Kid's Stuff-5
Beach
Klub for Kids
Families looking for a beachfront vacation resort that offers
something for everyone need look no further than the Naples Beach
(FL) Hotel and Golf Club, which has created a new "Beach
Klub 4 Kids" that's not only loaded with plenty of fun and
educational activities – it's free for all guests ages 5-12.
Besides organized games, craft activities and hands-on nature
studies, all supervised by trained professionals, kids receive
free treats, snacks and admission to Jungle Larry's Caribbean
Gardens. For more information call 800-237-7600 or visit www.NaplesBeachHotel.com.
It's a
kids world in Kissimmee
Walt Disney World® attractions are famous. However, there
are also many other things to intrigue kids in the Kissimmee, Florida, area. Gatorland offers thousands of alligators
and snakes, an opportunity to learn about the real Florida. Green
Meadows Petting Farm has 200 farm animals, and offers pony and
hayrides. Kids can even milk cows. Jungleland houses more animals,
birds and reptiles. Water Mania features lots of water fun. Everyone
can enjoy fantasies at Arabian Nights (a musical tour), Medieval
Times (jousting matches and sword fights) and Wild Bill's Wild
West (cowboys and Indians). For reunion planning assistance call
800-831-1844, ext 416.
Kids are
special reunion guests in many places
Families whose reunions are at Sunrise Resort in Moodus, Connecticut,
seem content as some have 30-year reunion histories there. Cindy
Lespier started coming to Sunrise as a child and now hosts the
Pastor Family Reunion there. The Brown Sisters Reunion alternated
between home areas in Connecticut and Maryland until the latter
group decided they'd just come back to Sunrise! Finally, the Moller
Family Reunion of over 20 years regularly meets on Father's Day.
Sunrise offers
three single-spaced pages of kids and family activities that begin
to explain why so many families don't look elsewhere. Activities
for the littlest ones (3 to 7 years old) include a mini resort,
Mad Hatter's Ball, Halloween (in July and August) and Christmas
(in July). For eight- to twelve-year olds there are lots of contests
(rubber ducky, golf, fishing), canoe trips, mountain bike tours
and a treasure hunt. Many of these same activities plus much more
are available to the 13- to 17-year olds (war canoe races, Halloween
fright night, spa party, candle light swim, DJ parties). They
also have a mentoring program where teens help with four to seven
year olds. These in addition to lots of family activities (eg:
nature hikes, morning wake-up parade, breakfast paddle to a beach
to eat).
Sunrise's
special accommodations for reunions include a private dining room
whenever possible, a private place for evening activities, and
special events planned just for your family. They will also make
custom reservation forms for you to send to family members.
Camp Cookie
perfect for reunion kids!
Doubletree Hotels and Suites in Texas welcomes family reunions
to Austin, Dallas and Houston. Guest suites, where available,
afford the amenity of having a full kitchen and the freedom to
prepare your own meals, eat out, or both. One- and two-bedroom
suites are available at Doubletree Guest Suites, Houston (713-961-9000)
and Club Hotel by Doubletree, Austin (512-478-7000). The Houston
location is close to many attractions, particularly Astroworld,
one of the Six Flags theme parks. Babysitting is available at
Austin and Doubletree Hotel at Lincoln Center, Dallas (972-934-8400)
has a special kids focus (12 and under) with Camp Cookie, which
includes souvenir t-shirts and hats, a children's swimming pool
and menus and free shuttles to a nearby skating rink and cinemas.
See list of other Texas Doubletree Hotels in Reunion Resources.
Official
Oregon kids travel guide available
The Oregon Tourism Commission has issued The Official Oregon Kids
Travel Guide. The guide, a first of its kind in the US, addresses
interests and concerns of younger travelers.
There are fun things to do and see. The guide is broken into five
categories: try it! see it! do it! taste it! and live it! It showcases
travel suggestions from real Oregon kids, including a sled dog
racer from Bend, a snowboarder from Mount Hood, a lion dancer
from Portland, a kayaker from Medford, a cowboy from Ontario,
a jingle dress dancer from Siletz, and a published author from
Eugene. It also offers attraction-sponsored activity pages and
information about beach safety, tide pool etiquette and the Leave
No Trace program. The guide is free from 800-547-7842 or www.traveloregon.com.
Curious kids
Factory tours and company museums make great day trips, rainy day activities and stop-overs during long car rides. They're the stuff of childhood memories. Parents and kids alike, then, will welcome husband-and-wife authors Bruce Brumber and Karen Axelrod's recently released Watch It Made in the U.S.A.: A Visitor's Guide to the Companies That Make Your Favorite Products ($17.95, John Muir Publications, Santa Fe NM). The book is available at bookstores or by calling 617-734-1979.
source: MetroParent
Science
centers offer big fun and lots of learning
Science centers can be found in or near almost every US city.
Many offer interactive exhibits where visitors don't just look,
they do. The newest ones put you into the exhibit itself. Here's
a sample of what's out there.
North
Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, North Carolina
With more than a million specimens of present and ancient life,
this museum houses the world's only fully restored skeleton of
the predator Acrocanthosaurus ("the terror of the south"),
as well as the first dinosaur ever found with a fossilized heart
and four whale skeletons.
Creative
Discovery Museum
Chattanooga, Tennessee
This museum offers a series of changing exhibits for children.
Recent and current exhibits include dioramas focusing on Creatures
of Habitat, Getting Into Shapes and Tinkering With Technology.
Liberty
Science Center
Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey
"Science equals fun" is a central idea at this museum.
Its signature exhibit is a 41 1/2-foot, 700-pound geodesic sphere
that unfolds to 18 feet, then shrinks back.
Oregon
Museum of Science and Industry
Portland, Oregon
Children, with chaperons, enjoy overnight "Camp-ins,"
an idea that has taken hold in a number of science museums. Guests
take a simulated deep-sea dive in a submersible sphere or tour
a Navy sub.
Flandrau
Science Center and Planetarium
Tucson, Arizona
Flandrau features a first-class collection of rocks and minerals
and a spectacular multimedia sky show that combines high-tech
entertainment and learning.
Discovery
Park
Safford, Arizona
A gem of a science center, mostly outdoors, that showcases all
that is beautiful about the nature and science of southern Arizona.
Its 123 acres contain an unusual variety of desert environments.
Also, a space shuttle takes small groups on a simulated journey
through the solar system.
Exploration
Place
Wichita, Kansas
Unusual experiences that combine learning and recreation. In the "CyberDome" the audience controls virtual journeys to
Mars, inside the human body and into Earth. In another theater,
dodge incoming asteroids.
Milwaukee
Public Museum Butterfly Wing
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This is an enchanting exhibit of at least 300 butterflies from
around the world, hatching, then fluttering and eating for their
five to seven day existence. Wear bright colors, stand still,
and these delicate creatures will land on you. Caution: when leaving,
check to prevent hitchhikers!
To find the
nearest science center near you, try these web sites: www.astc.org/sciencecenters/find_scicenter.htm;
www.ips-planetarium.org.
source:
Parade Magazine
Are we there yet?
Isn’t that the classic question of kids on a road trip? We found some of these ideas from Sharon Miller Cindrich in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Try classic car games like I-Spy, 20 Questions and license plate bingo. Visit momsminivan.com.
- Sing-alongs in rounds like “Row, row, row your boat.” Lyrics to camp songs at scoutsongs.com.
- Check out new books from the library. Read to kids or ask kids to read out loud.
- Assign navigation jobs: gather maps, tourist brochures and books from the library. Assign jobs like map-reader, sign-spotter or travel journalist or photographer.
Unique kid experiences
These are some unique experiences to be found on a Florida reunion – many unique to the Sunshine State. If you dare to be different, try these.
Pre-teen or teen animal lovers can be zookeeper for a day at Miami’s Metrozoo. Children under 18 can prepare animal meals, feed the animals and even help out with shows and talk like real zookeepers. Visit www.miamimetrozoo.com.
Astronaut training experience at Kennedy Space Center includes an orientation and mission briefing by a member of the US astronaut corps. For the “mission,” each crew member is assigned a specific role in the full-scale shuttle mock-up or realistically outfitted mission control room. Visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com.
Wannado City at Sawgrass Mills Mall near Fort Lauderdale calls itself the first interactive empowerment environment. Wannado City lets kids (ages four to 11) role-play in up to 250 careers like TV anchor, lawyer, doctor, firefighter, banker and police officer. Visit www.wannadocity.com.
Factory ToursFactory tours
rank high on summertime leisure activity lists. Visit Factory Tours USA (www.factorytoursusa.com) or go to your favorite product’s company website and search for tours.
Ben and Jerry's
Waterbury VT; 866-258-6877; www.benjerry.com. Reservations recommended for groups of 10 or more. And most importantly, samples are available.
Binney & Smith Crayola
Easton, Pennsylvania, 610-250-8000; www.crayola.com. The manufacturing facility is not open to the public. Simulators demonstrate the process. Kids can play with modeling clay, draw on walls, and try out the latest Crayola. And you receive the crayon color du jour.
Boeing
Everett, Washington, 800-464-1476; www.boeing.com. Where the 747, 767 and 777 airplanes are made and on display. Visitors see planes in testing and development. Reservations can be made.
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan, 800-835-5237; www.hfmgv.org/rouge. A bus takes you through a narrated drive of famous landmarks and the manufacturing complex and a walking tour through the assembly plant where Ford F-150s are made.
Gibson Guitar Factory
Memphis, Tennessee, 901-205 2526; www.gibsonmemphis.com. Visitors watch guitars go through neck-fitting, buffing, tuning, binding and painting, by hand. Les Paul, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, B.B. King and Eric Clapton all have signature models. Visitors must be at least 12 years old.
Harley-Davidson Company
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 877-883-1450; www.harley-davidson.com. Tours also at Kansas City, Missouri, and York, Pennsylvania. Visitors 18 and over must present a valid photo ID.
Jelly Belly Candy Factory
Fairfield, California, 800-953-5592; www.jellybelly.com. Makes 150 varieties of Jelly Beans. The freshest sweets at the sampling bar or try a jellybean-shaped pizza.
Louisville Slugger Museum
Louisville, Kentucky, 877-7SLUGGER; www.sluggermuseum.org. The baseball bat of choice since 1884. Features include a batting cage, theater and ballfield. To watch bat production, tour before 3 PM.
US Department of Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Washington, DC, 866-874-2330 and Western Currency facility in Fort Worth, Texas, 866-865-1194; www.moneyfactory.com. Watch currency being made. Tickets required at DC facility, March through August.
More Ideas for kids
- Clean out toys, games and clothes kids have outgrown, and take them to your reunion to exchange. Or have a rummage sale to earn money for the reunion.
- Make up comedy routines or skits before or during the reunion to perform at the talent show.
- Imitate relatives and let others guess who you are.
- During the day, lay on the grass and discuss the meaning of the clouds.
- At night, lay on the grass and look for constellations.
- Do double-dutch jump rope.
- Tie-dye t-shirts.
- How about a video game tournament for those whose passion lies in the game arcade?
- Have a dance or tea party.
- Play flashlight tag.
Rainy day activities for kids
It’s raining, it’s pouring, but your kids won’t find the day boring with a little costume fun to pass the rainy day away. Don’t turn on TV, turn on imaginations by having kids dress like their favorite movie characters. Pirate, Superman and other blockbuster movie costumes spark the imagination.
Be in the movies! Throw a blue sheet up on the wall, pull on the Superman costume, get out the camcorder and make your own Superman Movie. Use fun accessories like bendable bars and breakable chains to give your movie more action.
Fill an old trunk or suitcase with buried treasure, then hide it. Dress kids up in pirate costumes, hand them a map to the dead man’s chest and watch them hunt for the prize. Visit anniescostumes.com/rainydaycostumefun.htm.
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