With summer fast approaching, I teamed up with more than 80 other bloggers to share fun and family-friendly activities in a variety of cities across the country as part of an annual “Year of the Staycation” campaign. Take a look below and please click through to read up on some great things to do and places to go near you.

Mid Atlantic

NW (or all), Connecticut :: Parenting Miracles
Boston (or all), Massachusetts :: Maven of Savin
Central, New Jersey :: Our Good LIfe
Adirondak Mountains and Central, New York :: For This Season
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York :: Ann’s Entitled Life
Syracuse, New York :: I am THAT lady
Erie, Pennsylvania :: Growing Kids Ministry
Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania :: Family Balance Sheet
Hershey, Pennsylvania :: Good Deal Mama
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :: Beyond the Cover
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania :: The Coupon “High”
Poconos, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains
Scranton, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains

Midwest

Des Moines, Iowa :: Make the best of everything
Aurora, Illinois :: A Savings WOW!
Central, Illinois :: The Homeschool Scientist
Chicago, Illinois :: Chicagoland Homeschool Network
Naperville, Illinois :: The Sensible Mom
Schaumburg, Illinois :: Ravings By Rae
Fort Wayne, Indiana :: Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana (Metro Area) :: In Good Cents
Muncie, Indiana (Central IN) :: the daisyhead
Northern Indiana :: So Dough Savvy
Kansas City Area :: Kansas City Mamas
Metro Detroit, Michigan :: Saving Dollars and Sense
Grand Rapids, Michigan :: Give Me Neither
Oakland County, Michigan :: Bargain Shopper Mom
Minneapolis, Minnesota :: Creative Couponing
Rural Minnesota (either Southern our Lake Country) :: Mommysavers.com
St. Cloud, Minnesota :: Frugal Finders
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas :: Kosher on a Budget
Springfield, Missouri :: Getting Freedom
Cincinnati, Ohio :: Family Friendly Cincinnati
Columbus, Ohio :: Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio :: Savings Lifestyle: Dayton
Mansfield, Ohio :: The Traveling Praters
NE Ohio :: Raising Lifelong Learners
Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland) :: Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Black Hills, South Dakota :: Little House Living
South Dakota :: Moms Mustard Seeds
Oshkosh, Wisconsin :: Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom

Mountain

Phoenix, Arizona :: Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona :: Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona :: Desert Chica Ramblings
Colorado Springs, Colorado :: The Greenbacks Gal
Denver, Colorado :: Bargain Blessings
Helena, Montana :: The WiC Project
Omaha, Nebraska :: Mom Endeavors
Reno, Nevada – Lake Tahoe (Northern Nevada) :: Saving in Nevada

Pacific

Fresno, California (Central Valley) :: NerdFamily Blog
Los Angeles, California :: Savings.com
San Diego, California :: Good Cheap Eats
San Diego, California :: Life as MOM
Portland, Oregon :: Frugal Living NW
Seattle, Washington :: Thrifty NW Mom

South Atlantic

Arkansas :: Discovering Arkansas
Washington, DC :: Kidventurous
Clearwater Beach, Florida :: Bargain Briana
Jacksonville, Florida :: Saving The Family Money
Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers area) :: Chaos Is Bliss
St. Augustine, Florida :: Simply St. Augustine
Tallahassee, Florida :: SwagGrabber
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: Hodgepodge
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: The Couponing Couple
Annapolis, Maryland :: The Happy Housewife
Hagerstown, Maryland :: Cheryl Pitt
Asheville, North Carolina :: Paradise Praises
Charlotte, North Carolina :: from our front porch lookin’ in…
Raleigh/Southeastern, North Carolina :: Upside Down Homeschooling
Upstate South Carolina :: The Tween & Me
Charlottesville, Virginia :: How to Have it All
Richmond, Virginia :: Teachers of Good Things
Smithfield, Virginia :: Walking in High Cotton
Virginia Beach, Virginia :: The Coupon Challenge

South Central

Coastal Alabama :: Meet Penny
Huntsville, Alabama :: The Traveling Praters
Northern Kentucky :: Simply Sherryl
Chattanooga, Tennessee :: Living Chic on the Cheap
East Tennessee (Smoky Mountains, Knoxville) :: Finding Joy on the Journey
Nashville, Tennessee :: Montessori Tidbits
Arlington, Texas :: Grocery Shop For FREE
Austin, Texas (Hill Country) :: Ponder the Path
College Station, Texas :: How to Homeschool My Child
Dallas, Texas :: Surviving The Stores
East Dallas, Texas :: Funky Faith Girl
Fort Worth, Texas :: Coupons & Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas :: MomsToolbox
Houston, Texas :: MyLitter
Katy, Texas :: Moms Confession
McAllen, Texas (Rio Grande Valley) :: iLoveMy5Kids
San Antonio, Texas :: Melissa’s Bargains

Giant Panda at the National Zoo

It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly here. My kids have just a few weeks left of school and summer vacation is definitely on our minds. We’re headed to Ireland in July, but we’re also excited to spend more time seeing the sights in Washington, DC, which is just 30 minutes from our home.

We’re lucky to live so close to our Nation’s Capital, not only because the city has so much to offer in terms of history and politics, but there are so many family-friendly activities in the city, many of which are free. Check out 10 of my favorite things to do here in DC, which are perfect for any vacation or staycation.

1. Take a Ride into Space. If your kids like planes, satellites and planets, then the National Air and Space Museum is the place to go. It’s also one of the most popular museums in the city, so expect crowds and try to get there early or late (hours are 10-5:30 daily, extended hours in the summer). Take a tour, watch an IMAX movie or climb aboard a flight simulator. If you have time, head out to the museum’s annex, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, VA to see space shuttle Discovery.

2. Visit Lincoln’s Summer Home. Head north from the White House to President Lincoln’s Cottage to see where Lincoln was living when he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. Take a basic guided tour, or sign up for specialty tours, like the Emancipation Tour and the Running for Re-election Tour, for an even deeper look at the man who ended slavery in the United States.

3. Hike on Theodore Roosevelt Island. Pack a picnic lunch and plan to spend two hours at Theodore Roosevelt Island walking along several gentle nature trails and a boardwalk before hiking down the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Stop to take in the 17-foot-tall memorial to our 26^th President that stands amongst the trees. The park is a lovely respite beneath the city’s tall buildings.

4. Take the Oath of Office. Presidential hopefuls can visit George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, just a half-hour drive outside the city to place their hand on a replica of the bible America’s first president used to take his oath of office (once you lift your hand, the crowd cheers). National Treasure: Book of Secrets fans, look out for the one-hour behind-the-scenes walking tour.

5. Ogle Over the Hope Diamond. Your kids will love the huge elephant in the rotunda as you enter the National Museum of Natural History, as well as all the amazing exhibits on everything from mammals and dinosaurs to the Ice Age and the earth and the moon. You, of course, will love the world-famous Hope Diamond in the gems and minerals exhibit. Stop by on Tuesdays to visit the Butterfly Pavilion for free.

6. Say Hello to the Giant Pandas. One of the only zoos in the country that is completely free, your kids will love meeting the animals and even going on scavenger hunts using printable sheets from the National Zoo website. Download the National Zoo app for a GPS-enabled interactive map of the zoo, self-guided tours, live animal cams and schedules of animal demonstrations.

7. Solve Crimes (Sort of). At the Crime Museum, your kids will solve riddles, decode ciphers and learn about state-of-the-art techniques used by law enforcement to match criminals to crimes through evidence found at the scene. Among the most popular attractions are a high-speed chase simulator, an FBI shooting range and the America’s Most Wanted television studio.

8. See How Our Laws are Made. Head to the U.S. Capitol for a look at how our laws are made. Take the public tour, which lasts just over an hour, including a 13-minute video. If you can, contact your Congressman or Senator ahead of time to reserve tickets and skip the line. When Congress is in session, stop by your representative’s office to say hello and ask for free gallery passes to watch proceedings.

9. Take a Trolley Tour. Take a 90-minute hop-on, hop-off trolley tour around Washington, DC with Old Town Trolley Tours. The driver’s are very knowledgeable, and it’s a nice way to take a break and learn about the history and landmarks of the city. It’s easy to purchase your tickets through Viator, which features hand-picked tours and attractions for just about every city you’d want to visit.

10. Be a Kid Again. Only open a few months, the National Children’s Museum is a fantastic place to take small children. Located just outside Washington, DC on the banks of the Potomac River, the museum has a lot to offer little ones, including cultural exhibits that will transport them to far away destinations and an Our Town area, which allows kids to dress up like firefighters or become chefs at a pizzeria.

Have you been to Washington, DC with your kids? What are some of your favorite things to do with kids? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: Mr. J. Martin

The National Family Play Date was created to complement the Active Family Project, a new health and wellness initiative from Merck Consumer Care that was set up to empower moms to enjoy active and healthy lifestyles with their families. I am pleased to be part of this project, serving as a family travel expert on the Active Family Project Play Council.

Over the coming months, I will be sharing tips, advice and fun activities to help moms (and dads) make the most of their time spent together as a family. Today, take a look at these 15 easy ways to get active and grow as a family to mark the National Family Play Date.

1. Take a Nature Hike. Grab your backpacks and hike a park trail with a waterfall or lake. Caves and hollowed out trees are also fun to check out on hikes. Use TrailLink to find trails for hiking and biking.

2. Become a Junior Park Ranger. Most of our national parks, monuments and historic sites offer a Junior Ranger program, enabling kids to learn about these sites while completing a series of educational and observational activities. Upon completion, children receive an official badge or patch from a ranger.

3. Have a Picnic. Pack a picnic lunch and head out for a day in the park. Have a fun, exploratory hike on your way to the picnic area, and bring along a Frisbee and a badminton set to get active as a family.

4. Perfect Your Bird Calls. Grab the kids and your binoculars and notebook to prepare for a day of birding. Some parks offer special birdwatching walks, and others offer resources with photos and descriptions of birds to be found in their parks. Learn some bird songs to increase your enjoyment of native birds.

5. Get Your Passport Stamped. Through the Passport to Your National Parks program, your kids can get their passport books stamped at national parks across the country. Each stamp records the date of the visit and the name of the national park for your child.

6. Create a Butterfly Garden. Children love digging in the dirt and planting flowers, so go ahead and plant a butterfly garden sure to attract these fluttering insects. Choose a sunny location, then add some flat stones and a small butterfly pond. Colorful, blooming flowers are optimal.

7. Rent Bikes and Explore. Many cities have bikeshare programs that enable you to pick up and return bikes to various spots within a city, so you and your kids can explore at your leisure. Also, look out for guided bike tours in cities as well as national parks.

8. Go on a Scavenger Hunt. For a fun way to explore a new city with kids, try a scavenger hunt. Watson Adventures coordinates a variety of themed scavenger hunts in cities across the country. Stray Boots recently launched mobile apps with scavenger hunt-like trivia challenges for more than a dozen cities.

9. Pick Up Trash in Our Parks. Let’s keep our national parks beautiful. Go out as a family and if you see an empty bottle or a candy bar wrapper in the parks, pick it up and throw it away or recycle it if you can. Celebrate your efforts with a picnic.

10. Feed the Ducks. Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures, like feeding ducks, that make for the best days. Just bring a few bread slices and relax as your kids gently approach ducks, toss in the bread and make a few duck quacks as they try to communicate with these feathered friends.

11. Plan a Day of Free Family Fun. Plan a “free day” and only do activities that are free, like parks, outdoor concerts and riding bikes. Do a quick Google search for “free things to do” and the name of your city or the city you plan to visit. You’ll be surprised at how many fun free events and attractions are retrieved.

12. Take in a Family Art Program at Your Local Art Museum. These days, art museums offer so much more than self-guided tours. Look for family-friendly art programs, like hands-on workshops, story hours and scavenger hunts, as well as family gallery tours to help kids discover different works of art.

13. Visit a Nature Center. There’s much to learn about animals and nature at your local nature center. Speak with an interpretive naturalist to find out more about wildlife programs and environmental education, as well as local hiking and fishing opportunities.

14. Try Out Different Playgrounds. Go ahead, try out a new playground. By now, your kids are probably well aware of all the swings and equipment at the two or three playgrounds near your house. So, pack a picnic lunch and try out a few new playgrounds to the delight of your kids.

15. Take an Alphabet Photo Tour. Grab a camera for each child and go on an Alphabet Photo Tour. Start with the letter A and have your children take pictures of things they see that start with that letter, like an apple tree or an ambulance. Print out the pictures to make alphabet memory books.

What are you planning to do for the National Family Play Date? Let me know in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: I am a compensated member of the Active Family Project Play Council. However, the views and opinions expressed here are my own.

Photo Credit: red9hagar

Tingo: Sure, we all book hotel rooms ahead of time to make sure we get a room at our hotel of choice, but how many go back to re-check the room rates before checking in? Probably very few. That’s where Tingo comes in. Book your hotel room on Tingo, and if the price drops, they automatically re-book your same reservation for you for free. Does it get any better than that?

Room77: I was introduced to Room77 a few months ago and have quickly become a big fan. Simply search for a hotel room, and Room77 will share with you room rates at hotel booking sites across the web, including Orbitz, Expedia and Hotels.com. You can see in a flash which site has the best price, and sometimes Room77 has availability when other sites show certain hotels as sold out.

BackBid: This site is still relatively new but the concept is that you enter an existing hotel reservation and travel preferences, then wait for the magic to happen. Area hotels can see who is coming to their destinations and offer enticements, like discounts, upgraded rooms or free breakfast, to encourage travelers to abandon current reservations and book with them instead.

Do you have any favorite websites or mobile apps you use to book hotel rooms? Let me know in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: AvidTraveler123

Not only does PreferredFamily.com focus on family-friendly properties with pools and kids clubs, but these properties are Preferred Family Certified, which means that these luxury independent hotels go above and beyond to offer the best experiences for families. Many of these hotels and resorts offer playgrounds, children’s dining options, swimming lessons, even cooking lessons. The site also lets you search and filter your preferences by the ages of your children (e.g., 0-2, 3-4, 5-8, etc.) to find properties tailored to their age-specific needs and interests.

Take a look at just a few of the highlights of the Preferred Family travel planning website that make it easy for moms, like me, to plan and coordinate fun family vacations in a snap:

Family Travel Planner 

It’s never easy to quickly find out whether a hotel or resort offers babysitting services, has a kids club and/or will let you bring your pet with you. Usually I find that I must place a phone call to the front desk of my desired hotel before I know for sure whether there are amenities to meet my needs.

Fortunately, the Family Travel Planner on the Preferred Family website makes it easy to quickly search top family-friendly hotels and resorts with kids clubs, water sports and/or beach access, for example. I searched for properties with all three of these amenities and was pleased with the selection of properties that turned up, including Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys (we recently stayed there and had a fantastic time) and The Cloister at Sea Island in Georgia.

The Family Travel Planner also has a “Take a Chance” feature. Check that box and results will appear that have been tagged with a certain style or amenity, such as “Tranquil” or “Spa.” I liked browsing the properties, and especially looking at the pictures, to see if any might be a good fit for a future family vacation.

Special Offers 

We all like getting great deals on family vacations, right? Look to the Special Offers section for exclusive offers and family rates at top family hotels and resorts around the world.  For example, at select Preferred Family properties, guests can receive a second room for half-price. For those with big families, this is a really great deal since you just can’t fit six in a hotel room (at least not comfortably!).

At some resorts, Preferred Family even offers “Kids Play Free” golf packages, which means a free round of golf for one child when playing with an adult. What a fun way to spend the afternoon together with your child (assuming golf doesn’t frustrate you the way it frustrates me!). They also offer special rates when you book with your MasterCard (book four nights, get one free) or Visa (get 20-50% off rates plus complimentary breakfast).

Three Days In… 

The Three Days In… section is one of my favorite areas of the Preferred Family website. I recently took two of my daughters to Key West, Florida and this compilation of great places to explore, tour and eat couldn’t have been more helpful, particularly since a lot of the suggestions, like the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, as well as the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, are both educational and fun.

This summer, we’re headed to Ireland and France, so you know I’ve already pinned Three Days In…Paris and Three Days in…Dublin. When you don’t have a lot of time, or when you’re looking for just the must-do activities, these are great family itineraries. Each of the itineraries also highlights family-friendly hotels to consider for each destination, which is incredibly helpful when you know where you want to go but aren’t quite sure where to stay.

More than 230 hotels are a part of the Preferred Hotels group, including beautiful properties situated on the beach, in the mountains and amongst the hustle and bustle of some of the most popular cities around the world. Be sure to check out the properties on the Preferred Family website, and also peruse some of the blog posts from Family Blogs, like mine, for more scoop on what to do on your travels.

So, do you want the chance to win a $100 VISA gift card just for checking out PreferredFamily.com? Go have a look and let me know your favorite Preferred Family hotel and why it’s your favorite. They’re all over the world, so it may be tough to choose! Just enter below by Friday, May 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this review. However, the views and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Photo Credit: Myrtle Beach Golf (boy golfing), David Dearman (Paris)

Dinosaur World

Still thinking about where to travel this summer for your family vacation? Orbitz recently released their 2013 Summer Travel Forecast, which revealed that, among other things, more than 75% of us are planning a summer vacation. The survey also uncovered the hot spots, both domestic and international, where you can get the most for your money. Take a look:

Tampa, FL
Head to Adventure Island for a day of wave pools, waterfalls and corkscrew slides, or go to Busch Gardens for animal shows and safari experiences. Spend the day at the Museum of Science and Industry to enjoy more than 450 hands-on activities, as well as exhibits like Disasterville, where you can brave extreme weather conditions and The Amazing You to learn more about the human body.

Orlando, FL
Of course, there’s all that Walt Disney World has to offer in Orlando, but don’t forget about nearby attractions like Dinosaur World and the Orlando Science Center with current exhibits like Adventures with Clifford, the Big Red Dog and NatureWorks, a reptile-focused experience. Meanwhile, Kennedy Space Center is an hour away, and discounted Orlando tickets are available online.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Head to Butterfly World for summer vacation to walk among butterflies, or check out the popular “bug museum,” which highlights some of the world’s most incredible creatures. A stop at the Museum of Discovery and Science is a must, and do check out the EcoDiscovery Center, which offers more hands-on explorations. Or, simply kick back on a 90-minute land and sea Duck Tour.

Las Vegas, NV
Sure, Las Vegas can be toasty over the summer, but it can also be fairly inexpensive. Plus, there’s so much there that kids will love, like the Botanical Cactus Garden, Las Vegas Natural History Museum and the Shark Reef Aquarium. As a bonus, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum and the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum are both free to Bank of America cardholders through the Museums on Us program.

Denver, CO
Head to the Denver Botanic Gardens for a variety of children’s programs that allow kids to explore the gardens while gaining a greater appreciation of nature. Or, take in the nearby Butterfly Pavilion or Denver Children’s Museum for even more family-focused activities during summer vacation. There’s lots to do outside too, from the Elitch Gardens Theme Park to the 42 state parks and loads of hiking trails.

The 2013 Summer Travel Forecast also found San Juan (Puerto Rico), Vancouver, Cancun, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and Rome to be the international destinations where you can get the most value for what you spend.

Where are you going this summer? Let me know in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link. However, the views and opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Huber

I’ll save my favorite Disney books for another day, but for now, here are my top five family travel books that are pretty popular among Amazon shoppers as well (all are in the top 100 family travel books).

100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life
I posted a book review last month, and it’s still one of my favorites. I loved not only the different places the author recommends, but also the tips on how to most enjoy them. With regard to Paris, the author writes “don’t overdo the sightseeing.” Instead, he suggests taking in just one cultural activity each day.

Awesome Adventures at the Smithsonian
Living in the DC area, I was naturally drawn to this book. We have so many fabulous (and free) museums here filled with fascinating, kid-friendly exhibits. The book features engaging maps, photos, puzzles and games. Kids will even find pages for journal entries to document their museum adventures.

500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up
This is a perennial favorite of mine. Every month or so, I pull this Frommer’s book off my nightstand and start flipping through the pages to see where we should go next. It’s full of museums, castles, caves, historic sites and national parks that are worth visiting with your kids. You’ll also find tips, hotel recommendations and the closest airport to each place.

Travel with Children: Your Complete Resource
I have this Lonely Planet book as well and have found it to be very useful, not just in helping to decide where to go (the book showcases only the most family-friendly destinations) but also in terms of what to do, where to stay and how to stay healthy, safe and happy along the way.

500 Places to See Before They Disappear
Here’s another great book from Frommer’s that will inspire travelers of all ages. It’s filled with rare cultural, historic and natural places that must be seen before they are gone forever. A few of these treasures include Kathmandu in Nepal and Pompey’s Pillar in Montana.

Do have a favorite travel or guide book that you like to review from time to time? Let me know in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. However, the views and opinions expressed in this blog post are fair and unbiased.

Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom

I’ve taken my kids to Walt Disney World just twice so far, and I’m sure many of you have been to Walt Disney World many, many times. However, I bet there are some Disney secrets that will catch you by surprise. Take a look at the eight Disney secrets about the Magic Kingdom that I dug up from across the web. 

1. You Can Sleep in Cinderella’s Castle. Yes, in fact, my friend Andrea at Savings Lifestyle did just that two years ago when she won an overnight stay in the Castle Suite during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Originally meant to serve as an apartment for Walt Disney and his family, the suite is now reserved for charities and events, and of course, Suri Cruise.

2. There is an Extensive Underground Tunnel System. Have you ever seen two Mickeys walking around at Magic Kingdom? Or, have you spotted any of the princesses in Tomorrowland? Nope. That’s because there’s a vast tunnel system under the entire park, so cast members can get where they need to go without ruining the magic. Even better, you can tour these tunnels as part of Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour. I love Disney secrets and can’t wait to go on this tour myself.

Tinker Bell’s Fairy Treasures

3. You Can Wake Up Tinker Bell at Her Store. Head to Tinker Bell’s Fairy Treasures when the park opens. The lucky guest who’s the first to make the request to wake up Tinker Bell will be able to ring a special bell to see her flutter around the store then appear in a window behind the primary cash register.

4. You Won’t Need to Walk More Than 30 Feet to Find a Trash Can. So the story goes, Walt Disney himself went to other theme parks to evaluate how long a guest would hold onto a piece of trash before dropping it on the ground. He came up with 30 steps and so now you won’t need to walk more than 30 feet before finding a trash can on the property.

First Visit Button

5. First-Timers Get Free Buttons. First trip to Walt Disney World? Then, head to the Guest Relations office and let them know to receive a free button to wear proclaiming your first-time status. You can also get free buttons if you’re celebrating a birthday or an anniversary.

6. Your Best View of the Fireworks is on the Tomorrowland Terrace. While most guests will clamor for Main Street to watch the fireworks show, grab some seats on the Tomorrowland Terrace. You’ll be one of only a handful of guests, Tinker Bell will fly right over your heads and you’ll have a fantastic view of the fireworks display.

Liberty Tree Tavern

7. You Can Get the Recipes for Favorite Meals. If you ate something that you really liked at Liberty Tree Tavern or Main Street Bakery, just ask a cast member who will gladly share the recipe with you. You can also find official Walt Disney World recipes at various websites, including AllEars.net, which includes recipes from the resorts, parks and the cruise line. Yummy Disney secrets are the best.

8. Sweet-Smelling Air is Pumped into the Parks. Courtesy of Disney’s Air Smellitizer, sweet, delicious scents of cooking food and tasty treats are pumped into Main Street, USA at Magic Kingdom. You’ll also find water and leather scents over at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. These smells help create the perfect Disney atmosphere. No wonder it smells so good in the Disney parks.

Do you have any Disney secrets to share? Let me know in the comments section below, and don’t forget to pick up some fantastic Walt Disney World guide books and discounted Disney park tickets, too.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. However, the views and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Photo credits: Andrea Deckard (Castle Suite), Chip & Company (Disney Button), DisWhiz.com (Tinker Bell’s Fairy Treasures), Military Disney Tips Blog (Liberty Tree Tavern)

Map Coasters

In the age of smartphones and in-car GPS devices, who really uses maps anymore? Of course, I have some maps tucked away in a closet and in the glove box of my car, but I haven’t actually opened them and used them to get me from Point A to Point B.

Before you grab the maps and head for the recycling bin, here are seven kid-friendly crafts that you can make. These are simple and easy ways to preserve your fun family vacation memories.

Map Coasters: Grab a map, some round cork coasters, a foam paintbrush and some glue sealant, and in a few minutes you’ll have a full set of map coasters. Subway maps work great for coasters, too.

Wrapping Paper

Wrapping Paper: Taking a road trip? Along the way, pick up fun souvenirs, then wrap them in the maps you would have used along the way.

Shadow Boxes: Remove the back of a shadow box frame. Cut the map from a place you just visited to fit and glue it in. Then, add in souvenirs, like postcards, currency and attraction tickets.

Holiday Ornament: Grab a Styrofoam ball and an old map and get ready to decoupage yourself a holiday ornament. It’s a fun way to recall your vacation memories year-after-year.

Embroidery Hoop Frames

Scrapbooking Pages: If you like to scrapbook, then use a map for a pretty background page in your album. Glue photos, brochures, even menus, on top of the pages.

Embroidery Hoop Frames: Frame a map in an embroidery hoop. These are super-easy to make and make great decorations for hanging or setting on shelves.

Wooden Blocks: If you have little ones, you probably have a set of wooden blocks laying around. So, take a map and cut out new squares to cover the sides of the blocks for a whole new look.

Have you ever made a craft from a map? Let me know what you made. I’d love to hear more ideas.

Photo Credits: MarthaStewart.com (map coasters), Green Living Ideas (wrapping paper), Travelpology (embroidery frames)

1. It Wakes Me Up in the Morning. I don’t even bother with relying on hotel alarm clocks or wake-up calls. The alarm on my iPhone is all I need to make sure I get up and where I need to be on time.

2. It Helps Me Fuel Up My Car. When I’m low on gas and not sure which way to go to fill up, the GasBuddy app hooks me up, helping me to find nearby stations and the cheapest gas in my area.

3. It Gets Me My Coffee. Well, it can’t bring me a cup of coffee, but the free Starbucks app can find and map the closest Starbucks, even give me turn-by-turn voice directions. Thank you.

4. It Tells Me Where My Plane is Now. Not only does the FlightView Free app track the status of my flight, but it can also tell me about my aircraft’s previous flight, so I’ll know before most everyone else (for better or worse) whether our flight will be delayed.

5. It Finds Cheap Family Meals. When traveling with kids in tow, it’s key to be able to find family-style restaurants and “kids eat free” deals. Fortunately, the Kids Meal Deals app can find both, and even give us driving directions.

6. It Also Finds Really Good Places to Eat. Thanks to the TripAdvisor app, I can find restaurants that received very good reviews. We relied upon TripAdvisor extensively last year when we went to Puerto Rico and were not let down by the dining recommendations.

7. And It Finds Restrooms. No one likes to hear the dreaded “I have to go to the bathroom” coming from the back of the minivan. Fortunately, the SitOrSquat app comes to the rescue, easily locating the closest and best public restrooms near you.

8. It Gets Me Where I Need to Be. I used to be a diehard fan of the MapQuest app, but something changed on my recent trip to the Florida Keys and I re-discovered the Maps app that’s built into the phone. It easily figures out where I am and gets me on my way much better than MapQuest.

9. It Keeps Me from Digging for Change to Feed the Meter. Thanks to the Parkmobile app, it no longer matters whether I have change in my purse to feed the meter. Just a few taps on the app and the meter is fed. It even sends me text alerts when the meter is running low.

10. It Helps Me Find Last-Minute Hotel Rooms. If you didn’t book ahead or your hotel room wasn’t up to par, look to the Hotel Tonight app after 12 pm each day for deep discounts on local hotel rooms.

11. It Converts Currency. In some countries, it’s easy to convert currency in my head, but in others it’s not quite so easy. Fortunately, the XE Currency app can do it quickly and at real-time conversion rates.

12. It Lets Me Take Pictures. Sure, everyone knows you can take pictures with the iPhone, but it honestly is a dream to be able to press a button or two and have your shot. Do you know how many shots I’ve missed because the camera was still in the bag?

13. It Sends Postcards of Places I’ve Visited. No need to stop in gift shops for postcards. Thanks to several postcard apps, like Postagram and Postcards on the Run, I can create postcards from snapshots that my kids or I have taken along the way

14. It Helps Me Plan My Daily Tourist Activities. When I just don’t have time to book tours and attraction tickets, the Viator Tours & Activities app comes to my aid. It’s easy to find and book tours and activities near me, even map them so I can arrive on time.

15. It Finds Itself When It’s Lost. And when I’ve misplaced my iPhone and am no longer able to do any of the above, the Find My iPhone app comes to my rescue, helping me to re-locate my iPhone quickly.

What does your iPhone do for you? Let me know in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: nemuneko.jc