional staple of waterslides and pools. Dig in and get wet!

Coney Island, an outdoor waterpark located in Cincinnati, is one of the most affordable waterparks in Ohio! Discounted ticket prices for children under 48”. Do you want to visit North America’s largest flat-surfaced recirculating pool? How about the world’s largest? Well you can visit them both in one place: Coney Island’s Sunlite Pool! In addition to the 20 feet wide, 401 feet long pool, there are also four exciting waterslides, as well as a cabana area for eating and drinking. If getting soaked isn’t your scene, stay dry with bumper cars and mini golf! Passes are available now!

For more information, visit http://coneyislandpark.com/sunlite_pool.php. (513) 232-8230.

The Beach Waterpark, situated in Mason, is one of the largest waterparks in North America, at 1,524,600 sq. feet. Part of Adventure Landing Park properties, you can be sure that you are in good hands with this entertainment company whose core mission involves “providing affordable family entertainment.” Offering over 40 slides, a beach, interactive play areas and a wide array of other family-fun activities, The Beach Waterpark even has a heated wave pool and a 600-gallon dumping bucket! Be sure to check out Big Creek Beach for surf and sand, as well as a host of other new and exciting areas built just for kids! On Tuesday nights, be sure to visit Club Splash, a cool night club for teens!

For more information, visit http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/public/about_us/index.cfm. (513) 398-SWIM.  

Castaway Bay Indoor Resort – Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, is one of the newest parks, having just opened its doors in January of 2014. This five-story structure with a Caribbean theme will take your breath away with its beauty and bevy of attractions. The Toddler’s Tide Pool, Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse, tube slides and wave pool will all ensure that there is indeed some watery fun for every member of the family at this premier waterpark. Be sure to visit the arcade as well. Packages available for Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay resort guests. Day and evening passes available at the front desk or online.

For more information, visit http://www.castawaybay.com/public/explore/waterpark/index.cfm. For reservations, call (419) 627-2106. For general information, call (419) 627-2500.

Coco Key Water Resort, an indoor waterpark in Newark, is located just steps away from the beautiful grounds of the Cherry Valley Lodge! Discounts and hotel packages are available for guests. All 50,000 sq. ft. of this central Ohio destination screams fun, fun, fun with activities for younger children, children under 48” and older kids alike! Explore water slides, water cannons, whirlpools, the fast-paced Coconut Grove Adventure River, and the interactive Coral Reef Cavern. Be sure to also check out the Key Quest Arcade and the Callaloo Grille, serving up pizza, snacks, ice cream and burgers!

For more information or to make a reservation, visit http://www.cherryvalleylodge.com/coco-key-en.html. (740) 788-1200 or toll free at (800) 788-8008.

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A fun and interesting take on intensive planning and going away for family vacations is something known as a “stay-cation,” where the traveling is all done to a destination such as your own backyard or even to a grandparent’s house for a night of fun and family togetherness. These types of vacations ensure that family time is still adhered to even with busy schedules, as well as catering to the travel bug that bites add odd times of the year. A “stay-cation” can turn any night or weekend evening into a cause for celebration. And the great thing is that they run on minimal planning and are very kid-friendly!

For those nights when the weather is wonderful and the sky is as beautiful as a painting, a great exercise is to have the family sleep outside in sleeping bags. This is such a fun experience for a variety of reasons (see a variety of sleeping bags here: http://www.rei.com/c/sleeping-bags-and-accessories). First, if your family has never gone camping before or stayed in sleeping bags, this fun, family-friendly exercise will help to prepare your family on sleeping outside in “nature” and in getting used to sleeping in the sleeping bags. 

Another great thing about camping in sleeping bags outside is that it can turn into a great educational lesson as well. When the night is clear and stars can be seen, you can even bring out a telescope and point out specific stars and constellations to your children. This would work well as a supplementary activity to any lesson your child is learning on astronomy or mythology. Your family can make a game of guessing what constellations and what stars can be seen through the microscope and which can be seen with the naked eye! Have your children name the stars or planets, and then see who can tell why the planet or star is named what it is. What is the history behind it? This will turn into a great educational game with little effort on your part of trying to hold the interest of your kids!

If the weather is not so great or if your family prefers, sleeping in a tent is also a great way to introduce the family to camping, as well as to just have fun in your own backyard! Again, you can go and visit grandparents and bring a tent or sleeping bags along and have a little mini vacation. Tens come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can accommodate a number of people from one to a group. To find out a bit more about the right tent for your family, visit REI to see what they have in store: http://www.rei.com/c/tents. Of course sleeping bags and family activities can be added to family tent time, so be sure to think of creative ways to get your family involved in this small, but necessary, amount of quality time, whether it is again referencing the stars outside and nature or answering movie trivia as well as pop culture trivia!

If the night is just too dark to see stars or too cold, you can be sure to snuggle up inside your tent and play family games. Another great tool is an LED light that simulates stars as well. There may be one that runs on just batteries that you can have in the tent. This way, the entire tent will be lit up with rotating stars. It will make for an adventure that your family is sure to remember for some time to come and continue to talk about!

The post Staycations: Family Vacations Right at Home appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Looking for ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day as a family? There are plenty of ways to celebrate the emerald isle and all that hails from it this week. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Towns and cities all over the nation will be having Saint Patrick’s Day parades. Throw comfy shoes on the family and get ready for some fun!

Irish dance is catching on, look for local festivals or Irish Dance Recitals coming up. 

Throw an Irish party. Irish music is easy to find on iTunes or Youtube. Put on the tunes and have everyone wear green and bring their favorite green food to share.

If you are fortunate enough to have warm weather on Saint Patrick’s Day, take your children out for a four leaf clover hunt. 

Hop in the car and go visit a local Irish restaurant for dinner. There are Irish pubs and restaurants in most major cities in America. If there isn’t an Irish restaurant in your area, make an Irish dinner at home (find great recipes in our Food section).

Whatever Irish activity your family decides to participate in this year, have fun and have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

The post Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day as a Family appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Think beach vacations are only for summer fun?! Wrong! AKA Mom discovered a few hidden treasures that will have you pulling out your calendar and planning your next fall weekend getaway!

Let’s start with where to stay…

I couldn’t have been happier when I came across this amazing new boutique hotel while perusing a “special deals” travel site on the Internet. The reviews were exceptional, the pictures were beautiful and the price was right. The Lotus Inn and Suites was a breath of fresh air… clean, modern and the customer service was an A+. Neal, the property manager, stays on site and is ready to help you with any need you may have. They have a beautiful heated pool, which illuminates in turquoise color at night, a hot tub and fire pit to relax around on a cool fall evening. Pack your marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers and the kids can enjoy S’mores after a swim! Sleek, contemporary and family friendly… this is definitely my new go-to in Daytona!

Now for things to do…

For the Nascar fans in your family, the Daytona International Speedway “All Access Track Tour” is a definite must! The shuttled tour takes around 90 minutes and you get a behind-the-scene look at what makes Daytona International Speedway the World Center of Racing. You’ll get the chance to explore areas such as the Drivers Meeting Room, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Garages, Gatorade Victory Lane and the Houston Lawing Press Box seven stories above the Speedway. Trust me ladies, even if racing isn’t your thing, you will really enjoy learning about it. Just be sure to put the family in comfortable shoes, some walking is involved.

Photo Credits: Daytona International Speedway

They also have several other great opportunities for families from now through Budweiser Speedweeks and the Daytona 500.

• Scout Days at the Roar Before the 24
• Rolex 24 – kids 12 and under are free with adult
• Budweiser Speedweeks 2013: (from Daytona Shootout through the DRIVE4COPD 300 Nationwide Series race) – Kids 12 & under are FREE in general admission grandstands and Sprint FANZONE when accompanied by a paid adult. http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2013/Budweiser-Speedweeks/DRIVE4COPD-300.aspx
• Daytona 500: Kids 12 & under are half price in Superstretch grandstands and FREE in Sprint FANZONE when accompanied by a paid adult.

After dreaming about high speeds at Nascar, take a trip over to Daytona Lagoon and check out the drier side of their park. Strap in and hold on tight and see who’s fastest in the family on the Grand Prix Go-Kart Raceway or score a hole-in-one playing 18 rounds of miniature golf. Just keep an eye on dad if he’s taking score (wink, wink). There is also a huge arcade, a rock wall, laser tag and even a new indoor ride called the Island Hopper. Any place that will keep your kids busy and smiling for hours on end gets two thumbs up from AKA Mom!

Finally, get back to nature and see the “real” side of Florida with Blue Heron River Tours in Deland, Florida. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Daytona Beach but worth every minute! Tucked away on the St. John’s River at Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina, this place is a hidden paradise with a perfect mix of ecology, nature and history.

Our river tour guide, Captain Gary, was super friendly and made the tour informative but also fun with lots of open discussion on the boat. The boat we rode in, called “Great Blue”, was extremely spacious and comfortable– refreshments and binoculars are also available for a small cost. My kids had a great time laughing with Captain Gary (a former school teacher) and are still talking about everything they saw- manatees, a 14 foot alligator, a baby alligator, tons of turtles, blue herons, Anhinga’s, white ibis’s and even an American Bittern. Not to mention all the lush and beautiful landscape and cypress trees we experienced while traveling on an old 1800’s logging canal into the Hontoon Dead River. I have to share that my 9-year-old daughter decided the theme song for the trip was “On the Hontoon… making waves and seeing gators on the logs”. (in the tune of “Pontoon” by Little Big Town) (giggle)

For folks that want to enjoy this beauty for more than a day, Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina offers lodging and accommodations in 18 Riverside Resort Rooms and Suites. Besides the river tour, the resort also offers boat rentals, fishing, kayaking and lots of opportunity for bird watching. This place is truly a “must see”.

As you can see, Daytona has a lot to offer and something everyone will enjoy. AKA Mom gives Daytona an A+ in family fun for fall!

The post Do Daytona… in fall! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.