St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, is also the gateway to adventures in education with so many ways to play—and learn at the same time! Meet the Budweiser Clydesdales or plan a mission to Mars in the many museums of this Midwestern city.

The historic Grant’s Farm invites families to visit the cabin of America’s 18th president, and to see some elephants perform! Formerly owned by the Anheuser-Busch family, the farm was acquired by the St. Louis Zoo in 2015. Animal encounters abound with the chance to feed a baby goat by bottle, feed parakeets, or visit the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales in their stables. Daily, families can watch elephant shows or see the famous horses’ “official prep school” where they learn to earn their reputation! Head over to Grant’s little wooden cabin nicknamed “Hardscrabble” before finishing up with a cold beverage at the Bauernhof, a 19^th century Bavarian farm and courtyard.

If the animals at Grant’s Farm aren’t enough, scurry over to the St. Louis Zoo to visit all of their scaly, furry, and feathered friends. Pet stingrays at Caribbean Cove in the zoo’s Lakeside Crossing area. Sneak past Big Cat country with its lions and tigers in the Red Rocks Zoo zone. Learn about the Gorilla family house in the Wild Zone, or wander past Black Rhinos in the River’s Edge Zone. The Discovery Corners area offers the Monsanto Education gallery and the Emerson Children’s Zoo, both with chances to get up close to some creepy, crawly creatures!

Visit a Mars base, learn about the human body, and get involved in the Hollow Tree Animal Clinic at the St. Louis Science Center. Start beneath the ever-turning kinetic sculpture at the entrance, then head into adventures like the Amazing Science Demonstrations of Dino Mysteries and Physics Phun. With three floors of fixed exhibits, rotating daily events, and a planetarium, the Science Center is ever-evolving with activities. Kids can attend a lab class in Family Medical School or attend one of the regular dissections. Everyone is bound to find something to pique their interest with the diversity of hands-on games and activities.

A trip to St. Louis wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch. Towering a total of 630-feet over the banks of the Mississippi, the Arch represents the history of America’s Westward expansion. Ride the encapsulate tram a short four minutes inside the leg of the Arch to the observation deck for a 30 mile view of the landscape on a clear day. Look at the toy-sized town of St. Louis and see if how many landmarks like Busch Stadium or the Old Courthouse you can find. Ride back down the Arch and visit the nearby Old Courthouse to learn about Westward expansion and the Lewis and Clark expeditions that made their way down the mighty Mississippi.

The City Museum, imagined by artist Bob Cassilly and concocted out of the former International Shoe Company, is a playground for kids of every age. A hodge-podge of items collected from around the city, the museum has brought together twenty-artisans to create a playground and funhouse out of the salvaged items. Play in a giant ball pit, climb through tunnel ways on the roof, and hop from circle to circle past recovered objects that include old construction equipment, tile mosaics, chimneys, bridges, and airplanes! This museum, as with all the brilliant educational opportunities in St. Louis, encourages visitors to learn the best way– through play.

The post Gateway to Education Adventures: St. Louis appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

MIAMI, Fla. – (May 2014) — Palace Resorts – the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations – is pleased to partner with Funjet Vacations to announce a new social contest offering a lucky family of four the chance to win an all-expenses paid, three-night stay at the brand’s signature property, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun.  Inspired by the brand new book Reasons My Kid Is Crying (Three Rivers Press) based on the popular website, the “Reasons You Deserve A Vacation in Paradise” contest asks participants to submit a photo of their child crying OR recreate a pre-selected photo of a toddler mid-tantrum, along with a reason why their family deserves a Moon Palace getaway. 

To enter the contest, entrants are asked to “Like” Palace Resorts on Facebook, (Facebook.com/PalaceResorts), fill out the entry form and submit their photo on the page by June 25, 2014. One grand prize winner, will be selected by a panel of judges, to receive a three-night stay for four at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Cancun’s largest property and entertainment destination. As an added incentive for participating, 20 entrants will be selected at random to receive a copy of the book, Reasons My Kid is Crying, by Greg Pembroke, creator of the hit blog, Reasons My Son Is Crying—recently named one of the Most Viral Tumblrs of 2013. Additional information on how to enter, along with the official rules, can be found on Facebook.com/PalaceResorts.

Families seeking world-class accommodations this summer can also take advantage of Palace Resorts’ latest promotion, “Kids Stay Free.” Guests 12 years of age and younger who stay three nights or more from June 1 through August 31, 2014 at Beach Palace, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Playacar Palace or Cozumel Palace stay for free. Book this offer by visiting Funjet.com by August 28, 2014 in order to take advantage of the summer promotion. Additionally, Palace Resorts boasts abundant amenities for families, including a state of the art Playroom at Moon Palace, complete with 11 different game rooms, a beauty salon, mini runway, dollhouse, full kitchen and creativity area.

Recently unveiling a 100 million dollar renovation and earning an AAA Four Diamond Award, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort is located on Cancun’s tranquil south shore, nestled between 123 acres of tropical foliage and secluded white sand beach. The property offers guests more than 2,400 waterside and garden view accommodations or golf villa suites. Multiple pools are complemented by two children’s pools, one Golf Club pool, six whirlpool tubs and four swim-up bars. Additional on-site adventures range from a water sports marina for sporting activities to a fully equipped fitness center and private Kids Club. Recognized as Cancun’s premiere entertainment resort destination, Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort has hosted world-renowned artists such as Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Cirque Dreams Rocks, The Beach Boys and Ricky Martin.

Palace Resorts’ all-inclusive accommodations start at $172 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. To reserve your Palace Resorts stay, please visit www.PalaceResorts.com, call (866) 424-4623 or contact your preferred travel professional.

About Palace Resorts

With seven oceanfront resorts overlooking the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, Palace Resorts sets the highest standards for five-star all-inclusive vacations in Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Riviera Maya, Mexico. Offering luxurious and spacious accommodations accentuated by signature in-room whirlpools, nightly entertainment, the Caribbean’s most extravagant spas and premier Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses; Palace Resorts offers a truly exceptional experience for travelers. The unparalleled level of service and comfort found at each property makes Palace Resorts a leading provider of world-class resort vacations. 

Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark Travel Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee. Funjet Vacations is celebrating 40 years of business and specializes in providing customers with vacation packages that meet their needs, delivered with unparalleled customer care and at an exceptional value. Funjet’s All-In-One travel protection allows cancellation with refund, no fees for changing reservations, hurricane benefits and during-travel insurance. In addition, Funjet’s Price Match Plus program ensures a match on competitors’ prices for identical vacation packages. Individual and group Funjet vacations are via nonstop charters and scheduled airlines to hundreds of destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Florida, Asia and Europe. Travelers can book for as little as $50 down and choose from air-inclusive, hotel-only or air-only vacations and add ground transportation, tours, attractions, shows and more to their vacation packages to “Do Something They’ll Never Forget.”

REASONS MY KID IS CRYING

By Greg Pembroke

Three Rivers Press • On Sale April 1, 2014

Trade Paperback Original • $15.00 • 978-0-804-13983-0

There’s nothing quite like a toddler meltdown. Kids can be set off by the smallest thing—a broken toy, meeting Santa, being told to stop licking their shoes—and their fits are often unintentionally hilarious. That’s the idea behind Greg Pembroke’s hit website, Reasons My Son Is Crying and the brand new book, REASONS MY KID IS CRYING. Like the irresistible blog, REASONS MY KID IS CRYING pairs full-color photos of adorable kids having not-so-adorable fits, along with deadpan descriptions of why these tots are freaking out. Part documentary, part therapy, and 100% entertaining, REASONS MY KID IS CRYING is a laugh-out-loud chronicle of the seemingly minor events that can trigger hysterics. It’s proof that parenting is always an adventure in absurdity, and sometimes all you can do is laugh.

The post NO MORE TEARS! PALACE RESORTS GIVES REASON TO SMILE WITH NEW CONTEST appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

We’ve probably all been there before…that moment when boredom or cabin fever sets in and we want desperately to be anywhere other than where we are! And though we might love to be canyoneering or rock climbing in one of Utah’s national parks, hiking up to Macchu Picchu in Peru or taking in an opera in an old Italian town, we know that we really only have the money and, more importantly, the time, for local travel. But don’t be dismayed; there’s no need to give up! The answer to the sudden travel bug bite is literally all around us! That’s right: one-tank trips to local points-of-interest make exciting and memorable family adventures. So grab the kids and get going! Listed below are some of the reasons that these one-tank trips are so advantageous!

1.  Spontaneity – For many people, there is nothing more thrilling than an unplanned trip! Even for those families or personality types that require a bit of structure or planned entertainment, a trip to a local beach town, a neighboring city’s downtown or old town for a peaceful family stroll or window shopping, or even to a neighboring city’s weekend entertainment can provide well-needed respite and quality-time for the entire family. 

The great thing about spontaneous trips are that they not only help you to maintain the spontaneity of your youth, but they are great ways to surprise or reward your children for doing well at school or around the house, as well as ways to add educational and cultural interests to your travel itineraries! These trips are also amenable because they can be done on one tank of gas or less, depending on how far the nearest city is to you. Also, trips to neighboring towns where a stroll around the downtown might be all that is planned for a wonderful getaway can ensure that even your pets can get in on the fun of unplanned/spontaneous travel. And the spontaneity can always keep your kids guessing as to when the next fun trip might be. These trips, therefore, are rewards in themselves as they allow every member of the family to find something rewarding in the experience. One-tank trips are overwhelmingly simple and will always be a great method of bonding with your family!

2.  Local Events – many cities have wonderful local events that are often advertised in mailings or local papers in advance! This can include anything from small to large-scale Farmer’s Markets where your family can taste local produce like juicy, freshly picked fruit and vegetables, taste organic honey or locally brewed organic teas and coffees or even purchase hand-crafted jewelry from local artisans!

Another wonderful facet of local events is that they often focus on the arts, with many places staging their own renditions and/or productions of classics that are both kid and family-friendly! Whenever I drive through my nearest downtown area, for instance, there are banners and advertisements for theater productions that the local high school and junior college will be performing in the near future. Sometimes these events are even free and other times the producers may ask for a small donation. It is an amazing sight to see groups of families all walking together toward the theater on the weekend to take in the family-themed festivities; and these groups include families from neighboring cities that either love theater or are supporting their children and the arts or families simply bitten by the travel bug and simply looking for something fun and family-friendly to do with the kids for the weekend!

3.  Kid-Friendly Focus – A large portion of local events seem to function around activities for children of all ages. These activities are often advertised in advance, especially in places like your local coffee shop (as a side note, Starbucks does a wonderful job of advertising local and independent productions around town in their coffee shops) so can be noted and remembered by those families that need some semblance of a plan even when traveling “last-minute” to some local entertainment. Just recently, for instance, I passed by my neighborhood local park which connects three separate cities and is aptly named Tri-City Park. As it turned out, the park was hosting an event for children with what looked like rows upon rows of bouncing castles in all shapes and sizes. The park had youth volleyball games, fishing and scout activities and of course the amazing smell of barbeque in the air! Neighboring cities even advertise such events as parades and sporting events for children. These fun activities gladly welcome and accommodate kids, and these events are something that families who like to plan can actually mark their travel calendars for!

4.  Family-Friendly Focus – Most importantly, local trips to neighboring towns or even towns farther out but still accessible with one tank of gas – roundtrip included – are the perfect time to bond with your family. Car games that center on fun facts about your destination or what the city might have been like twenty or thirty years ago; games that involve guessing what each member of the family might want to find while rummaging through stores in your destination city, such as stickers, ice cream, toy trains, books or comic books – all of this helps to create an air of excitement while your family makes its way to your destination! Additionally, the cities themselves are focused on maintaining everyone’s safety and on ensuring that the fun being held remains suitable for children of all ages; therefore, entertainment, the music and the general vibe of the places that your family visits already have a great history of being very conducive to family-oriented fun!

5.  Savings – Last but not least, the amount of money saved on one-tank trips to local destinations is definitely something your family will appreciate! The cost of airplane tickets, hotels and other fees, such as pet boarding or house-sitting, instantly fly out of the window when your trip involves settling the kids into the car, buckling up and driving to some local point-of-interest! This means that money can be spent trying delicious food at Farmer’s Markets or local festivals, buying unique gifts for friends or loved ones or even enjoying a great family dinner at a kid-friendly local restaurant. Almost every weekend I make it a point to get together with my family and head to one of our local cities to enjoy the downtown ambience. There are many families from out of town taking pictures and pushing strollers around! There is a wonderful old-time soda shop with hundreds upon hundreds of amazingly flavored sodas to try. My family always chooses a different flavor as we order the Olde-Towne Fries and just sit and relax for a few hours. It is an extremely cost-effective adventure that we always look forward to when we need some time to relax and get out of town. It is such an easy and affordable trip and a wonderful way to spend quality-time with those that I love! 

The big trips are those that we can plan for months in advance and save up for, the ones that might involve travel agents and touring companies. But when we get that travel bug bite and know that some immediate respite with the kids and family is needed, one-tank trips to local points of interest are definitely the way to go! Try it this weekend with your family and see what the fun is all about!

The post One-Tank Trips for Families Short on Time and Money appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The trip is booked, the brolly is packed and the children are too excited to sleep. Now what? Whether you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the Games or merely sip tea in closer proximity to the Queen, our local’s guide to London will tell you where to eat, sleep, play and shop in this year’s Olympic city.  

GOOD EATS
Home to celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Jaime Oliver, London boasts some of the world’s best restaurants. Here are some of our favourite, kid-friendly places.

Inexpensive
Dim t (www.dimt.co.uk) Fuel the kids with a bento box while gazing at Tower Bridge at this delicious Asian fusion restaurant in More London Place. Then, let them run off some extra energy in the sprinklers located just outside. (Pad Thai £8.65, kids’ bento box £4.95)

Pizza Express (www.pizzaexpress.com) Yes, it’s a chain, but we promise you’ll love it. With affordable prices and truly tasty pies, this pizza joint is a kid’s dream come true. It’s bright, airy and tailored to kids with colouring pages, books to borrow and an option to make your own pizza at some locations. (American pizza, £9.10, kids’ Piccolo menu including dough balls, a main course and ice cream, £6.45)

Moderately priced
The Tree House Family Café (www.harrods.com/visiting/restaurants) Located on the fourth floor of Harrods, right next to the toy department, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy somewhat affordable food at the infamous department store. Kids can play with the giant, magnetic wall puzzles or color while you munch on a tasty goat’s cheese quiche, £10.95 (kid’s baked macaroni and cheese, £11.95)

The White Horse (http://www.whitehorsesw6.com/) Eat like a local at a famous pub in Parson’s Green. The White Horse is a great place to try English faves like fish and chips and sausage and mash. Aim for a lunch-time meal or early dinner to beat the drinking crowd which files in after work.(Beer battered haddock and chips, £12)

Expensive
Babylon at the Roof Gardens (http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com) This Richard Branson creation sits one hundred feet above the bustling Kensington High Street. The food is delish, but it’s the gardens you should go for. They’re often pre-booked for events, so call first to see if you’ll be able to wander through before or after your meal. With 70 full-sized trees, a stream and resident flamingos, the kids won’t even notice the amazing city view. (Sautéed Fillet of Seabass, £26.50, Young diners’ menu £6 for two courses or £8 for three)

Tamarind( www.tamarindrestaurant.com/) The English love a good curry. Find out why at this London staple. In the heart of trendy Mayfair, this award-winning restaurant offers delicious food that looks almost too good to eat. Gosht Dum Biryani, £24.50 or a go cheap with the set menu on Sundays £32 per person – Kids under 9 eat free on Sundays with two paying adults.)

High Tea
As the Brits would say, “t’would be a pity to skip high tea in London.” Most high-end hotels and department stores offer a traditional English tea service (which includes enough food that you won’t need dinner). Try the Ritz (http://www.theritzlondon.com/), Claridge’s Hotel (http://www.claridges.co.uk/), Fortnum and Mason (http://www.fortnumandmason.com/c-4-restaurants-fortnum-and-mason.aspx) or Harrods (http://www.harrods.com/).

GETTING AROUND
It’s never easy to find your way around a big city. Hopefully these tips will help.

Bus it
It may sound cheesy, but one of the best ways to see London is on a Hop on Hop off bus tour. It  stops at all the major sights and most offer a free Thames River Cruise as well. Plus, the kids will love sitting at the top of the double decker bus. Try The Original Tour (http://www.theoriginaltour.com/).

Go underground
The Tube (aka Subway or Underground) is another easy way to travel. It’s cheap, fast and best of all travels way below London’s crazy traffic. It’s not stroller-friendly, though, so you might want to opt for a bus if you don’t like hauling your buggy up and down stairs. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Hail a taxi
Black cabs are spacious and comfortable. But they’re also pricey, making this a better option for short journeys.

WHAT TO DO
So many things to see, so little time. Here are a few of our favourites.

Museum mile
There are loads of fantastic museums in London.  These are the ones our kids like best.

V&A – The Victoria & Albert Museum (http://www.vam.ac.uk/)boasts a gorgeous courtyard and cafeteria in addition to its numerous halls. Kids love the adventure backpacks, which are available to borrow for free. Each one is themed to go with a different exhibit and contains games, puzzles and information to help kids learn more about the artifacts they’ll see.  Bonus: free entry

The Science Museum (http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/) With tons of hands-on-exhibits, this museum is one of the most kid-pleasing in the city. From wiring an alarm to building a huge arch, there’s plenty here to keep kids active. Younger tots will enjoy the basement  garden where they can play with water tables or work on a construction site. Bonus: free entry

Natural History Museum (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/) Visit one of the best dinosaur exhibits you’ll ever see, complete with an enormous (and somewhat scary-looking) animatronic T-Rex. Bonus: free entry

London Transport Museum (http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/) Climb aboard a horse and buggy, drive a subway car or sit behind the wheel of a double decker bus. This Covent Garden institution will not disappoint.

National Portrait Gallery (http://www.npg.org.uk/) Situated at the heart of Trafalgar Square, kids can clamour around the stone lions and throw a penny in the fountains before entering this spectacular museum. Once inside, you can try to book in for story time, listen to a family audio visual guide or maybe even attend a family art workshop.

HMS Belfast (http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast) A definite must for boat-lovers, this floating museum is housed on a warship. Find out what life was like on this ship during the war, how the 950 sailors, slept, ate and entertained themselves, all right here.

THE SIGHTS

Here are a few of London’s don’t miss sights.

Buckingham Palace(http://www.royal.gov.uk/theroyalresidences/buckinghampalace/buckinghampalace.aspx) Home to Queen Elizabeth herself, this palatial spot is made even more majestic during the Changing of the Guard. Pre-book a visit to see the State Rooms or The Royal Mews, where you’ll catch a glimpse of some of the royal horses and carriages.

Westminster Abbey (http://www.westminster-abbey.org/) Whether you want to relive the Royal Wedding or wander atop the graves of famous writers like John Dryden or Charles Dickens, a visit to the Abbey is a treat for everyone. The children’s guide has a fun quiz to help kids learn about some of the things they might have just walked by. Plus, they get a treat once they hand it in.

Hyde Park (http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park) Pack a picnic to truly enjoy the 350 acres of green space in this public park.  Have a swim, play in a playground or go for a horse ride – the options are endless.

Kensington Gardens (http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens) Really just an extension of Hyde Park, the kids’ most-loved section of this garden is the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. Complete with a life-sized pirate ship, wobbly bridges and an enormous sand pit, your little ones will love you for taking them. While you’re there, visit Kensington Palace, the place Princess Diana once called home  only a short walk away.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/visiting-and-tours/ukvisitors/bigben/) Big Ben is actually the name of the bell within the famous clock tower that adorns the Houses of Parliament, so you won’t actually see him. But you can book a tour to climb up the tower and hear him toll the time up close.

The EDF Energy London Eye (http://www.londoneye.com/) Enjoy a 30-minute flight on England’s tallest Ferris Wheel. The sunnier the day the better to truly appreciate the captivating view. (£111.98 per family of four)

The Tower of London http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/?gclid=CPXE5_3Sza8CFVEjfAodpjiXaw Take a step back in time with a trip to the Tower of London. See the Crown Jewels, climb through the towers and get a close up glimpse of ancient torture devices. The kids will love it. Tip: Don’t eat in the over-priced, tasteless cafeteria. Instead, choose Wagamama (http://www.wagamama.com/), a cheap and tasty noodle place which is out near the entrance. Plus, you’ll get a spectacular view of Tower Bridge while you dine.

WHERE TO STAY
Hotels are expensive and cramped. We suggest renting a flat or house in town. That way you can cook your own meals and save on your lodging. Try homeaway.com or onefinestay.com. Try to get one that’s near a tube station or a bus stop to make travelling around a bit easier.

The post Travel London appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.