Amy Hagstrom - Pitstops for Kids

Travel Gear We Use: Best first aid kits for family travel

June 23, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Several years ago, I became certified as a wilderness EMT and decided to create my own first aid kit for family travel. I created the ultimate kit: I left nothing out, and when I was done, there was no medical emergency I was not prepared for. The only trouble: my kit was the size of a pillowcase and had cost me almost $60 to put together.

I’m often asked how to make a homemade first aid kit, but what I tell people now is: don’t. There are a number of excellent portable first aid kits for family travel on the market that are more affordable. Here are the best first aid kits we use.

Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight/Watertight Kit:

Depending on the size you select (we opt for the 1-4 people for 1-4 days size), the Ultralight/Watertight kit weighs in at under 12 ounces, and is slim and compact to boot. This is our #1 pick for outdoor travel, such as backpacking, camping, and boating. Inside the main pouch, you get two waterproof pouches with inventory lists on the side (they’re also see-through). Included is everything you need for at least a long weekend in the woods (with the exception of very few items…see below). At the top of the ‘thank goodness they thought of this’ list is: antihistamine, moleskin, duct tape, lots of bandages, after-bite itch relief. You get very few bells and whistles with this kit–no fancy organizational pockets or handles–but the best medical kit is the one you actually have with you when you need it. Pick the Adventure Medical Kits UltraLight & Watertight up on Amazon for only $26: you can’t make it for less.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Day Tripper:

Yep, another kit from Adventure Medical Kits. Why? Because of the extra touches: their kits are extremely well-organized, and come with either see-through lining or clearly marked categories, so you can find things fast. Also, all Adventure Medical Kits can be restocked at refillyourkit.com. No more half-empty first aid kits lying around! The Day Tripper is the perfect size for a family’s general use while traveling. Yes, you can get a bigger kit, but be careful: will you really drag it around with you? The Day Tripper weighs under a pound, and fits easily in any day pack for any sort of travel day. It serves 1-5 people. Unlike the Ultralight, it contains smaller pockets and sleeves within the kit to help you stay organized. You get everything you get in the Ultralight, plus an ace bandage and paperback medical book to use as a guide. Pick up the Adventure Medical Kits Day Tripper on Amazon for only $27.

Adventure Medical Kits Medical Kit .5:

Want to go very small and light? Don’t shy away from a medical kit designed for one person. The .5 isn’t big enough for our whole family while camping and backpacking, but it is perfect for day trips and air travel trips when space is tight. In it, you get enough bandages, tape, and gauze for several days of use, plus the same standard medications, like ibuprofen, aspirin, and antihistamine that’s in other kits. There are even a few towelettes and packs of antibiotic ointment. Best of all, this kit is only $17.

What to add to your kit:

If you’ll be in the wilderness, add the following:

extra trauma bandages
snakebite kit ($3-5 at your local outdoors store)
extra antihistamine (my son recently got stung by 23 bees at once, while 5 miles from the car)
extra moleskin
a blister kit, such as BlisterMedic

If you’ll be traveling abroad:

extra of all medications (in case they’re hard to find)
hand sanitizer
vitamins to prevent sickness, such as Vitamin C, or Cold-Eeze, which will shorten most colds

Find more Travel Gear We Use!

Top family-friendly resort towns in the U.S.

June 19, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

The United States is a hugely diverse country with hundreds of thousands of unique locations spread out across a wide space. Choosing an American vacation destination is difficult in any situation, but especially so with a family in tow. With every additional trip taker comes another person’s enjoyment and happiness to consider. Selecting where to travel will require, to some extent, successfully finding a place where everyone can have a great time

Top family-friendly resort towns:

While it’s true you can only please everyone some of the time, some people every time, but never everyone all the time, there are American vacation destinations which are more likely to keep everyone happier than others. Here are the most family-friendly destinations in the US and some basic tips on planning a trip there:

Palm Springs, California

Once the resort town where Hollywood A-listers went to escape the pressures of Tinseltown, Palm Springs now caters to a more middle class demographic without skimping on the luxuries provided to the likes of Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra. Not to mention the addition of numerous family-friendly experiences including hiking trails, water park, record-breaking aerial tramway, and hot air balloon rides.

However, the signature experience for families staying in Palm Springs is booking several days in one of the city’s iconic resort options. Those choosing a Palm Springs family resort can easily find one with amenities and activities for just about any age group. Whether it’s laying by the pool, swinging golf clubs, or learning to pilot drones, the daytime fun culminates with pristine accommodations overlooking said pool or the surrounding beauty of California.

Breckenridge, Colorado

While Aspen will always be the iconic American ski resort destination in terms of premium luxury, Breckenridge, Colorado exists as an accessible alternative for working families. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is the ideal ski resort town for families interested in snow-based adventure, time spent in a spa on the outer deck, and all the other trappings of the idyllic alpine experience.

In addition to these signature elements of a cold climate resort, Breckenridge offers a variety of things to do in the warmer months. These include zip lining, fly fishing, historical walking tours, escape the room, and much more.

Branson, Missouri

Bart Simpson once quoted his father Homer as saying Branson, Missouri is what Las Vegas would be like “if it were run by Ned Flanders.” For readers unfamiliar with the animated series wondering what the joke is, Ned Flanders is the very wholesome, very Christian, and very family-friendly neighbor to the Simpsons. While poking fun at the sentimental and old-timey atmosphere of the Ozark resort town, it’s an accurate description which in no way knocks this iconic American family vacation destination.

In addition to watching performers presumed to have retired decades ago, Branson offers a number of exciting, unique, and ultimately unforgettable experiences for the whole family. These include the amusements and thrills of Silver Dollar City, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors.

Orlando, Florida

Where do we begin? 50 years ago, Orlando was little more than a swampy, sleepy town for retirees looking to get away from it all after a lifetime of hard work. Then Walt Disney showed up and decided to build the most famous family friendly resort destination in the entire world. The rest, as they say, is history.

Yet there’s more to do in Orlando besides visiting Minnie and Mickey, though a family can easily spend an entire week on Walt Disney World grounds and never get bored. Additional Orlando-based attractions include Universal Studios Florida, Gatorland, Medieval Times, and the Kennedy Space Center.

From coast to coast, the United States is in no short supply of family-friendly vacation destinations. If the challenge revolves around finding a place to please everyone under one roof, resort towns are the way to go. Among them, the aforementioned are proven to be the best.

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Aerial adventure in St. Louis: Go Ape-St. Louis

June 9, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Driving through beautiful Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park in St. Louis, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled across an Ewok village. Actually, it’s Go Ape-St. Louis, an aerial obstacle course with ziplines.

The Go Ape experience

Our treetop adventure began with check-in at the red barn, where the attendant holds keys, wallets, and phones behind the counter for safe keeping. Before we headed out, a guide took us through safety training. Participants are responsible for securing themselves to the lines at every point during the adventure. That sounded intimidating to me, but the training was straightforward and thorough.

We started with a ground-level mockup of the safety systems used throughout the course, including the instructional signage posted at every crossing. Once the guide had checked our comprehension, we walked to the first station. It is low to the ground; for those who are unsure if they’re going to be able to handle the experience, this serves as a test site. If, after going through this first station, you don’t want to proceed, Go Ape offers a refund.

None of us quit, though. We went through one at a time so the guide could ensure we knew what we were doing. Then we were released to explore the course at our own pace.

Think of Go Ape as an aerial obstacle course. Each site begins with a rope ladder and ends with a zipline, but in between, we navigated bridges, swinging platforms, hanging rings, and more. (You do get a rest between—there are platforms between every component). As our guide said, what makes this fun is having to earn the zipline rides.

Obstacles are rated from easy to extreme, and any time there’s an “extreme,” there’s also an easier option. We took all the “extreme” paths, and I found it more physically demanding than I had anticipated. But I never felt in danger or even particularly aware of the height, because at all times, I was tethered to a safety line. I knew if I lost my balance, I’d only fall a foot or two at most. In fact, most of the time you can choose to take the easy way out and glide from one tree to the next, using the safety harness. But where’s the fun in that?

The single exception to the “short fall” is Go Ape’s central attraction: the Tarzan swing, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a long arc across open space that ends in a net you have to climb to achieve the platform on the far side. There are actually two, and the first is a warmup for the second. That second is a doozy, but if you chicken out at the last moment, there’s a bypass. (I’m proud to say I made the jump. Although my 12-year-old showed me up by doing it twice.)

Video of the Tarzan swing:

Note age limits: Although some Go Ape locations have a course for younger kids, St. Louis does not—yet, at least. Here, it is open to ages 10 and up. One adult (18+) must be in the treetops for every two children ages 10-15. 16-17 year olds don’t need a chaperone on site, but they will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Ground Level at Go Ape:

If your family is like mine, your spouse and most of your kids wouldn’t touch an aerial obstacle course with a ten-foot pole. Never fear. Adjacent to the red barn is a spray park and a really nice playground. And if the family wants walk along at ground level and watch their more adventurous counterparts, they can do that, too. You’ll also find employees roaming the course to offer support and suggestions to those in the treetops.

The rope ladders at the start of each site are enclosed within a locked fence; you have to have a code to enter. Inside, Go Ape provides water and paper cups as well as educational signage about conservation, endangered species and information about the trees and undergrowth surrounding you.

Making a day of it:

A treetop adventure lasts 2-3 hours. But because Go Ape partners with state and local parks, there’s always more to do in the immediate vicinity. In St. Louis’ Creve Coeur Memorial Park, you can supplement your treetop adventure with fishing, kayaking, canoeing, dirt biking, or disc golf.

Preparing for your treetop adventure:

Wear jeans and sneakers, and bring gloves. You can go without, but your skin will be happier if you have them. If you forget, Go Ape sells gloves on site.

Hours/Admission:

Hours vary, but Go Ape is generally open March through November. Your best bet is to book online ahead of time. Walk-ins are accepted, but having a reservation guarantees a spot when you arrive. Check out their FAQ page to get more details.

Location:

Go Ape is located at 13219 Streetcar Dr., Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Parking is free on site.

My son and I enjoyed our treetop adventure as guests of Go Ape, but our enthusiasm for the experience is all ours.

Adventure and travel subscription box gifts for dads and grads

June 7, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Have a dad in your life who loves travel? How about a recent graduate who is ready to start exploring the world? If you want to give something more original than cash this June, consider the following gift subscription boxes and experiential gifts that promote adventure both across the US and abroad.

Travel subscription box gifts for dads and grads:

Cairn subscription box:

We’ve reviewed Cairn in the past, and it’s just as great a value now. Each Cairn subscription box comes with new and innovative outdoor adventure gear, food, and supplies that you probably haven’t seen before. I love learning about new gadgets. Also included in each Cairn box is what I’d call a ‘big ticket item’, worth $25 or more. In the past, the big ticket item has been a hammock, a lantern, or a high quality water bottle. Cairn subscriptions are $27/month.

Explore Local subscription box:

If you have a dad or grad who loves the idea of exploring the country but can’t quite get everywhere (yet), OR, if they’re planning a trip to a US city, an Explore Local box is a great way to learn about the country. Each Explore Local box is packed with local products from a particular US city, allowing you to get to know that location better either before a trip, after, or in case you can’t make it there yourself. We tried the Nashville Explore Local box, which was filled with artisan brands of popcorn, honey, soap, and cards all locally made. Plus, you can include a kid add-on if dad will be bringing kids along on the journey. Explore Local subscriptions are $35/month, or $45 with the kid add-on.

Try the World subscription box:

Have a foodie dad or grad? They’ll love the Try the World box, which features a different country each month, with gourmet goodies and unique food items ready for tasting. We tried the Korea box, which included Somyeon noodles and kimchi, plus suggestions for how to prepare them (essential!). There are also boxes for Greece and India currently. Try the World is available for $35/month.

NatureBox:

If dad or grad will be hitting the road and exploring this summer, NatureBox has subscriptions boxes of several sizes to keep them fueled with healthy snacks. This is a great box to keep giving to grads after they leave for college, too. We tried the medium-sized box, which lasted us about a day with teens in the household, but SHOULD last through a long weekend road trip. Each box has a selection of nuts, dried fruit, snack mixes, and trail mixes. We’ve liked everything we’ve tried. NatureBox starts at $30/month.

Where to stay in St. Louis: Drury Inn-Forest Park

June 5, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

St. Louis, Missouri is known around the Midwest as a great family destination because of the many free attractions it offers. You’ll need a few days to do justice to all the city has to offer. Wondering where to stay in St. Louis? While you’re in town, make the Drury Inn-Forest Park your home away from home. With its its proximity to a number of major attractions, the Drury-Forest Park offers much more than a comfortable place to sleep.

Room amenities at Drury Inn-Forest Park:

Our family was given spacious and exceptionally comfortable adjoining rooms, one of which was designed for guests in wheelchairs. Both bathrooms had handlebars in the bathtubs, but the accessible room had three. Each bed had four pillows of varying firmness to choose from. The rooms feature St. Louis images rather than generic artwork, and all the table lamps include extra outlets for charging electronic devices. We also had a safe, a microwave and a refrigerator in the rooms.

The Drury’s contribution to environmental stewardship involves permanent refillable shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel dispensers in the showers, which replace the single-night-sized bottles you find many places.

The hotel offers a 24-hour business center off the lobby, conference rooms, and free (open) wifi. There’s also a laundry room in the basement, and a climate-controlled garage beneath the hotel.

During our stay, we had a chance to visit with a family that has spent quite a bit of time in St. Louis for medical appointments and procedures. They told us the Drury-Forest Park is far and away their favorite place to stay.

What to do on site:

On site, you’ll find a 24-hour fitness center with new, quiet machines. The indoor-outdoor pool opens at 9 a.m. It ranges from 3 to 5 feet, with a rubber divider separating the indoor from the outdoor sections. The deepest part is here at the center; it gets shallow again outside. The indoor portion includes a spacious deck, a hot tub, and a pool lift.

Off-site, the Drury-Forest Park is just over a mile away from Forest Park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair, whose zoo, science center, and museums have free admission. In the winter, there’s also ice skating in the park. The hotel is also a mile from “the Hill,” the historic neighborhood known for its authentic Italian restaurants and grocery stores. The Missouri Botanical Gardens, one of the top three public gardens in the world, is also nearby, and the downtown attractions are only six miles by interstate.

Read a review of the Missouri Botanical Gardens and FREE zoo!

Dining:

Free hotel breakfasts are becoming more common, but the Drury’s was among the more extensive we’ve experienced, adding flour tortillas and biscuits and gravy to the standard offerings. The Drury also offers “5:30 Kickback” in the afternoons, with a rotating menu that includes soup and salad along with more substantial fare. And don’t forget the popcorn and free soft drinks available until 10 p.m.

If you’re in the mood for sit-down food, try Bartolino’s restaurant, housed inside the hotel. Bartolino’s offers appetizers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and pastas at under $15.

Rates:

Rooms start as low as $129 in the off season and around $179 at peak times, but rates vary depending on the Cardinals schedule and other major events or festivals.

Location:

The Drury Inn-Forest Park is located at 2111 Sulphur Avenue, in St. Louis, Missouri, close to Forest Park as well as St. Louis’ famous “Hill” area and the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Our family stayed at the Drury Inn-Forest Park as guests of Explore St. Louis in return for an honest review.

Three Aventura dresses for summer travel

June 2, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

I didn’t used to be a ‘dress’ person, until I started traveling regularly. Suddenly, I understood the convenience and comfort of wearing dresses while on the road. Dresses take up less room in my bag than a top and pants, and they give me a pulled together look with little effort. Add a scarf or fun hat, and I’m good to go! Of course, any dress worthy of my carry-on has to be practical, comfortable, and made of quality material, ready for adventure.

Dresses for summer travel:

As an Aventura Clothing ambassador, I’ve had the opportunity to try many Aventura dresses. These three are my top favorites for this summer.

Lidell dress: The Lidell dress is your go-to casual summer dress, ideal for travel days that take you to the farmer’s market, the beach, or the boardwalk. I’ve used mine as a cover-up when wearing my swimsuit, as well as to a casual meal out (pair it with the cute Redford jacket on cooler evenings).

It’s made of 95% organic cotton, with just a bit of spandex for stretch. You get the popular ombre look with stripes, and the hem is 37″, which is pretty generous. My favorite feature is the bra-friendly tank bodice. Pick it up on aqua, dahlia (coral), or high rise (gray tones) for $79.

Garland dress: The Garland might be my absolute favorite, because it looks fitted and tailored, but is in fact soft and stretchy. The Garland is a combination of organic cotton and jersey, and feels very lightweight (I’m wearing last year’s chevron print in the photo below in humid Miami). You get cap sleeves, a faux wrap front, and cute keyhole and belt details. As I noted above, it looks really put together: feminine and sophisticated. The all-over medallion print is trendy and fun.

I really liked wearing the Garland on cruises this spring, and it was my go-to outfit for a semi-formal outdoor dinner event while I traveled last month. Pick up the Garland dress for $82 in Dutch blue, black, or cardinal (which is really more of a soft brick red).

Joni dress: The Joni is the only dress listed here that’s 100% organic cotton. Of course, each of my picks are at least mostly organic. That’s because organic cotton is not only great for the environment but also super soft and wrinkle-resistant. The Joni shines as a casual all-around-town dress with a space-dye fabric that creates a tonal striped look that’s understated. You can easily pair it with a scarf or even a wide belt since its pattern is really neutral. I like the Joni for city touring, and on long car or train rides when I know I’ll want to look nice when I arrive.

The Joni has a high tank upper design and comes in spiced coral, black (with some white tones), rock ridge (gray with white tones), and Viridian green (which is more of a sea green/blue combination). Pick it up for $77.

Don’t forget! We are still handing out 60% off coupon codes for any Pit Stops for Kids readers who want to try Aventura! Subscribe to our Pit Stops for Kids newsletter, or if that’s not your thing, just email us!

St. Louis with kids: Missouri Botanical Garden

May 31, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

The Missouri Botanical Garden, established in 1859, is regarded as one of the top public gardens in the world. This 79-acre paradise, located only five miles from downtown St. Louis, exists thanks to local 19th-century businessman Henry Shaw, who admired the great public gardens of Europe and wanted to offer his hometown a similar resource.

The gardens are exquisite, with pools, ponds, and fountains to please the eye. You can easily spend a full day there, although the visitors’ guide provides a helpful list of what to see if you’re short on time. The tram tour, available April through October, lets you see the whole garden in half an hour without wearing out the little ones. The spherical Climatron houses tropical plants, and next door, the Brookings Exploration Center offers hands-on learning about plants, trees and the environments in which they grow.

If you have time for a more in-depth visit, you can wander the beautiful grounds, which are set up to showcase gardening styles from around the world. A few don’t-miss-this spots include:
Feeding Koi fish in the spectacular and often-photographed Japanese garden
Walking through Tower Grove House, Henry Shaw’s Victorian home, housed in the park (April-December)
The observation tower and maze beside the house (My kids played tag in it—which might not be wise or even possible if the crowds are big, but it was quiet in that part of the garden when we visited.)

Children’s Garden:

But without a doubt, the highlight of the Missouri Botanical Garden for families is the Children’s Garden. Open April through October (and requiring a separate admission of $5 for kids 3-12; little ones and adults are free), this extensive play area is one part garden, one part children’s museum, and one part playground. But your local park never had a playground like this! Each area represents a piece of Missouri history or geography: steamboat, tree house, cave, fort, Native American camp, and general store stocked with toy food, to name a few. There’s even a splash pad in the summer. (See this map to get a sense of the scope.)

Staff offers daily programming from 10:30-2, giving kids an interactive look at tree identification, wetland biodiversity, and more. Your kids will not want to leave this area. Even my preteen boy wasn’t ready to go.

Note: The Children’s Garden is large and when there are a lot of kids around, as there were the day we visited, it can be easy to lose track of your children. Set up a meeting spot and make sure your kids have your mobile number with them in case they need to ask an adult for help finding you.

Getting the most out of your visit:

Keep an eye on the weather. There are things to do indoors, but you will probably spend most of your time outside. On certain days, the garden offers interpretive and educational programming, and in the summertime there are concerts in the amphitheater. Large-scale exhibitions are also hosted in the summer—in 2017 the Climatron will be home to a collection of large glass art—and other festivals are scattered throughout the year. The garden can be crowded during some of these events, so plan accordingly.

Picnicking is NOT allowed on the grounds, but re-entry is permitted. Keep a cooler in the car or take time to enjoy one of the authentic Italian restaurants on The Hill, just a few blocks away. Easier still, eat on-site, at the Sassafrass Cafe, which offers mostly locally-sourced soups, salads, sandwiches and kids’ fare for $10 and under.

For a lasting keepsake of your visit, check out the large Garden Gate Shop, which sells plants, home furnishings, books and tools both for growing plants and for cooking up the fruits of your labor.

Accessibility:

By and large, the garden is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, including much of the Children’s Garden. Walkways are wide and smooth. Parents with nursing or easily overstimulated children might want to take advantage of the “calming corner” inside the Brookings Exploration Center. For kids with sensory issues, check out the “Pre-Visit Guide” prepared by the garden.

Location, Parking, Hours/Admission:

Missouri Botanical Gardens is open 9-5 daily and is open in the early mornings and Wednesday evenings for walking. Admission is $12 for ages 13 and over; kids are free, and residents of St. Louis County get half-priced admission every day and free admission on Saturdays.

The Children’s Garden ($5 ages 3-12) and the tram ($4 ages 3-adult) require separate tickets, and during some special events, garden admission may be higher, so again—check the garden calendar.

The garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63110. Parking is free on site, and there is quite a bit of it, but on busy days cars are parked for several blocks up the surrounding streets. Using public transportation will earn you a $1 discount on admission.

Our family visited the Missouri Botanical Garden as guests of Explore St. Louis, in exchange for an honest review.

Photo credit

Summer mosquito relief products for family travel

May 26, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

We love outdoor travel here at Pit Stops for Kids, but we hate mosquitos. We really, really hate them. We know DEET is terrible for us, but it’s a shame, because it’s the only thing that really repels them. However, when outdoors exploring, we have found a few mosquito relief products for kids that offer solutions. (We were not compensated for this post. Have I mentioned that we hate mosquitos?)

Be Koool Itch Relief Patches:

If mosquitos are annoying, mosquito bites are even more so. We’ve learned they can be a health hazard as well. Kids with itchy bites scratch them (heck, so do adults), leading to open cuts…not ideal hygiene while traveling in the outdoors. Bites that are scratched can become infected, and at the very least, cannot be kept clean.

On our most recent foray into the woods, we came armed with Be Koool’s Itch Relief Patches. These little circular stickers apply directly to the skin, and are medicated with lidocaine and menthol. These are the same ingredients in most anti-itch sprays and lotions, but the stickers are much less messy. Plus, after applying one, it naturally stops your child from itching the spot.

Did it work? Yes! We’re not sure whether the medication helped stop the itch, or simply the barrier from itching, but either way, little fingers were off of bug bites for the afternoon. We’ll keep some patches in our outdoor first aid kit from now on.

When patches will NOT work: The patches don’t stay on while swimming, and shouldn’t be used for serious bites (like intense spider bites). We had some trouble with the patches sticking to one another when we tried to get one from the package; our solution was to keep the various sheets of stickers apart from one another in our day pack.

Buy BeKoool Itch Relief Patches on Amazon or at any drugstore.

Mosquitno Citronella Armband:

You know those citronella candles for your picnic table? Well, Mosquitno has come up with the mobile version. Their rubber wristbands are stylish (though how these popular bands became so trendy I’ll never know) and come in fun colors. They even have fun saying on them, like ‘Please don’t bite me.’ Well said. They smell pretty good too.

Do they work? Yes, pretty well. They will not keep mosquitos at bay entirely (I miss my DEET), but they do just as well as most over-the-counter sprays and are much healthier for your skin. Any product that saturates my kids’ skin I don’t like…unless it’s DEET. (Just kidding, of course.) We took Mosquitnos on a test drive on an overnight backpacking trip, and while our kids still got some bites, they were much more willing to wear the wristband than get slathered in repellant. The bands apparently work for up to 150 hours (though we noticed their scent doesn’t last that long), and come in a five-pack (or one for $2.99). Find them at most stores or buy Mosquito Insect Repellent Wrist Bands on Amazon.

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Toad & Co DeBug Ground Cover:

Do you camp in areas with mosquitos or other pesky insects? How about picnic? We love this new ground cover, which is treated with Toad & Co’s insect shield technology, guaranteed for 70 washes. This blanket goes in the back of our car for every camping trip!

Natrapel tent and clothing spray:

While I was not compensated for this post, I was given a package of Be Koool and Mosquitno for the purpose of review.

How to get your kids to sleep in hotel rooms

May 24, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Vacation time means travel time. And travel time can mean less sleep…for everyone in the family. When we’re lucky, we’ve booked a vacation home, suite, or apartment where everyone can spread out, but there are plenty of times when we all find ourselves in a standard hotel room. But, how to get the kids sleeping in noisy places like hotel rooms?

Nine ways to help get your kids sleep in hotel rooms!

Bring one of their comfort items:

Kids have a hard time adjusting to the luxuries of a room other than their own. Therefore, it is always a good idea to carry one of their favorite comfort items with you. This could be a toy, blanket, pillow, or food item. Anything which makes them feel at home and sleep even while traveling.

Older kids like privacy:

The current generation does not tolerate someone invading in their space. At home, kids mostly have a separate room from an early age. Hence, they lose their habit of sleeping with their parents. Sometimes, it can be worth it to either book a separate hotel room for them or build a make-shift wall in the room between the beds using sofas, chair and curtains.

Upgrade to a suite:

Sometimes this is not possible, but when it is, go for it! If the room is spacious and comfortable, they won’t have a hard time sleeping. The high-end bedding and large, feather-filled mattresses with soft pillows will surely captivate them in a deep slumber.

Read to them before bedtime:

Maintaining routine as much as possible is key! Reading to kids before bed-time is a tried and tested remedy, one that our parents’ parents even used when putting them to sleep. So, always carry your kid’s favorite story books on the trip and if they have a hard time sleeping, read it to them in a hushed, sleepy tone to induce the sleepy effect.

Exhaust them during the day so they are tired at night:

This seems to work wonders for some kids. Mine, not so much. But theoretically, when kids don’t have any energy left at night, they are likely to sleep immediately. Therefore, it is good to engage them in various activities during the day that could exhaust them enough to go to deep sleep early.

Use white noise machines:

This is my #1 tip! You may not be aware of the surroundings of your hotel. Is it situated at a peaceful place or a noisy street? So, it is always good to carry a white noise app or a travel-sized machine that asks sounds and helps the kids to sleep in noisy places.

Maintain room temperature:

Kids generally have a hard time sleeping in extreme temperatures; too hot or too hold and they will be up all night. So, maintain optimum temperature at night-time to prevent any interruptions in sleep. Sometimes, we turn off the in-room heating/AC unit entirely, to avoid the loud noises it makes.

Use a vaporizer for snoring problems:

A snoring problem may not only deprive a kid from a sound sleep, but will also affect the sleep of others around. Hence, make sure to carry a vaporizer for immediate relief.

Turn on a night lamp:

Most kids have a hard time sleeping in complete darkness. The hotel rooms are either too bright or too dark (if you switch off the lights). Hence, it would be smart to carry a small night lamp or just the right kind of lighting kids are used at home. Look for a small camping lantern that uses LED bulbs.

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Summer travel wear for men who don’t care about travel wear

May 24, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

I have three men in my house…at least, I have three people who wear men’s size clothing. Two of them are teens. Since I review and write about travel wear all the time, you’d think they’d understand the benefits of quality travel pants and shirts and appreciate the importance of performance fabrics. But to be honest, they simply can’t be bothered. They want to wear what is comfortable, and in some cases, what they deem coolest.

Luckily, I’ve beat them at their own game, because the following summer travel wear for men are ideal for adventure, yet too stylish and comfortable for them to notice. If you have men like mine who just can’t be bothered, here’s what to get:

Ecoths:

Mathis SS: The Mathis is 100% organic cotton herringbone, which means it looks ‘fancy’ (my son’s word) but doesn’t wrinkle at all. It is his go-to collared short-sleeved shirt for travel days when he needs to step his wardrobe up from his usual tee. Two chest pockets and contrast stitching give the Mathis a stylish finish.

Black Rock 3/4 zip: This pull-over is my guys’ absolute favorite thing from Ecoths so far. In fact, my teen son and my husband have matching ones (by accident) but they wouldn’t let me take a matching photo of them. Men. The Black Rock is so great because it’s very thin and soft, making it the perfect layering piece. It rolls up small in a carry-on or backpack, but is just the right coverage for cooler summer evenings or spring mornings. My son especially wears it everywhere, from local hikes to Italy. It comes in three rich jewel-tone colors. (Pictured in the photo above.)

Baxter Polo: It’s simple. It’s organic cotton. It comes in three heathered-style colors, and it wears just as well out to dinner as on the golf course. Pick it up in M-XXL.

Remember: Ecoths is a division of Aventura Clothing, which means that ANY Pit Stops for Kids reader is eligible to try the brand for 60% off! Simply email us for a coupon code at amy(at)pitstopsforkids(dot)com.

Mountain Khakis:

Equatorial Convertible pant: If your travels involve hiking or are to a tropical climate, every guy in your group needs a pair of these convertible pants/shorts. They’re thin, lightweight, quick-dry, and have wicking properties, and can be made into shorts as well. They’re also UPF 50+.

Camber 104 Hybrid pant: Maybe it’s just that MK pants seem to fit our guys well, but for casual travel days, the Camber 104 is their go-to. This pant is made of a performance stretch blend, so they’re comfortable both on the plane and on the trail. I like the reinforced areas, including the ‘mudflap’ on the hem at the heel.

ExOfficio:

We’re going to get a tad personal here, but our guys wear ExOfficio underwear all the time when they travel. Pick the style preferred, but get these…they dry fast so you can rinse them out on the go, they’re insanely comfortable, and they breathe well. Worth the investment!