The Intrepid Traveller

By Chad Rutt

With a family it can be hard to make everyone happy on a vacation, so here’s a list of kid-friendly weekend vacation ideas.

You don’t have to travel very far away from home to find an attraction or adventure that fits the goals of this list. One of these exciting locations is bound to be but just a couple of hours away. Take a mini vacation with your kids and enjoy these kid-friendly weekend cavaction ideas.

1. Local Zoo or Aquarium. Even if the nearest one is two hours away you can make a weekend of it. Take two days and see all of the exhibits while spending a couple nights away from home for a fresh start to the following week.
2. Get a cabin by the lake or on the mountain. Cabin rentals are so much more fun than the average hotel and still give you the rustic outdoorsy feeling you get with camping.
3. Amusement or Water Park. Needless to say, these locations usually end up being fun for mom and dad as well.
4. Kid’s Discovery Museum. You will be delighted over the educational discoveries that can be made at these nation-wide places!
5. Planetarium. Explore the outer reaches of space in an educational environment. Many have an i-max theater that is sure to be a great memory for both you and your children.
6. Seasonal Festival. Every town has seasonal festivals, and if yours happens to be the lone one out, travel to the nearest large city and adopt yourself into a new tradition.
7. Head to the Shore. Unless you are smack dab in the middle of the country a trip to the coast is not totally out of the question. Plan ahead and leave right after work on Friday. The fresh breeze and calm waves are always worth it.
8. Watch their favorite kid’s show live. Again, this may be available only in your nearest city but it is worth it to see your kid so excited that his or her hero is “real”.
9. Campout at your local reserve. Head out to the closet campground or national park for a tent adventure that could end up in valuable outdoor skills being learned by your kids.
10. Visit your local candy (or other) factory and learn how it’s done. You might be surprised just how into how things work your children may be.

 These kid-friendly weekend vacation ideas are just the beginning of the wonderful adventures you can share together without having to travel too far.

Chad Rutt is the Director of Marketing for the online lodging site AbetterStay.com and the Managing Editor of its accompanying Vacation Blog.
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Whether visiting family, exploring other cultures, or simply having grand adventures, this comprehensive guide includes practical information on how moms can make the most out of traveling with their kids. Mothers will find useful tips on safety, economical travel, eco-friendly trips, and the benefits of technology.

This handy travel reference also includes up-to-date recommendations for helpful gadgets and tips on using the internet for planning and booking. An appendix features more than 100 essential websites for further research.
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