Family vacations are some of the best memories most people have of their childhoods. If you’re a parent, you may be looking to create some of those memories for your own children. However, long car rides to the Grand Canyon can be more tiresome than fun in the long run (especially for young kids) and a few days at a big theme park can easily cost you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
A safer and more economical bet is to tailor your vacations to what your child’s interested in at the moment…being sure to pick a place that has a little something for the adults as well. If your child happens to be among the many children that are entranced by the world of fairy tales and make-believe, you’re in luck! There are many creative vacation hotspots beyond the princesses of Disneyland that will satisfy your kid’s love of fantasy while entertaining you at the same time.
Here are just a few ideas for families who love fairy tales:
(1) Find a real castle. When you think castles, you might automatically think of Cindrella’s Castle at Walt Disney World. However, the United States has a few other castles available to tour, including the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, where children can take pony rides and visit the waterfalls. You might also consider taking them to a castle-like mansion to inspire their inner royalty, such as the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, where kids can participate in a scavenger hunt around the 250 rooms of this French chateau.
(2) Visit the fairies. If you have a child who loves fairies and fairy stories, you should head up to Maine, where the Maine Fairy House Festival takes place every August. Children participate in making fairy houses out of natural materials (such as leaves, acorns, flowers, and sticks) to welcome the wee folk. Designer fairy houses will also be on display and the whole family can enjoy the parade and fair festivities that accompany this fun festival.
(3) Take a Pirate Adventure. Kids who dream of being pirates will be thrilled with the excursions offered by Pirate Adventures, a travel company based along the East Coast. After getting into costume (complete with face makeup), families climb aboard a pirate ship and actually set sail with a treasure map and some helpful hints for finding their pirate loot. These trips are surprisingly affordable and both kids and parents alike won’t soon forget the feel of the sea breeze on their faces and the promise of gold where X marks the spot.
Of course, if your budget is tight this year, you might be more in the market for a “stay-cation” than a vacation. A “stay-cation” is a family holiday that takes place in your own backyard. Although it might seem like spending a week at home will be a lot more disappointing than spending a week at a tourist destination, there are plenty of great activities that will keep your kids just as entertained as an expensive outing.
Indulge your little princess in hours of dress-up, complete with heels and a glittery hairstyle, just by pulling fun pieces out of your own closet and picking up a few cheap drugstore items. It is essential for you to carry best backpack diaper bag for the kids, if there age is below 2 years. As, it can be hectic vacation journey for the kid, there can be need for the same. Build your own fairy houses in your backyard using natural materials, or dream bigger and work on a real lost boys’ hideaway, just like the ones in Neverland. If pirate play is more to your child’s interest, you can set up a treasure map with clues and pirate booty (chocolate coins or plastic beads). Remember, it’s not about how much you spend, it’s about how much you play, so have fun!
