Spring Break Travel Tips for Parents by Trisha Roberts

Spring Break Vacation is almost here!  Many families will be hitting the road for recreation and leisure. As I discussed in my blog article, “Road Trip with Kids—‘Oh, No!’ or ‘I’ve Got this’” on March 13, 2016, Traveling with children can be a challenge. 

Pack Good Travel Toys

Many parents fall into the trap of lulling their children into silence by playing an endless cycle of videos in the car.  I’m not saying that videos should never be used, but there are so many other things that can be used for entertainment and promote learning at the same time. 

I highly recommend our Travel Toys Surprise Packs for Girls and Vacation Toys Travel Surprise Pack for Boys.  

Each package contains 8 wrapped toys or activities appropriate for play in a vehicle. I personally have used these with my children and found them to be invaluable!  Each child was allowed to choose and open one gift every hour of the trip.  They loved opening the surprise gift and then playing with it for the next hour.  I added a few extras to the Travel Package, like a juice box, animal crackers or package of gum, to stave off hunger and add variety.  I LOVE the fact that the Vacation Surprise Packages are pre-wrapped!  All the work is done! (And who needs more work preparing for Vacation?!?)  The package comes ready to throw in the car!  Mom Scores!  Kids are Happy!  Kids are Learning and Playing! 

Another of our great Travel Toys is our line of Read Along Books. 

These are wonderful Reading Tools for Kids that educate and entertain.  Children follow along word for word in each book to familiar stories as they are narrated and accompanied by sound effects and songs.  Your child is prompted to turn the page at the sound of the Chime. These are Great Language Toys that stimulate an interest in reading for young children and improve the reading skills of older children.  They are a phenomenal way to encourage a love for books and reading!  

We also offer an affordable, portable CD Player and volume-limiting headphones specifically designed for children.




                                                                 

 Stop Frequently and Encourage Physical Activity

Some suggestions are:

• Stop at a rest area or travel plaza and designate a running or walking course around picnic tables or other obstacles;  add a competitive challenge by timing each child using the stop watch on your smart phone. 
• Play a quick game of Leap Frog.
• Enjoy 5 minutes of Frisbee Fun.
• Set up a "goal" between two objects and let everyone kick a playground ball to score points.

Have a Great Spring Break!  Please comment and leave tips on how YOU make vacations special for your children!

Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts

proeducationaltoys@gmail.com

www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2018 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Travel Toys By Trisha Roberts

   

As the holidays approach, many families are making travel plans.  Having good toys and activities can make a trip more enjoyable. (See our blog article, "Road Trip with Kids--"Oh, No" or "I've Got This!") When my children were younger and we were anticipating a long trip, I would start buying small gifts appropriate for playing in a car or plane.  When I had at least 1 for each child for every hour that we would be traveling, I wrapped them in colorful paper and packed them in each child’s backpack. Every hour or so, each child could open a present and play with the new toy or activity; or sometimes it would be a small juice box or package of raisins to snack on.

That was the inspiration for my product line featured this month on my retail website,  ProEducational Toys.  I offer Surprise Travel Packages for girls and boys ages 3-9 that are already wrapped and ready for travel. Many families are busy enough just getting suitcases packed, making travel arrangements, and getting an animal sitter.  These wonderful packages take the work out of traveling with kids!  They come wrapped and ready to throw in the car!

EACH SET CONTAINS 8 WRAPPED GIFTS 

PRODUCTS WILL VARY WITH EACH PACKAGE

Boys Surprise Travel Package

Girls Surprise Travel Package

GIRLS VACATION SURPRISE PACKAGE

FOR GIRLS AGES 3-9 YEARS

At checkout, use the Promotional Code: Holiday Travel and get 10% off these products.

Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts

proeducationaltoys@gmail.com

www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2017 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Tips for Hiking Families by Trisha Roberts

Hiking is a great outdoor activity for any season, but especially in the summer and fall months. Whether you choose to travel on a paved path in the local park or trek through thickets and trees in the timberlands, preparing in advance can make for a safer, more enjoyable experience.

Be Prepared:

I have a backpack that is stocked and ready for any expedition. It includes:

•          Sunscreen
•          Insect Repellent
•          Binoculars                    

Binoculars are Great to take on a Hike!

•          Bandages
•          Small Water Bottle
•          Whistle                                                              

  

  Whistles for Safety

  
  
•          Inexpensive rain poncho
•          Snack Bars or Trail Mix
•          Hand Sanitizer
•         Tissues or a small roll of toilet paper
•          A plastic bag for trash

Children should carry a backpack that weighs not more than 10-15% of their body weight.  For example, an average 7 year old weighs 50-60 pounds; their pack should not weigh more than 5-9 pounds.

Don't overload your child's backpack!

What to Wear and Take:

• Long, loose sleeved shirts allow air flow but protect against sunburn, discourage ticks and mosquitos, and help prevent scratches.
• Hiking boots that fit well with absorbent cotton socks.  Try to “break-in” the boots slowly by taking short hikes or wearing them around the house before tackling a longer hike. A sturdy pair of tennis shoes also works well.
• Consider a wide-brimmed hat that can be great protection from the sun.
• Each person should wear or carry a whistle for emergencies.
• Spray bug repellent around the cuffs of sleeves and neckline of shirts and at the ankles.
• Apply sunscreen to exposed skin.
• Take at least 1 8-ounce bottle of water or Gatorade.
• If available, take a map of the park or area you plan to hike.  (This can be a great teaching tool.  Consider taking a compass and/or GPS tracker, too!)
• A walking stick can be helpful for longer hikes or paths traversing hills and mountains.

Teach children safety:

• Teach the “Buddy System”—each person should be paired with a family member or friend.  It is each person’s responsibility to know where their partner is at all times. Make sure that everyone understands the importance of staying together--no one should wander off alone. 
• 
  
• If someone should become separated from the group, they should blow their whistle (ideally the “SOS” pattern of 3 long blasts, 3 short blasts, and 3 long blasts).
• 
  

Instruct Children to Blow their Whistle if the are Lost

• Instruct children to identify and avoid contact with poisonous plants like poison ivy and poison oak.

Poison Oak

Poison Ivy

Additional Options:

• Have someone bring a bird identification book.
• Download an app to a smart phone that can help identify leaves and trees.
• Study in advance the insects or small animals you might see on your excursion.

Remember to Enjoy Every Moment! Give Thanks for the Beauty around Us!

Blog Administrator:  Trisha Roberts

proeducationaltoys@gmail.com

www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2017 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Road Trip with Kids: “Oh, No!” or “I’ve got this!” by Trisha Roberts

This is a previous post, originally written on 3/13/16, but as families are planning vacations for the summer and Spring Break, I thought this would be a good time to revisit how to make travel time more appealing.

Spring Break and Summer Vacation are just around the corner—do I hear a “Hallelujah”?  As exciting as vacations in spring and summer can be, there is always the lurking concern in the back of our minds, “How are we going to get through the long drive with the kids?”

What is the goal of a vacation?  For most people it is to enjoy new places and relax. Make the road trip more than a constant battle over which movie to watch. My husband and I traveled extensively when our children were little, so I know how daunting entertaining little ones in the car can be.  From my experience let me share a few tips to making it to your destination and home again without pulling out all of your hair--take the stress out of your travels and make it fun and educational!

Travel Can Be Fun for All!

            Preparation is Key

Making a running list of Things to be Done or Packed several weeks before a trip can decrease stress.  Put it on the refrigerator or make a note on your Smart Phone.  Add to the list every thought that pops into your head at odd hours of the night or day, so you can address it at a later time.

Be Realistic in Your Travel Plans

Planning to travel 12 hours straight every day in a car for 3 days to go across country with an 18 month old, 3-year old and 5-year old is not realistic unless you plan on checking yourself into a mental hospital on your return!

Be prepared to stop every 2 hours to stretch and for Potty Breaks.  Vacation is not about, “Conquering the Road,” as much as my husband would disagree!

Take Appropriate Travel Toys

Large toys, toys with 2000+ parts and pieces, toys that are messy or noisy should be left at home! Appropriate travel toys will keep children entertained without driving their parents nuts!

Each child should have a toy bag or small backpack with their own toys.  Spend time with each child in advance, thoughtfully planning what should go with them on the trip.  If they need their special blanket or stuffed animal to ensure a good night’s sleep, make sure you include this!

If we had a trip of over 2 hours, I would buy in advance several new, small, low-cost toys along with a juice box, package of small crackers or cookies, gum etc. for each child. Remember to choose snacks that don't melt! I then wrapped each ‘gift’ and put it in the children’s backpacks the night before the trip.  Every hour the children could open one of their packages (who doesn't look forward to opening a gift?!), giving them something new to play with or enjoy for the next span of time. I called them our Travel Surprise Packages and I can’t tell you how much pleasure my kids received from this simple act. (See our commercial website: http://www.proeducationaltoys.com for pre-wrapped gift boxes for girls or boys and other toy ideas for travel).
Strap or hook baby toys to the car seat whenever possible.  Older children might like a lap tray with a raised rim that allows them to keep their toys and snacks in a perfect position for playing and eating while preventing the items from escaping and rolling under the seats of the car! (Check out our fabulous Travel Tray Here)

Stop at Grassy Rest Areas and Play

      

Taking a Break Actually Makes the Trip go Faster!

Giving children (and adults!) a chance to stretch and move every couple hours is healthy for bodies and minds alike. The time spent playing will make the remaining time in the car go much easier!

Make a game of running from one tree to the picnic table.  Time each child and try to better their time, best out of 3.

Play a quick game of kick ball, Frisbee, or ball toss.

Play a favorite dance tune on your Smart Phone and let everyone do a Wiggle Dance for 2 minutes.

Tell a Story
Start a story and let each person in the car add to the story.  You could start with a story your children know well and let it take a new "twist".  You can add places and people to the story from your current trip.  Take several hand puppets and let each person use the puppet to tell a story!

Our children have fond memories of our travel times together.  Remember that travel is part of the vacation and should be enjoyed!  We welcome your comments and travel suggestions for young children.  HAPPY TRAVELS!



Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Travel Toys for Vacations with Kids by Trisha Roberts

Summer Vacation is almost here!  

Have you started your Vacation

 Countdown?! 

by Trisha Roberts

Many families will soon be hitting the road for recreation and leisure. As I discussed in my blog article, “Road Trip with Kids—‘Oh, No!’ or ‘I’ve Got this’” on March 13, 2016, Traveling with children can be a challenge. This week I’d like to feature several Travel Toys from our retail site, www.proeducationaltoys.com that will make your Vacation Days even better!  Remember that time in the car is part of the Vacation--make it count! 

Make Your Road Trip with Kids Great This Year!

Vacation Essentials include packing the right toys!  Unique Travel Toys can make the difference between Terror and Tranquility on your Road Trip with Kids!  Many parents fall into the trap of lulling their children into silence by playing an endless cycle of videos in the car.  I’m not saying that videos should never be used, but there are so many other things that can be used for entertainment and promote learning at the same time. 

I highly recommend our Travel Toys Surprise Packs for Girls and Boys. 

Travel Surprise Package--Girl

Vacation Surprise Package--Boy

Each package contains 8 wrapped toys or activities appropriate for play in a vehicle. I personally have used these with my children and found them to be invaluable!  Each child was allowed to choose and open one gift every hour of the trip.  They loved opening the surprise gift and then playing with it for the next hour.  I added a few extras to the Travel Package, like a juice box, animal crackers or package of gum, to stave off hunger and add variety.







I LOVE the fact that the Vacation Surprise Packages are pre-wrapped!  All the work is done! (And who needs more work preparing for Vacation?!?)  The package comes ready to throw in the car!  Mom Scores!  Kids are Happy!  Kids are Learning and Playing!

 

Another of our great Travel Toys is our line of Read Along Books. 

A Great Way to Stimulate a Love for Reading!

Lion King Read Along Book

These are wonderful Reading Tools for Kids that educate and entertain.  Children follow along word for word in each book to familiar stories as they are narrated and accompanied by sound effects and songs.  Your child is prompted to turn the page at the sound of the Chime. These are Great Language Toys that stimulate an interest in reading for young children and improve the reading skills of older children.

Read Along Books are a phenomenal way to encourage a love for 

books and reading!

Portable CD Player

Volume-Limiting Headphones

We also offer an affordable, portable CD Player and several different styles of  volume-limiting headphones specifically designed for children.

Have a Great Summer Vacation! 

Make it a Vacation to Remember! 

Please comment and leave tips on how YOU make your Vacation Special for Kids!

Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Beach Vacations—How to make the most of the sun, surf and sand! by Trisha Roberts

BEACH BABY,  BEACH BABY!

Ah…..the Beach!  Sun, Sand, Water, Waves. Who doesn’t love it?! But a good day at the beach can be a GREAT day at the beach with a few “tweaks”.

Caution--First Things First!                                                        

There are few things that will spoil a day at the beach more quickly than a bad sunburn. Even though we all know that sun protection is important, it bears repeating.  Make sure that you bring a water and sweat-resistant sun screen with an SPF of at least 25.  Apply it 20 minutes before heading out to the shore and re-apply it at least every hour.

Use Sunscreen for a Happy Beach Time!

Let Kids Participate in Application of Sun Screen

Take Turns!

Put a large-brimmed floppy hat on young children to keep the sun out of their eyes and protect their face from sunburn. 

Protect Baby's Eyes and Skin with a Hat!

Floppy Hat to Shade Baby's Face

Don't Forget the Sunglasses!

 

Sunglasses for Everyone!

Have Sunglassses for Each Family Member

                                         

 Make sure that your children stay hydrated.

                       Have lots of fresh drinking water available and offer it frequently. 

If you have a beach umbrella, it is worth taking.  If you are lucky enough to arrive at the beach when there is still a selection of "spots", try to choose one with partial shade. There are creative ways to give yourself additional shade and protection.

Take a Beach Umbrella!

Creative Ways to Supply Extra Shade at the Beach

Preparation

Playing at the beach is great fun and it can be an exceptional learning experience as well. Sand is a wonderful sculpting medium, as anyone who has ever made a sand castle can confirm. 

Sand Castles--Classic Beach Fun!

Creative Fun in the Sand

Sand and Water Toys

Taking along a few sand tools can make the adventure that much richer, as well as some of the items mentioned here. (sunscreen, beach umbrella, sheet, beach toys, Frisbee, Beach Ball, Kite)

First Time At the Beach--Creating BEACH BABIES!

Most children love the feel of sand and water; they find pleasure in letting it run through their fingers and relish the feel all over their body.  But there are kids who have negative reactions to different textures (Tactile Defensiveness).  If your baby or child is experiencing sand play for the first time, it is advisable to introduce them slowly to the new encounter and sensation. 

Make an "OASIS" with a large Sheet

Start Slowly and Make it Fun!

 Bring a large sheet (I prefer this to a standard beach towel or blanket as it is easier to clean because the sand doesn’t cling to the fabric as readily) and place your baby or child in the middle of the sheet.  Sit near the edge of the sheet and let your little one watch you play with the sand.  They will be curious and will probably crawl or move closer to get involved in your activity. If they don’t stick their hands into the sand, sprinkle a little sand on their hand or arm and watch their reaction. If they don’t like the sensation, don’t force the issue.  They can play happily in the middle of the sheet without direct contact in the sand.  Let the sheet be their oasis—they can travel to the desert if they get adventurous. Going slowly this first time can make a diference for a lifetime--Make it a Great First Experience!

Use Sand as a Positioning Assist

If your young baby is not yet able to sit alone, you can remove sand under the sheet to make a small crater the size of your child’s bottom and sit them in the hollowed out area.  Push the sand up around their pelvis and trunk as needed to give them sufficient support to sit without your aid. 

Scoop out sand and place baby in the indentation.  Perfect Positioning and Support!

They will play happily for long stretches of time if you place toys within their reach.  Sand can also be used to prop children in a prone on elbows position or supported hands and knees position—mound sand under the sheet into a roll the approximate size of the space between your child’s arm pits and groin.  Place the baby on their tummy over the mounded sand with their hands and knees on either side of the hump; this will give them support under their trunk and allow them to bear weight through their hands and knees while playing.

Benefits of Sand Play

Improve Social Interactions

Older children will love digging and measuring sand, making sand castles, and creating mud pies.  Bring a variety of rakes, buckets, shovels, sand sifters, and watering pails. Challenge children to dig the deepest hole they can.  Or make the highest hill of sand possible. Children have the opportunity to improve their Cooperative Play and Social Interaction Skills.  

Cooperative Play at the Beach

Kids who have low muscle tone or need strengthening will not realize how much exercise they are getting when you give them buckets to fill with sand or water to carry from one part of the Sand Castle to another. (Remember--a gallon of water weighs 8 pounds!)

Playing in a Squat Position Improves Strength

Repeatedly moving from a squat position to standing will build strength in the thighs and buttocks (quadriceps muscles and gluteal muscles) as children rake, dig, and move around their sand masterpieces. 

Smooth wet sand and use a stick or finger to draw or write.

 What a great way to practice fine motor skills and handwriting!  

Running on Sand is a Great Strengthening Activity!

Running through the Water and Waves

Running on wet sand is challenging, as is running through the water at calf-height.  It is a great workout and strength-builder!  

Kids Parachute Games on the Beach

Kite on the Beach

Consider taking along a beach ball, Frisbee,
Parachute or Kite to encourage additional active play.

Finally, and most importantly, Have Fun! 

 The Memories you Make Today will Last a Lifetime!

Author:  Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com

Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC, All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.