When we visited Paris last winter, we spent a wonderful day in the Louvre. At least, it was mostly wonderful, except for the two hours we spent looking for each other. My husband had our two older sons in one section, and I had our youngest in another, and our plans to 'find each other later' went woefully sideways. We both had phones, but had put them in airplane mode to save on our international … [Read more...]
Search Results for: teen travel
Guide to Villa Borghese with teens who want to do everything extreme
May 9, 2016 By
We’re a very active family who spends significant time outdoors when we travel. In Rome, we noticed the lack of green spaces right away. Luckily, our apartment rental was located directly across the Tiber from Piazzo Popolo with an entrance to Villa Borghese. This sprawling green space and garden is Rome’s version of Central Park, and if you have active kids and teens who need to burn off energy, … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: best overnight backpack brands for kids and youth
May 6, 2016 By
As an editor at Practical Travel Gear and a gear reviewer for OutdoorsNW, I test a lot of travel products and outdoor gear. Some of this gear we keep and continue to use as a family, and some of it gets pushed to the wayside. Some of the most-frequent questions I'm asked on Pit Stops for Kids is related to what to pack, what to bring, and what to wear. Our Travel Gear We Use series will address … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: Camping Comfort Items
April 20, 2016 By
We used to be hardcore minimalist campers...until we starting reviewing camping gear. Then we realized there's a whole slew of fun, convenient camping items we now can't live without. Turns out, we like to be comfortable! While we still camp in a minimalist fashion when it comes to backpacking gear, we've added the following camping comfort items to our car camping experience. Big Agnes … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: Best cameras for small hands
April 15, 2016 By
A good camera or HD video device is essential gear for most families traveling today. We agree, and take it one step further: it's wonderful to put the camera in the hands of a child. Kids become more engaged with their surroundings when they have some control over documenting the trip, and we find our tweens and teens pay better attention on historic site visits or at natural attractions when … [Read more...]
Oboz Sundog review: hiking shoes that please the teen
May 15, 2015 By
I have a 13-year-old who loves hiking, but hates hiking boots. We've tried just about everything, from rugged backpacking boots that I hoped would look 'cool' to very simple Columbia low-cut hiking shoes that practically slid onto his feet. It didn't matter: he always preferred to hike in his Keen sandals. I'm a huge fan of Keens for outdoor adventure and travel: we believe about 80% of all … [Read more...]
Hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast (with teens to toddlers)
May 11, 2015 By
You don’t have to be a through-hiker with a backcountry permit and backpacking equipment to experience Kauai’s Na Pali Coast.Yes, the further you hike, the more you’ll see, but it’s entirely possible to hike just half a day and see enough to be wowed. The Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles one-way along the stunning and steep Na Pali Coast, and provides the only means of traveling this section of … [Read more...]
Facing serious concerns when traveling with kids: how to get past the ‘fear factor’
April 1, 2015 By
Any parent traveling with kids off the beaten path has fielded questions from nay-sayers: “Are you sure it’s safe to travel to Mexico?” “You’re taking your kids how far along what trail?” “How long will you be gone?” “Solo, you say?" As a parent who makes her living encouraging people to travel with their kids, I bristle at these fear-based inquiries. They are not … [Read more...]
Travel gifts for kids: best hydration packs for all-season use
February 20, 2015 By
As an extension of our Travel Gear We Use series, we also feature some of our favorite travel-related gifts for kids. First up: best hydration packs for kids. I used to think that hydration packs were 'overkill' when it came to kids' outdoor gear, but I've completely changed my mind! My kids love using hydration packs during outdoor-adventure travel, and I love that they stay hydrated. Best … [Read more...]
Sending your kid on a teen service trip
June 18, 2014 By
This July, my 15-year-old son, Nate, will take his first trip out of the country without me. He'll be flying solo to San Jose, Costa Rica, where he'll meet up with a small group of like-minded teens and adult leaders to embark upon a two week teen service trip with Adventures Cross Country. During the trip, Nate will be reporting for Pit Stops for Kids, taking video and recording his … [Read more...]
