road trip - Pitstops for Kids

Five ways to keep your kids content on a road trip

August 10, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Children are naturally energetic. They’re impatient and rambunctious. When you take your children on a trip with you, it changes the vibe completely. While you want to relax if you’re on vacation, it can be difficult having kids around. This is particularly the case for road trips, when there is a lot of extra time sitting in the car. Luckily there are a few great tactics to help keep your children happy and content while being on the road for hours at a time. Here are a few of those tips to make sure the whole family stays in a good mood.

Be Clear about Durations of Drives

When you’re about to be on the road for hours, you might think that it’s a good idea to string your kids along and avoid telling them how long the drive will be. This is actually the wrong move. You should prepare them for it by telling them how long the drive will be, when you will stop, and what the final destination for the day is. It’s important to give them something to look forward to, which is why planning fun stops is so helpful. Whether you’re stopping at a national park or just a roadside attraction, giving your children something to look forward to will keep them content.

Plan Refueling

While you may have the idea that you should stop early to get gas as a tactic to quell your child’s impatience, this can actually lead to a distorted perspective on how long it is. It’s vital not to stop so often so when you do it’s for food, fun, and fuel. This is also imperative for those who drive electric cars because they need to plan where they will charge on public EV charging stations. It offers a clear plan for when you need to stop so map those out on your way and tell your children when and why you will be stopping. Managing expectations is a huge part of keeping your children happy on the road.

Reward Them for Good Behavior

Along the way, if your child is behaving you should reward them for it. When they’re quiet and polite, drive through their favorite fast food or go out of the way to stop somewhere they like. Whatever attraction, restaurant, sweet, or activity your children like can be a great way to reward them for good behavior and keep them content for the hours ahead.

Bring Snacks

One thing that’s essential for road trips is snacks. Healthy and tasty snacks are a great way to pass the time, avoid getting hungry, and wait to stop. You should, of course, limit the intake of fluids the kids have so you don’t have to stop for the bathroom every 50 miles. Snacks are essential when you’re on the road, but don’t bring things that are unhealthy. If your child eats a whole bag of chips, they will feel poorly and need to go to the bathroom. It’s all about balance. Bring the right amount of good, healthy, and filling snacks but don’t pack too much junk food.

Plan Bathroom Breaks

The biggest delay when you’re on a road trip is the bathroom break. You should be clear with your kids that you are going to stop on scheduled stops to go to the bathroom. This should coincide with when you need to fuel your car. Tell your kids that you will stop a certain number of times to go to the bathroom and they will have to wait if they don’t go to the bathroom when you stop. If you’re clear, your children will get the point.

These aren’t just the only tips to make sure your children are content during a road trip, but they are a great place to start. Talk to your kids. Be clear about what the plan is, what they will get when they are good, and where you will stop for fun, food, and fuel. It doesn’t matter where you are going, how long it will take, and what your child is prone to do, you can make the road trip with the family super fun and exciting.

Common mistakes that could ruin your road trip

June 11, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

What’s the best way to get out of the house and spend a few days exploring the country? A road trip. It’s one of the most popular ways to travel during the summer months. The roads are clear, and the weather is suitable to travel to a new city or state with loved ones. Road trips are like the gift that keeps on giving. You get to see several destinations in one trip, be outdoors, and get in tune with things you enjoy, from the beautiful sites down to the music you listen to along the way.

If you’re going to have a good time on your road trip, there are a few things you don’t want to overlook, beyond just using tax prep services to pay your car’s personal property tax.

Prepare Your Car

Driving puts wear and tear on your vehicle. If your car isn’t prepared, it could leave you stranded on the side of the road or in an accident. That’s why you must take care of necessary maintenance and repairs before your trip. Car owners should get the oil and transmission fluid changed and refill antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid. Changing air filters and inspecting tire conditions should also be a priority.

If you don’t know how to complete these tasks yourself, schedule an appointment with a mechanic. If your vehicle is old and in no condition to travel long distances, it’s best to rent a car instead.

Check For Important Docs

Before you depart, ensure that you have the necessary documents to operate a motor vehicle. You should have a valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance card. If you don’t have any of these things, ensure that you get it taken care of in advance to avoid running into conflict.

If you get behind the wheel and don’t have proper identification or get caught driving without proof of insurance, you could get a ticket or even have your vehicle towed. Not to mention, if you’re in an accident, you’ll need your insurance information to provide involved parties and file a claim.

Select A Second Driver (Or Take Frequent Breaks)

If you plan on driving more than two or three hours, you should enlist a second driver. The longer you’re behind the wheel, the higher your chances are of getting into an accident. Not to mention, driving is taxing on the body. You can suffer from road fatigue or get aches and pains that reduce your driving capabilities.

Switching seats with a responsible driver every few hours decreases the chances of that happening. If you’re planning a solo trip, then ensure that you schedule a pit stop regularly to stretch and give yourself a break.

Secure Children Properly

Are you taking the kids with you on your road trip? If so, you must prioritize their safety. In most states, children under the age of 12 and less than 100 pounds need to be in a child safety seat. Install the appropriate car seat for your child’s age and size. Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat or a booster chair, you want to ensure there’s enough space and that it’s properly secured to the vehicle. If you don’t have enough room for the car seats, it’s best to consider another car.

Print Directions (Or Bring A Map)

Although printed directions and maps may seem obsolete in this tech era, they come in handy for a road trip. Depending on where you’re traveling, there could be areas where there is no internet service, or the GPS system doesn’t work. Unless you want to waste time and gas wandering around, it’s best to have a backup.

It’s the perfect time of year to hit the road and enjoy a little getaway. If you’re going to have a good time, you must prepare. Although selecting a destination, reserving a hotel, and picking activities are at the top of your list, don’t forget to complete the above tasks. Failure to do so could cause your road trip to come to an end before it ever gets started.

Additional resources:

4×4 Reports – a guide to the best parts, accessories, gear, and equipment
Long-distance road trip guide: packing, planning, and more
How to prepare your vehicle for an epic road trip

Flyover country road trip: Fun in flyover country

June 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

I’m very excited to share that long-time Pit Stops for Kids contributor Kathleen Basi, a proud lifelong resident of “flyover country,” released a road-trip-themed novel this spring, and agreed to share a few places she uncovered in her research. If you’re on a flyover country road trip with kids this summer, check out one or two of these fun stops along the way!

1. Silver Beach Carousel

Online: https://www.silverbeachcarousel.com/2016-06-15-14-44-41/test-menu-item
Where: St. Joseph, Michigan
What: A must-stop if you’re trekking northward with little ones (or not-so-little ones)! Our family discovered this by accident when we got off the highway to let the kids see the Great Lakes for the first time. We were looking for a beach, and we got that–but we also got a carousel and the best spray park we’ve ever seen. In fact, with the additional attractions here, this could turn into much more than a stop along the way!

2. “Castle Park”

Online: https://www.pitstopsforkids.com/southern-illinois-pit-stop-jeremy-rochman-memorial-park/
Where: Carbondale, Illinois
What: If you have young (or even not-so-young) children, plan several hours to let them enjoy this amazing, Dungeons & Dragons-themed park. A dragon big enough to climb on, a castle with thrones, dungeons and secret passages, and countless surprises hidden in the trees and shrubs.

3. Cahokia Mounds (featured in A Song For The Road)

Online: https://cahokiamounds.org/
Where: Collinsville, Illinois (just outside St. Louis)
What: an active archaeological site and 2000+-acre preserve featuring a collection of Native American mounds, including Monks Mound, with a base roughly the same size as the base of the Great Pyramid at Giza. There’s also a top-notch interpretive center.

4. Future birthplace of James T. Kirk

Online: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g38341-d1985332-Reviews-Future_Birthplace_of_James_T_Kirk-Riverside_Iowa.html

Where: Riverside, Iowa
What: Features a statue of the intrepid captain in the park, a model of the Starship Enterprise, and a store-museum.

5. Corn Palace

Online: https://cornpalace.com/
Where: Mitchell, South Dakota
What: a multipurpose arena with domed towers, decorated on the outside by murals made of corn, other grains, and grasses grown in South Dakota. It is redesigned every year, and if you come at the right time you could even see the new mural under construction.

Flyover country road trip: Nine stops you won't want to miss along the road.

6. Gunfighter Wax Museum

Online: http://www.teachershallfamedodgecityks.org/wax-museum.html
Where: Dodge City, KS
What: Housed inside the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame, the name says it all. See life-sized figures of Wyatt Earp, Sitting Bull, Calamity Jane, and more.

7. Taos Pueblo

Online: http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/20-us-places-to-see-before-you-die#!7-taos-pueblo
Where: Taos, New Mexico
What: This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of mud-and-straw adobes that have been occupied by Native Americans for almost a thousand years. Get a glimpse of what life was like when the Spanish first encountered them in the 16th century.

8. UFO Watchtower (featured in A Song For The Road)

Online: https://www.mycoloradoparks.com/road-trips/road-trip-stops/colorado-places/ufo-watchtower-colorado/Where: Hooper, Co.
What: a viewing platform, gift shop, and campground in the San Luis Valley, one of the premier UFO-sighting regions. Visitors can stay up all night and watch for mysterious lights in the sky. There’s also a “healing garden” which reportedly has otherworldly connections.

9. Craters of the Moon

Online: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm
Where: Central Idaho
What: a national monument centered around a volcanic debris field in Idaho’s Snake River Plain. There are paved trails and a scenic drive which allow you to see lava tubes, rifts, cones, and many other volcanic features.

Travel with a cat? What to take with you

April 22, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Travel with a cat? Yes, you can! If you are going to arrange a trip in your furry friend’s company, it is worth taking some essentials to help your cat feel comfortable and stay safe.

Even though dogs are believed to be better travel buddies, cat owners don’t want to deprive themselves of a chance to share new experiences with their fluffy friends. Today we see a great tendency that most public places become pet-friendly, and it means that you can arrange a full-fledged adventure with a furry buddy without fear of being not let in somewhere. And if you want to hit the road and go camping, your kitty will be able to enjoy nature and explore the surroundings. Thus, you will kill two birds with one stone since you can go wherever you want, and don’t worry about leaving your buddy in a pet hotel. To make your travel experience comfortable and safe for your cat, it is worth reading redbarn cat food reviews and making a list of essentials you should grab with you when you travel with a feline buddy.

1. Collar and ID tag

Safety and prudence should be the number one priority when it comes to traveling with pets. You can be 100% sure that you will keep an eye on your cat around the clock, but the reality may turn out to be different. Something can distract you only for a minute, and your freedom-loving furry friend will decide to slip away and explore the territory. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to use a collar in combination with an ID tag and even a tracker, so you will be prepared for an unpredictable situation.

2. Carrier

Even though this point seems obvious, many cat owners turn a blind eye to it. However, if you have to leave your cat for a while, it is worth putting it in a carrier for its safety. If you have a home buddy that doesn’t know anything about outdoor life, it can get into trouble. Carriers represent a shelter where your kitty can feel secure and safe. Besides, if you travel by car, your cat will have better chances to survive if you get in an accident.

3. Veterinarian info

You are responsible for your cat’s life and health, so it will be a wise decision to have your vet’s info on hand even if you are going to travel around the country. If your feline buddy suddenly gets sick, your vet can contact a new doc and provide them with all the required info. It is especially true if your cat has some specific health issues, so your furry buddy will not get a treatment that can bring more harm than good.

4. Food and water

Of course, your traveling experience will turn out to be a catastrophe if you forget to take food and water for your kitty. Many people forget about essentials when they pack the bags. Thus, this point is a must even if you believe that you will grab some food on the way. You need some supply of food, water, and maybe some goodies. Thus, you will be ready for unforeseen circumstances and not make your cat get stressed and suffer from an upset stomach because of a sudden diet change.

5. Leash and harness

Cats easily get scared, and it can be hard to keep a firm grip on, so putting a leash and harness on your feline friend may become a safety ring. Your kitty will neither run away suddenly nor get lost. Besides, it will be easier to control it and walk together. Just be sure to use a harness instead of a collar in such a case since the latter can injure your furry buddy’s neck.

5 reasons to travel by car during a pandemic

April 7, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

When we found ourselves closed at home last year, we didn’t believe it would last for too long. However, people still stay at home globally and don’t know when the world will get back to normal. The challenging epidemiological situation led to the fact that about 54% of Americans decided to travel by car, hitting the road. Last year they arranged two journeys on average and planned to travel even more after reading the xtm rooftop tent review and finding vast opportunities such equipment can provide them with. If you have some doubts, it is time to study five key reasons why you should give a road trip a try.

1. Increased safety

Two years ago, people chose to travel by car because it was a great way to take as much luggage as possible. Airlines have their restrictions, and many travelers cannot meet them. However, today safety has become the number one priority. It is much easier and safer to travel by car and avoid crowds of strangers. If you take snacks with you, it is possible to stop in a wonderful, secluded place in the fresh air. Traveling by car with family members can become a pleasant and, more importantly, safe pastime when you change scenery and fill your life with positive vibes.

2. Freedom of movement

Traveling by car suggests complete freedom of action and movement. The chances are high that you have a list of must-visit places within the country or even a region. You can hit the road, choosing the most fascinating and beautiful route with picturesque landscapes and attractions. The very cool thing is that your adventure starts even before you reach the final destination. It is an unforgettable visual experience since you can always stay longer in one place or pop in a new spot.

3. Economy

Even though you will have to spend money on fuel, it will be much cheaper than buying airline tickets, for example. It is especially true if you come up with a route beforehand and arrange a family trip. Only you decide how much you spend on food, what attractions to visit, and whether you need additional staff or are okay with everything you have. When you get a car tent, you can save a pretty penny since you can sleep right there.

4. Fun pastime

There are various reasons people take such an adventure despite the epidemic and general uneasy situation. One of them is, of course, the inability to go abroad and a decrease in the number of alternative traveling options. At the same time, Americans admit that they’ve started traveling way more since the beginning of the pandemic. Most of them avoided road trips and couldn’t even imagine how fun and interesting such an experience can be. However, when you travel by car, you can listen to music, play games and fool around together.

5. Psychological comfort

The pandemic is about tension, fears, and huge inner discomfort. You can choose any destination and make a route that will meet your expectations and needs. For example, when you travel by car, the most crowded place can be a gas station, but you don’t need to stay in lines and be surrounded by others for a long time. Thus, when you hit the road with your dear people, you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere around you. The risk of communicating with unpleasant or sick strangers is minimal. In other words, traveling by car contributes to the release of “good” hormones that help you feel happy and satisfied.

Additional resources:

FVF Law promotes proper road safety for families
Common mistakes that could ruin your road trip
Driving safely in the time of coronavirus and why it matters

Long-distance road trip guide: packing, planning and more

January 27, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

We love road trips here at Pit Stops for Kids! But we know they’re daunting. After years of road tripping with kids, we’ve finally put together a comprehensive long-distance road trip guide:

How to Prepare For Your Road Trip

Even if you want to be spontaneous and let the road be your guide, it’s important to decide before departure what type of trip you want to experience. Will you be camping each night, sleeping under the stars? If so, purchase forest service maps for the areas you’ll drive through so you know where you’re legally allowed to catch some Z’s. Do you want luxury digs near popular destinations in peak season? Best to plan a route and book hotels in advance. Want to find the kookiest roadside attractions? Scout the roads less traveled, and take your time.

Whichever type of road trip you envision, make sure to bring the essentials with you, such as bottled water, an emergency blanket, a spare tire, and a cell phone charger. While travelers can buy supplies en route, it’s best to be prepared and self-reliant. Consider investing in a roadside assistance plan before departure, keeping emergency numbers in your phone for easy access, and letting a friend or family member know your itinerary. Don’t rely solely on GPS mapping and cell service; keep paper maps in the car for reference.

Source: Fix.com Blog

Packing Your Car For Maximum Efficiency:

On a long road trip, packing and repacking your car can become quite tedious. Save yourself time (and some back-breaking work) by packing efficiently. Place sleeping gear in a lockable, weatherproof cargo box or bag on top of your car; sleeping bags take up much-needed space. Put overnight bags into the car first because you’ll be retrieving them only once a day. Place seasonal items you may need at pit stops close to the rear door. This way, you can quickly grab swimsuits, winter boots, recreational gear, and the like before getting outside to play. Use a canvas tote bag or small cargo box in the interior of your car to store things you’ll need on the go, like music, books, snacks, camera, and water.

Consider a rooftop cargo box:

We’ve tried multiple cargo boxes (both hardshell and softshell) on a variety of family cars, and can attest to the fact that while soft-sided storage bags are cheaper, they’re also less user-friendly and less secure. We most recently tried out Thule’s new Force XT, which comes in four sizes: sport, L, XL, and XXL (in a price range of $499 to $629). We put the L on our Toyota Rav 4, and after adjusting the range of our back hatch opening, it worked perfectly. It is wider than the previous Thule we used (find the exact specifications on the Thule site) and taller, so we can fit a combination of skis and snowboards in easily. In fact, on a recent ski trip, we fit five pairs of skis, a snowboard, and two boot bags! The Thule Force uses Thule’s PowerClick quick-mount system, which is easy to figure out, and the LockKnob can be manipulated even with ski gloves on. You get dual-side opening, so you can access your gear easily, and the key system is less clunky than on other cargo box brands we’ve tried. With a family of five, we rely on a cargo box to fit all our gear!

Make Sure Your Car is Trip-Ready:

Responsible owners always have a spare tire and keep their cars maintained, but a long trip requires extra precaution. Before you start, check your windshield wiper fluid, tire pressure, and headlight brightness. Get your oil checked if you think you’ll hit the mileage for your next change while on the road, and purchase an extra set of wipers so you don’t need to hunt for a pair in an emergency.

On that note, you may also want to keep replacement car seat covers, cat mats, and other accessories. This way, if things get messy, you don’t have to wait until you can find a place to clean your car before you can change to clean covers and mats.

Ensure that you have a flashlight, tire jack, and snow chains (if applicable) be-fore you depart. It doesn’t hurt to keep an extra pair of gloves and a blanket in the car at all times, as well. On a long-distance trip, you may experience all types of weather.

On The Road:

In addition to fun roadside attractions and iconic pit stops, you’ll need to stop when nature calls. Look for stops that perform double duty: travel-service plazas, where all amenities are in one place, or rest stops with welcome centers attached.

Ask locals for dining and attraction recommendations; no one knows the area better than those who live there! Seek out green spaces to ensure you get some exercise: hiking trails, state parks, playgrounds, and schools during the summer months all fit the bill. Consider picking up food at a grocery store or farmers market and eating picnic-style for a healthier, tastier alternative to fast food.

Finding The Best Pit Stops:

For those bucket-list-worthy stops, in addition to using Pit Stops for Kids, consult travel websites before your trip for ideas. State tourism boards are also a great resource. Make a list of national parks and historic sites along your route, and, if you plan to visit more than a handful of them, consider purchasing a national park annual pass to save time and money. Keep in mind that many urban sites, such as the Statue of Liberty or Independence Hall, are national park attractions.

Check apps like Yelp and Trekaroo (for families with young kids) for the best dining options using GPS. Ask locals for ideas, or crowd-source for tips on social media. Park in open, well-lit areas en route and at night, preferably where you can see your car from your restaurant table or hotel room.

Source: Fix.com Blog

Six kid-friendly tourist attractions to visit in Pigeon Forge

November 9, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Travel can be challenging right now. If you decide traveling is right for your family, be sure to social distance, wear masks, and quarantine upon your return.

If you’re ready to hit the road and take your family on an adventurer’s journey, here are six incredible kid-friendly tourist attractions to visit in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Ziplining through the Great Smoky Mountains

One of the best adventures your kids can enjoy in Pigeon Forge is a ziplining tour in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The adrenaline rush of swinging above the treetops on a hanging wire is pure exhilaration. Besides the fun and action-packed ziplining experience, your family can also discover the forest’s diverse wildlife, breathtaking streams, and indigenous flowering plants.

Fat Daddy Arcade

Fat Daddy Arcade is the real definition of having fun and building strong family bonds. Packed with all sorts of classical games and fun things like the milk jug toss, dueling basketball hoops, the Clown, Plinko, and more, this one’s always a hit with kids. This event offers you an opportunity to have fun with your family and still win big.

Take a Hike

There is no better way to spend a summer afternoon with the kids than to connect with Mother Nature. The beautiful and welcoming hiking trails provide the best kids adventure and what you need to enjoy a peaceful hike with your loved ones.

Furthermore, exploring new places and unlocking new experiences is an excellent way to stay active, spend quality time, and bond with your family. With some snacks and drinks, you’re ready to hit the trail and explore the fascinating scenic routes in the Forge area.

Xtreme Racing Center

Your trip to the Forge area isn’t complete without the kids visiting the Xtreme center. The Xtreme center is dedicated to providing tourists with the ultimate Pigeon Forge go-kart excursion with various thrilling course alternatives. The track is also packed with exciting adventures, narrow straightaways, and winding turns. Your children will treasure and appreciate the time spent zooming around the sharp corners of the race tracks and competing for first place forever.

Watch the Island Show Fountain

The Island show fountain is a state-of-the-art presentation that showcases a beautiful water dance and light. The exhibition is carefully choreographed to a stunning fourteen pieces of music. Over 89 vertical nozzles cause movement and six motion-based nozzles also form detailed water sprays that dance to the music.

The Titanic Museum

How about giving your kids a bit of a history lesson? Visiting the Titanic museum is a pure eye-opener. You and your family will learn more about the titanic ship, its crew, and passengers. You will have an opportunity to walk your family through the inside and experience how it felt like to walk the cabins, hallways, grand staircases, and parlors. Visit the memorial room to discover the 2,208 names on the historic wall and let the kids connect with history.

Final word

Road tripping is indeed a one-of-the-kind adventure. Besides unlocking new experiences, road trips can improve family bonds. However, you should be aware of the mishaps that might occur when road tripping with your kids and figure out how to combat them. You may need to carry car spare parts and medicine in case of a car breakdown or if one of your family members gets car sick.

Pit Stops for Kids’ Pre-Road Trip Checklist

October 12, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

My Busy Kit is a must in the ‘carry-on’ bag!

As my family and I gear up (literally speaking!) for our upcoming 22-day road trip throughout the western states, piles of equipment, duffel bags, coolers, and the like are starting to dot the landscape of our family room. As I always wonder before an extended trip, I’ve been asking myself: is this all really going to fit into our minivan?

Somehow, it always does. The key to this magic trick? Organization, organization, and more organization. In case you, too, have a trip to pack for, here’s how we divide up all that stuff that accompanies a single family on a road trip:

One ‘checked’ bag per person.

No, we’re not flying on this trip, but the same rule applies (and if it’s over 50 lbs, I pocket the penalty cash…just kidding). Each person in our family is allotted one checked bag, and they all go in our car top duffel so that they’re out of the way until we stop for the night.

Our Family Car Organizer all stuffed and ready to go!

Two family ‘carry-on’ bags.

I know that many families opt to have each child carry his or her own stuff in individual bags, but we’ve found that causes too much clutter with three kids, especially since they bring so many like items.

Our first carry-on (usually our large Tuffo Family Car Organizer) is filled with activities for the car.* These include everyone’s books, travel journals, small toys, My Busy Kits, coloring books, auto Bingo checklists and other car games, and non-perishable snacks like jelly-bellies, goldfish crackers, and the like.

Our second carry-on is filled with electronics. For this, I use my trusted Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag. In it are more than enough compartments to fit (and keep organized) my laptop, the kids’ Nintendo DS units, everyone’s camera (yes, everyone has one…you can buy used digital cameras for a steal on Ebay these days!), iPods, our portable DVD player and portable TV (which we use for a second screen), DVDs and Nintendo games, and all the various chargers and cords. (Don’t forget headphones and a duel headphone adapter!) Within the main bag, we use gallon-sized zip-lock bags to keep the components of each type of electronic item separate.

A plastic grocery bag.

Actually, let’s make that several plastic grocery bags. What are they for? I bet you can guess! But besides car sickness and other unforeseen emergencies, they’re great to slip around a car hook as a garbage bag and as a temporary home for wet shoes, swimsuits, soiled clothes, and the like.

A cooler with ice.

We pack lunches, snacks, and drinks whenever possible. Not only does it save money on the road, but eating pre-packed food ensures that we’ll stop at more scenic locations for our breaks, like roadside viewpoints or parks, rather than fast food joints. Besides, traveling with kids is nearly as hard as running a marathon…best if everyone fuels up with healthy options! And when you simply can’t find a decent place to stop, or one person declares he will simply die of hunger if he doesn’t eat right now (is that just my kids?)…you have assess to your food right in the car!

Add pillows (if there’s room), a diaper bag (if you have a little one) and there you have it…everything we take with us in the car. After all, when your square footage is lacking, less is definitely more!

The wonders of Wall Drug, South Dakota (in photos)

August 24, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Have you stopped at Wall Drug, in Wall, South Dakota? If you’ve driven along I-90 in either direction, even hundreds of miles out, you probably have stopped. This fantastical roadside pit stop is absolutely worth a stop, or even a detour, to explore with the kids.

I was lucky enough to meet the third and fourth generation owners of Wall Drug, which is still owned by the original Hustead family. The story of how this sprawling place came to be is as uplifting as the place itself: in the 1930’s, when Wall Drug was the very humble, one-room Hustead Drug Store owned by Ted and Dorothy Hustead, customers were scarce, due to the Depression and drought. Faced with closing their doors, Dorothy Hustead came up with the idea of offering free ice water to passing travelers. She put up a few roadside signs, and the rest is history. Today, roadside advertising is still the #1 way customers find Wall Drug, and trust me, these signs are abundant…and entertaining on the interstate.

You can still get free ice water at Wall Drug, and coffee is still five cents. What else is there? Um…everything? There are departments for Western wear, jewelry, toys, clothing, candy, art, and more. There’s still a working pharmacy, plus a pharmacy museum of sorts, a mining attraction for kids, a play area with water features, a shooting gallery, an arcade, multiple dining options, a soda fountain, and thousands of historic photos of South Dakota history. Prepare to get lost a few times! Honestly, Wall Drug defies explanation, so we’ll show you the place in pictures.

Wondering where to stay while in Wall? Head to Ann’s Motel. This charming throwback to bygone eras of road trip travel lodges is clean and affordable, and best of all, Ann still checks you in with a real key and a friendly smile. Ann’s is just down the street from Wall Drug.

While in the Wall area, definitely head to Badlands National Park!

Travel Gear We Use: All-time favorite healthy travel snacks

August 14, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Today’s Travel Gear We Use segment isn’t exactly gear, but does help us as we travel: we’re rounding up our favorite healthy travel snacks. There are many, many products out there that claim to be wholesome, organic, and tasty. We’ve tried almost all of them. Yet, this list is short. Very short. Why? Let’s be real: most so-called healthy travel snacks are gross. Even my kids, who know their way around a natural foods store, go to schools that are GMO-free, and live in hippie-friendly Oregon, have their limits. Here are the winners that are kid-tested and kid-approved in our house. Buy these snacks for your next road trip or air travel day, and you won’t be wasting your money.

SunRidge Farms mixes:

OMG, you guys. If you want to ensure everyone in the family has a healthy, delicious and dare I say, downright exciting trail mix to call their own for your next trip, check out SunRidge Farms. Their many, many trail mix varieties can be bought in 6-8 ounce bags, but also come in bulk. I love this option, as we bring our own containers and bento boxes when we travel to cut down on waste. You can create your own trail mixes by looking through their many nut, seed, dried fruit, and organic chocolate offerings, but save yourself some time and check out their pre-packaged ones. We love the Berries and Chocolate. You can also get square protein chews that my kids gave a thumbs up: the peanut butter power chews are a favorite. I love that SunRidge Farm’s production facility is powered by solar energy and that their foods are GMO-free, organic, and much of the chocolate and coffee offerings are Fair Trade. Yes, SunRidge Farms’ trail mixes are more expensive than average, but we found them on Amazon and if you buy in bulk, you’ll get high quality snack food for a reasonable price! You can even get gummies for a treat on the road you don’t have to feel guilty about!

Kate’s Real Food:

Haven’t heard of Kate’s Real Food bars? I love these all-natural, organic creations originating in Jackson Hole, WY. Kate’s bars have been embraced by serious hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, and skiers all over the West, so you know it’s good enough for road trip noshing, too. We love that these bars are made from locally-sourced ingredients whenever applicable, and they never freeze…even when skiing or in the cold car. My kids quickly tire of the usual protein bars and granola bars, but Kate’s are just wholesome enough that they taste like, well, real food, instead of chalk or powder. And bonus: they’re on Amazon in bulk, too!

Nut butters from PB Crave

This high energy, high protein food is perfect for road trips because it can survive just fine without refrigeration and doesn’t melt (too much) in a hot car. Kids find peanut butter to be boring? They won’t if you try PB Crave. These peanut butters come in super fun flavors, like Cookie Nookie (chocolate chips and cookie dough flavor) and Razzle Dazzle (dark chocolate, white cocoa butter drops, and natural raspberry flavor). They taste very sweet (maybe too sweet for grown ups), but all PB Crave flavors are sweetened with wild honey, and their more affordable than ‘gourmet’ nut butters. We put a jar in the car and toss in crackers, bread, or apple slices to eat with it.

Matt’s Munchies

Forget about any other fruit leather or fruit roll-up, and definitely forget about those artificial fruit snacks. My kids LOVED Matt’s Munchies dried fruit strips, and I loved that each package could feed two hungry kids…no skimping here! We love the tropical flavors with real strips of coconut blended in, but get a variety pack to start with and discover your favorites. For picky eaters used to basic flavors, try the Apple-licious.

As a peanut butter alternative, you can also try an almond butter. It could also be used as a good travel snack. Here’s a review on the best almond butter from Kitchenistic.

Bottom line: can you supply your family with travel snacks for less money? Sure, we know that. And our family can’t realistically buy these types of snacks every day. But eating healthy, wholesome, naturally sweetened snacks while traveling can enhance every part of your vacation. Kids will feel better, be better behaved, and have more energy to play and explore. And the truth is, so will you!

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