The Talking Suitcase

Experience the World With Kids

Family-Friendly Adventures for Your Kids’ Weekend

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A weekend away with the kids can be a real treat. It is a great way to bond with the family, a nice escape from the daily grind, and something that can be done on a shoestring. And best of all, for a weekend getaway you don’t have to do too much planning or packing!

Wherever you are in the country, there are plenty of activities that will keep the kids entertained. Here are some fun and family-friendly adventures for your next vacation escapade with your children.

Visit a local farm
Farms are a great place to take the kids for a day out. There’s nothing kids love more than playing with cute animals, and most farms include a petting zoo, where your little ones can get right up close to the fluffiest examples on the farm! There are usually plenty of animals to see, and the kids can learn all about where their food comes from, which is a nice educational addition to a fun day out. Many farms also have playgrounds, hay rides, and other activities, so the kids can burn off some energy.

Go for a nature walk
Nature walks are a great way to get some fresh air and explore the outdoors. It is a chance for the kids to run around and let off some steam, and you can teach them all about the plants and animals that you see along the way. A nature walk can be anything from a stroll through a few local meadows to a full-scale, day-long hike in a National Park or up your nearest mountain! Wherever your choose to go, getting outside and exploring the great outdoors with your kids will be a truly rewarding day of fun and excitement.

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Cairo Travel Essentials: 10 Things You Must Pack for Egypt

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Before our trip to Egypt, I was a maniac researching Cairo travel essentials and guides.  I wanted to know all the things we would need to pack for Egypt, what types of clothes we should wear and generally what to expect during our visit. After all that research, stress and preparation, I've concluded that there are 10 things you must pack for Egypt. So double check your suitcase and don't leave home without these items!

Before our trip to Egypt, I was a maniac, researching Cairo travel essentials and guides.  I wanted to know all the things we would need to pack for Egypt, what types of clothes we should wear and generally what to expect during our visit. After all that research, stress and preparation, I’ve concluded that there are 10 things you must pack for Egypt. So double check your suitcase and don’t leave home without these items!

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5 Unique London Experiences to Have with Kids

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

London is known for it’s history and famous landmarks, but there is more to the city than Big Ben and Tower Bridge.  We’ve put together a list of 5 unique London experiences to try on your next visit.  Encounter some of TV’s most lovable characters, take in sweeping views of the city, and enjoy delicious food and afternoon tea. Experience a different side of London with kids on your next holiday.

Take a Trip to the Kingdom of Far Far Away:

Lucy at DreamWorks-Tours Shrek’s Adventure

DreamWorks Tours: Shrek’s Adventure is a unique experience that combines live shows and special effects. Let Donkey take you on a 4D bus tour through London to meet Shrek, Pinocchio, the Muffin Man and the Magic Mirror. After escaping from witches and Rumpelstiltskin, have your adventurer pose for pictures with Shrek and play games with the Penguins in Madagascar.

*This experience is best with younger children and should be reserved in advance.

Afternoon Tea with a Kid-Friendly Twist:

Photo Credit: The Sanderson Hotel

 

No trip to London would be complete without afternoon tea. Typically served between 4pm – 6pm, this British tradition can make for a magical experience when visiting with children. A couple of fun recommendations for kid-friendly afternoon tea include:

Charlie and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea At The Chesterfield Hotel. This will be a delight for Willy Wonka fans. This chocolate themed tea features traditional finger sandwiches and scones plus children can enjoy their own special treats from the kids menu. Get your golden ticket and savor an afternoon of tea with a fizzy lifting cake.

The Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea At The Sanderson Hotel is an experience based on Alice in Wonderland. Guests can enjoy “Alice” China black tea, King of Hearts parmesan croque-monsieur stack and more.

*Look for special offers online before reserving at table.

Discover the Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Photo Credit: Visit London

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is an experience no Harry Potter fan, young or old, should miss. Visit the sets of Diagon Alley and the Great Hall, find out how the special effects team created the films, and admire props such as Potions Class and Puking Pastilles. Visitors will want to take time to enjoy a Butterbeer and can even pre-order a souvenir tankard.

*Reservations required

Marvel at 360° Views:

Photo Credit: Up at The O2

Up at The O2 is a completely unique experience to share with older kids (ages 9+). Take a 90 minute climb over the Arena rooftop to see historic Greenwich, Olympic Park, and Canary Wharf. See some of the sights of London from above while the kids take selfies to impress their friends.

*Book online

Enjoy a Day Out with Paddington Bear:

Photo Credit: Visit London

The Paddington Bear movies rekindled our love of the children’s literary character from the 1950’s. Start your day at Paddington Station to pose with the bronze Paddington Bear statue, then follow the Pawprint Trail to find more Paddington statues. Even if you can’t follow the full itinerary, kids will love taking selfies and even getting their own bear at the Paddington Bear Shop, either at the station or the famous toy store, Hamleys.

London is one city that I can’t seem to stay away from. It’s constantly calling my name with something new and exciting to experience. While we love traditional sightseeing, it’s always great to get out and try something unique. Jump on a bus with Donkey, hunt down Paddington Bear, sip tea like Alice and see London from the rooftops. Kids won’t stop talking about their unique London experiences!

Do you have any unique London experiences to share?

See more top family attractions in London before planning your trip.

 

 

10 Things Not to Do When Boarding a Plane

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It’s time for your holiday! You arrive at the airport, check your bags, make it through security and settle in at the gate to wait for your flight. Finally, boarding is announced. The queue forms and people start making their way down the gangway.

Suddenly, you’re stopped.

Stuck standing around outside of the plane, waiting for your chance to be greeted by the crew. You step onto the plane only to stand around again in the narrow aisle, just wanting to sit down so the plane can take off.  Sometimes things move fairly quickly and other times it seems like you will NEVER make it to your seat – even though you only need to get to row 9. Sound familiar?

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Pictures from the Road – Easy Guide to Understanding French Road Signs

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Driving in France can be challenging, especially if you can’t read French.  The thought of getting in the car and navigating roads at 60+ mph in a foreign country can be scary.  But really, it’s pretty much the same as driving in the U.S.A. and most other countries.  The exception being the UK, as they drive on the wrong side of the road 😉  French road signs are pretty straightforward and use a lot of universal symbols.   However, it is important to know what those signs mean and how you should interpret them.  This guide can help you travel safely and successfully in France.

On our recent road trip, I took pictures of signs we passed on both the interstate and local roads.  A few times I had to have the kids translate a word or two for me.  It’s so nice to travel with kids that are pretty much fluent in the language!  But first, lets look at some key vocabulary.

French Vocab.

Travaux = works (ie. road work)
Attention = attention
Ouvert = open
Fermé = closed
Rappel = reminder (you’ll see this under the speed limit signs as a reminder to the speed limit. It’s a reminder to you that you are still in that speed zone – not that it has changed)
Prochaine sortie = next exit
Sortie = exit
Péage – toll road
Sauf = except
cédez le passage = yield or give way
Toutes directions = all directions
Route barre = road closed
Sens unique = one-way
Suivre = follow
Arrêt = stop
Serrez à droite = keep to the right
Allumez vos feux = Turn on your lights
Aire de XX = rest stop of X town
Gendarmerie = police station
Rue = street

Guide to French Road Signs

It is also important to note that in France there is priorité à droite or the right-of-way is to cars entering from the right. This is always the case unless you have a sign with a yellow triangle giving you priority. While you won’t really find people merging into your lane as if you weren’t there as they enter the highway, they do have the right of way.   If there is an accident, you are at fault.  This is opposite of in the U.S., where priority is given to those already on the highway.

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