Keukenhof for Kids

On a visit to Amsterdam, I packed up my husband and kids and sent them into the city while I took a bus out to the famous open air gardens of Keukenhof. Then I spent the next three hours wishing I had brought them with me.  Hidden around every corner was something else for kids to climb over, run through, or play on. Keukenhof is a giant playground for kids!

Here are just a few of my favorite things for kids to do at Keukenhof:

1. Explore a windmill

 

2. Dance in front of the old organ

3. Take a boat ride around the gardens
(about 45 minutes. €8 adults/€4 children/under 3 free)

 

4. Solve the hedge maze

 

5. Eat "poffertjes" at the Small Pancake Pavilion

 

6.  Play in the Miffy playground

 
 

7. Criss-cross the many bridges over the canals

 

 
 

8. Play chess on the giant chess board

9. Walk among the sheep in the petting zoo

 

10. Try on a giant wooden shoe (you know you want to!)

 



 

 

IF YOU GO:
Keukenhof is open March 20-May 18, 2014
Hours: 8:00-19:30, ticket office closes at 18:00

€15 adults/ €7.50 kids 4-11

Plan 3-4 hours, more for older children

Bring jackets, a camera, and a blanket to sit on. Have fun!

Free Museum Day

This Saturday, September 28th marks the ninth annual Museum Day Live! Over 1400 museums, botanical gardens and cultural institutions across the country will offer free admission to mark the occasion. The free museum day is sponsored by Smithsonian Magazine. Although admission is free, tickets are required and there is a limit of two free admissions per household.

Click to download free tickets or find a museum near you.

Delta Offers Smart Travel Pack for Holiday Travel

 

Delta is offering a new travel benefit to frequent fliers for the holiday season. The benefit, called the Smart Travel Pack, is an affordable way for families to acces some of Delta's enhanced travel products.

The Smart Travel Pack costs just $199 and includes one free first checked bag, priority boarding, access to preferred seats,and discounted Economy Comfort – for up to eight people in the same reservation. In addition, the member who purchased the product will receive 20% bonus miles. The travel pack can be used on an unlimited number of reservations for travel through Januaty 5, 2014. You can use the Travel Pack on existing reservations as long as the member's SkyMiles number is included on the reservation. If you have a large family, the baggage allowance alone makes the Smart Travel Pack a good deal.

"We've made it simple for customers to add the most popular travel extras that give them added comfort and convenience," said Tim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president – Marketing. "Our new Smart Travel Pack is a great way for SkyMiles members and their companions to enjoy the additional services while making the most of their budgets."

For more information or to purchase the Smart Travel Pack go to delta.com/smart.

Panama Bingo For Kids

I recently packed up the whole family for a repositioning cruise from Panama to Puerto Rico. Here is the Panama Bingo I created for them. You will see most of these things by visiting Panama City, The Miraflores Locks, and the Summit Botanical Gardens and Zoo.

Row 1: Howler Mokey, Miraflores Locks, Tree Frog, Panama Flag
Row 2: Delta Plane, Panama Hat, "Diablo Rojo" Bus, Cruise Ship
Row 3: Harpy Eagle (National Bird of Panama), LDS temple, Sloth, Palm Tree
Row 4: Toucan, Stop Sign, Holiday Inn Hotel, Panama Canal (Gaillard Cut)

Kid-Friendly Airport Dining your Wallet Will Love

Finding airport dining options suitable for children can be a challenge.  Quite often I settle for the familiar standby (McDonald’s) or whatever the closest restaurant happens to be.  I thought I would give some tips for kid-friendly airport dining at the airport I know best-Salt Lake International.

As Delta’s largest western hub, chances are that sooner or later you will find yourself at the Salt Lake International Airport with kids in tow, looking for a bite to eat.  Even those families familiar with the airport are in for a new airport dining experience.  SLC has recently undergone a total overhaul of its restaurants and shops, so you have a host of new places where you can nosh. Here are my Top 5 airport dining options that your kids and your wallet will love.

1.       Café Rio: Offers FREE cheese quesadillas for kids with adult purchase. Serves great fresh Mex that parents will love (I recommend the shredded chicken salad).  I also love airport dining choices like this that support locally-owned businesses. Located between concourses C and D.

2.       UFood Grill: Ask for their grilled cheese-they cook up a full size sandwich for just $2. It’s not on the menu, so you have to ask for it. Try their un-fries which are baked, not fried, with no salt added. Yum!  Everything here is baked or grilled and they can customize many of their items. Located in the C and E concourses.

3.       McDonald’s: OK, I know, I know. But their ice cream sundae is only $1.49 and comes in hot fudge, caramel , or strawberry.  That’ll soothe even the most savage of beasts! Grab a vanilla cone for even less. Located between concourses C and D.

4.       Greek Souvlaki: Try their loukoumades (think honeyed donut holes). Kids love them and they are easy to dish out to a crowd.  A package of ten costs $4.59. They also have a spaghetti kids meal along with the standard corn dog and chicken nugget options. Located between concourses C and D.

5.       Wendy’s: Like most other airport fast food dining places, they don’t offer a value menu. Still, you can get a large chili for just $2.19 or a baked potato for $1.39, which is a lot cheaper than most other airport dining menus. Located at the end of the B concourse.

If you are looking for gluten-free options, your airport dining choices are limited. If you just want to grab a quick snack, look for the gluten-free muffins at the French Meadow Bakery located in the B concourse or the Glutino gluten free bagel chips sold at the Fresh Market on the Go in the A concourse.

If you’d like a more grown up airport dining experience, don’t assume that your kids will disappointed with their choices.  Always ask if kid menus are available. One of my favorite SLC airport dining spots is Squatter’s Pub. They don’t advertise their kids menu, but they have one, with half a dozen choices under $5.

SLC is still working to add more airport dining options from national chains like Pei Wei to local favorites such as Market Street Grill. These should be complete by 2013. Look for an updated guide to SLC airport dining when construction is complete.

San Diego's Kidvasion!

San Diego is preparing for a "kidvasion" next month. During the entire month of October, kids eat, stay and play for free throughout San Diego. This includes the biggie destinations like SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and the San Diego Zoo. Here's a quick summary of the deals and age requirements.

SeaWorld: Children ages 3-9 are free with an adult paying full price ($78). You must enter the number of free children when purchasing the adult ticket online. Kids free also applies to Dine with Shamu, dolphin and beluga interaction programs with paid adult.
http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/Book-Online/Tickets/SoCal-Resident/Single-Park

LEGOLAND: One free child ages 3-12  free with each paying adult ($89), Oct 1-Oct 29. LEGOLAND is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You must purchase tickets online. http://LEGOLAND.com/KidsGoFree.

San Diego Zoo/San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Children ages 3-11 are free with adult paying full price ($42). No limit on the amount of children (as long as they can be reasonably supervised).
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kidsfree/index.html

Plus, bring your kids to dozens of other "kids free" activities like the USS Midway Museum, the Birch Aquarium, and harbor cruises. Check out the link below for a full list of activities, plus a list of restaurants and hotels where kids can stay and eat free.
San Diego Kidvasion

For a list of always free, always fun activities in San Diego, click here.

Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt

Here is the scavenger hunt I created for our trip to Amsterdam.  You'll find most of these things on a good walk from the museum district to the Anne Frank House or Central Station.  It's pretty basic, but it helped keep them interested in their surroundings.

A few notes:

#3 Magere Brug: This is a draw bridge that is raised approx. every 20 minutes.  It is a bit out of the way, so if you aren't going as far as the museum district, skip it.

#6 Gables: There are six basic gable types: point, bell, funnel or spout, step, neck, and cornice.  I shamelessly hand copied the illustrations from Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges and Belgium guidebook. You can also find great photos of these gables at http://www.liezel.8m.com/oman/Text/oseas/amsterdam.html

Amsterdam Scavenger Hunt

Bonus: Can you count how many bridges you go over?

1. How do you say “house” in Dutch?

2. Taste a stroopwafel. What do you think?

I didn't like it    I liked it       Can I have another one right now?

3. Find the Magere Brug (crosses the Amstel @ Kerkstraat, Eastern Canal Ring). How do you think it works?

4. Listen for the bells of the Westerkerk. Anne Frank could hear these bells from her hiding place and it reminded her of the outside world.

5. Take a picture in front of the skinniest house in Amsterdam (166 Singel).

6. Find one of these gables:

7. Write something you learned at the Anne Frank House.

8. Find a food stand that sells "frites." What do the Dutch like to eat on their frites?

9. List all the types of transportation you took on this trip: