Search Results for: blog tech free family road trip

How a Road Trip Can Save You Money… and Your Relationship

Newsflash: A road trip with your spouse can help you save money on couples’ counseling… and potentially an expensive divorce. Despite what you saw when Oprah and Gayle did it, a new study finds that extended periods of time in a car with a friend or significant other can be good for your relationship. YourTango and Ford Motor Company just released the results of a poll that queried more than 1,000 people who had driven long distances with a spouse or significant other. According to the poll, 84 percent said that the road trip experience strengthened their relationship. The bulk … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Road Trip Boredom Busters

According to AAA, a record number of Americans will be hitting the road during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Whether you are planning a two-hour car ride to grandma’s summer cottage or you are embarking on a 10-hour haul to a family reunion in Omaha, you’ll want to make sure that your youngest passengers are entertained during the trip. The following sanity savers will help you survive the ride without a single headache: Disposable or Digital Cameras: Purchase a disposable camera for each child (depending on age), so that he or she can take pictures on the road. Snapping … Continue reading →

Tech-Free Family Road Trip

Are we the only family on earth that doesn’t have a built-in DVD player in our vehicle? I almost asked that question out loud during a recent playgroup discussion about family road trips. Most of our friends have young children. Consequently, they tend to drive to their summer vacation destinations, rather than fly. This fact led to the DVD player conversation. Every single mom I spoke to swore that she would never leave the driveway if her vehicle weren’t equipped with a DVD player. Apparently, when traveling with kids, preservation of one’s sanity hinges on having an electronic device that … Continue reading →

Educational Summer Fun for the Whole Family

Just because school is out for the summer doesn’t mean that your kids have to take a 3-month hiatus from learning. If you are planning a summer road trip across the United States, then consider making a pit stop at some of these educational destinations: WASHINGTON Give your kids a crash course in culture in Tacoma. That’s where you’ll find the 500-foot Chihuly Bridge of Glass, built by native glass artist Dale Chihuly. The one-of-a-kind stunning blue art piece spans the Thea Foss Waterway and connects the city’s three museums —Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum … Continue reading →

Frugal At Home: Lancaster Trip

I have to say that I am enjoying a frugal day today after last week’s shopping spree. Yes, we do spend money just like everyone else, even though we try to be careful. Last weekend, we headed to Lancaster County, which is just a short drive from our home. We had dinner at our favorite family style Amish all-you-can eat restaurant (expensive) and balanced that with bringing lunch with us. We also played some miniature golf, a favorite of my eldest son. Normally, it might have cost us $25, but we got away with only spending $5. That is because … Continue reading →

Make the Most of Summer Travel

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Whether you homeschool year-round or take time off during the summer months don’t let the season of sunny days fly by without a few fun lessons. Family road trips are the ideal vehicle for hands-on learning.  Rather than allow your kids to blow travel time watching movies, playing video games or annoying their siblings have them master geography using colorful flashcards or practice math facts using your vehicle’s odometer and mile markers along the highway. By involving the entire family in some interactive “car-schooling” your kids will have the states and capitals memorized in no time.  To test your children’s memory … Continue reading →

Gas Tank Getaway: Six Flags Great America

Don’t let high gas prices keep you home this summer.  There’s no need to sweat it out in your backyard when extreme family fun is less than a tank of gas away. If you live in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan or Illinois, a mecca of mind-blowing adventure awaits at Six Flags Great America.  The popular theme park is located in Gurnee, Illinois; less than an hour’s drive from Chicago, Milwaukee, and a host of other major Midwestern cities. Great America’s convenient location is a major timesaver, but the savings don’t stop there.  In addition to banking gas money, you can continue … Continue reading →

Traveling on a Budget

With the holidays right around the corner, many families are gearing up for the drive to grandma’s house. If your road trip includes multiple children and many, many miles, then you likely want to keep moving, so you can get to your vacation destination as quickly as possible. In addition, you probably don’t want to spend too much money while on the road, especially if you dropped a bundle purchasing a ton of Christmas gifts. So, how can you keep the cost of your road trip to a minimum as you gear up for holiday travel? Here are some simple … Continue reading →

Places to take your homeschooler in Abilene Texas

There is no better way to learn than to go out and experience things. In this series on places to take your homeschooler, I will point out different things you can do in your home town. Here is a guide for things you can do in Abilene Texas. The Abilene Zoo, located in Nelson Park holds a collection of animals and plants that are native to Texas. There is a Discovery Center, Hyena Exhibit, and Black Bear Exhibit. The Zoo offers educational programs, tours, and special events. Visit this museum when studying animals, biology, and botany in addition to doing … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits—Vehicle Safety Programs for Seniors and a Whale of a Good Time on the Big Island

It’s the program many parents want their parents to attend… and for good reason. The national CarFit program, sponsored by the American Automobile Association (AAA), is designed to reduce the risk of accidents among older drivers (age 65 and up)… and it’s coming to a city near you. During 2008 trained professionals will be visiting all 50 states to evaluate the “fit” of the driver to the vehicle. The program assesses features such as safety belt use, head restraint setting, position of driver to air bags, mirror adjustment and line of sight, and operation of vehicle controls. The service is … Continue reading →