How to Enjoy Road Trips with a Baby

May 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing travel tips on how to enjoy road trips with a baby.  While we are sure you will have a wonderful time, there will be stresses.   Especially, when your baby kicks up a fuss while you’re trying to navigate the highways and byways.  However, you trip doesn’t have to be entirely stressful or ruined.

 

road trips with a baby

 

 

 

Here’s a few tips on surviving road tips with a baby:

 

#1: Keep your baby supplies nearby

Don’t cram all of your luggage into the trunk of your car. When it comes to the items your baby needs, you are going to need them at hand.  Pack them into a large diaper bag that can accommodate most of your baby necessities.  For example, diapers, ready-made bottles of breast or formula milk, blankets, wipes, and toys. With everything you need in close proximity, you will quickly have what you need should your baby get bored, hungry, or both!

 

#2: Enlist a back seat passenger

Other than your baby, you might have a back seat passenger ready if you’re bringing other family members or friends along.  But, if it’s just you and your partner, you might want to tag team driving duties.  For example, one of you can sit in the back with your baby.  As a result, the back-seat passenger can take on the duties when crying or tantrums arise.  Additionally, this will ensure the driver isn’t overly distracted.  Duties can included feeding the baby to reading baby books or playing peek-a-boo.  Furthermore, the back seat passenger will be invaluable when it comes to keeping the baby quiet and entertained.

 

#3: Plan for breaks

Unless you want a smelly car, you will need to plan for breaks to give you the opportunity to change your baby’s diaper. You might want to change their clothes too if they have become sweaty or stained with food.  And, you all may need a little respite from the confines of your car.  Before you set off on your journey, download a rest stop locator app on your smartphone. This will be useful when planning where to take stops.

 

#4: Avoid the scenic route

We know road trips are often about taking those roads less-traveled.  But, when you have a baby to look after, you don’t want to run the risk of getting lost on your journey.  As we suggested, you will need a route that includes places to take a break, gas stations and food courts.  So, you might find traveling the highway is more practical than taking detours into the countryside.  Plan your route in advance; if you can find a scenic route with plenty of rest stops, then fine.  But if not, stick to the main roads for convivence sake.

 

Finally, traveling can be a fun when you learn how to enjoy road trips with a baby.  By following our tips, you should be able to minimize stress for both you and your baby.  Let us know what you think, and if you have any other useful tips for any road trippers this summer.  Please leave a comment below.

You may also like:  Family Travel Tips With Kids

 

Filed Under: Traveling With Children Tagged With: , ,

4 Ways to Keep Your Children Safe While on Vacation

October 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Keeping our children safe is always a top priority for parents. This is especially true when we are on vacation. Vacations expose families to different kinds of risks and dangers depending upon where they travel.   Our mode of transportation could include danger and risk as well as what we do once we arrive at our destination.    Today, I’m sharing ways to keep your children safe while on vacation.  Below are some essential safety and travel tips for different kinds of vacation locations and activities.

 

child safety

 

 

Tropical Vacations

When it is cold where you live, taking your family to a tropical getaway is a popular vacation idea. However, there are certain precautions you need to make for babies and small children.  Here are a few ways to keep your children:  

·         Preventing their sensitive skin from dangerous sunburn. Especially,  between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun rays are the strongest. You should also apply sunscreen often when they are exposed to the sun.

·         Because children don’t sweat as much as adults do, they can become dehydrated faster. Be sure to provide them with enough fluids on a regular basis/  And, watch for signs of dehydration such as fussiness, redness of the skin, and excessive crying.

·         Tropical climates are known for insects that bite and children tend to be magnets to them. Using insect repellents will help to protect them. However, you don’t want to cause them harm from the harsh chemicals found in many repellents. Read the labels before using any repellent and be sure to avoid ears, eyes, open cuts, and mouths.

 

 

child safety

Boating Trips

Many families are boat lovers and taking their children out on the water can be a thrilling adventure.  However, keeping them safe is something that requires some basic understanding of boating safety. Some ways to keep your children safe include:

·         Create and share your float plan with a family member or local marina staff.  Be sure to include where you are going and for how long.

·         Establish basic boating rules.  They should be required to follow them just like they do at home. For example, they should be told to keep their hands and feet inside the boat at all times.

·         Every member of your family should have access to and wear a properly-fitting and age-appropriate life jacket.

·         Be aware at all times of what is going on around you when on the water. This includes knowing where your children are and what they are doing.

·         Have good situational awareness by always paying attention to other boats in the area, the weather conditions, and the tides and currents.

·         Check the boating vessel before leaving the dock to verify that everything is in working order, especially safety equipment.

·         Know the responsibilities, rules, and safety precaution responsible boating operators need to learn and follow.

 

 

child safety

Camping Trips

Taking your family camping can be a great escape from life’s ordinarily hectic routine. There’s nothing like sleeping in tents under the stars and cooking your food over a campfire.  It helps families bond and get a release from the stresses of everyday life. Taking necessary precautions to keep everyone safe is imperative. Ways to keep your children safe include: 

·         Never leave children alone, especially small ones, near an open fire.

·         Minimize tick and mosquito bites by applying bug spray to your children’s clothing.  Always read the labels first.

·         Give each family member a whistle to use in case someone wanders off. This will help your children get back to you should they stray too far from your camping grounds and get lost.

When Travelling Internationally

Taking your children on vacation to another country can be an enjoyable and educational experience. But, it doesn’t come without risks. To make sure your memories are good ones, here’s a few more ways to keep your children safe:

·         Vaccinate your children against diseases for the country you plan to visit.

·         Before booking your trip, check the security and safety of your preferred destination. If there is unrest, change your plans.

·         Purchase world travel health insurance in case someone gets sick or injured while away.

Most importantly, do not take your eyes off your children. They are notorious for wandering away should something catch their eye. Hold their hands when in crowded areas. Another idea is to write your cell phone number on your child’s arm should the unthinkable happen and you lose them in a crowd.

Family vacations are wonderful times for sharing memorable experiences. There are too many horror stories we have all heard about where unplanned events or accidents happen.  What was supposed to be a fun time can turn into a nightmare if there wasn’t a list of ways to keep your children safe.   

Following necessary safety procedures and using common sense can go a long way to making family vacation memories beautiful experiences.  Ways to keep your children safe should always be a priority.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Safety, Travel, Traveling With Children Tagged With: , ,

Skiing With Kids: Make It a Positive Experience

February 10, 2018 by 1 Comment

Skiing can make a fantastic family holiday. However, it’s important to ensure that your children’s first trip to the slopes is a successful one.  Otherwise, you could accidentally put them off of skiing for life.  One of the most important things to remember is that skiing with kids will be a very different experience from an adult skiing trip. But,  it’s still magical in different ways.  If you are planning on taking your children skiing, below are a few travel tips:

 

 

skiing with kids tips

 

 


 

 

Be selective about your accommodation

One of the most vital factors is choosing the right accommodations.  Were you stay can make or break a trip when you have kids in tow.  Furthermore, it’s important to remember that when choosing the facilities and room requirements.  It’s also vital to select accommodations that’s as close to the slopes as possible.  For example, the Marriotts StreamSide Douglas at Vail has excellent accommodations. For the most part, skiing with kids can be trouble free.  However, most kids don’t like to walk far.  So, it makes sense to select a villa that is as close to the slopes as possible.

 

Practice beforehand

If your kids have never been skiing before, it pays to practice before the big trip.  If your have a local indoor slope, head to it.  It’s a perfect way to introduce them to the slopes and techniques beforehand. Preparing them on what to expect can ease any fears that they may have.  So, book a few lessons beforehand.

 

skiing with kids tips

 

 


Hire an instructor

While on your trip, it’s a good idea to hire a skiing instructor.  If you have family members who are at various levels, you can sign them up for different classes.  Additionally, you could split the instructors time. You can schedule individual lessons, some for the adults and some for the kids.  However, it’s often easier to hire one instructor for the duration of your trip and everyone learn together.

 

Don’t let them get too cold

One of the most important things about skiing with little ones is not to let them get too cold. Buying or renting all of the essential ski wear is essential.  However, it’s still possible for little ones to get really cold quite quickly. So, knowing how to keep your kids from getting cold is important.  Otherwise, they may not want to return to the slopes.  As a result, schedule regular breaks for having a cup of hot chocolate and warming up back at your lodge or in the Après bar.

Skiing with kids can be a lot of fun.  Snow holidays can make the best family trips. So, if you want to ensure that your family skiing trip is a success plan.  Make sure that your children’s first skiing experience is a positive and a fun one. Otherwise, it could end their desire to ever go skiing again for life.

 

Filed Under: Travel Tips, Traveling With Children

Family Travel Tips: Surviving Your First Trip with Kids

December 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Today, we have travel tips on traveling with kids.  If you are an experienced traveler, there’s no reason you shouldn’t continue traveling just because you have a family now.  However, many couples just stop traveling when their children arrive. They settle down and eliminate family vacations abroad until the kids are older and a little more self-sufficient.  So, lets get started so you can start planning your next vacation with your kids. 

 

 

 

family travel tips

 

Here are a few tips on traveling with kids:

 

Traveling with young children can be amazing. They look at the world with total wonder and explore without fear or prejudice. They’ve no idea about what they might find.  Furthermore, everything is new and exciting.  It can completely change the experience and the way you see the world.

So, having children should not stop you from getting out there and exploring the world. With careful planning and preparation, traveling can be even better once you’ve had kids.  The key is planning.

 

 

travel tips

 

Think About Passports Early

If you traveled with your own parents as a kid, you probably remember not needing a passport.  Or, being included on your mom or dad’s passport until you were 16.  Unfortunately, this option is no longer allowed.  All children now, even babies, most have their own passport.

Family travel tips should include Applying for your children’s passport. The process is like applying for a first adult passport. The exception is that you complete and sign the application for them.  Most importantly, it can take up to 3 months for an application to be processed.  So, start your child’s passport application as soon as you can.

 

Go Lightweight

At home, it’s relatively easy to use a large stroller. They fit in modern cars easily, and most people have no issue navigating their way around with them.  However, when you travel abroad they are really not convenient.  Think about the difficulty getting one on and off a plane or transporting it to the hotel or resort once you arrive.  A lightweight stroller or a baby carrier make an excellent alternative. Both would be ideal, as some tourist attractions and local sites may have no accessibility for a stroller.

You may also want to consider a lightweight travel high chair as you never know what will be available in local restaurants, hotels or resorts while you are away.

 

Pack Home Comforts

Many parents assume they need to pack lots of their kid’s toys to keep them entertained. This isn’t usually the case. Young children will play with whatever is available.  They don’t need their favorite toys to keep them amused; they’ll make the most of what they find.

However, a few comforts such as one of their favorite toys, blanket or a plush will help them settle and feel safe. This could make your life a lot easier.

 

traveling with kids

 

Sun Protection

Babies and young children have sensitive skin. They can burn much faster than adults and find themselves in a lot more pain when they do. Fortunately, there are some great ways to protect them. Sunglasses on an elastic strap, can help to protect their eyes.  Protective body covering with UV protection can help protect them in the ocean.  A wide-brimmed hat can help prevent both sunburn.  Of course, a high SPF sunscreen is always advisable.  This is good advice when it doesn’t feel that hot.

 

Packing Essentials

Most things you could need are available all over the world.  So, don’t worry if you forget something.  But, it is a good idea to take your children’s prescriptions or pain reliever, sunscreen, bath products, and any medications you and your children take regularly.

 

Keep in Touch

Your entire family will like to share in your child’s firsts. Take lots of photos, video chat with home and Send Postcards Online to show everyone what you are up to.

 

Eat Everything

The last concern for family travel tips is to consider food allergies.  If there are none, it’s a good idea to introduce them to as many different foods as you can. This can help to boost their immunity, help their digestion and give them a new experience. Many parents worry a lot about what their children will be able to eat. But, exposing them to different food early in life could ensure they’re not fussy eaters later on.

 

 

Filed Under: Travel, Traveling With Children Tagged With: , ,

Airport Tips for Parents Traveling With Children

June 25, 2017 by 11 Comments

Today, I’m sharing airport tips when you’re traveling with children.  Some of us will be traveling by car to our destinations, and some of us will be heading to the airport with children in toll.  As we all know, traveling can be stressful.  However, traveling with children raises stress to a new level.

Summer is here! We’re all looking forward to a nice long vacation.  But, we’re wondering how to get through the airport with children and keep your sanity?  We have other travel tips for parents that will make you a professional traveler in no time:

 

 

airport tips for parents

 

Check out our airport tips: 

 

  1. Discuss expectations with the kids – First, let the kids know that they are expected to follow directions, and they are to stay with a family member at all times.  Once you get to the airport, discuss airport and plane instructions as well.
  2. Arrive early – Second, you will need plenty of time to check bags and get through security  Furthermore, you will need time to get drinks and snacks if you didn’t bring them.  Allow your children time to relax with an electronics game or book.  They may also want to checkout the planes on the tarmac etc.
  3. Take Advantage of Designated Lines – Next, you should know that not all airports have designated lines.  So, check with the airport to determine if their is pre-boarding for small children.
  4. Know the Procedures for Children  – Children 12 and under are allowed to keep their shoes, jackets on etc. on while going through security.  Furthermore, they will not be separated from their parents.  If you have an infant, you must remove them the carrier and carry them onto the detector with you.
  5. Children 13 and older must follow adult procedures – Children 13 and older must follow the same procedures as adults.
  6. All backpacks and carry on bags must be screened –  This includes your child’s.  So, make sure you are not carrying liquids or other items prohibited by TSA.  Allow yourself enough time to get beverages once you get through airport security.
  7. Pull Ups will come in handy  – If you have a child 6 or younger, use them.  It’s better than having an accident in the airport or on the seat of the plane.  Having to change out of wet underpants is a task you don’t need.
  8. Carry a change of clothes for the kids – Having a change of clothing with you for small children is a good thing.
  9. Wear slip on shoes and socks – Wearing shoes that you can easily take off and put on will help alleviate your struggle to get through the airport.  Remember belts, jewelry and other items can cause the detector to go off.  Put some thought into your dress for departure and your return.
  10. Pack carefully – You will have to get bags through security and through the airport.  Lugging heavy bags can be stressful, but also physically dangerous when trying to keep up with kids.
  11. Purchase ID Bracelets – Place an ID bracelet on your children.  Furthermore, give them instructions on what they should do if they get separated.  First, they should immediately found another mom or someone wearing a uniform.  Second, tell an airport employee.  Let them know that the airport employees will have them paged.  Last, they can show their ID Bracelet for assistance.
  12. Take advantage of early boarding – Airlines will allow travelers with children to board early.  This is one of the most crucial airport tips for parents that we have.
  13. Be patience –  Additionally, another one of most recommended airport tips for parents is patience.  You will need it.
  14. Baggage Claim – Furthermore, you must remain vigilant in getting your children through the airport.  Your last stop will be baggage claim.  A rest room break would be good at this time too.  If you have two adults traveling, I would suggest one stay with the children and the other retrieve the bags off the carousal.   Furthermore, a  few bucks for a skycap or cart will be money well spent.
  15. TSA Pre-check Clearance – A pre-check clearance allows you to by-pass removing your shoes or taking out electronics.  As a result, you can focus on the children and take them through the detector with you.  To fully maximize your pre-clearance, apply for your clearance before you make your airline reservations.  Additionally, you can enter your clearance number into the system when you make your airline reservations.

 

Last, allowing sufficient time to get through the airport is essential.  Furthermore, becoming upset and grumpy will make the trip unpleasant for everyone.  Most importantly, children will be excited at one point and frightened at others.  So, it is your responsibility to get them through both.

Finally, we hope you found our airport tips for parents useful.  You may also like: 13 Tips for Parents Traveling with Children 

 

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13 Tips for Parents Traveling With Children

October 18, 2016 by 2 Comments

Any parent knows that traveling with young children isn’t the easiest thing to do.  At times, it can be outright challenging.  Especially, if you’re a single parent. But, most parents are known to be resourceful.  Which, is why we know they would love any travel tips or suggestions that would make traveling with children easier and much more fun!  Today, we have tips for parents traveling with children.  Let’s check them out!  

 

 

travel tips for parents

 

 

Here is a set of tips and tricks for all parents who wish to make the most of their globe-trotting experience with their children: 

 

 Don’t Forget the Medicine at Home

This is very important and something a lot of parents overlook. Do not forget the medicine! Bring medicine for pain, upset tummies, fevers, allergies, and any prescription medicines.

 

Book Transportation in Advance

When leaving on vacation with your child, it is important to think ahead. Transportation is so important.  Arrange a limo service from your home to the door of the airport terminal and back home. This eliminates parking the car and getting the children from the parking lot to the terminal. Also, don’t just rely on the fact that you will find a taxi when you get off the airplane!  Call the hotel to inquire about shuttles.  If you need to rent a car, make a reservation in advance.  Make sure the rental company has car seats and/or boosters if you’re not bringing yours.  Most importantly, most airlines will ship your car seats for free.  However, for a small weekly fee it may be more convenient to just rent.

 

Board Early

We know it can be hard to leave the house early when going on vacation with a small child.  However, you must give yourself sufficient time to arrive at the airport early.  This will allow time to allow the children and you to relax.  Additionally, most airlines will allow parents with children to board early. Boarding early will also release tension and stress. 

travel tips

 

Bring Toys and Electronics 

You will need to bring toys and electronics to occupy the children.  These are great while you’re waiting to board the plane, on the plane and occupying them at the hotel or resort.  You will need to bring chargers for the electronics.  As far as the toys, travel light. 

 

Don’t Be Afraid of Your Stroller

Some parents avoid bringing the stroller because it’s too heavy or too hard to carry around on vacations. However, we advise against that. A stroller can be a huge help, especially on vacations and in airports.  They’re great when you have to do a lot of walking. You also need to know that strollers don’t count as luggage.  So, they will ship for free. 

 

Do a Little Training Before You Leave

If your child is old enough to remember tasks, then it is wise to do a little training before you leave on your vacation. Explain to them what to expect and what is expected from them. Make it short, because we all know kids aren’t too good at paying attention for long periods of time.

 

Invest in a Child Tracker

The thought that you might lose your child is enough to make any parent break out in a cold sweat.  Get a child tracker. Research what other parents have used and recommended.  Most can be worn as a bracelet or attached to clothes. Pick the one you think is best for your kid!

 

Do Your Check In Online

Online check in has improved airports so much!  You can avoid lines by simply checking in online.  Procedures vary from airline to airline, so be sure to check your Carrier’s procedures.  Download any apps and make sure they are working properly before you head to the airport.  On-line check in allows you to breeze through the airport in no time.

 

Flight Attendants are Your Friends

Flight attendants are there to help you and you! As a parent traveling with a small child, you should take advantage of  as much as you can. We’re not saying that you should pester them with non-stop requests, but you shouldn’t feel guilty when you need something.  They’d be more than happy to help!

 

Research, Research, Research

Researching a hotel is one of the best things a traveler can do before booking a vacation. You need to know if a hotel offers babysitting and activities.  Also, ask if they have a crib, playpen or laundry service. Everything you need to have a great vacation!  Websites such as Hotels or TripAdvisor are awesome for finding out this type of information.

 

Noise Cancelling Headphones

A pair of good noise cancelling headphones can really make a difference when traveling with a young child. You can use them when your child is napping on the plane or train.  Make sure that you choose a pair that fits. 

 

Early to Bed, Early to Rise

When on vacation with a small child, it is very important that they go to bed early.  Making sure they are rested for the next day’s activities is important. Besides, if they go to bed early you get a little time to yourself. Unwinding, relaxing, and planning out the schedule for the next day.

 

Stay As Close the Attractions as Possible

When booking a hotel, do your best to choose a hotel that is as close as possible to the attractions. These hotels do tend to be pricier.  Also, you save a lot of time and you can be in and out of things such as museums, parks, and other sites that you can walk t

Finally, we hope that you find out tips for parents traveling with children beneficial.  You may also like:  How to Plan a Family Vacation.    

 

 

About the Author

Cristina Costea

Cristina is the Community Manager of BookSinglesHolidays.com, a themed travel website offering a vast collection of singles vacations & solo holidays. She is also a passionate traveler, cat aficionado and novice writer.

           

Filed Under: Travel, Traveling With Children Tagged With: , ,

Road Trip Printable Scavenger Hunt Game – Part 2

August 21, 2015 by
Our kid’s road trip scavenger hunt games series continues.  We have added to 2 additional printables to our travel tips.  Our scavenger hunts are bright and colorful just like the first scavenger hunt printables.  Children like to choose just like adults.  So, the more games the merrier.  If you have more than one child they may not be interested in searching for the same items. Who wants to hear over and over, I don’t want that one or I’m not going to be able to find those things.

road trip games

 

What’s the goal of the trip? Isn’t it to arrive at your destination safely, create great memories along the way and enjoy your time when you arrive. Why get into a struggle and ruin the memory while you’re trying to get there. Pouting, crying and unhappy kids can make the trip seem much longer than is really is.   Give each of them their choice of scavenger hunt printables, a snack, drink, and let the trip begin.

Searching for different items and trying to finish first makes the hunt exciting and challenging. Take their mind off of how long it’s taking to arrive at your destination by getting them focused on their surroundings. One of your greatest memories will be the kids searching for the items, the conversations you will engage in while hunting for them and the peace you will find by having happy children. Now that is priceless.

 

 

kid's gameskid's games

 

 

I suggest printing the games on stock card.  It makes the printable a little sturdier.  Stock paper is heavier than regular copy paper, and won’t tear as easily either.  Purchasing several clip boards so the kid’s will have something to hold their games.  They can place their pen or pencil on the clipboard as well.  Download Scavenger Hunt Games III and IV.

You may also like this game: Kid’s Road Trip Games I and II.

 

 

Filed Under: Kid's Printables, Travel, Traveling With Children Tagged With: , , , ,

Kid’s Road Trip Games: Scavenger Hunt

August 12, 2015 by
Family road trips can be exciting, but they can also lead to a barrage of are we there yet.  Or,  if you’re traveling with children fights, screaming, whining and moaning.  Kids will be kids, but it’s enough to drive you crazy at times.  I don’t know about your children, but anything over an hour seems to be more than my grandchildren can bear.  That is probably typical of most children to be honest. So, today I am sharing a few travel tips.  To make things interesting, I created a series of kid’s road trip scavenger hunt games.   My grandchildren play this game when there’s a road trip.  Trust me, it keeps them busy for a few hours.
kid's games

 

Playing games allows time to unplug and enjoy the beauty that God has surrounded us with.  Additionally, road trips are a great way for children to observe the country side and what’s happenings on the interstate and highway.   Observations can lead to questions and interesting conversations with the children.  Kid’s road trip games can be a great way to bond.  Most importantly, make the trip educational and also memorable for everyone.

For this particular road trip game, children will love looking out the window in search of items on the paper. We come across most of them during our trips.  And, we have so much fun trying to find the items. If we find all of them all before we reach our destination we have other games to play. My grandson love doing word search puzzles, hidden objects or we do another Scavenger Hunt in the series.  I don’t know who has the most fun me or the kids.

 

Here’s a few tips for the games:

  • Purchase a few clip boards and pencil or pens
  • Print out several copies of the games.  I like to print the games on stock card.  It’s heavier than regular copy paper and that makes it easier to use without tearing.
  • You can also have the games laminated for a few dollars at Office Max or Staples.

 

 


 

If you like our Scavenger Hunts please share and feel free to print for your use.  Place an X on each item that you find. Good Luck!

 

kids games

kid's games

 

 

Stay tuned for other printables in my Road Trip series.  You can download the road trip scavenger hunt games here.   You may also like: Kid’s Road Trip Games: Scavenger Hunt II .

Filed Under: Kid's Printables, Travel, Traveling With Children Tagged With: , ,

9 Virginia Beach Budget Activities

July 30, 2015 by

Today, I’m sharing a few travel tips on Virginia Beach budget activities.  First, as a single mother budgeting has become second nature to me. This year I will be spending a few days in Virginia Beach with my grandchildren instead of taking them to Myrtle Beach as we normally do.   So, before I leave for vacation I search for things to do to ensure we don’t get bored and the activities within my budget.  Unfortunately, many families think they can’t afford a vacation because they have to fund every activity for the entire week. Not true!  

 

Virginia Beach budget activities

There’s more to Virginia Beach than the Atlantic Ocean and miles of sand.  So, the key is to research free and budget friendly things for the family to do before you leave for vacation.  Furthermore, make a list of Virginia Beach activities and discuss them with your family. If it’s something they aren’t interested in, you still have time to do additional research before you arrive.  I searched the Hampton Roads area, which  includes Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Williamsburg and Hampton.  Trust me, there’s something for everybody.

 

Here’s 9 Virginia Beach Budget Activities:


1. Naval Station Norfolk –  You must see the world’s largest naval base. The base houses 75 ships and 134 aircraft  carriers, cruisers, destroyers, large amphibious ships, submarines, supply ships, airplanes and helicopters. In addition, the tour includes historic homes in the Jamestown, VA area.

 

 

 

 

2.  Beach Street USA Entertainment – Next, you can find laser and light shows to interactive adventures based on a theme or popular movies. You could be required to unravel a murder mystery, play other games or compete in contests. Also, they have nights where you dress up as characters from movies or watch a movie on the beach. Check out the site for activities of for day.

 

 

    photo from Virginia Legends 

 

 

3.  Virginia Beach Legend Walk – Additionally, free tours of Virginians who have made significant contributions to the country and/or world. Some of the inductee are Arthur Ashe, Patsy Cline, Katie Couric, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson to name a few.  Great way to get a family conversation going on the inductees.




Virginia Beach budget activities



4.  Virginia Beach Amusement Park – The Hurricane, Skycraper, Music Express and Comic Storm are a few rides that you will discover on the boardwalk. Great entertainment for the entire family, and the park offers all day wrist bands too.

 

 

 

Virginia Beach budget activities

                                                                                  photo from Mt. Trashmore

 

 

5.  Mt. Trashmore Park –  Also, a 165 acre park that has 11 picnic shelters of various sizes, 2 volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, playgrounds, a skate park, restrooms, outdoor fitness stations, concessions and fishing awaits you.  Also, if you have a driver’s license or other photo ID you can check out badminton equipment, a football, frisbee, horseshoes, volleyball and net, wheelchairs and more.  So, it’s a great way to spend the day away from the beach and enjoy free activities along with a picnic.

 

 

 

 

        
photo from Jungle Golf 

 



6.  Jungle Golf  – So, if you love miniature golf check out this 18 hole golf course with an air conditioned snack bar.

 

 

Virginia Beach budget activities

                                                                                                Photo from Ocean Breeze Water Park


 

7.   Ocean Breeze Water Park  –  Fortunately, the park has over 30 rides, slides, and attractions.  Additionally, it is located approximately 10 minutes from the Virginia Beach ocean front. Parking, sunscreen and inner tubes are free. Trams are also available to help you breeze your way into the park.  Be sure to put this on your list.

 

 

 

Virginia Beach fireworks

 


8.  Firework Display –  The firework displays are awesome.  The fact they are ocean front makes it even better. So, be sure to check the schedule for dates and times for the firework displays.

 

 

Virginia Beach Hunt Club




9.  Hunt Club Farm – Last, Virginia Beach has plenty of ocean and sand. But, it also has a Petting Zoo and Pony Rides at Hunt Club Farm. They have chickens that are friendly enough to pickup, llamas, goats, peacocks, turkeys and many other animals.  They also offer pony rides, a playground area and shaded tables to enjoy a snack. The farm also sells homemade jams, jellies, soaps, candles and more.  So, be sure to grab a few souvenirs while you’re there.

 

Finally, the fireworks displays are truly spectacular over the ocean.  Be sure to add this to your Virginia Beach activities.  Additionally, my grandchildren love the petting zoo and pony rides at Hunt Club Farm. The Ocean Breeze Water Park is  a great way to spend the day too.  Adults and kids can enjoy Beach Street USA entertainment.  Most importantly, you can find something for everyone on my Virginia Beach activities list without breaking the bank.

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