Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cincinnati, OH

List of "Explorer Books"

by Amy Mumper

June 29, 2009

We are talking about exploring our world and what better way to do it than books?  Books can be a great kickoff to the virtual vacation we talked about previously...  Try these:

• 1. Are you visiting one of the 50 states, as I suggested? (won't grandparents LOVE it, if you choose to ‘visit' their town?) Use The Kids Book of the 50 Great States for fun jump starter ideas!
• 2. My example of a destination was Hawaii. (I hope you were able to replace that with your choice and still get some great ideas!) Frommer's Hawaii with Kids is the way to go (I LOVE Frommer's).
• 3. National Geographic for Kids can really help your kids get some visuals about your virtual destination. Finding native animals to the area you're ‘visiting' would be a great way to ‘hook them'.
• 4. Speaking of trying to ‘hook' your kids... my daughter is a voracious reader. My sons could take or leave it, so here I depart from my typically prudish ways and approve of.... A farting dog! Ugh, right? But what else will seriously hook your boys? FARTS! So sorry to say... But, in this book, Walter the Farting Dog goes on a Cruise. A great way to visit Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the list goes on.
• 5. If your daughter (or son) has not yet met Fancy Nancy, get on the stick! She rules and kids love her! In this book, Nancy gets a visit from a boy from Paris. Again, a great starting point for exploring Paris.
• 6. What about a bear hunt? Your can create a variety of scenes with this classic!

On a Budget: Car Camping with Little Ones

by Amy Mumper

June 21, 2009

First let me say - I hope you all had fun celebrating Father's Day.  I sure did.  Also, HAPPY SUMMER! 

Ok, so - "Car-camping"?  On a budget?  Wait, wait, wait.  Back up.  Car camping? 

When this subject first came up, I had no idea what it was.  Sleeping in your car?  Oh, no (I've come to find out) - it's economic and efficient and "car-camping" doesn't even require an RV or pop-up camper.  Just a car.  And that's a good thing.  I wasn't planning on buying an RV or pop-up camper!  Don't get me wrong - many of my neighbors speak highly of the camp they keep at a local park.  They really ENJOY their RV.  I have mentioned, however, that I'm not the outdoorsy type.  So, surprisingly, car-camping sounded very intriguing!

There are many local camping spots where you can just pull up in your car, get out your tent and... CAMP!  Wow!  Depending on various amenities and such, you can car-camp for as low as $15-30 a night.  Doesn't that sound like a great experience? 

For those of you intrigued as I was, check out these sites for great tips that'll have you car-camping next weekend!

Here's basic "how-to" from ehow. They make it sound simple and I felt like I could do it!

Next up:  car-camping with kids...  Great practical tips to get you out there!

Finally, an article on frugal car camping.  That seems a bit redundant, but yet... not.  It's worth a look.

Has anyone out there tried this?  What do you think?  Would you recommend it?  Let us know below!

5 Things You Must Do in Cincy before the kids grow up!

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

Whether you?re a Cincy native or a transplant, you?ve just GOT to do these 5 things here in the Queen City ? get going, time flies, you know! Cincinnati history has been part of my family for generations. Literally! Thinking over the best places to go before your ?Littles? becomes ?Bigs?, I can?t help but think of my Grandma, who probably took me to each of these things. Visiting the CBD in  Read more...