Choosing a destination may seem like the most difficult part of planning a trip with your family this summer, but if you’ve ever gone anywhere with your entire family you know the difficult part most likely lies in the corralling of the kids and husband when the time comes to depart! To help you through the unforeseen and unwanted burdens associated with summer family travel, we’ve listed a few products that will have you and your family ready for take-off in no time.

Beltaway Beltapouch – $16.95

Worry less and smile more knowing that your money, phone and even your passport are in a safe place – around your waist! Beltaway’s Beltapouch is your perfect travel companion (besides your family, of course!). Safeguard your most important items with a sleek, carry-all Beltapouch for around your belt. Tuck it under clothes for a safer travel experience, or enjoy its fitness-friendly design that allows easy access to your music device with headphones. It’s perfect for families on the go this summer who don’t want anything to go missing.

ONA Bowery Camera Bag – $139

Wearing a bulky camera around your neck screams tourist – and trust us, that’s some negative attention you definitely don’t want! Instead, opt for this sleek and stylish camera bag by Ona that fits all the essentials including camera, lenses and even a few personal items. The Bowery keeps all your gear safe with its closed cell foam padding that’s even water-resistant.

No-Jet-Lag Homeopathic Jet Lag Prevention Pills – prices vary ($4-$10)

There are few things worse than jetlag when traveling; it spoils everything! Stop the sluggish feeling before it starts with a simple homeopathic solution by No-Jet-Lag. No-Jet-Lag pills are effective, safe, clinically proven and easy to take. One tablet of No-Jet-Lag should be taken at the time of each take-off, another every two hours in flight, and another after each landing (including at intermediate stops). And the best news of all – it’s safe for travelers of all ages! Nip jet lag in the bud and enjoy your vacation without feeling like a zombie – guaranteed.

Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit for Moms – $16

Stocked with nearly everything a mom needs to fix those pesky last-minute mishaps, the Minimergency Kit for Moms comes packed with 17 portable essentials, including stain remover, hand cleaner, thermometer strip, mending kit and even a small deck of playing cards and mini crayons to keep the little ones occupied during long flights or road trips. The adorably stylish pouch by Pinch Provisions will prevent even the worst mommy meltdowns.

AViiQ Portable Charging Station – $60

Sure, travel is supposed to be about unplugging, but let’s be real – when your phone dies and you’re without a charger while in transit, your blood pressure goes through the roof, right?! Fret not, tech-savvy travelers. The AViiQ Portable Charging Station can power up 4 devices at once while minimizing annoying cable clutter. So say goodbye to dead batteries and hello to a plugged-in travel experience.

The post Summer Travel Made Easy appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

What comes to mind when you think of South Dakota? If you said fun in the sun and a plethora of educational adventures for the entire family, you’d be right on the money! South Dakota is one state that doesn’t disappoint: from the famous Mount Rushmore to the Badlands National Park, this beautiful northern state boasts a host of adventures and experiences for a lifetime for those families that are so inclined.

Here is a short list of some of South Dakota’s greatest treasures. Be sure that your family’s itinerary includes some of these remarkable – and historical – gems!

1.  Mount Rushmore

We’ve seen the four great faces of past American presidents both in our history books and on TV before. But why not visit the historical site and give your kids something to tell their friends and teachers once the school year begins again? That’s right: Mount Rushmore National Memorial (http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm) is waiting for your family to step up and make its own history by visiting this must-see icon of American history. Located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, this testament to American ingenuity took over 14 years to complete! Your child will definitely have stories to tell as Lincoln, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Washington inspire the American spirit upon those who grace the smooth granite hills! Activities for kids abound with junior ranger programs and dynamite simulations.

2.  Deadwood

A popular HBO series a few years back, Deadwood (http://www.deadwood.org) is most known for its Wild West days, with Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane of notable fame. Both infamous characters are buried in town (Mount Moriah Cemetery) and add colorful tales to the town’s history. Though other frontier towns of the Wild West might have died out, Deadwood has survived well into the present and has become a very lucrative tourist destination. Kids can relive the Old West days and mine for gold or talk with the costumed townsfolk while visiting the city. Also popular is the spectacular experience of a real-life rodeo!

3.  Ingalls Homestead

In case you weren’t aware, the popular literature series, Little House on the Prairie, took place in South Dakota! It was the very same love of living on the prairies of South Dakota that inspired Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the popular book series, to write about both the joys and challenges of growing up in De Smet, South Dakota. If you happen to visit the homestead while on vacation, your family can experience a bit of what it would have been like to live like Laura Ingalls Wilder! You can actually take a ride in a covered wagon on the prairie, as well as take a class in the very same 1880s Little Prairie School (http://www.ingallshomestead.com/).

4.  Custer State Park

The second-largest state park in the U.S., your family can still see herds of buffalo roaming free while visiting Custer State Park! Be sure to take part in the annual autumn buffalo roundup. Your family can watch cowboys round up herds of buffalo right in front of your very eyes! Also, there are scenic drives where buffalo and burro roam free. The outdoor chuck wagon supper will have your kids feeling like they’re truly back in the Old West, while active families can fish, hike, go horseback riding or take thrilling jeep tours (http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/)!

5.  Sight-seeing via Train

Climb aboard a vintage 19th-century steam train, known as the 1880 train, where your family will be immersed in the beauty and majesty of the Black Hills. The popular sight-seeing trip includes visits to the Holy Terror Mine, Old Baldy Mountain, the Indian Cliffs, and Harney Peak. There is even a trip dedicated to smaller children: “Day out with Thomas” will take you on a 25-minute trip that is led by Thomas the Tank Engine (http://www.1880train.com/)!

The post Five Family-Fun Adventures in South Dakota appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Staying active during summer vacation is one of the most important determining factors in whether your child establishes healthy living habits and develops general athleticism. Summertime presents a prime opportunity for young athletes to catch up to their teammates and even surpass competitors in fitness, strength and skill.

Parents have a number of options for helping their athletes make the most of summer training, and a popular choice is enlisting their child in sports camps. In fact, according to a recent survey by American Express, parents will spend more than $600 per child on summer activities like sports teams, pool memberships and camps.

Camps offer several benefits as they provide consistent activity and sport-specific guidance. For young athletes, camps are not only an introduction to group training, but are also a great way to get socially acclimated in organized sports. Unfortunately, camps often last just a few days, and cannot replace three months of consistent activity.

Parents can help their athlete by making exercise a routine over the summer. Even parents without a sports background can help their athlete. Timing an athlete, counting reps, completing drills and taking them on bike rides, trail runs or to a local swimming pool are ways to get your child active. Come preseason, the transition to regular practice will not be abrupt or a shock. Your athlete will begin his or her season in shape, which will lead to better confidence in play and reduced anxiety.

Coaches will also take note—just ask former NFL player and CoachUp coach Izaan Cross.

“For young players especially, conditioning always serves as a giveaway for the type of work that a player has put in during the offseason,” Cross said. “You can also tell if a player has stayed active or partaken in summer training camp by questioning their knowledge of the game. If they can answer questions that they would not have been able to answer the prior season, or they do not make the same mistakes that they made the prior season, they most likely continued their growth as an athlete during the offseason.” 

As for the perfect summer training blend, aim to be active every day with a few days off. Cross said that for a child ages 5-10 years old usually an hour of exercise a few days a week is sufficient.

“That can be at a camp or clinic, private coaching, cross training with friends, training individually or with a parent, general exercising,” Cross clarified. He also added, “film study, speed training, flexibility work, and weight room availability become vital for an athlete especially once you get in the upper teenage years.”

Potential star athletes often show high general athletic ability before learning the nuances of a sport; improving general fitness will make your child a contender for making top teams and starting positions down the road. Regardless of a child’s future career as an athlete, adopting a routine of exercise will help your child establish life-long healthy habits.

Pros of camps:

• They last just a few days or weeks.
• Your child can practice with nearby athletes he/she might see at practice or competition.
• Your child will be exposed to different coaching styles or training, especially for out of state camps
• Your child will meet athletes from other areas, improving their quality of training and potentially creating new friendships.

Cons of camps

• Your child is one of many and may not get individual attention.
• Your child could learn bad habits from other athletes.
• If your child gets sick or injured at the beginning of camp, the value of the camp diminishes.
• Routines and regimes are tailored for the group; your child’s specific needs may be overlooked or not addressed.
• Camps can be expensive.

The post Summer Training, Camps and Exercise appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.