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Insider Secrets
It seems that no matter where we go, some things stay the same. Here you’ll find our favorite links to some day-to-day activities, as well as some for major attractions. We're also constantly compiling a list by location taken from our reader blog comments and from our own travels.
Major Attractions and Events:
Search for vacation packages and extras, like theme park tickets.
Going to Walt Disney World? Search for the perfect Disney attractions to suit your preschooler. Download and print park maps to take with you. Download and print their recommended packing list before you go. Check out Disney's travel tips and suggestions to print and take with you. Read our tips...
Going to Disneyland? Magical Beginnings is a program highlighting the perfect attractions to suit your preschooler. You'll also be able to download maps, packing lists and tips direct from the Disney site. Read our tips...
General, day-to-day activities:
Some of our favorite day-to-day attractions include:
- visiting the local children’s museum
- local parks (search Google Earth for one near your hotel)
- zoos and aquariums
- local libraries
- even construction sites can be fun to watch!
- in a pinch, don't forget about the indoor playgrounds in fast food restaurants.
Most of these day-to-day activities are free! If you have a membership to your local children's museum, zoo or aquarium, check here to see if you qualify for free or discounted admission at your destination.
The main thing is, get out and explore the city!
Tip: To help really little kids remember the trip, talk about where you are while you're there. Ask them, "Where are we today?" "That's right, we're in Houston, TX!" And when you get home, "What did we do in Houston, TX?", and recap some of the highlights. Small souveniers that they chose can be a fun way to spark a memory, too.
Tip for visiting a fine art museum: You can visit fine art museums with your preschooler. The information desk may have a pre-designed program you can follow. You can 'treasure hunt' for 'red flowers' or the paintings from Disney's 'Little Einsteins'. Or, just play 'I spy' with the art that's around you. Alternatively, if you happen to have an aspiring ballerina, a Degas exhibit may be right up her alley. Either way, keep it short... only half an hour at a time. And stop at the gift shop on your way out to let your child choose a postcard to take home.
Some of our favorite day-to-day attractions include:
- visiting the local children’s museum
- local parks (search Google Earth for one near your hotel)
- zoos and aquariums
- local libraries
- even construction sites can be fun to watch!
- in a pinch, don't forget about the indoor playgrounds in fast food restaurants.
Most of these day-to-day activities are free! If you have a membership to your local children's museum, zoo or aquarium, check here to see if you qualify for free or discounted admission at your destination.
The main thing is, get out and explore the city!
Tip: To help really little kids remember the trip, talk about where you are while you're there. Ask them, "Where are we today?" "That's right, we're in Houston, TX!" And when you get home, "What did we do in Houston, TX?", and recap some of the highlights. Small souveniers that they chose can be a fun way to spark a memory, too.
Tip for visiting a fine art museum: You can visit fine art museums with your preschooler. The information desk may have a pre-designed program you can follow. You can 'treasure hunt' for 'red flowers' or the paintings from Disney's 'Little Einsteins'. Or, just play 'I spy' with the art that's around you. Alternatively, if you happen to have an aspiring ballerina, a Degas exhibit may be right up her alley. Either way, keep it short... only half an hour at a time. And stop at the gift shop on your way out to let your child choose a postcard to take home.
By Location
tip: Talk to the locals before you get there. If you're a member of your local MOMS Club or Meetup.com, contact the chapter in the city you're visiting. GoCityKids.com is another great resource for local activities.
Aruba:
I was surprised how many kids we saw in Aruba! We had gone before actually having kids, but noticed how many fun things for kids to do. Tip: It's pretty windy there, so you don't feel the sun. Be sure to use sunscreen liberally -especially on little ears.
Hyatt
The Hyatt seemed to have the most kid-friendly amenities. Waterfalls, seperate kids pool, and talking birds to name a few. It's also attached to a covered walkway leading to shops and restaurants.
Palm Beach
The beaches along the hotels (including the Hyatt) are connected by a sidewalk... very stroller-friendly. Much of the sidewalk is shaded and many of the outdoor restaurants are along the sidewalk as well.
Baby Beach
This is where the local school-children learn to swim. While we were snorkeling in the 3-ft deep or less water, a school bus pulled up and a dozen or so elementary kids emerged for their lessons. Even with all of them in the water with us, there was plenty of room. It's probably about a football-field in diameter.
Search for rates and availability
California:
San Diego
A 'must see'. This zoo is great for little kids because the animals are so close. Kids can see almost every type of animal; elephants, monkeys, giraffes, even a panda! This is not the Wild Animal Park. That one is better for older kids.
Coronado Island
Great place for the stroller. The Hotel Del Coronado has a fantastic ice cream stand right off the beach.
SeaWorld
What's not to love about an acrobatic orca? You're pretty much guaranteed to get wet, but the higher in the stands you sit, it'll be more of a drizzle.
Disneyland Resort
The original House of Mouse. A 90-minute drive from San Diego, but worth it in spades... or is that ears?
Search for rates and availability
Colorado:
Denver
Dinosaur Ridge
Any budding archeologist will love this place. See actual dinosaur bones and footprints. Little ones can do a dinosaur 'dig' in the sandbox complete with 'skeletons' to uncover.
Childrens Museum of Denver
Kids can play grocery store, restaurant, hear animal heartbeats, paint, dance, and explore a rabbit hole and a fire engine. We lucked out and got the Blue Man Group traveling exhibit exploring sound waves.
Denver Zoo
Another great zoo for kids. Peacocks roam proudly displaying their plumes. See a family of gorillas in Primate Panorama. Ride a kiddie train or carousel.
Denver Museum of Science and Nature
This museum has a great dinosaur exhibits as well as a planetarium on it's long list of things to see. Take a breathtaking photo of downtown Denver from the steps outside. Make a day of this and the zoo... it's right next door.
Search for rates and availability
Florida:
Miami
Miami Seaquarium
This is less of an aquarium and more of a theme park. With the $30 admission price, I should have guessed. Still, my preschooler loved the dolphin/orca show. Other highlights included petting a Macaw, the manatee tank, and the crocodile park.
Key Biscayne
We took a short drive to Key Biscayne and got off the bridge at the first or second place you could before actually getting to Key Biscayne. Here's where locals camp and sailboard. We found lots of little shells here, and it was very quiet. Further down into Key Biscayne is a neighborhood park by the beach that is a bit more touristy, but has playground equipment.
Miami Children's Museum
Here kids can drive a cruise ship, play in the grocery store complete with food group puzzles, learn about doctors, dentists and vets, etc. The visiting exhibit while we were there was all about football. Kids were tackling, passing, and kicking field goals and having a blast!
Search for rates and availability
Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure
Two great parks and both great for all ages. The Florida sun can be brutal, but both parks have an abundance of misting fans. Universal seemed to have more for little ones, the Curious George water park was by far the biggest hit.
Walt Disney World
If there's one thing Disney knows, it's families. Definately not to be missed. Each of the parks have something special for little ones, even Epcot. No misting fans here, so bring your own, and a stroller umbrella for shade.
Monkey Joe's
An indoor inflatable playground may be just the thing on a day too rainy for the theme parks. Located in Festival Bay mall and near many outlet centers, there's plenty for the whole family nearby.
I-Ride Trolley
A fun diversion for all ages. You can take the trolly to get to a destination, or the ride itself can be the destination.
Search for rates and availability
Minnesota:
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Mall of America
Tuesdays are Toddler Tuesdays with special events and special pricing at many restaurants for small children.
The Park is now sponsored by Nickelodeon, featuring favorite characters such as SpongeBob and Dora.
Underwater Adventures Aquarium
The world's largest underwater aquarium is located near the east entrance of the Mall of America. Sharks are the main attraction, but thousands of sea creatures can be viewed while walking through the glass underground tunnel.
The Minnesota Zoo
A great walking zoo complete with a farm. The dolphin show is a favorite year-round attraction. There is a large rainforest section that is indoors to keep it climate-controlled. Truly a rain-or-shine place to go.
Como Zoo
A childhood favorite. This zoo is free to the public (donations appreciated). This small zoo is great for kids because the animals are easy to see. Watching the polar bear swim is a local favorite attraction. They also have a lively sea lion show called the Sparky Show, better than most I've seen. Other kid-friendly ammenities include a carousel and Como Town amusement park featuring rides and attractions for kids ages 1-12.
Minnesota Children's Museum
This place is crazy-fun! Kids get to make paper (like, take a gooey mess and turn it into paper), do face painting, play grocery-store and restaurant. There are story times, an age-3-and-under room, featured exhibits of favorite characters and so much more! Parking can be confusing, but is pretty well-marked once you know where to look, so download the map.
Search for rates and availability
North Carolina:
Charlotte
Charlotte At Play
This is a great indoor hands-on play area! It's located in a strip-mall setting and is close to shopping and other errand-type stores. The kids get to play on a pirate ship, a music stage, drive ride-on toys around a track, paint, grocery store, and on and on. There's also a separate, padded, infant area.
Charlotte Nature Museum
This, too, is a good one for the little ones. It is also attached to Freedom Park, which is really nice. They have a Butterfly Pavilion, live animal room, nature trail, puppet theater, and other exhibits relating to urban nature. The first part is a little odd, being full of taxedermy-type exhibits; but when you get to the back, the play area is great for kids under 6!!
Parks
There are so many great parks in Charlotte. This one, near 700 Romany Rd, has a free splash park for really hot or humid days. Check Google Earth or your hotel concierge to find one near where you're staying.
Search for rates and availability
Texas:
Houston
The Houston Zoo
Great zoo for little kids. The animals are easy to see. Great selection of animals; elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys, etc. There's a reptile house that, surprisingly, my preschooler loved, and an entire children's area complete with splash park and carousel, that not surprisingly, my preschooler loved. Our reciprocal membership made entrance to this zoo free.
The Children's Museum of Houston
My little guy loved the Oaxaca exhibit and playing in the Mexican village. This may not be a standard exhibit, I'm told. He also loved the grocery store and watching the baby chicks hatch from the eggs. They have an outdoor area that is really fun with nature hunts, water fountains, painting rooms, and a kid-sized summer house.
Nottingham Park
This park is in the western suburbs. It's great because it's fenced in, there's a big-kid playground and a separate tot-lot, newer bathrooms, motion-sensor fountains for splashing, a shaded atrium in the center, and it's all free.
Search for rates and availability
tip: Talk to the locals before you get there. If you're a member of your local MOMS Club or Meetup.com, contact the chapter in the city you're visiting. GoCityKids.com is another great resource for local activities.
Aruba:
I was surprised how many kids we saw in Aruba! We had gone before actually having kids, but noticed how many fun things for kids to do. Tip: It's pretty windy there, so you don't feel the sun. Be sure to use sunscreen liberally -especially on little ears.
Hyatt
The Hyatt seemed to have the most kid-friendly amenities. Waterfalls, seperate kids pool, and talking birds to name a few. It's also attached to a covered walkway leading to shops and restaurants.
Palm Beach
The beaches along the hotels (including the Hyatt) are connected by a sidewalk... very stroller-friendly. Much of the sidewalk is shaded and many of the outdoor restaurants are along the sidewalk as well.
Baby Beach
This is where the local school-children learn to swim. While we were snorkeling in the 3-ft deep or less water, a school bus pulled up and a dozen or so elementary kids emerged for their lessons. Even with all of them in the water with us, there was plenty of room. It's probably about a football-field in diameter.
Search for rates and availability
California:
San Diego
San Diego Zoo
A 'must see'. This zoo is great for little kids because the animals are so close. Kids can see almost every type of animal; elephants, monkeys, giraffes, even a panda! This is not the Wild Animal Park. That one is better for older kids.
Coronado Island
Great place for the stroller. The Hotel Del Coronado has a fantastic ice cream stand right off the beach.
SeaWorld
What's not to love about an acrobatic orca? You're pretty much guaranteed to get wet, but the higher in the stands you sit, it'll be more of a drizzle.
Disneyland Resort
The original House of Mouse. A 90-minute drive from San Diego, but worth it in spades... or is that ears?
Search for rates and availability
Colorado:
Denver
Dinosaur Ridge
Any budding archeologist will love this place. See actual dinosaur bones and footprints. Little ones can do a dinosaur 'dig' in the sandbox complete with 'skeletons' to uncover.
Childrens Museum of Denver
Kids can play grocery store, restaurant, hear animal heartbeats, paint, dance, and explore a rabbit hole and a fire engine. We lucked out and got the Blue Man Group traveling exhibit exploring sound waves.
Denver Zoo
Another great zoo for kids. Peacocks roam proudly displaying their plumes. See a family of gorillas in Primate Panorama. Ride a kiddie train or carousel.
Denver Museum of Science and Nature
This museum has a great dinosaur exhibits as well as a planetarium on it's long list of things to see. Take a breathtaking photo of downtown Denver from the steps outside. Make a day of this and the zoo... it's right next door.
Search for rates and availability
Florida:
Miami
Miami Seaquarium
This is less of an aquarium and more of a theme park. With the $30 admission price, I should have guessed. Still, my preschooler loved the dolphin/orca show. Other highlights included petting a Macaw, the manatee tank, and the crocodile park.
Key Biscayne
We took a short drive to Key Biscayne and got off the bridge at the first or second place you could before actually getting to Key Biscayne. Here's where locals camp and sailboard. We found lots of little shells here, and it was very quiet. Further down into Key Biscayne is a neighborhood park by the beach that is a bit more touristy, but has playground equipment.
Miami Children's Museum
Here kids can drive a cruise ship, play in the grocery store complete with food group puzzles, learn about doctors, dentists and vets, etc. The visiting exhibit while we were there was all about football. Kids were tackling, passing, and kicking field goals and having a blast!
Search for rates and availability
Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure
Two great parks and both great for all ages. The Florida sun can be brutal, but both parks have an abundance of misting fans. Universal seemed to have more for little ones, the Curious George water park was by far the biggest hit.
Walt Disney World
If there's one thing Disney knows, it's families. Definately not to be missed. Each of the parks have something special for little ones, even Epcot. No misting fans here, so bring your own, and a stroller umbrella for shade.
Monkey Joe's
An indoor inflatable playground may be just the thing on a day too rainy for the theme parks. Located in Festival Bay mall and near many outlet centers, there's plenty for the whole family nearby.
I-Ride Trolley
A fun diversion for all ages. You can take the trolly to get to a destination, or the ride itself can be the destination.
Search for rates and availability
Minnesota:
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Mall of America
Tuesdays are Toddler Tuesdays with special events and special pricing at many restaurants for small children.
The Park is now sponsored by Nickelodeon, featuring favorite characters such as SpongeBob and Dora.
Underwater Adventures Aquarium
The world's largest underwater aquarium is located near the east entrance of the Mall of America. Sharks are the main attraction, but thousands of sea creatures can be viewed while walking through the glass underground tunnel.
The Minnesota Zoo
A great walking zoo complete with a farm. The dolphin show is a favorite year-round attraction. There is a large rainforest section that is indoors to keep it climate-controlled. Truly a rain-or-shine place to go.
Como Zoo
A childhood favorite. This zoo is free to the public (donations appreciated). This small zoo is great for kids because the animals are easy to see. Watching the polar bear swim is a local favorite attraction. They also have a lively sea lion show called the Sparky Show, better than most I've seen. Other kid-friendly ammenities include a carousel and Como Town amusement park featuring rides and attractions for kids ages 1-12.
Minnesota Children's Museum
This place is crazy-fun! Kids get to make paper (like, take a gooey mess and turn it into paper), do face painting, play grocery-store and restaurant. There are story times, an age-3-and-under room, featured exhibits of favorite characters and so much more! Parking can be confusing, but is pretty well-marked once you know where to look, so download the map.
Search for rates and availability
North Carolina:
Charlotte
Charlotte At Play
This is a great indoor hands-on play area! It's located in a strip-mall setting and is close to shopping and other errand-type stores. The kids get to play on a pirate ship, a music stage, drive ride-on toys around a track, paint, grocery store, and on and on. There's also a separate, padded, infant area.
Charlotte Nature Museum
This, too, is a good one for the little ones. It is also attached to Freedom Park, which is really nice. They have a Butterfly Pavilion, live animal room, nature trail, puppet theater, and other exhibits relating to urban nature. The first part is a little odd, being full of taxedermy-type exhibits; but when you get to the back, the play area is great for kids under 6!!
Parks
There are so many great parks in Charlotte. This one, near 700 Romany Rd, has a free splash park for really hot or humid days. Check Google Earth or your hotel concierge to find one near where you're staying.
Search for rates and availability
Texas:
Houston
The Houston Zoo
Great zoo for little kids. The animals are easy to see. Great selection of animals; elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys, etc. There's a reptile house that, surprisingly, my preschooler loved, and an entire children's area complete with splash park and carousel, that not surprisingly, my preschooler loved. Our reciprocal membership made entrance to this zoo free.
The Children's Museum of Houston
My little guy loved the Oaxaca exhibit and playing in the Mexican village. This may not be a standard exhibit, I'm told. He also loved the grocery store and watching the baby chicks hatch from the eggs. They have an outdoor area that is really fun with nature hunts, water fountains, painting rooms, and a kid-sized summer house.
Nottingham Park
This park is in the western suburbs. It's great because it's fenced in, there's a big-kid playground and a separate tot-lot, newer bathrooms, motion-sensor fountains for splashing, a shaded atrium in the center, and it's all free.
Search for rates and availability
