Amy Hagstrom - Pitstops for Kids

Joovy Caboose VaryLight Graphite Stand-on Tandem Stroller review

August 8, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

It has a long name, but that’s because it serves a lot of travel needs: the Joovy Caboose VaryLight Graphite Stand-on Tandem Stroller can expand from a single to a double like a Transformer, utilizes the lightest materials possible, has room for two kids to sit, stand, recline, or remain in a car seat, and still doesn’t skimp on extras like canopies, cup holders, and oversized baskets.

We put the Joovy Caboose VaryLight stroller to work with one of our reviewers, a single mom with four kids, two of whom are stroller-aged. Wanting to get out for some summer fun, she was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of transporting her two-year-old and six-month-year-old. With the VaryLight, she can set her infant, Andy, up in the front seat (with or without a car seat), and recline his seat as needed. Her two-year-old daughter, Ivy, stands at the back, on the attached pad. (She could sit, too, but Ivy doesn’t roll that way.)

When little Ivy is at childcare of grandma’s house, the VaryLight can basically squish up into a single, the only stroller we’ve ever seen do this particular trick! Note: this is a great feature not only for parents who may have one of two kids absent during parts of the day, but also for new parents who currently have one baby, but may have another within a few years.

The VaryLight is light enough to lift and put into a car trunk without strain, and the seats are easy to adjust (no battling the stroller!). It’s easy to fold and unfold. It was difficult for our reviewer to push on gravel or sand but great on streets and sidewalks.

Set up: Out of the box, the VaryLight was easy for our reviewer to put together. I wanted to ‘test’ Joovy’s excellent customer service, but she couldn’t find a reason to! If you do have questions, they’re there for you!

Here are the specs you’ll need:

Swing-open tray
One-hand fold
Front-wheel suspension, front swivel-wheel locks, and rear brakes
Extra-large storage basket
Assembled Dimensions (short) – 42″H x 43.5″ D x 24.25″ W
Assembled Dimensions (extended) – 42″H x 49.75″ D x 24.25″ W
Stroller Weight – 33.95 lbs.
Front Seat Min Age – Birth+ when using car seat adapter, or 6 months+
Front Seat Max Weight and Height – 55 lbs. and 40″ height
Rear Seat Min Age – 2.5 yrs
Rear Seat Max Weight – 55 lbs. and 44″ height

Cost: the VaryLight retails for $499. It’s a high-end stroller (among many on the market) but will carry you through from birth to preschool for multiple children. You can also find the VaryLight on Amazon for as low as $449.

How does it handle travel?

Because the VaryLight is made of graphite (the same material used in all our advanced technology, low weight backpacking gear these days), it’s lightweight for a double stroller. Can you get a lighter one? Sure, but not with all these bells and whistles. When we travel with a stroller, we’ve found there’s a sweet spot: we want one with a simple enough design that the stroller doesn’t weigh as much as a boulder, but advanced enough that it has the features we want. In other words, those cheap umbrella strollers don’t cut it because they’re too bare bones (how with the baby nap? where will I store our stuff?) and the Rolls Royce of strollers is simply too big and bulky.

The VaryLight is easy to fold up (a huge plus) and can fit into the back of a car without much hassle. Is it the stroller to use when hopping on and off busses or subways? I’d say no, but it is the stroller to use when car camping, road tripping, city touring, or theme park visiting. Can it fly? Yes, just gate check it.

While you’re checking out the VaryLight, look over all the other travel-friendly products Joovy offers. It’s mind-boggling!

As I disclose whenever applicable, our reviewer was given the VaryLight without charge for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Mount Tom Reservation and Ice Cream

August 6, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready for the perfect summer outing in Western Massachusetts? Mount Tom Reservation is located between EastHampton and Mt. Holyoke, and offers fishing, hiking, picnicking, and a play area, plus skating and cross-country skiing in winter.

Mt. Tom:

Mt. Tom offers the best view of the Connecticut Valley, the Berkshire mountains, and the Pelham hills. It meanders over 2,161 acres at the top of Mt. Tom (rumored to be the inspiration behind Seuss’ Grinch mountain) and features 22 miles of trails.

We enjoyed the new, creative play area located in the center of the park. (Eying the tree canopy, we wouldn’t mind coming back in autumn someday, too!) The play area includes manmade ‘cliff’ and rock formations that lead to slides, swings, and the like. There’s also a large grass area adjacent and picnic areas nearby. Port-a-potties and a drinking fountain are on-site, as is a covered group area.

Mt. Tom is one of a network of Massachusetts reservations; you can pay $2 per car at the entrance, or buy a pass for all the state reservation properties.

Directions:

Head east on I-90 E. Take exit 4 for I-91 toward Holyoke/Springfield – 0.6 mi. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-91 and merge onto I-91 N – 3.9 mi. Take exit 17A to merge onto Easthampton Rd toward Holyoke – 0.5 mi. Turn left at Northampton St/US-5N – 4.0 mi. Turn left at Reservation Rd. Park will be on the left 0.7 mi.

Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream:

Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream offers homemade ice cream in a dizzying array of creative flavors, plus an old-fashioned candy shop (where candy can be purchased by the 1/4th pound). Located at at the base of Mt. Tom in EastHampton, this shop seems to be equally popular with families and singles, offering free wifi and located next to a trendy record/music store. It’s a definite stop before or after a trip to Mt. Tom to hike or play.

We opted for the salted caramel and Mexican chocolate varieties (it’s got a kick to it!) and they do offer ‘kiddie’ sized cones in addition to regular and large. Also on offer: gourmet coffees, shakes, malts, and sundaes. There is limited seating inside, but several small tables are also available outside, plus families can always take their ice cream across the way to sit by the pond.

Directions:

The shop is located on the edge of Nashawannuck Pond in EastHampton. The address is 34 Cottage Street (Rt 141), in the heart of town.

The north shore of Kauai with babies and toddlers

August 5, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

The north shore of Kauai, Hawaii, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth for a Hawaiian holiday, but it can be tricky to manage a kid-friendly family vacation without a few insider tips! Kauai is a small island, but indirect, winding, two-lane roads and local traffic can slow families down, making outings longer than they appear on the map. We’ve put together a brief list of some of our kid-tested favorite beaches and attractions to help you chose activities that will cater to your babies and toddlers, and help you get a little relaxation while you’re at it!

Note: family travel with small kids is just easier when staying at a vacation rental, with room to spread out and a kitchen in which to prepare meals. Check out Kauai vacation rental options from VacationRoost.

Anini Beach (Anini Road, Kalihiwai, HI): As any guidebook will tell you, Anini Beach is one of the best beaches for very small kids. The beach is narrow, but there is a grassy lawn for ball games, and the water is more like a zero entry pool than a beach. No waves, soft sand, and some decent snorkeling make this a great beach for the younger set.

Ke’e Beach (HI 560, just past Ha’ena): This one surprised us—it’s not listed as being particularly kid-friendly in any of the guidebooks, and from the parking lot, it doesn’t look like much. It’s at the trailhead of the famous Kalalau Trail, at the start of the spectacular Na Pali Coast. We didn’t notice the beach until we were at the first lookout along the trail and looked down at a beautiful, sheltered beach with clear water and a protective reef about 100 yards off-shore. After our hike, we returned to stop at Ke’e Beach, and it was probably the calmest, most picturesque beach we visited during our vacation. It might be rougher in the winter months, but in late summer the water was calm enough for swimming with a baby!

Hanakapi’ai Beach and Kalalau Trail: About two miles in on the Kalalau Trail (trailhead located at Ke’e Beach, literally at the end of the road that travels across the north shore) is picturesque Hanakapi’ai Beach. Although not recommended for swimming (strong currents and a remote location make swimming extremely dangerous), this is a spectacular beach, with a freshwater creek and shallow caves to explore. The hike was steep and muddy in places, but we were able to arrive at our destination (Hanakapi’ai Beach) in the morning, eat a snack and explore, and make it back to Ke’e Beach in time for a midday lunch. The hike is extremely beautiful, but tough and often dangerous for kids, and I wouldn’t recommend it for the very young without a carrier of some sort (strollers are definitely not an option on the trail!). Keep in mind: a trip to Kauai isn’t complete without seeing the spectacular Na Pali Coast!

Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge (Kilauea Road, Kilauea): At the northernmost point of Kauai, the Kilauea Lighthouse sits on a bluff with views of the north shore all the way to the Na Pali Coast. There is a short walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse, with great views for bird, seal, and even whale-watching (in the right season). This is a fun toddler activity: everything is fenced in, and the walk is easy, so you can let the kids loose. There is a little information center at the lighthouse that even has coloring paper and crayons for the artists in your group! Note: Kilauea Lighthouse has a $5 entry fee for adults 16 and over; those under 16 are free.

Lydgate State Park (Nalu Road, accessed via Leho Drive off Route 56 in Kapaa): I was surprised to find that there were not many playgrounds on or near the beaches in Kauai. Of course, the beaches and hikes alone are enough entertainment for most of us, but for the very young (who might be too young to swim or hike in their own right), nothing beats a good old-fashioned playground. Kamalani Playground at Lydgate State Park is a huge wooden maze-like structure with slides, swings, and ropes to climb. It’s actually on the eastern shore of the island, but is only about a 20-30 minute drive from the north shore, and is by far the best playground around. We spent a blissful afternoon letting our three-year-old run wild while the baby happily watched from the swing. The only down side to this park is that the beach directly across the street from the playground is too rough for inexperienced swimmers, although heading north through the parking lot will reward you with a more sheltered swimming area. Tip! Be sure to stop for some shave ice in Kapaa on your way back to the north shore!

General information: All beaches in Kauai are public, and therefore free. The above (unless otherwise indicated) are located just off the main road that travels along the coast from Kapaa to Ke’e Beach (Rt 56/HI 560). Food services vary: none of the locations above have food available, but there are places to eat in the towns throughout the north shore. The Kilauea Fish Market and Foodland in Princeville are some that we enjoyed for lunch and dinner.

Kalihiwai on Dwellable

Summer in the Berkshires: Jiminy Peak summer activities

August 4, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We love summer fun at ski resorts! In the Berkshires of Massachusetts, we’ve reviewed the summer activities at Bousquet, and now, can review in detail all that’s on offer in summer at Jiminy Peak.

Located in the heart of the Berkshires, Jiminy Peak is a well-known ski resort. In summer, it’s transformed into a full-scale outdoor playground, with mountain biking trails, hiking, and an array of kid-friendly only-in-summer activities. Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park includes:

a mountain coaster
an alpine slide
the Soarin’ Eagle ‘roller coaster’
a giant swing
bouncy houses
a climbing wall
a bungee trampoline
a kids’ climb

Most of the above activities have a height restriction of 38″, which means that most three-year-olds are old enough to enjoy most of it. The exceptions are the Soarin’ Eagle (42″) and the giant swing (48″).

In addition to all this, Jiminy Peak also sports an entire additional complex of high ropes courses (no fewer than seven!) and zip lines. This Aerial Adventure Park is geared toward the older set, with courses ranging from ‘green’ to ‘black’ and various height and age requirements. A height of 48″ is required to get you in the door (so to speak). All participants start with the easier level courses, and move up. A height restriction of 5′ is required for the black course (because kids have to reach the cables). There’s also an age restriction of six years old at the lower level and 16+ for the black course, but we found the ages to be suggestions…it’s the height that matters.

We spent the day at Jiminy Peak with kids ranging in age from 3-12. We got our three-year-old and five-year-old passes to the Mountain Adventure Park and our 12-year-old a pass to the Aerial Park. Our nine-year-old opted for the full pass to both, so he could split his time between attractions. The Aerial Park pass give you access to all the courses you’re allowed to try, and the Adventure Park pass gives you access to all the rides listed above, plus scenic chair lift rides and hiking trails. The Aerial pass is good for two hours, but as far as we could tell, the Adventure pass was good all day. You’ll want to spend at least two-three hours.

We loved that both parks were adjacent to one another, so the kids could spend time watching each other and cheering each other on. The grandparents or parents can walk from park to park easily. We found all the attendants to be courteous, professional, and safe. As my sister put it, “visiting Jiminy Peak in summer is like going to the carnival…only classy, and in a beautiful setting.”

We didn’t eat on site, but did notice a quick-service snack bar open with the regular fare of hot dogs, ice cream, and the like. Other than the ticketing booth and lodging options, we didn’t notice much else open that the resort, but we did visit in early summer.

Date last visited:

June 2014

Admission:

Passes range from $43 to $65 for All Parks passes, and $29-$49 for Aerial Park passes or Adventure Park passes. Single tickets are also available for $6 each. Check current pricing here.

Hours:

Check summer hours.

Directions:

Jiminy Peak is located at 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA.

Broadening Children’s Horizons Through Travel

July 29, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If your kids play computer games that take them to other worlds, exploit that interest by traveling to places which inspire them. Parents and kids can broaden their horizons through exposure to another culture, its cuisine and customs, and still have a ball on vacation.

Try Ancient Greece or Egypt

Bargain holidays could allow a visit to Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs awaiting new explorers. In Greece your child could experience the mystery behind myths and legends so many movies have plundered for their plotlines. Once here, the kids will find these lands anything but ancient.

Capture the Experience

Sweltering in outdoor heat, it becomes easier to appreciate the labours of slaves or the determination of heroes to cross seas and deserts. Immerse yourself in the scene. The taste of cool, clear water, the spicy fragrance that entices hungry appetites to a welcome meal, the texture of fresh hot bread all become part of an important experience which leads to further appreciation of our easy-buy society.

Understand the Past

Hikes along the paths trodden by those long ago will show the difficulty ancient tribes had in their everyday lives. With no cars, no trains and no planes, but just camels, horses or donkeys to help carry heavy loads and transport people and goods to new locations, the efforts made by those who built fabulous palaces and monuments become even more awesome.

Find out How and Why

With exposure to foreign customs and languages your child will get a feel for how and why certain practises dominate. In hot countries where electricity and refrigeration are limited, foodstuffs are preserved in salt, oil or sugar to prevent them going off. Try some new tastes recommended by locals. Rural areas don’t have the shops and malls commonplace back home and your mind-set has to adjust to new conditions.

Bring Back Souvenirs

Every sense can experience something new. Unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells in bazaars and market places offer a treat deserving of souvenirs to remind you of them when you return home. Museums and areas of local interest will invite questions, which is always a good thing to enhance education and understanding. Off the beaten path, with a guide to keep you safe, some of the more primitive areas will encourage self-sufficiency and creative solutions to problems arising in hostile environments.

Seeing how others live in different cultures will give kids a worldly view and appreciation of their home comforts.

Image by Jimmie, used under the Creative Commons license.

Where to stop in Medicine Hat, Alberta

July 28, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Driving along the Trans Canada Highway 1 through Medicine Hat? Stop for lunch or dinner at Tino’s and stretch your legs at the Tallest Teepee in the World!

Tino’s Drive In is located at 860 14 St. SW (right off the highway). You’ll spot it by the castle exterior. Why stop? We’ll give you over 100 reasons…we counted 120 milk shake flavors on offer! This old-school drive-in has every kind of creamy ice cream treat imaginable, and their burgers, hot dogs, and fries are great, too.

Be ready for a wait during weekends and nice weather! We were told the locals would line up for Tino’s, and during a Saturday afternoon visit, we found out this was no exaggeration! Tino’s is worth the wait, and you can eat at picnic tables outside on-site or take your food to one of the many parks and nature areas along the South Saskatchewan River.

After eating at Tino’s pause for a stop on the Trans Canada Highway at the Medicine Hat teepee…don’t worry, you can’t miss the Saamis Teepee from the road! This huge teepee was bought by a local after the Calgary Olympic Games and brought back to the city. When standing inside, families can see the true scope of the structure, and on the trails beside it, kids can venture along the coulees (hills) and see the place where aboriginal residents of the area once drove bison off the hillsides to their deaths.

Have more time? Check out our review of where to stay in Medicine Hat, and what to do with kids indoors.

We toured Medicine Hat as part of our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Medalta Historic Clay District, Medicine Hat

July 23, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re traveling through Medicine Hat, Alberta, as we were during Day 2 of the Great Coast Road Trip (in partnership with Coast Hotels…check it out!) make a stop at Medalta. This 150-acre Canadian National Historic Site houses the historic ceramic factory and beehive kilns of Medalta in a one-of-a-kind museum.

Families can tour the site by guided self-tour: eight galleries take you through the process of ceremics-making (sorry for the unofficial term) from the gathering of clay from the banks of the nearby South Saskatchewan River to the glazing and packaging of finished wares. We entered the museum with no particular interest or knowledge of pottery or ceramics, but it didn’t matter: this museum is well done and drew us in.

The first few galleries explain the history of the building itself, and its glory days as a factory. The exhibits are very kid-friendly and accessible. The next section takes visitors through the old factory interior (you can look at equipment but not touch), and a video describes the entire process followed by factory workers. The last galleries showcase the various wares the factory produced during its heyday, including dinnerware for hotels, restaurants, and the railroad. This was the most interesting section for us: we had no idea Medalta had contracts for POW camps, soldiers on the front line, and baby dinnerware products I remembered from my childhood.

You can walk inside a kiln, and on select days, watch potters at the wheel. There is a courtyard outside for restless kids or after-visit picnics. The museum isn’t particularly toddler or baby-friendly; we’d recommend this attraction for kids 8 and up. If we were in the area longer (or local), their pottery workshops and summer classes would definitely be on our must-do list.

Date last visited:

May 2014

Distance from the interstate:

About ten minutes from Trans Canada Highway 1.

Admission:

Adults are $12 and kids (6-17) are $10. Their family rate is $30 (for two adults and two kids).

Hours of operation:

Summer hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm daily. Off-season hours vary; check hours of operation before you arrive.

Directions:

Located at 713 Medalta Ave SE. This site is very well marked; signs will point the way from the highway!

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Teaching kids airplane etiquette: how to create good fliers

July 22, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We’ve all been there, either as parents or innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire: a disastrous flight during which kids are causing more than their share of trouble. Sometimes it’s unavoidable: a tired baby a parent is trying to console, a sick child, a long layover. Other times–and I know you’ve seen this–kids behaving badly on planes when it’s avoidable with a few lessons in manners. When teaching kids airplane etiquette, we suggest the following while flying with kids:

Kids Airplane Etiquette:

1. Find your seat quickly. I don’t know if it’s just my kids, but there’s always a lot of debate over who’s going to sit where in our assigned seats. I’ve taught them to go straight to the seat listed on their ticket first, to get out of the aisle, and to swap places after the rest of the passengers have gotten on.

2. Wheel your rollie-bag properly. No carry-on luggage wars in the terminal, kids! Games of chicken and extreme rolling are not permitted in our family…anymore. I’m tired of my toes getting rolled over and the looks of disgust issued by business travelers.

3. Clean up trash. I instruct my kids to place snack trash into their cup, then hand the whole thing to the flight attendant. Getting out of the habit of putting anything–including trash–into the seat pocket ensures we don’t leave anything we need behind, like chargers or iPods.

4. Say hello to flight attendants when you board. Thank them as you deplane. Required. Enough said.

5. No kicking the seat in front of you.Whoa boy, is this a big one. And sometimes, it’s not the kid’s fault, if his or her legs are just the right (or wrong) length. Our kids know to tuck toes down or even sit ‘criss-cross applesauce’ to avoid the seat kicking issue. It’s a toughie.

Tips for parents:

1. Try to board early. Even if your kids are out of the age range that (sometimes) ensures pre-boarding, line up as soon as you’re able to based on your seat assignment. This will give you more time to stow carry-on baggage in the bulkhead while the main cabin is less crowded.

2. Prepare kids with a great eBook: Monsters Don’t Ride on Airplanes. Check out the screen shot of this adorable book below! We read it recently, and I think it’s a great tool to use with young kids. The simple story shows various silly-looking monsters on airplanes, doing everything wrong. Then is shows a girl and boy doing things right, with the message that well-behaved kids get to ride on airplanes and go to fun places (while monsters are left behind).

3. Avoid red-eye flights unless you know your kids will sleep. No one likes a crying baby. There’s little that’s more miserable on a plane than a red-eye during which young kids cannot sleep. We’ve been tempted by lower cost red-eye flights, but because our kids are not good sleepers on airplanes, we’ve learned to avoid them. Fly when your kids are at their best. If that time happens to be when they’re asleep…hey, we don’t judge!

4. Help security flow more smoothly. We almost always fly carry-on only, which means everyone has toiletries that may have 3 ounce containers. To make it easier on everyone when we go through security, I consolidate these items so they’re all in just one quart-sized bag. (Everyone’s tooth brushes, hair ties, and other non-liquid cosmetics and toiletries can remain in each person’s carry-on.) When we go through security, each kid knows he can place his backpack and his carry-on onto the belt without getting anything out.

5. Eat on the plane. Hey, it’s something to do, and it keeps kids happy. We’ve found that in most cases, purchasing a meal on a plane is no more expensive than purchasing a similar meal in the airport. And this way, we don’t have to carry a bag of food onboard. My kids love simple meals like fruit and cheese plates or snack baskets, and I love that they’re entertained by the novelty of airplane food for a few minutes. Plus for parents: Alaska Airlines flights offer complimentary local wines and craft brews for the adults!

6. Bring a headphone splitter. For some reason, it highly annoys me when parents set their kids up with a movie or cartoon on a plane, and subject the entire cabin to the audio. Are there worse things? Sure, but this problem is easily solved by buying a cheap headphone splitter and using kids headphones.

What are your top tips for airplane etiquette?

Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre

July 21, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

When we arrived in Medicine Hat with energized kids and several hours to kill before bedtime, we made the awesome discovery (as tourists) of the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre. This city-run recreation centre is located on 57 acres, and includes a massive indoor water play and pool facility, called Kinsmen Aquatic Park. Tip: it’s always a good idea to look up leisure centers or recreation centers when you enter a new town!

The Kinsmen Aquatic Park pool facility includes:

a large free-form recreation pool filled with fun floating toys and a rafts that turns into a wave pool at set intervals
a kiddie pool with floating Lego-style building blocks to play with
a large hot tub
a current stream area (where the water flows fast)
a diving area with high and low dives
a tube water slide several stories high
a rope swing
a lap pool
a water polo pool

Seriously. All this! And we discovered it simply by checking the city parks and rec page when we arrived in town. Always check these types of pages for local fun (or ask a local)!

Also on-site are a hockey ring (indoor), fitness centre, outdoor soccer pitches, a large play structure, a lighted sports field, baseball diamonds, and a BMX park.

Food services:

There is a snack bar with (less than healthy) snack and quick food options, plus vending machines and an ice cream bar cooler. Families could easily picnic on-site in nice weather.

Hours of operation:

General hours are found by calling the swimming hotline at 403-502-8571. Be sure to also check the Kinsmen page for event information. Some pools or activities may be closed for a tournament or meet. Generally, the facility stays open nightly to 8 pm or 9 pm.

Admission:

We paid $20 for a family admission (two adults and all kids in the same household). Adults not swimming do not pay admission to enter. Towels can be purchased for about $5, so remember to bring some, but if you forget, you’re covered (literally).

Directions:

We used Google Maps to find the centre, because streets change names frequently in Medicine Hat, and we are easily confused. However, the address listed is 2000 Division Ave N.

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Exploring the Cotswolds with kids

July 18, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Want to add a dash of English country charm to your UK vacation? The Cotswolds are located within a day trip from London, but deserve a 2-3 day itinerary all their own. Unlike many European destinations which are ideal for public transit, the Cotswolds are best explored by car. This way, families can plan their own itinerary, take their time, lingering where desired, and go off the beaten path.

Pick up a rental car in London, and head to any of the following towns and villages that make up the Cotswolds, or venture just a bit off-course to include history-rich towns such as Stratford-Upon-Avon. Get ready to be charmed: these villages boast more than just pretty names.

Bourton-on-the-water:

When I first visited the Cotswolds as a girl, my favorite town was–and remains–Bourton-on-the-Water. With the River Windrush flowing through the village (navigated by stone footpaths) and ducks making the town center home, I was charmed even at age 12. I also loved the Model Village (yes, of the village), which is located in the gardens of the Old New Inn. What to do with kids: check out the model village and try the Butterfly Maze (both on Rissington Road).

Gloucester:

Gloucester is a very historic city (largest in the area) with a cathedral, cemeteries, and historic walking trails. Plan to spend at least a full day or overnight in Gloucester, and don’t be dissuaded by the few chain shops and restaurants you’ll find here. Gloucester is modernized, but not without its due share of Cotswolds charm. What to do with kids: head to Beatrix Potter’s House of the Tailor of Gloucester. See the inspiration for her beloved tales, and then check out the Folk Museum. If you have soccer fans in your midst, take in a game.

Stroud:

Known for its festivals and shops, Stroud leaves commercialization behind and embraces tourists with local culture and custom. The Stroud is the perfect place for walking (don’t tell the kids they’re hiking, and they’ll never notice). Trails bypass stone walls and pasture land, and offer ample opportunity for kids to stop and play, climb low trees, and spot wildlife. What to do with kids: take the family to Stroud’s award-winning farmer’s market or just hit the shops. What might be a chore at home (shopping, ick!) becomes a day of discovery at Stroud.

Berkeley:

Berkeley is home to Berkeley Castle, a 12th century castle with a dark history. It’s been home to 24 generations of the Berkeley family, and presides over the town, which is worth exploring in its own right. Stop by Dr. Jenner’s house, the pioneer of the smallpox vaccine, and at least stay for the day, exploring the shops and eateries. What to do with kids: let them burn off energy at the Cattle Country Adventure Park, where slides and play areas combine with petting zoos.

Bonus: Stratford-Upon-Avon:

Head north from Gloucester, and you’ll arrive within an hour in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the famous birthplace of William Shakespeare. En route, you’ll pass through Tewkesbury, an excellent medieval town, and once you’ve arrived, you can also tour Anne Hathaway’s home. Older children can see a play at the Royal Shakespearean Club theater, and everyone can walk through the town streets, gaining a feel for Olde England.

Where to stay:

You can’t really go wrong in the Cotswolds. This section of the UK houses a great number of their luxury house hotels (estate homes turned into hotels) and B&Bs shine here. With kids, we recommend house hotels for a slightly less intimate feel, and no matter where you stay, we suggest looking for properties with space for kids to play. One of my favorite Cotswolds memories is of floating paper boats down a creek outside our Stroud hotel.

Driving tips in the UK:

All visitors will know to stay on the left side of the road in the UK, but keep the following advice in mind:

select a small to mid-sized rental car (parking spaces, roads, and alleys are smaller in the UK than in the US)
take things slowly: take extra time to look behind you before moving into traffic, navigating roundabouts, and dealing with highway traffic
keep a sense of humor: our family still talks about the time Grandpa stalled out in front of a group of punk rockers by Stonehenge and almost took on several unwelcome hitchhikers.

Enjoy the Cotswolds!

This post was done in partnership with Enterprise Rent-a-Car but they had no input on the content. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit: Flickr/tlarescott and Francisco Antunes