Ice Skating Tv Schedule

Vacationing with the kids can put your organizational skills--and patience--to the test. There's transportation, accommodations, attractions and expenses to consider. And making the most of the experience can mean different things to different family members (you want to veg out on the beach; little Walter wants to hit the amusement park). On these pages you'll find tips--and trips--to help you enjoy getting there as much as being there.

Making Plans

Good planning means the difference between a fabulous vacation and a family feud on wheels. The Internet makes it easy to research destinations and hotels, read travelers' reviews and download checklists and safety strategies. Family-focused travel guides, like Fodor's Around the City With Kids series, are also helpful. And don't forget to talk to travel agents or friends who have been to your destination. More tips:

Plan for your family, not someone else's. Your vacation should fit the personality of your family. If your son loves sports and hates museums, for instance, this is not the year to visit the Studio Museum in Harlem. Consider your children's ages, maturity and interests, and your getaway desires and budget. Talk about the vacation style everyone wants.

Include something for everyone. Some families spend a third of their vacation on kids' preferences, a third on family choices and a third on adult interests. However you divide your time, be sure to include everyone's desires. "Each family member should get to see his or her first choice," says Kaleel Sakakeeny, a family-travel consultant and journalist in Boston.

Appoint junior planners. Nothing gets kids involved like giving them a role. Let them know their input matters. They can research online, download coupons, read brochures, even talk to friends who've been to your destination.

Make an itinerary. Create a vacation schedule, including phone numbers, hours of operation for attractions and downtime. It may sound like work, but an itinerary frees you from the time- and energy-sapping activity of constant decision malting on the go. "Itineraries are especially good for single parents, who must be twice as organized, patient and creative as their married counterparts," advises Brenda Elwell, author of The Single Parent Travel Handbook (Global-Brenda Publishing). Elwell created SingleParentTravel.net, a Web site dedicated to the subject.

Whet their appetite. Heighten your kids' excitement for the trip ahead by trying foods, listening to music or watching movies that relate to your destination. Check out library books with stories that take place in the region you plan to visit. "It really awakens their interest," says Kyle McCarthy, editor of the Web site familytravelforum.com. "These are wonderful ways to boost kids' enthusiasm about the place."

GOING THE EXTRA MILE Prepurchase tickets to museums, amusement parks or other attractions before you leave home. Lots of luggage? Ship, don't schlep: A service called Luggagefree picks up baggage anywhere and ships it to your destination for an initial fee of $20 plus $2 a pound. Minimum order: $95 ([800] 361-6871).

Getting There Can Be Half the Fun

You're harried. You're tired. You want to get to your resort and begin relaxing immediately. But remember that for many kids the journey is part of the vacation. That plane, bus, car or train ride may be just as exciting as anything else they'll do that day. To make the most of it:

Interact! This is a time for kids to bond with you, not their Game Boys. Don't rely on technology to occupy them. Tell stories, play word or card games, let your child read aloud. "You are your child's favorite toy," says Vicki Lansky, author of Trouble-Free Travel With Children (Book Peddlers).

Bring activities. Pack crayons and construction paper, activity books and toys, especially if you have little ones, recommends Amy Bohutinsky, consumer travel expert for Hotwire.com. "You might buy a new toy for your child--several if you have a long flight or drive--and produce it along the way as your child gets restless," she says.

Don't skip the snacks. Food can entertain and educate, especially if you bring foods relating to your destination. Besides, if you're traveling on a plane, you and your young ones will likely need more nourishment than the airline provides. Best bets: boxed juices and healthful, crumb-free snacks like baby carrots, sliced turkey, cheese, bagels and drinkable yogurt. Avoid overly sugary and salty snacks.

Let kids be copilots. Keep them engaged by giving them responsibilities. "Children over the age of 10 are great junior navigators," says Elwell of SingleParentTravel.net. "Have them help find a poorly marked exit or read road signs. A teenager can be a senior navigator, plotting the course of the trip. Very small children can locate safety exits on airplanes or on trains."

Keep children comfortable. "Kids travel best with empty bladders and full stomachs," Lansky says. Take bathroom breaks. Let them run off excess energy before getting into the car or on the bus, train or plane. On a plane, give them something to suck on during takeoff and landing to avoid painful ear congestion.

Make yourself comfortable too. Take care of yourself so you can be patient with your kids. Eat well. Create a designated quiet hour if you need it, and make sure everyone adheres to it.

GOIN THE EXTRA MILE Kid-focused books and music can help make an automobile ride less boring. Try these books published by Rand McNally: Are We There Yet? (featuring travel-related lyrics that can be sung to the tune of popular songs) and Kid's Road Atlas.

Being There

While traveling exposes you and your kids to new ideas, places, foods and people, it can also involve some discomfort, change and, at times, a lack of control. But you can have fun with your family no matter what happens. Some ideas:

Bring your sense of humor. Encourage kids to be good travelers by being one yourself. Be curious and open-minded. Look for the fun in every situation. "Your attitude is so important," says McCarthy of familytravelforum.com. "If we approach what's new and different positively rather than fearfully, our kids will do the same. Bring a spirit of adventure, and they'll have one also."

Relax some rules. Youngsters respond differently to new foods, disruptions in sleep patterns and jet lag. This is not the time to introduce new disciplinary methods. Remember, the kids are on vacation, too. Your best bet? Slow down. Get in tune with your children. Experience the destination at their pace.

Catch them being good. Of course, travel can be a great opportunity for the kids to practice maturity and manners, and to develop new strengths to bring home. Praise them for what they do right to cement the behavior. "If they behave well at a museum or are nice to Grandma, encourage them," Lansky says.

Do less. For today's overscheduled kids, an entire afternoon doing nothing but building a sand castle with their parents may be their most cherished vacation memory. So make room for downtime. Figure out what you want to see, then plan on doing half of that. If at the end of your trip you want to return to see more, the vacation has been successful.

Avoid the gimmes. To sidestep money meltdowns, decide how you'll handle souvenirs and spending money. Different families take different approaches. McCarthy recommends setting a daily spending allowance for your kids and sticking to it. "You can dole it out in the morning, or set a limit for each day."

Plan for adult time. True, you're here to spend time with the kids, but it's your vacation as well. Keep yourself refreshed enough to enjoy your family. At a resort, for example, hit the spa while the children do arts and crafts at the kids' club. In a city, hire a sitter through the hotel's concierge service, and go out to dinner while the youngsters sleep.

RETURNING HOME

Keep the memories alive. The trip is over, the bags are unpacked, and it's back to life as usual. Right? Not so fast. Extend your vacation--and what your kids learned from it--by keeping the experience fresh. Ask the kids what they liked best, what surprised them, what they'd like to do again. Prepare a meal based on foods you tried, share photos or your scrapbook with other family members, or continue a vacation ritual, such as talking over the day's activities before going to sleep. Incorporating new experiences into your home life can help keep the memories vivid. It also can help kids develop the habit of appreciating opportunities and experiences, a good attitude for daily life--and your next vacation.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE In a foreign country, let your kids exchange currency and carry it. It's great way for them to practice math skills and feel important. Plan to make a vacation scrapbook when your get home, and encourage the children to collect free items as you go--tiny shells, a fancy paper umbrella from a fruit punch drink, a colorful map of a site you've visited.

Where the Kids Are

Tips and picks for your next vacation

                         BEST FOR                    WATCH FOR

All-Inclusive    Families with diverse      The right atmosphere.
      Resorts    interests. The kids want   With so much to do, you
                 to learn 15 different      may never see your kids.
                 sports, hang with people   Some all-inclusives have
                 their age, and do their    a frat-party feel that
                 own thing. You want to     could make you and yours
                 lie by the pool, go to     uncomfortable. Look for
                 the spa, and leave your    resorts targeted to
                 wallet in the hotel        families.
                 safe.

      Cruises    Families who want a        Hidden costs. "Cruise ships
                 balance of family time     make most of their money
                 and adult time. On a       on highly marked-up shore
                 cruise you can visit       excursions," McCarthy
                 different destinations     says. Research your options
                 without lugging your       before you book. Look for
                 suitcase.                  ports of call you can tour
                                            on your own. Check out the
                                            Cruise Line Industry
                                            Association site
                                            (cruising.org) for
                                            suggestions.

 City Escapes    Families who want a        Information overload.
                 total-immersion travel     "Vacationers are often
                 experience--culture,       over-whelmed by the
                 food, shopping and expo-   newness of everything,"
                 sure to new things.        McCarthy says. "It's
                                            more tiring than you'd
                                            imagine." Don't try to
                                            see more than two of the
                                            same type of destination
                                            in one day.

   Homes Away    The family that wants to   No-frills accommodations.
    From Home    be together, away from     Some rental houses or
                 the tourist traps, or a    villas may not have the
                 family whose cramped       amenities you would
                 apartment or hectic        expect. Ask about air-
                 lives make settling in     conditioning, radio and
                 at someone else's home     TV, VCR, washer and dryer,
                 seem like a vacation.      dishwasher and anything
                 Also a great option if     else that's important to
                 you're traveling with      you. Choose a house within
                 extended family and        walking distance of a
                 want to stay up all        beach or town. Look for
                 night connecting.          on-line photos and maps of
                                            the location before you
                                            book.

     Theme or    The young--and young       Crowds. Lines. Extra costs.
      Fantasy    at heart.                  Your admission ticket
     Vacation                               doesn't cover the on-
                                            slaught of snacks and sou-
                                            venirs your kids will
                                            crave.
                                            Look for package deals
                                            that include air, hotel
                                            and admission tickets.

                                       OUR PICKS

All-Inclusive    CLUB MED: Sixty worldwide family-focused villages
      Resorts    include resorts in Florida, Mexico, the Dominican
                 Republic, Guadeloupe and Colorado. Age-appropriate
                 kids' programs for all ages--infants to teens--offer
                 activities such as water sports, circus school or
                 world-music workshops. Seven nights starts at $644
                 per adult--about a third of that for kids ages 2 to 3,
                 and about half of that for ages 4 to 15; airfare not
                 included. Children under 2 stay free ([800] CLUBMED
                 or clubmed.com).

                 CORAL BY HILTON, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Hilton's four
                 properties in the Dominican Republic offer fully
                 supervised programs for kids 4 to 12, including arts
                 and crafts, games and performances. Seven nights
                 starts at $1,120 per adult and each child over 6.

                 Kids under 6 stay free ([800] HILTONS or
                 coralbyhilton.com).

      Cruises    CARNIVAL CRUISES: This "Fun Ship" line has some of
                 the most family-focused ships at sea, with full gyms,
                 computer labs, a teen program for ages 16 to 18 (with
                 chaperoned teen-only shore excursions) and Camp
                 Carnival--an age-specific on-board program for kids 2
                 to 15. Cruises depart from nearly a dozen U.S.
                 cities. Prices vary, depending on the season, ship,
                 distance and destination ([888] CARNIVAL or
                 carnival.com).

                 ROYAL CARIBBEAN: All 18 RC ships have an on-board
                 program for kids 3 to 17, as well as full gyms, spas
                 and rock-climbing walls. Their features range from
                 indoor ice-skating rinks and in-line skating tracks
                 to basketball courts. Prices vary, depending on
                 season, ship and destination ([800] 327-6700 or
                 royalcaribbean.com).

 City Escapes    WASHINGTON, D.C.: Where else can you see the White
                 House, the Anacostia Museum and Center for African
                 American History and Culture, a" soaring monuments,
                 most of which are free? The city, designed by a
                 famous African-American (Benjamin Banneker), is
                 steeped in our history and culture. Look in your
                 local newspaper for slashed summer hotel rates.
                 Congress is out; families are in ([202] 789-7000 or
                 Washington.org). SAN DIEGO: It's got warm weather,
                 the beach, a marina and child-friendly museums that
                 make learning fun. Check out the aerospace museum,
                 SeaWorld, Lego Land California, the San Diego Zoo
                 and the waterfront shopping mall with its historic
                 carousel. Budget hotels are within driving distance
                 of major attractions. Don't miss the Hotel del
                 Coronado, which hosts kids' craft sessions and offers
                 spa treatments for teens ([619] 236-1212 or
                 sandiego.org).

   Homes Away    HARBOUR ISLAND, BAHAMAS: Kids can bike from one end to
    From Home    the other of this quiet, safe, car-free island all by
                 themselves. Rent a house high on a bluff overlooking
                 the flawless pink beach. A one- or two-bedroom house
                 starts at $1,000 a week through Island Real Estate
                 ([242] 333-2278 or brilandrealestate.com; [800]
                 BAHAMAS or bahamas.com).

                 BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA: Home to gorgeous
                 gorges, swimming holes, mountain trails and craft
                 villages, this scenic mountain getaway is ideal for
                 families who love the great outdoors. A cabin or
                 condo in the heights near Blowing Rock ranges from
                 from about $580 to $1,800 a week through Blowing
                 Rock Resort Rentals ([866] 800-9899 or
                 blowingrockresortrentals.com).

     Theme or    UNIVERSAL, ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Universal's theme parks
      Fantasy    appeal to both older kids and adults. Three connected
     Vacation    hotels offer budget, mid-range or high-end
                 accommodations that start at about $189 a night. A
                 park day pass costs $53.95 for anyone over age 10;
                 $44.95 for kids 3 to 9; free for kids under 3
                 ([800] 711-0080 or universalorlando.com).

                 ATLANTIS, PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS: This mammoth
                 hotel feels like a water park with rooms. There's a
                 walk-through aquarium, 11 swimming areas, 17
                 restaurants, 18 lounges and clubs, and, of course,
                 the beach. Discovery Channel Camp offers educational
                 entertainment for children ages 4 to 12. Rates start
                 at $215 a night, kids under 12 stay free ([800]
                 ATLANTIS atlantis.com).

Good Web Sites for Planning Great Family Trips

It pays to do your research, Some options:

* travelwithkids.about.com: features vacation ideas and deals, plus links to other family-compatible sites.

* gorp.com: good site for outdoor travel national parks and adventure vacations.

RELATED ARTICLE: Family-friendly hotels.

These hotels offer programs and packages that accommodate families:

HOMEWOOD SUITES: This all-suite chain has more than 125 hotels across the United States, with kitchenettes, pull-out couches and no charge for kids under 18. Specials are offered each spring, summer and holiday season. Rooms start at about $95, Promotional rates start at about $79 per room per night ([800] CALLHOME or homewoodsuites.com).

LOEWS HOTELS: Kids under 18 stay free at all Loews hotels, located in 15 U.S. cities, Quebec City and Montreal. Kids get their own menu, access to a game library and supervised activities. Teens can use the hotel's CD and DVD players and Game Boys, Rooms start at about $99 per night, depending on location ([800] 23-LOEWS or loewshotels.com).

DOUBLETREE HOTELS: During the summer at participating hotels, children ages 3 to 12 are welcomed with a KidsCAREpak that includes a colorful backpack, activity book, crayons and other fun things to keep them happy. Children 18 and under stay free at more than 160 hotel locations ([800] 222-TREE or doubletree.com).

WYNDHAM HOTELS: This upscale chain recently partnered with JetSetBabies.com to allow families to order must-haves like diapers, wipes, formula and food ahead of time and have them waiting in their room.

Wendy Paris is a New York City freelance writer.

MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR FAMILY TRAVEL

Some ideas for the budget-conscious:

* Choose a hotel with a free full breakfast, available at many inexpensive chains.

* Get a room with a kitchenette and refrigerator for more mealtime savings and storing leftovers.

* Pack a picnic lunch with supplies you pick up at a grocery store or dell

* Bring snacks from home instead of paying amusement park prices.

* Travel during the off-season. For example, summer months, September and October mean deep discounts in Florida and the Caribbean.

* Fly budget airlines. JetBlue (jetblue.com), Song (flysong.com) and Spirit (spiritair.com) have discount prices.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Essence Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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