There's something to be said for return trips. Recently I've been thinking a lot about the place where this picture was taken in 2005:
Location:Long Beach outside Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
What I remember most: My son was 2 years old at the time and spent a lot of his time on the beach eating sand (his sister would later repeat this activity on many other beach visits).
Where we stayed: In a cabin in Ucluelet, a short drive from Long Beach and Tofino. Ucluelet was cheaper and it was easier to find accommodation there than in Tofino. Next time we go, I'm thinking we'll try camping instead. Have tent, will travel!
Where to eat: If you want your meals cheap and cheerful you can cook for yourself, at least if you're renting a cabin or cottage, or if you're camping. Food cooked on a barbecue or campfire is always nice, even if it's slightly charred... If you want a nice meal out, there's the famous The Wickaninnish Restaurant perched right at the beach. Can't beat the location or the view! And the food is good too.
Why I'd love to go back: Long Beach is a fantastic destination whether you're into beach-combing, beach-bumming, swimming, hiking, wildlife-watching or even fine dining. (I like all those activities.) If you're big on surfing and windsurfing, this is a good place too.
One of my favorite things about Long Beach was the hiking trails. There are several well-maintained trails that go into the rain-forest here. And yes, it really is the rain-forest, though it's the temperate rather than tropical version.
Several of the hiking trails are interpretative trails featuring signs with in-depth information about the local flora and fauna. Many of the trails are also very easy walks, and can definitely be done by young children, or by an adult carrying an infant or baby in a front or back carrier.
I can't help but think about London, England today. I'm not big on royal stuff, but all the hoopla surrounding William and Kate's wedding is getting to me. To quote my inner trekkie: "Resistance is futile! You will be assimilated!"
I worked in a small town just outside London many, many years ago back in the dinosaur age called the 1980s. I've also visited the city a couple of times since then, but never with my kids.
So, if I could take my kids to London, what would we do? Here are some things I'd definitely consider.
1. Visiting the British Museum - The British Museum is my personal, all-time, favorite museum. It's also free to visit. For my kids, I think the big, massive, collections like the Egyptian and the Assyrian sculptures, including the Balawat gates, would hold their interest. Also, just hanging out in front of the museum on that great big staircase or in the courtyard is kind of cool. Good place for a snack break!
2. Watching dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum - This museum is the place to go if you have dinosaur-crazy kids (and who doesn't?). Even visiting as an adult, I felt kind of blown away by the experience. Lots of skeletons, dinosaur models and more for kids and parents to wow over. Also, the building itself is a sight to see with all its towers and peaks and carvings.
3. Hanging out in Regents Park - Like Hyde Park, this park is really big with lots of trails to walk and things to see. This would be a great place to take the kids for a picnic or just to run and hike around. It also houses the London Zoo, where A.A. Milne was inspired by a bear to write about Winne the Pooh.
4. Riding a double-decker bus - My car/bus/truck/train/plane/vehicle-in-general crazy son would definitely enjoy a ride on one of London's double-deckers. I've taken a ride in the open-topped bus, and it would definitely make for a good sightseeing tour of London with children. Remember to bring hats, gloves and scarves if you're riding in the open. Or sunscreen, sunhats and sunglasses, depending on the season: London can get very hot in summer.
5. Riding the tube - The tube, or underground, is the easiest way to get around London, and I know my kids (especially my son) would love it. His only complaint might be that there's "nothing to see!" since the underground is, well, mainly underground. If the weather is good, walking with a good map would be my preference when getting around London, but kids' legs sometimes get tired quickly and the tube can always get you where you need to go pretty fast.
6. Crossing the Tower Bridge - The Tower Bridge is one place I've actually never visited, even though I've spent quite a bit of time in London. I don't even know why I've never gone there. Just being there to see when they open or close the bridge for the ships would be a big hit with my kids.
7. Visiting Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens - My daughter is a huge, huge fan of Peter Pan (mainly the old Disney movie) and even dressed up as Peter for Halloween last year. So we would definitely have to visit Kensington Gardens to see Peter himself. This park also has playgrounds and a pond for model sailboats.
8. Eating some nice pastries in Covent Garden - Covent Garden is an awesome place to visit no matter what your age is. The market is full of good stuff and simple knickknacks (I still have some huge, colorful very 80s earrings from there), there are good restaurants, and always lots of people to watch. It's just so full of life and things to see (and buy!). When I first visited London, this was my favorite place to go for a cup of tea and pastries. Lots of cafés to choose from too! I'd love to take my kids here to munch (messily) on a chocolate éclair!
On my latest family vacation with my children, on the long flights that took us from Vancouver, Canada to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, I realized I dearly missed one item: my neck pillow.
As I napped or slept or dozed on board various airplanes, my head dropped to one side or the other, straining and pulling on all sorts of muscles and vertebrae and ligaments: quite literally giving me a pain in the neck.
Once upon a time, before I traveled with kids, I always brought my inflatable, gray neck pillow on any and all flights. It came with a little pouch that it fit into when deflated. It was easy to stash in my hand luggage. And it sometimes made me feel a little silly when I blew it up and stuck it on the back of my neck on board.
Once I had kids, I forgot about the neck pillow. I think I might have brought it with me once when my son was still a baby, but the thing is: I didn't use it anymore. Why? Because I never felt relaxed enough to remove it from its pouch, blow it up and pop it on.
There was just so much going on while I was on the airplane: a baby to put in the cot or hold on my lap, bottles or breastfeeding to attend to, utensils to be unwrapped, diapers to change, spilled food to deal with, bathroom visits to get up for, and so on. Who had time for neck pillows?
And then, on our latest trip, the kids were entertaining themselves for long periods of time by watching TV-shows or movies or sleeping with their heads resting on one of my legs or arms. They didn't need my help every 2 seconds. Just like that, I was traveling with a preschooler and a school-aged child, rather than with an infant, a baby, or a toddler.
And all of a sudden I did have time to miss that darn neck pillow.
Just enough of a pillow to prop my head up to avoid that sore back and neck and shoulders. Just enough of a pillow to prevent me from looking like my head was about to fall off and roll away towards the back of the plane. Just enough of a pillow to avoid that pinch of a tension headache when I woke up.
Next trip, that neck pillow is coming with me. Not that I know where it is anymore, though the best bet is in the downstairs storage room, underneath the boxes of Christmas decorations and rolled up camping gear, inside a long-unused carry-on. If I'm lucky, it won't even have a leak in it.
Maybe I'll get the kids one each too. Or maybe I'll let them use me as their travel pillow for a while longer. After all, it won't last. Nothing ever does. Not even childhood, or a long-haul flight.
Dressed for success. Or at least easy diaper-changes.
Infants usually have it pretty easy on long-haul flights, especially if they get a cot, and as long as their ears don't bug them. After all, they don't have to worry about airplane food (formula and breast-milk taste the same on board as on the ground, or so I presume), and they're used to just laying around or being held for hours.
Still, as a parent, there are a few things you can think about when dressing your baby for a flight to help keep them happy on board.
Travel-wear tips for babies
1. Dress them in something practical and comfy - It might be stating the obvious, but frilly and fancy can wait until you land. My daughter traveled in her pajamas on one of our flights when she was an infant, and I thought that was perfect. I recommend:
picking a one-piece outfit because they don't tend to ride up and bunch up as much
choosing something that is easy for you to handle when changing a diaper in a cramped airplane bathroom: something with buttons for easy diaper-access is great
2. Bring socks - Planes can get chilly sometimes, and socks can definitely help keep those baby toes warm.
3. Bring a hat too - Especially for very young babies, one of those cute little stretchy hats might be a good idea for the same reason as bringing socks: if the plane feels a little chilly the hat will help.
4. Don't forget a sweater - Layers are good for adults on board and for babies. Pick a soft, long-sleeved sweater or cardigan to provide extra warmth if you need it.
5. Clip on that pacifier! - If your baby uses a pacifier, remember to bring a strap to secure it to their clothing. It can save you a lot of trouble if you know exactly where that thing is at all times! (And you'll also minimize how many times that pacifier will drop on the floor.) Also bring an extra pacifier, just in case.
Travel-wear tips for children My travel-wear tips for children on long flights are much the same as my travel-wear tips for parents:
1. Wear dark colors - I consider my son's black and gray tie-dye t-shirt the perfect travel-wear: spills and stains just blend in!
2. Don't wear anything too tight - Few things are more uncomfortable on board than tight pants. And kids who may feel anxious and worried about flying will just feel worse if their clothes are uncomfortable too. Also, in my experience, sitting down on a plane, at high altitude, in clothes that are too tight can actually make you feel queasy and barfy.
I think elastic waistbands rule for kids on board: it's comfier, and also easier for them (or you) to handle in the bathroom. Sweatpants or soft and stretchy cotton leggings are perfect.
3. Wear breathable materials - Skip any materials that might make your kids feel sweaty and uncomfortable in their seats.
4. Pick shoes that come on and off easily - And that are also easy for you to help them with.
5. Wear socks - Bare kids' feet are not necessarily fun for other travelers to encounter on and between the seats. Also, you might want to protect your child's feet from the germ-content of the bathroom floors, carpeting and seat cushions on an airplane!
6. Layer a zip-up sweater over a t-shirt for versatility - This makes it easier to keep your kids warm if needed or cool them off if the plane gets warm.
7. Bring bibs for kids you think might need them - Eating without making a mess on board isn't always easy even for adults, and for small children a bib can come in very handy.
8. Pack a change of clothes for your children and yourself in the hand luggage - I bring a pair of pants and a shirt for each of my kids and usually a t-shirt for me: just in case of spills or other accidents. A pair of extra socks for kids are a good idea too: if they wear nothing but socks in the airplane bathroom, they might need a change.
Spending hours sitting and squirming on board a long-haul flight, in cramped Economy class conditions with children isn't necessarily the most comfortable and relaxed way to travel. However, it does help if your clothes are practical and comfortable.
1. Dark colors are better than light ones The obvious reason being that they don't show stains as much. If you spill something on dark clothing, or your kids spill something on you, it can usually be wiped off easily enough and still look presentable. I'm very much into black or dark gray t-shirts and and dark colored pants for airplane travel.
2. Wear pants, shorts or skirts that are not too tight This is obvious too, but it really is key to comfort on a long flight. When you're sitting down for that long, you need something that's not-too-tight around the waist and thighs and really comfy.
Jeans work great as long as you have a pair that don't pinch or squeeze you. Shorts are OK too, but I prefer long pants just because I find it more practical to be more covered up: less skin in direct contact with the seat for one (who knows how many behinds have been placed there...)
I'm not big on wearing skirts on or off the plane. It's totally a personal preference, but I just think pants are more practical. I've considered the big long maxi-type dresses occasionally, but always imagine them as being impractical in the airplane bathroom: you don't want stuff dragging in whatever is on that floor.
3. Pick materials that breathe and don't wrinkle I like cotton. Pants and shorts made from synthetics sometimes tend to feel clingy and sweaty after sitting for long periods of time. Some of those breathable materials for exercise gear would probably be great too, and there are whole clothing lines specifically made for travelers as well. One day when I have the money I'll look into that some more!
4. Choose shoes that are easy to take off and put on My advice: no heels. And remember that your feet will most likely feel at least half a size bigger after sitting down on a flight for several hours, so it's nice if the shoes still go on without too much effort.
5. Do wear socks I once flew wearing sandals (I'm a bare foot kind of gal whenever it's possible) and it was a mistake. Once you take your shoes off, you have your naked toes and feet showing and it just felt exposed and somewhat unsanitary. So socks it is!
6. Women: wear your comfiest bra Again, comfort is key so pick something that won't end up pinching and itching after a couple of hours cooped up on the plane.
7. Wear a short-sleeved shirt with something long-sleeved over top I like a t-shirt with a zip-up sweater over top. Sometimes planes feel cool, sometimes they get hot or warm with no relationship to the seasons. If you've got the layers and you're wearing short and long sleeves, you can usually get comfy whatever happens with the temperature on board.
8. Make sure you have some pockets When you're traveling with kids it's always nice to have somewhere to stash stuff for yourself or the kids (Kleenex, pacifiers, toys...), and with sweater pockets or pants' pockets, it makes things a little more convenient.
For me, all this usually adds up to a favorite travel wardrobe consisting of:
black t-shirt
comfy jeans (without a belt, because it often makes the metal detector go off) - though I'm looking into maybe getting some nice yoga pants for my next trip
hooded, zip up sweater with pockets
thick-ish hiking socks that are not too tight
comfy lace-up walking-shoes
You can find my travel-wear tips for infants and children here.
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs.
Today is World Malaria Day. Every year, 790 000 people die from malaria worldwide, and this is actually progress: a few years ago that number was 1 million. Still, malaria remains a huge problem in many countries, causing ill health in children and adults. If you want more information about the disease, and the fight to eradicate it, visit the World Malaria Day site.
Malaria is an on-going concern for travelers too, and if you're traveling with children to a country or region where there is malaria, you need to inform yourself about ways to minimize and hopefully avoid infection. Many types of malaria have become resistant to almost all available treatments, so this is definitely a disease you want to be aware of if you're traveling in affected areas.
Chemoprophylaxis (taking preventive medicines if you are travelling to or living in a malaria region).
Diagnosis made promptly with early treatment of an infected case.
You can find out what areas are affected by malaria from various websites online, including the World Health Organization. They have a world map showing the affected areas. Many countries in Africa south of the Sahara, Asia, and some parts of South and Central America are classified by the WHO as "countries or areas where malaria transmission occurs".
Ways to avoid mosquito bites include using mosquito repellent, covering up with long-sleeves and long pants, using mosquito nets at night, and taking preventative medicines.
To quote the netdoctor site again:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it's inadvisable to take infants and young children to areas where there's malaria, especially if there's chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria.
If you decide to go anyway, or if you are obliged to go, extra care should be taken to protect small children because they get ill quickly if falciparum malaria is involved.
It's vital to get qualified medical help if a child develops a fever during or after a trip to a malarious region, even if you have done everything possible to avoid catching the disease.
Pregnant women are also discouraged by the WHO to travel to regions affected by malaria.
Of course, the people who live in areas with malaria do not have the option to protect themselves by staying away. And if you're looking for a good cause to give money to, the fight against malaria definitely qualifies as a worthy cause.
Unicef is working to reduce malaria infections in children by providing families in affected areas with mosquito nets treated with insecticide:
Ensuring children sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) is the most effective way to prevent malaria. These bed nets have been shown to reduce malaria transmission by up to 50 per cent. As many as 500,000 children could be saved every year if all children under the age of five in Africa slept under treated bed nets. Not only do ITNs provide a physical barrier to prevent mosquitoes from biting children, they can actually kill mosquitoes and other insects. In a Kenyan study, women who slept under ITNs at night gave birth to 25 per cent fewer premature or low birth weight babies than women who did not use ITNs.
When we arrived in Gran Canaria on our recent family vacation, there was a carnival in progress on that same day. My brother tried to find out exactly why the carnival was happening, but when he asked a local woman she just gave him an hilariously exasperated look and said "Because it's the carnival". Of course.
Experiencing the holidays and traditions of other countries is a great part of the experience when traveling with children. It introduces kids to something new and different, maybe even something fun, and shows them that there isn't just one set way of doing things all over the world.
Sweden, the country where I was born and grew up, has quite a few more or less unique (or odd) traditions, and my children have experienced some of these. Here are 5 traditional celebrations you might encounter when in traveling in Sweden:
1. Easter - It's Easter Saturday here in Canada when I'm writing this, but if I was in Sweden, there might be some children knocking on the, door expecting me to give them candy or coins. And they might be dressed up as "påskkärringar", "Easter old-ladies", usually meaning they'd wear skirts, scarves on their heads, and that their cheeks would be colored bright red or pink. To be really traditional, they'd collect their coins and candy in an old coffee pot.
I'm not totally sure about how this tradition got started, but it has something to do with the fact that in Swedish folk lore, witches ("Easter old ladies"?) flew to a special meeting place around Easter-time. Still doesn't explain the coffee pot though...
Other Swedish Easter traditions include painting eggs (which is a lot of fun for kids), and giving away chocolate and candy stuffed inside large cardboard eggs (påskägg).
2. Midsummer's Eve - "Midsommarafton" is perhaps the biggest traditional holiday in Sweden, and I think it's importance is only rivaled by Christmas. It's celebrated on the Friday between the 19th and 26th of June, and it is a Very Big Deal.
For kids, there is lots of fun to be had on Midsummer's Eve. There are cookies, cake, good food, and usually children and adults stay up late into the Swedish summer night (which is about as bright as daytime, especially in northern Sweden). More Swedish Midsummer fun for kids includes:
gathering flowers, branches and leaves for "midsommarstången", the May Pole;
dancing around the pole once it's all dressed, and
picking 7 kinds of flowers to put under your pillow (it's supposed to make you dream of your spouse-to-be).
3. Kräftskiva, aka crayfish party - Crayfish was, and still is, considered a great delicacy by many Swedes. It's usually cooked in dill-flavored water and served cold with cheese, toasted bread, and various other side-dishes. Once upon a time you could only fish for crayfish in Swedish rivers for a few weeks in August, and this made the "crayfish premiere" when that fishery opened, a big occasion for feasting.
Nowadays you can buy crayfish year round of course, imported from all sorts of countries, but Swedes still have crayfish parties in early August.
If your kids like crayfish, they'll enjoy that part of this celebration, and otherwise they might enjoy the silly hats that are sometimes worn at the parties.Also, both kids and adults who didn't grow up with this tradition might enjoy the general exotic weirdness of it all. Like my Canadian husband said the first time he was at a crafish party "They make this big a deal for a meal of cold shellfish?"
4. The "surströmming" premiere - This one isn't even a national Swedish affair, it's a regional thing that is celebrated mainly in Norrland, the northern part of Sweden (where I grew up). Surströmming, "sour herring" or "fermented herring", is a traditional food in this part of the country and it is quite an experience for the uninitiated. Fair warning: it smells. And by that I mean it stinks. It's usually eaten outdoors for this very reason.
The premiere takes place in the fall when the fermented fish (canned many months previous) is finally fermented and smelly enough to be eaten. For kids the big enjoyment may not be so much eating the fish as being totally and utterly entertained by its yucky smell.
As a child, I remember being fascinated by how horrible it smelled. It also fascinated me that when the cans of surströmming were opened, the juices were promptly dumped in some far-off corner of the yard so that the flies that inevitably gathered wouldn't come too close to the table. Yes, it smells that bad.
And then you eat the fish with potatoes and chopped onions on traditional, thin, white crispbread, or thin soft bread. Sounds nuts right? Well, it kind of is. If you have kids who enjoy dares, it's a pretty good dare to challenge them to taste some surströmming. In all fairness, it doesn't taste like it smells, but I'm still not a fan.
Flight-related tidbit: Surströmming is one of the few food items I know of that is specifically banned as cargo on airplanes, something that might add to its coolness and ick-factor for kids.
5. Lucia - December 13th is Lucia Day in Sweden, and if you're in the country on this day, you will definitely know there is something special going on because you'll see:
lit candles everywhere in the dark, wintry night (and Sweden is really, really dark in December)
children singing Christmas and Lucia songs at every mall, preschool, school, church, and office
gingerbread cookies and yellow saffron buns with raisins (lussebullar) on offer wherever you go
Lucia processions with a girl dressed in white, carrying candles in her hair (Lucia), accompanied by a gathering of "tärnor" (girls in white carrying candles) and "stjärngossar" (boys dressed in white carrying gold-paper stars on sticks)
It's an excellent pre-Christmas holiday for children, providing some much-needed entertainment and festivities so that the wait for Santa doesn't feel as long.
Vancouver's Stanley Park is a must-see for anyone visiting the city, and it's also a great place to take your kids, whether you're a tourist or a local. The park is massively big (1000 acres/400 hectares), with beautiful, big trees, playgrounds, restaurants, beaches, a pool, and much, much more: essentially a one-stop-shop for kid-activities.
Here's a list of 13 fun things to do with your kids in Stanley Park:
1. Take a walk around the Seawall - This is the walkway that goes around the entire park, right next to the beaches and ocean. If you do the whole thing, it's 22 km (13.7 miles), and you could walk, jog, bike, or roller-blade that distance.We usually make our walk around part of the Seawall, and it makes for a real nice day out. You can watch the ships, maybe spot a seal in the water: there's always lots to look at.
2. Visit the Vancouver Aquarium - I've mentioned the Aquarium before on this blog. It's a great place to take kids, but it is a bit pricey for a family to get in ($21 for adults, $13 for kids 4-12). Lots of stuff to see and do inside though. My kids especially like the shark tank, the octopus, the Amazon gallery (with parrots, sloths, butterflies, tortoises and more), and the belugas. I'm not overly fond of the Aquarium's café however. The food is overpriced for what you get I think, and I usually bring a snack or packed lunch for the kids rather than spend my money on that.
Keeping the balance at Brockton Point.
3. Take a look at the totem poles - There's an awesome collection of totem poles at Brockton Point. My kids like to figure out the imagery: telling the eagles and orcas from the thunderbirds and sea-serpents. It's a great place for photos, some running around in the grass, or a rest-stop on your way around the Seawall.
4. Enjoy the view (and some ice cream) at Prospect Point - The Prospect Point Cafe has a nice deck, with a gorgeous view of Lion's Gate bridge, and there's a coffee shop and an ice cream place as well. You might also see some fat squirrels in this area who live off leftover french fries, cookies and other obesity-inducing foods. We once saw a squirrel here who was almost to fat to climb a tree! Great place for any easy walk-around, a look at the view of the North Shore mountains, and some of that ice cream.
Third Beach in winter.
5. Swim, beach-comb or sunbathe on Third Beach - This is one of my favorite spots in Vancouver. The kids (and I) enjoy this beach whatever the season. Good swimming and splashing in summer, great sand for beach-combing or building sand-castles, good place to just stroll too.
6. Have fun at the playgrounds near Second Beach - Second Beach is located at the entrance to the park from Beach Avenue. It's right near the pool. Right nearby the washrooms and concession are two big playgrounds with a vast, grassy field in-between. The playgrounds aren't super-elaborate, but there's lots to keep the kids entertained: swings, some neat slides, an old (really old) fire engine, and lots of stuff to climb on.
7. Watch the birds in Lost Lagoon (and don't get rabies!) - Lost Lagoon is a small lake or really big pond, I'm never quite sure which, and is located near the Georgia Street end of the park. Lots of birds, including ducks and swans and hordes of Canada geese. The geese usually freak the kids out by hissing, but looking at the ducks is usually pretty entertaining for young kids. You might also see some rather bold raccoons, but be cautious about feeding them or petting them (seriously people, don't pet wild raccoons!). Rabies isn't common, but it's a possibility.
8. Walk to Beaver Lake - If you're not familiar with the park, consult a map and then head off into the woods to find Beaver Lake. It makes for a nice walk and usually there are lots of curious squirrels hopping around: bring some unsalted peanuts or sunflower seeds for them. Once you get to Beaver Lake, you can sit down and relax on a bench, watch the dragonflies, or cut through the woods and out the other side of the park. The trails in the park are well-maintained and you should have no problem walking there with a stroller if you're bringing one.
9. Ride the miniature train - The Stanley Park miniature train goes around a track with a lot of big trees and some animals and birds to see on the way. It's a big show for Halloween and Christmas, and at those times of the year it can be difficult to get a ticket to get on board. For train crazy little kids, it's good fun anytime of year.
Get wet!
10. Cool off in the water park - The water park near Lumberman's Arch is open June 1st to September 1st, and on a hot summer day the place is hopping (and splashing) with kids. There are waterfalls, sprays, a "stream" and some water cannons too. Just make sure you're covered in sunscreen, because there's not a lot of shade to be found here.
Chasing seagulls.
11. Run around the trees near Painter's Circle - Nearby the Aquarium is a big area with lots of grass, trees, birds and squirrels. Artists display their paintings along the paths, and there is a lot of room for kids to go bananas if they're in the mood for that. There's also a playground near the miniature train where they can have some climbing, swinging fun. This can also be a great place for a...
12. Picnic! - If the weather's good, and if you're in the mood for it, bring a blanket, a packed lunch or just some snacks along. Then plunk yourself down somewhere, let your kids eat, run free, and chase crows or whatever else they can think up. If you don't feel like packing a lunch, just bring a big blanket to sit on, and get some food from one of the concession places around the park.
13. Check out the 9 o'clock gun - Staying up late with the kids? Then you might want to check out the nightly firing of the famous cannon on the Seawall. It's pretty noisy, so if your kids are frightened by loud noises you might just want to go and have a look at the cannon in the daytime instead. There's a great view of downtown Vancouver from this spot too.
Traveling, especially by plane but also by car, can't really be classified as environmentally friendly: too much fuel spent and resources used up I suppose. Still, I think traveling can be good for people and the environment in other ways. Every traveler can learn a lot about the world, about the Earth, about different places, different environments, about animals and people, and maybe all those experiences can spark some interest in protecting and taking care of the world.
To celebrate Earth Day, here is a list of some "Earth friendly" activities to do with children, and some tips on how to make traveling more environmentally friendly.
4 things to do with your kids to celebrate Earth Day
On the SeaBus, between North Vancouver and downtown Vancouver.
1. Travel by transit - Of course lots of families use transit every single day, but for many kids traveling by train, bus or subway can be exciting. So park the car for the day and go on a Transit Adventure. I'm thinking of taking my kids on the Big Transit Trip here in Vancouver, riding the Skytrain to downtown, and then going across to North Vancouver by SeaBus. The kids love it, and it's certainly a lot more fun than driving the same route!
2. Go for hike or a bike ride - My kids love hiking, both walking around the Sea Wall in Stanley Park in downtown Vancouver, or going for a long walk in the woods somewhere, for example in Lynn Canyon or Lynn Headwaters. If we go for a bike ride, we'll probably cruise around the neighborhood for a while until my 4 year old daughter decides it's time to head home (she's usually the one who gets tired first, no surprise).
Third Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver.
3. Hang out at the beach - Yes! My favorite place to take the kids can also be considered quite environmentally friendly as a destination. No energy consuming devices necessary (just a car to get us there...), and then we can eat a picnic lunch, veg out and look at the ocean, build a town out of sticks and rocks, collect shells, or maybe even fly a kite. Doesn't get much better than that, unless you're on a tropical beach.
4. Plant something - Planting a flower, some vegetables, a tree, a shrub, or some bulbs in the garden or just in a pot on the windowsill is a great activity for kids. There are lots of gardening kits for kids that look like lots of fun, or you can just grab some pots, some soil and some seeds, make a mess, and watch your kids enjoy themselves.
7 ways to be more Earth friendly when traveling
1. Drink from reusable water bottles - If you're in a country where the tap water isn't safe to drink, you have to buy bottled water of course. But a lot of the time we could just bring an empty water bottle with us whether we're traveling by car, plane, train, bike or on foot, rather than buy bottle after bottle of water. For one thing, I'm hoping the airport refilling station idea catches on at more airports!
(And hey, if you're into fizzy water, you could always get one of these: Sodastream Fountain Jet Soda Maker Starter Kit. I have one and I think it's improved my quality of life. Or at least made it a lot fizzier.)
2. Bring reusable containers for snacks and foods - I'm so into this. Buying individually wrapped snacks and foods (cheese, crackers, cookies, and so on) just produces a lot of garbage (and most individually wrapped snacks seem to be quite expensive). Less packaging = good in my books. I bring my reusable containers (with snacks) on planes, in cars, and on hikes. Also, my children usually get their lunches and snacks for school and preschool in reusable containers too.
3. Use litter-less juice-boxes - I'm like a preacher for these items, but it's only because I find them so amazingly practical for children to use on airplanes and elsewhere. They're good for juice, water, any kind of drink. I often make my children home-made drinkable yogurt smoothies that go in these containers too.
Just put 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/2 cup strawberries, peaches, blueberries or other fruits and berries in a blender or food processor. Process it until smooth and pour into a juice-box.
4. Eat locally produced food - Eating local food is a great idea both at home and when you're on the road or on vacation. Locally made bread and cheese, locally grown vegetables and fruits, locally raised or caught meat, fish, seafood... it's all usually very tasty and often also a good deal price-wise.
My kids loved the mangoes and pineapple in Hawaii. They've eaten locally caught fish in Sweden (some of it they even caught themselves!). Last year we gorged on locally grown strawberries in June, and later on in summer we pigged out on local corn on the cob. And if we're in the Okanagan in summer, we always get some peaches and other fruit because that stuff is just so darn good when you buy it tree-ripened.
5. Use refillable containers for shampoo, soap and more -Instead of buying travel sized toiletry products, or using the tiny pieces of soap, and tiny bottles of shampoo and lotion you find at hotels, bring your own stuff. Just squirt of the shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. that you use at home into some travel-sized containers and bring them along. If you have kids with sensitive skin (like I do), an added benefit is that you know what you're using won't give them an itchy rash.
6. Buy clothes for your trip (and everyday life) at a second-hand store - When you have kids who grow out of everything in a few months, buying "gently used" clothing makes a lot of sense. It's cheaper, and in some used-clothing places you can find lots of items that look new, or even have the store-tags on them!
I've bought ski-pants, jackets, rain gear, boots, and all sorts of great clothing at Talize, a second-hand store close to where we live. Sure, some of the stuff on the rack there is worn (or sometimes just in need of a wash), but you pick through what there is and buy what you like. You can find some real quality clothing in very good condition at second-hand stores.
7. Stay at a "green" hotel - Hotels and resorts can do a lot of things to be more Earth friendly.
These days many hotels have installed a main switch by the door where you turn the power on and off in your room by inserting or removing your key-card. It's a great system and a good way to save electricity. (Kind of wish I could put in a similar easy-to-use system in our house, but I guess running around and switching off all the lights and appliances works too...)
Many hotels also seem to be changing from the "always change all the towels and sheets every day" policy, to "change the towels and sheets when the customer wants you to change them". I can only imagine how much electricity and water this saves. At the hotel we stayed in on our recent trip to the Canary Islands, we simply put any towels and sheets we thought needed changing in a laundry basket. Simple!
Also, many hotels these days have soap and shampoo dispensers in the bathroom, rather than the tiny little bottles. I think that's a good, Earth-friendly move.
There are many websites that can help you compare the environmental policies of various hotels. EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com is one of them.
1. Wear dark colors - I consider my son's black and gray tie-dye t-shirt the perfect travel-wear: spills and stains just blend in!
. I have one and I think it's improved my quality of life. Or at least made it a lot fizzier.)
3. Use litter-less juice-boxes - 
5. Use refillable containers for shampoo, soap and more -Instead of buying travel sized toiletry products, or using the tiny pieces of soap, and tiny bottles of shampoo and lotion you find at hotels, bring your own stuff. Just squirt of the shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc. that you use at home into some travel-sized containers and bring them along. If you have kids with sensitive skin (like I do), an added benefit is that you know what you're using won't give them an itchy rash.
