Many thanks to Amy Williams for another terrific article for the Whole Hearted Parenting Blog!
By Amy Williams
As the
school year comes to a close, families are beginning to make their summer
plans. According to Statisticbrain.com, 45 percent of
Americans head off for a vacation during summertime and almost 20 percent of
those trips will be destined for Florida.
While
Orlando is an especially popular retreat for families, resorts and parks like
Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Studios can be overwhelming with the summer
crowds of tourists. Disney might be many children’s dream vacation, but it’s
best to schedule a trip during off-season…and not the busy (and hot!) summer
months!
Kids and
their families can discover exciting adventures this summer without getting
caught in major tourist traps…and fighting through the crowds and long ride
lines. If you’re still looking for the perfect family destination, check out
these kid-friendly hotspots:
Holiday World (Santa Claus, Indiana)
Holiday
World is the ideal family theme park; offering rides that range from
extreme to toddler-friendly. Each area of the park—and the accompanying
attractions--is themed for a different holiday, including Christmas, Halloween,
Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Kids can ride in giant turkeys, soar in an
eagle, and take a ride on the Mayflower (it’s a giant swinging boat)! Parents
will love the variety of attractions and the free sunscreen, soft drinks,
Wi-Fi…and parking!
Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin Dells,
Wisconsin)
Marketing
itself as “The Waterpark Capital of the World, The Dells features both indoor and outdoor parks
and a whole lot of family fun. While the Dells might be known for its water
parks, the area also hosts multiple amusement parks, museums (including the
Mid-Continent Railway Museum), and skiing. Parents can head out to enjoy
wineries and breweries.
Grand Canyon National Park (Grand Canyon,
Arizona)
Childhood
isn’t complete without visiting the Grand Canyon.
Go on a trek down the canyon, white water raft or just take in the view. There
are many options for lodging, and families may also camp…just make sure to make
reservations in advance!
Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park, Calif.)
Roller
coasters, water rides and…Peanuts! The characters hanging around Knott’s Berry Farm come straight out of the imagination
of Charles Schulz. Kids can snap a picture with Snoopy and Charlie Brown and
other favorite characters. While you’re enjoying the park, don’t forget to
check out the jams and preserves…it is, after all, Knott’s Berry Farm.
Road Trip!
Pack your bags
and hit the road. Map out a route with fun destinations along the way. Make
stops at fun roadside attractions, grab a bite at local restaurants or pay a
visit to national landmarks. Get together as a family and talk about the sites
you plan to visit and where the family will camp or stay. Or
surprise kids with a top secret trip! It’s all about the destination!
There are so many places to visit this summer.
Research the areas of the country your family wants to see and begin planning
your trip now. Make sure to set a budget, so you don’t get overwhelmed with the
costs. If a certain destination seems out of your price point, research similar
areas or shop around for discount tickets and deals. You will find your
family’s ideal summer vacation…Bon Voyage!
Amy Williams is a free-lance journalist based in Southern California and mother of two. As a parent, she enjoys spreading the word on positive parenting techniques in the digital age and raising awareness on issues like cyberbullying and online safety.
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