I grew up in a family with six children- but that didn’t stop my parents from taking us on family vacations. Whether we were driving in our van or flying on an airplane- some of my favorite childhood memories stem from those memorable family trips.

circa 1996

Now that I am a mom to two little girls- I am often amazed at my parents for packing up and traveling with six kids! Road trips with children can be hard and exhausting but in my experience it is always, always worth it.

My oldest daughter took her first flight at three months old and now at the age of six she has been to several states and taken just as  many flights and driven hundreds of hours in the car. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to traveling with kids. Now that our daughters are out of the baby stage our traveling essentials have changed slightly. We no longer need to pack diapers, boppy pillows or strollers- but there are several items we just won’t leave the house without!

Today I’d like to share the items we always remember to take on trips.

 Dramamine® for Kids

This product has been a lifesaver for us- and unfortunately we had to learn the hard way how important this is to have on the road. We recently took an 11 hour road trip to Lewiston, Idaho. We had never taken the windy and twisty roads before and soon my four and six year old were complaining about feeling nauseous and queasy. Up until then they had never experienced motion sickness before so I wasn’t quite sure what to do.

Thankfully, my sister who we were traveling with, happened to have Dramamine® for Kids in her travel bag and was gracious enough to share with my kids.

Soon our girls were feeling so much better and we were able to avoid any vomiting from them. It was easy for them to take because of the chewable tablet and the child friendly grape flavor it came in.

We learned our lesson- and since then we have gone on two more trips and Dramamine® for Kids was one of the first things I put in my purse. Because it comes in an adorable travel case it fits conveniently in my purse pocket and doesn’t take up a lot of room.  I never know when the motion sickness in my children might hit them- but I feel better knowing I am prepared for when it does.

Sunglasses

I always have sunglasses in my bag and I never forget to pack sunglasses for my children when we travel either. Often times when we are on long road trips we will be traveling right at sunrise or during the brightest part of the afternoon. Because of where they  sit in their car seats they are usually in the direct sunlight. We all know how miserable it is to have the sun glaring in our faces, right? When this happens my kids know they can put on their sunglasses and it helps them become more comfortable almost immediately.  We haven’t had window shades in our car since the girls were babies- and if you have older children you might have taken yours down, too – which is why sunglasses are a must when traveling with older children.

 Fun Bags

I used to pack  coloring books, crayons, toys, and books in one large tote when we traveled by car- which I kept in the front seat by me. I would hand items back to the kids to avoid spills or to avoid them dumping everything out at once. Now that my children are older they are more capable of having their own travel bag that they can get into easily. We have small backpacks that we use for every trip- even on the airplane!

In their “fun bags” we put only what they will really use. It’s tempting for me to pack their bags to the brim with anything I can get my hands on but I’ve learned that they will only use the things they really love.  I know that my girls like to color in notebooks so I skip coloring books and put in one spiral notebook each with a case of crayons. My oldest daughter likes to read Dr. Seuss books so she gets a few of those books, while my younger daughter likes the “See and Find” books. Instead of loading them up with stuff I “think” they’ll use I stick with what I know will keep them occupied. They each get a pack of gum and a few surprises like stickers, glow sticks, or a few new small toys- usually picked up from the dollar section at my local store.

 Wipes

No, we don’t have babies anymore but that won’t stop me from traveling with a pack of baby wipes! They come in handy for sticky hands or spills that are bound to occur while traveling. We keep them in our car’s middle console at all times and they usually last us a while since they are only used sporadically when needed. I can’t tell you how many times I have been grateful for wipes while not even having a child in diapers!

 Trash Bags

This might sound like a no-brainer but to be honest it took several road trips with kids to realize how helpful they can be- for several reasons.  When you travel you are going to have garbage. Plain and simple. Especially with kids! With kids you are bound to have candy wrappers, tissues, crumpled papers, take out bags and other items that need to be thrown away. When you are without a sack to put it in most likely it will end up on the ground until you get to a gas station.

Throwing a trash bag (or two) into the back of our car has saved my sanity on long trips. It helps keep all the trash consolidated in one spot and we’ve trained our kids to throw their garbage into the trash bag now, too. Trash bags are also great for putting your dirty clothes in while traveling. Even if you are traveling by airplane- a trash bag is still useful!

OF course there are other more obvious items you don’t want to forget when traveling- such as: snacks, water,  music, pillows, and stuffed animals. All those items combined with my top 5 essentials will definitely help you as you travel with children!

What would you add to the list?

The post Top 5 Children Travel Essentials appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a post about traveling with children – my post on road tripping with a baby always seems to garner a lot of attention. Jack is three, so he’s kind of in that range of toddler/preschooler. Since we’ve taken plenty of road trips with him as a toddler, and now a couple as he’s entered that preschool age, I figure that I might as well write a post that focuses on road tripping with young children!

I’ll put this out there up front – Jack is very good in the car. He rarely, if ever, complains or cries, and he loves sleeping in his car seat. So, I’ll admit, my advice isn’t going to have a lot of experience with children who hate being in the car. However, I think that most of this is pretty generic, and I hope you can apply it to your situation!

We recently went on a super long road trip to Northern Idaho. It was over 2,000 miles round-trip, and let me tell ya – it was a doozy! Road trips are normally one of my least favorite things to do, but I think they are even worse during pregnancy. Let’s not even talk about how swollen my feet got.

Fortunately, we actually drove in the same car as my parents and little brother, which made the trip a little bit more fun. Jack loved being in the car with them.

1) Fun Bag

Growing up, the best part of road trips was the “fun bag” my mom would put together for each of my siblings and me. I remember that my bag was yellow, and there was always so much anticipation to getting to the car and seeing what was inside. In hindsight, there wasn’t anything too fancy – just some candy, maybe a small toy or book, but it was so fun to have this to look forward to.

I’ve continued this little tradition with Jack, and he absolutely loves it. I mentioned it to him a few days before this last road trip, and he couldn’t stop talking about it. I just stocked up on a few things from the dollar section at Target, and he was overjoyed when I let him open the bag on our trip. Here are a few ideas:

• New crayons/coloring book
• Small snacks like graham crackers, goldfish, or fruit snacks
• A new book
• A sticker book (or a package of stickers with a blank notebook)
• mini etch-a-sketch or magnadoodle
• Quiet Books
• Window markers
• Homemade Gak
• Car Color Bingo 
• Finger Puppets

You can easily find a little bag at the Dollar Tree or Target. However, I like having something that’s a little more durable and that we can use on multiple trips. We were sent a PaddlePak from Trunki.com, a company that specializes in travel gear for little ones, and it was perfect for putting Jack’s fun bag together. It had tons of room for everything we got him, and it was nice that it was water resistant, in case something spilled inside. Jack picked Ribbit the Frog, and it is so cute and very well-made.

2) Snacks in little containers

I bought several different snacks for Jack to have throughout the trip, but I wanted to make sure he didn’t just eat them all in the first hour we were driving. I got some cute little cups with lids from the Target dollar section (if you can’t tell, I love this section). I used about four different cups and put different snacks in each one. I kept larger bags of the snacks in my bag, so I could replenish the snacks when I needed to. I feel like it kept things more organized and less messy.

3) Make sure they are comfortable

No one wants to be uncomfortable in a vehicle, but I think adults can handle it a bit easier. If your child is uncomfortable, they will definitely let you know! Long road trips are bound to get uncomfortable, but there are a few things you can do to ease that discomfort.

• Regulate the temperature: Depending on the kind of vehicle you have, the backseat may get rather warm, even with air conditioning on. My friend came up with this interesting way to keep your child cool in the car. If you don’t feel like making something like that, I think buying a car seat fan attachment is a great idea, as well as rolling down the windows when you can.
• Bring familiar blankets and other sleep items: This will help your child fall asleep easier in the car!
• Bringing along a pillow probably isn’t the best idea, especially when your child is in a car seat. We were also sent a Trunki.comTrunki.com, and it really is the perfect solution for children in car seats. It helps to keep their neck from getting too stiff or tired, and the fact that they are animals is even more fun. Jack LOVES his, and he uses it even when we aren’t in the car! He has Leeroy the Lion.

4) Be willing to stop frequently

Jack was potty trained right about when he turned three (you can read all about our secret to potty training.) This is something we were very happy about, especially since I really didn’t want to have two kids in diapers once this new baby arrives. However, it does mean that you have to stop a lot more frequently. Jack doesn’t seem to quite understand the concept of “holding it” for awhile, so the moment he needed to go potty, he didn’t let us forget it. This meant that we stopped quite a few times (often on the side of the road – which he thought was soooo cool), and it was something we factored in.

If your child has just recently been potty trained, and you aren’t sure if there are good places to stop at a moment’s notice, you may want to consider having your child wear pull-ups in the car. Jack didn’t want to do this, so I wasn’t going to force him to, but if you’re at that in-between stage, it might be a good idea so you don’t have to worry about it if they have an accident.

It’s also good to stop and let your kids stretch their legs and run around for a little bit. No one likes being cramped in the car for hours on end!

5) Healthy snacks

From all of our road trips, I’ve learned this – junk food may be tempting to buy, but it’s far better to buy healthy snacks. Whenever we just load up on salty snacks and junk food, we always end up feeling horrible by the time we stop. Forrest and I started making sure we had a good supply of snacks that would keep us satisfied, but that weren’t complete junk. While we may have a package of cookies as well, we typically bring a lot of fruit (bananas, cutie clementines, and apples are our favorites), Annie’s snack crackers, granola bars, and, of course, lots of water! We recently started buying Motts Medley’s Fruits snacks from Costco, and they are a great treat to bring along as well.

One kind of candy I do recommend bringing is licorice. Traveling often results in constipation. TMI maybe, but it’s true. This goes for children as well! My mom swears that if you eat licorice while traveling, it helps a lot with travel bloat and constipation. I think there’s definitely some merit in this!

6) Don’t give them all their “surprises” at once

If you are going on a long road trip and have bought different surprises (whether it be a game, a book, or maybe a new movie), don’t give it to your child all at the beginning! Chances are, they will go through everything really quickly, and then they will start to get antsy and act board. Spread out the surprises to be available at the times when they seem like they are having the hardest time. I mean, with Jack, he was content about 95% of the time, but during that other 5%, it was nice to have something to distract him. Some people may not agree with doing this, but with as boring/frustrating/mind-numbing as a car ride can be, I honestly don’t care! If my child is content in the car, that’s pretty much all that matters to me when we are driving.

One surprise that might be fun to give your child when they get to their destination is a new suitcase! We also were asked to review Trunki’s signature product – the Trunki suitcase. It’s a ride on suitcase, available in a variety of different styles, and it’s a lot of fun for kids. When you arrive at your destination, it might be a fun treat for your child to see a brand new suitcase – just for them – that they can ride to their hotel room (or wherever you are staying!) Plus, these are guaranteed for five years – so you know they are built to last (also – random side note – I think this would be amazing in an airport!)

7) Make sure they are in the proper car seat

I couldn’t go through this post without putting a shout-out for car seat safety. I wrote a post awhile back that touched on car seat safety and proper car seats. When you are on a road trip, you are driving for long periods of time, and I think there’s probably an increased risk of getting in an accident. You want to make sure your child is as safe as possible, just in case something bad does happen!

8) Mess-free activities

The last thing you want to do is arrive at your destination (or home) and have a huge mess in the back seat. While your child may love painting or playdough, a road trip is not the best time for this! I recommend finding a variety of mess-free activities for them to enjoy throughout the trip. Here is an awesome list of mess-free road trip activities for preschoolers! We also love finding travel editions of little games, crayons (not markers – unless it’s Color Wonder!) and a new coloring book, or car bingo!

Going on a road trip to Southern California? Be sure to check out Get Away Today before you book your next trip – they have a best rate guarantee, and from my experience, they are the best company to work with. Get $10 off your package when you book using the code CLARKS2015!

The post 8 Tips for Road Trips with Young Children appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

Growing up in Colorado, the chances I had to go the beach were very minimal. I was able to go to Hawaii once and experience those incredible beaches, a beautiful beach in Veracruz, Mexico, and I also went to the West Coast a handful of times. On the flip side, Forrest grew up going to the beach very often. He lived three hours or so from the beach, and visiting the beach was something his family did a lot. Every time I’ve been to North Carolina, we’ve made a point to go.

The first time was right after we got married.

And if you couldn’t tell, it was pretty freezing. We were there right at the end of December, and needless to say, we weren’t going to get in the water very far. It was still very beautiful though, and I loved being able to see a beach on the East Coast!

The next time we went to the beach, Jack was only a few months old, and we were in South Carolina. I’ll admit, I really don’t like getting in the water a lot, so I was fine to just sit and relax under an umbrella with Jack, or walk along the coast with Jack in my Moby wrap. It was still fun though, and definitely a different experience than the time before.

And, as you might remember, our most recent trip was last month. I was a little nervous, because Jack has a serious water phobia, and I wasn’t sure how he would handle it. Well, he hated the ocean. But when we were far from the water, he had a blast. We both even took a nice nap on the beach. This was my first time actually swimming on a North Carolina beach, so that was a blast. 

Anyways, even though I’m not an expert on going to the beach, I feel like I’ve learned a few tips over the years on how to have a successful trip. And for the places I lack, Forrest has provided me with some details as well. Here are some tips on how to have a successful family trip to the beach (with toddlers and babies in tow!)

Sun shade

Absolutely have some kind of shade from the sun, especially if are going to be there for a long period of time and have small children with you. At the minimum, having a large umbrella can help a lot when you need a break from the sun beating down on you. Forrest’s family had a nice, large canopy that was big enough for all of us to sit under, and

Food

Not all beaches have places nearby where you can buy food, and even when they do, the prices are likely to be very high. I’ve never been to a beach that bans people from bringing their own food, so definitely bring snacks. I’d recommend bringing snacks like crackers, nuts, and fruit.

If you’ll be there all day, definitely bring some kind of lunch. There’s just something about being at the beach that makes you hungry. Sandwiches are always a good option, but if you bring something that needs to be kept cool, be sure to bring along a cooler. This can also keep water bottles cool.

Towels

This may seem silly to say, but don’t forget towels. And bring extras. You never know if one of your towels is going to get completely covered in sand or water. It may even be smart to bring two per person, if you have room. One to rinse off from water, and one to lay in the sand to lounge on.

Choose the Right Time

If you get to the beach early, you’re more likely to get a good spot. We got there around 9 AM, and we almost had the beach to ourselves. We got our pick of a spot, and enjoyed some really relaxing time with the only noise being the crashing waves. It certainly filled up later on, but it was nice, because we had our spot staked out, and we got a killer parking spot. If you are only planning on a half day the beach, going in the morning or early evening helps to avoid the most direct sunlight.

Water

Water, water, water! Bring lots of water bottles, and a place to keep them cool — if they are just sitting out, they will get hot fast, and that won’t do you much good. It’s so easy to get dehydrated, so make sure to force yourself and those with you to drink continually the whole time you are the beach. Don’t count on a beach having a water bottle station, or even a sink to fill up bottles, either. I’ve heard of some beaches not allowing glass bottles, so be aware of that.

Sunscreen

I’ve talked about the importance of sunscreen and other sun safety tips in the past, and the beach is definitely not a place you want to skimp on it. Especially since most people are at the beach during prime sunburn time, it’s super important to have good sunscreen that isn’t expired. Be sure to read the instructions as well. We didn’t do that, and Forrest ended up with a pretty nasty sunburn from our last beach trip. Sunscreen loses its effectiveness when you sweat or get wet, so you need to apply it fairly often when at the beach. Look for an SPF 30 or above, and make sure to cover your whole body. Don’t be like me, and forget to do your husband’s entire arm, or else you might end up with someone looking like this.

Sand Toys

Who doesn’t love digging in the sand, building a sand castle, or burrying a family member?! One thing I really regret not having when we went to the beach this last time with Jack was a shovel and pail. He loves playing in the sandbox, and I think he would have enjoyed it a little more if we had some toys to play with in the sand. Even having a few empty cups would be better than nothing.

Beach Games

If you plan to stay the entire day at the beach, then you may want to take a few breaks from the water. During those breaks, it might be fun to have a game like bocce ball, ladder ball, or Frisbee on hand to play. Forrest really enjoys playing Frisbee, especially on the beach. These games are easy to transport, won’t easily got lost at the beach, and are just overall relaxing to play. We had bocce ball when we went to the beach this last time, and while I didn’t play, Forrest sure had a lot of fun!

Storage

Sand gets everywhere when you are at the beach, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll go home with sand on everything you brought. Bring bags to place items in that you don’t really want sand to get on (like extra towels that you don’t lay out, phones, cameras, etc.) and if they have a zipper, that’s even better. Sometimes a mighty gust of wind might suddenly appear, and even if things are on chairs, they might get covered in sand.

Research the Area

Not all beaches have ammenities like outdoor rinse off stations or bathrooms nearby. Because we drove further out to find a less busy location, we also were further away from these places, and ended up having to drive to one afterwards. And since we were covered in sand, the entire car was as well by the time we got there. If you feel like you’ll need to be near a restroom, restaurants, etc., do research ahead of time and find areas that have the things you need. Most beaches have some kind of information online about them, so just look this up beforehand. You can also figure out where parking is and what the hours are as well.

Be Careful of When You Go

Some times of year are more popular than others. For instance, right after the 4th of July, which is when we went, was super busy. Going in the middle of the week is usually a good time to go, as long as there isn’t some major holiday around that time. Don’t assume that the beach will be warm either year round. Even if an area is typically warm throughout the year, the beach may still be cold.

Lodging

Even though it might be fun to stay at a beachfront  house or hotel, it’s definitely going to cost you a bundle. Researching areas that are within about 30 minutes of the beach you want to go to, and finding hotels around there, can end up saving you a lot as well. I highly recommend using Priceline or Hotwire. I’ve really liked Priceline’s last minute deals lately, because they really are awesome deals, and you can often find nice hotels. If you do book on a website like Priceline or Hotwire, be sure to call ahead of time to make any requests about bed sizes, non-smoking, etc.

If you are going to a beach in Southern California, one great way to save is by using Get Away Today. They have some of the best deals on lodging (and vacation packages to popular Southern California locations), with a best rate guarantee! If you book a package using my code Clarks2015, you can get $10 off. All their hotels are highly recommended, and I really think you can find the best deal there.

Beach Safety

Most beach entries have some kind of sign that talk about the rules, mention when high tide will be, and discuss any current dangers. Don’t just ignore these regulations. There’s typically a sign that talks about rip currents, and how to get out of them. This isn’t something to mess around with, and they can happen to anyone. In fact, I believe two people drowned in a rip current at the same beach we were at during the weekend we were there. Knowing how to escape from a rip current is essential knowledge, that needs to be reviewed with everyone going in the water.

Hats

Not only will having a hat keep you shaded, but it can also protect you from sunburns as well. One of the most painful sunburns I’ve gotten has been in the part of my hair, and having a hat can easily prevent those from happening. Plus, if you are bald or have thin hair, your entire scalp could get burnt. Wide brimmed hats are nice if you have one, but even a simple baseball cap can be helpful.

Don’t Go Alone

I’m not saying you have to constantly be next to someone, but be sure to let someone at least know when you are going out in the water. This is especially important for children — it might be easy to just let them go do whatever they want while you relax in a chair with a book, but things can get tragic quickly. You never know when a huge wave or a rip tide might occur, and if a child isn’t paying attention or the best swimmer, you never know what can happen. Just be aware of what is going on.

Don’t Force Anyone in the Water

One of the things that annoys me most, is when people tell me I “have” to do something when it comes to parenting Jack. Like, I “have” to make him cry it out when he’s only four months old, or I “have” to feed him dairy because it will make him outgrow his intolerance (which, it will not do, FYI.) If your child is scared of the water, I really don’t think forcing them in is going to fix the problem. With Jack, when it comes to water, we’ve discovered we have to ease up to the big water. For instance, last week we were at a water park, and we had to start with a small puddle of water he could splash in, and by the end of the night, we were in the big pool with no tears.

Some kids just take a longer time getting used to new things, and letting them take their time will pay off in the end.

Cash and Quarters

Quite often, if there are vendors on the beach, or lockers near by, you will need to use cash or quarters. Making a stop by the bank to get some cash and quarters is a good idea if you plan to use those amenities, as it might be an unpleasant surprise when you go to pay for something, only to realize they don’t take debit or credit cards.

Water Shoes

Sand can get hot, and there can be lots of random debris around the beach that might hurt your feet. Water shoes can help protect your feet in many ways, and are usually not too expensive.

Swimming Clothes

I know everyone wants to wear their cutest swimming suit to the beach that makes them look their best. Whatever, that’s fine. But if you plan on doing some serious swimming and boogy boarding, then please, make sure you have a swim suit that isn’t going to fall off easily. Trust me, you don’t want to come up from a riding a big wave, only to realize that your swimming suit has fallen off. Rash guards can be a nice investment, especially if you go to the beach often, because you can save money on sunscreen and it can hep keep your warmer. Plus, there’s a lot less of a chance that you’ll have a wardrobe malfunction!

Follow the Rules

I’ve already touched on this a little bit, but just follow the rules. Don’t go out further in the water than you should, pick up your trash, and be aware of your surroundings. It will keep you and others safe, and make your trip even better.

Do you have a favorite beach? What have you done in the past to make sure your trip was successful?

The post Tips For Having a Successful Family Trip to the Beach appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.

The Denver Zoo is definitely a must-see attraction when visiting Colorado. I honestly haven’t been to very many other zoos, so I don’t have a lot to compare it to, but I think it’s pretty awesome. There is so much to see, fun exhibits, and you definitely won’t get bored here. In fact, most times we go, we can’t even see the whole zoo because there’s just so much to see and do!

My parents still have a membership, and with that membership, all their grandchildren get in free? The zoo may be wanting to retract that rule every time my family comes in with the ever-expanding amount of grandchildren my parents have, but it’s an awesome deal. Last week, when my sister Cindy was in town with her two little girls, we all loaded up and headed to the zoo.

It turned out to be a pretty cold day (more on that later) but we were able to see lots of animals and really enjoy ourselves. We took Jack last year when he was about five months old, and needless to say, he enjoyed it a lot more this year. He quietly made some of the animal noises for animals he recognized (namely, a leopard and a monkey) and had fun playing with his cousins. Here are a few pictures from the day:

Having been to the Denver Zoo quite a few times, I feel like I have a good grasp on how to have a good time. Here are some of my “expert” tips for visiting. Feel free to add any!

1) Free Days

So, I have a love-hate relationship with free days at the zoo (or anywhere, for that matter.) The plus-side is, you get in free! And the downside? Everyone and their mom (and grandma) are there. And even though it’s a huge zoo, it feels small when you have to fight your way through the crowds to see an animal. So if you can’t afford to go to the zoo, then definitely take advantage of the Denver Zoo free days, but be prepared to be patient. Otherwise? Go another day.

2) Take Advantage of Promotions

The cost for an adult to go to the zoo is $15. A lot, I know. Luckily, there are often coupons or promotions going on to help lower that cost slightly. As of right now (summer 2013) you can pick up discount ticket coupons at Wendy’s restaurants. I don’t know if all of them are participating, but the Wendys off of Wadsworth in Littleton is. The coupon took $4 off the admission prize. There seems to be a coupon like this available every summer.I know there are random promotions as well that will give you cheaper, or even free, admission. Earlier this year, if you texted a certain number during the 7th inning of the Rockies’ baseball game, you would get a free adult admission to the zoo. I don’t know how often things like this happen, but just keep your eyes and ears open, and who knows — you might get lucky! If you are planning a trip to the zoo, I encourage frequenting the Denver Zoo’s website, they

There are also promotions, like Yesterday’s Zoo. This is a cool program that gives each child enrolled a book and zoo voucher each month, which can be used at participating . A monthly membership is 7.95, and if you think you might frequent the zoo, this could be worth it.

2) Check the Weather

Take it from someone who has gone to the zoo one too many times when it has been scalding hot. Don’t do it. There’s just something extra miserable about it being hot, and being at the zoo, at the same time. For one thing, a lot of the animals don’t come out when it’s hot. For another thing, it makes the experience a whole lot less fun, especially if you are with children. Just prepare for a lot of complaining!

Still, be aware that cooler weather isn’t necessarily the best either…at least, if you forget a jacket. When we went to the zoo, we checked the weather report two days before, and it was supposed to be 70 degrees with a little bit of cloud cover — the perfect weather for the zoo. However, we didn’t check the weather day of, which is a major mistake when living in Colorado, and it was so cold and windy! Had we been dressed for those conditions, it would have been the perfect day to be at the zoo…but all of us were in shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops. We had to come up with makeshift ways to stay warm, like this:

3) Ride the Train and Carousel

When we come to the zoo, about half way through our trip, we make our way to the center of the zoo. There, you’ll find a bunch of picnic tables, food, and best of all, a train ride and carousel. They both cost two dollars each, but I think they are worth it. The train takes you on a short ride, but it’s a nice way to relax your feet, and see a few parts of the zoo. The carousel is beautiful and huge, and decorated with the most intricately created animals. The kids always love riding on it, and there’s something for everyone — there’s a carriage to sit on if you are older, or have a small child you want to sit with, and then there’s lots of animals for everyone else to sit on.

Throughout the zoo, you’ll also find some random, interactive stations, such as being able to see how tall you are compared to a penguin, or you can see how far you can jump compared to different animals. Take your time when walking through – you never know what you’ll find!

4) Bring your own food and water

Like just about every other tourist attraction, the Denver Zoo has grossly over-priced food and drinks. Luckily, they let you bring in your own food and drinks. With the already expensive admission fee, this is probably a good idea. There are water fountains that you can fill up water bottles with, and plenty of picnic tables and grass to sit on. Be careful eating though — there are lots of ducks around that will come right up to you and grab any food you may have dropped! There are also peacocks that roam the zoo free, but they’ll leave you alone.

However, if money is not an issue, they have a lot of different little restaurants and food stands set up throughout the park. We always end up getting an ice cream cone or bag of popcorn at some point on our trip, and even though it costs an arm and a leg, it’s fun to do.

5) Grab a map

As I already mentioned, this zoo is huge. And chances are, you won’t be able to see everything. Especially if you have whiny kids (or, if you are with me, whiny adults.) So as soon as you enter the zoo, grab one of the complimentary maps and plan your route. The maps are very detailed and can help you navigate through the zoo and find your favorite exhibits.

6) Check out the schedule

There are lots of fun events that go on throughout the day at the zoo — from formal shows, to feedings. Before you head to the zoo, check out this page, which lists feeding schedules and daily events. It also lists the free zoo dates.

Even if you forget to check the schedule before you go, don’t fret. There are signs throughout the zoo that list special events, and I’m sure one of the helpful zoo employees would be more than happy to find whatever information you are looking for.

7) Bring a Stroller or Carrier (or rent a wagon!)

If you have a baby or a small child, this probably can go without saying. But I’ll say it anyways. Bring some form of transportation for your child that doesn’t involve you carrying them the entire time. Believe me, this can get tiring. And if you are like us, bring both a stroller and a baby carrier! Jack was content in his stroller, until I took him out for a second…then he refused to go back in. Luckily, I had one of my baby carriers with me, and he was content in that for the most part.

In all honesty, I preferred having him in the carrier because he could more easily see all the animals. Plus, it was so cold…it was nice to have some extra insulation.

The zoo rents out wagons, which is a fun option if you have more than one kid. I’m not sure how much the rentals are — they could be complimentary for all I know!

7) Go By the Nursery

One of my very favorite parts about going to the zoo is seeing baby animals! It’s really hit or miss if there will be any, but I’ve found there’s usually at least one somewhere in the zoo. There is a nursery in the zoo, but the only time there is an animal here is if it’s mother has abandoned it, or it has some kind of health problem. However, there is a guide outside the nursery that tells you which exhibits currently have baby animals, which I think is so neat. We found out there was a cute little baby orangutan from this map that we probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise, because, if you didn’t look close enough, you wouldn’t see the little baby hanging on to its mom.

In Conclusion . . .

The Denver Zoo is open year-round. From March 1 to October 31, the hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from November 1 through February 28, it is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I highly recommend going to Zoo Lights during the winter. The whole zoo is decked out in Christmas lights and awesome displays.

The prices also change according to which season it is. For the summer months, ages 12-64 are $15, 65+ is $12, ages 3-11 are $12, and 2 and under are free. During the winter, 12-64 are $12, 65+ is $10, ages 3-11 are $8, and 2 and under are free. Even more reason to go during the winter!

What is your favorite zoo? Have you ever been to the Denver Zoo before?

The post What To Do in Denver: The Denver Zoo appeared first on Magical Family Travel Guide.