Popular Orcas Island, WA can get busy during the summer season, and lodging on this less developed San Juan Islands vacation destination can fill up fast. Families will find they don't have too many options: only a few established hotel resorts, lots of B&Bs (not all of them kid-friendly), and two campground choices exist. Camping at Moran State Park and Doe Bay Resort fill up as fast as the … [Read more...]
Search Results for: rv camping
Five things to do with kids in Moran State Park, Orcas Island WA
September 28, 2017 By
Orcas Island is a great destination for families in the San Juan Island network. Kids will enjoy kayaking or exploring the numerous farmer's markets and two public beaches, but the highlight for us was Moran State Park. Located on the Doe Bay section of the island, Moran includes two lakes, numerous hikes, beautiful cascade waterfalls, a wonderful nature center, and swimming beaches. What … [Read more...]
15 ways to fill the dog days of summer: late summer getaways and tips
August 30, 2017 By
By this part of summer, some families have already begun the school year, and the rest of us are in the last leg of vacation. If you're like us, the planned summer trips are behind you, yet empty days still stretch ahead. How to fill these dog days of summer? We have 15 ideas for late summer getaways, day trips, and pit stops. 1. Check ReserveAmerica for last-minute cancellations at a local … [Read more...]
What to expect on an O.A.R.S. river rafting trip
August 11, 2017 By
Earlier this month, we enjoyed our fourth multi-night rafting trip with O.A.R.S. If you do something four times, it's because you love it, and there are very few vacations we've loved as much as O.A.R.S. trips. This unique family vacation combines some of our favorite things: outdoor exploration, adventure, isolation and off-the-grid family time, and conservation. And it packages all these … [Read more...]
Things to do in Ojai with kids
August 7, 2017 By
When most travelers think of Ojai California, they imagine a lush Southern Californian oasis of spas, retreats, and artistic shops and galleries...not exactly kid-paradise. In fact, an Ojai vacation can be family-friendly, as long as you know where to stay, where to find child-friendly activities, and what to avoid. Read on to ensure a relaxing Ojai getaway...with the kids. Get outside. Ojai … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: best hiking boots for the family
July 7, 2017 By
We're continuing our Travel Gear We Use series with a category I'm asked about a lot: hiking boots. Need guidance on buying the best hiking boots for the family? The following picks for kids hiking boots (as well as adults) come from brands we use and trust to be sturdy, highly-functional, and affordable. All have been worn by us on our own backpacking and hiking trips. Best hiking boots for … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: Best first aid kits for family travel
June 23, 2017 By
Several years ago, I became certified as a wilderness EMT and decided to create my own first aid kit for family travel. I created the ultimate kit: I left nothing out, and when I was done, there was no medical emergency I was not prepared for. The only trouble: my kit was the size of a pillowcase and had cost me almost $60 to put together. I'm often asked how to make a homemade first aid … [Read more...]
Travel Gear We Use: Top sleeping bags for backpacking families
April 28, 2017 By
It's time to think family camping! Get your family geared up for the summer camping season by snuggling up in a down or down-alternative sleeping bag! Today on Travel Gear We Use, we're listing our favorite sleeping bags for backpacking and camping families, with lightweight and kids' picks. Best sleeping bag we use for kids: We love our son's The North Face Dolomite 20F Youth … [Read more...]
Florida Caverns State Park
April 24, 2017 By
State parks make some of the very best pit stops, as fans of Florida Caverns State Park well know! One of the few state parks with dry (air-filled) caves, Florida Caverns is the only Florida state park to offer cave tours to the public. Accessible to all ages, the cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones, and draperies. The park is also popular … [Read more...]
10 ways to travel eco-friendly as a family
April 17, 2017 By
April is the month we celebrate Earth Day and the more-encompassing 'Earth Month', but really, we try very hard at Pit Stops for Kids to travel eco-friendly all year round. Unfortunately, there's something about seeing the Alaskan glaciers melt before our eyes or watching the world's coral reefs shrink that really drives home the importance of taking care of our natural environment. I know our … [Read more...]
