Family Days Out Blog
Staycation? Here’s What you Need to Know
familyDaysOut 
Aug 15, 2018
Staycation? Here’s What you Need to Know
Written by Family Days Out correspondent Dolores Santos
A staycation is an awesome opportunity to break away from boredom and get to know your own hometown. The great thing about staying local is that you can do nearly anything that your family will enjoy while saving those precious pennies and dimes. You’ll also be able to fit more activities into your day. As an added bonus, you’ll save hours of travel time and that’s priceless when you have kids constantly asking, “Are we there yet?”
Here are a few things you should know before you (don’t) go:
1. Safety is key
Parents tend to be overly protective of
their children while on a traditional vacation. The whole unfamiliar place and
stranger danger thing.... But, you also have to keep safety in mind during your
staycation, especially because you may get lax about it in your own yard.
Keep an eye on the kids while they ride
their bikes --- and helmets aren’t optional. You also should supervise them
while they use water guns or balloons, because they could shoot someone’s eye
out, kid.
Here are a few other summer features you should take extra precautions
with, because although they add a lot of fun to summer days and nights, they
can quickly turn dangerous, especially for children:
● Barbecues
– Keep kids away from your backyard grill, and make sure that it is in working
order before you use it. You didn’t forget the propane, right?
● Windows – If your
windows will be open to let in some fresh air,
check safety latches and use window guards while moving furniture away from
windows to prevent falls.Open windows also mean you get to smell what the
neighbors have on the grill!
● Camping – If you
are cam... um, glamping, in your backyard, ensure you
place your tent away from your campfire and trees, and do not cook inside the
tent for any reason. If the weather
ruins your camping plans, have a camp-out
in the house.
● Balloons – If part of your staycation involves a bombing the kids with water grenades, remember that latex balloons are a choking hazard and that you should supervise your children and throw away pieces as soon as balloons po
2. Protect Your
Children from the Elements
Remember the sunblock, because your kids can get sunburned just as
easily in your yard as they can at the beach, even on a cloudy day. There is
much debate over the best sunscreen
for kids, but make sure that yours is a broad-spectrum version that protects
against UVA and UVB rays. Also, choose one that has an SPF over 30. Reapply
sunscreen every 80-120 minutes.
If you plan to be in your yard – whether on your summer-ready deck,
patio or just in your garden – remember the bug spray, too.
Mosquitoes and ticks spread diseases and cause painful or itchy skin reactions,
and nobody has time for all that when they’re having fun.
Slather on the sunscreen first then apply bug spray to your kids’ uncovered skin and clothes. Remember to tell your kids to hold their breath when you grab the bug repellent and to apply it in a well-ventilated area away from flames (like maybe the backyard). Do not spray the repellent onto your kids’ faces or ears; rather, spray some onto your hands and spread it on evenly.
3. Allow Everyone to
Choose At Least One Activity
True staycation success is measured by the happiness and enjoyment
everyone experiences. But, if you’re a control freak -- and we’re not pointing
fingers here -- you run the risk of your children saying that the activities
are boring or unfair (The truth is they’ll say that anyway). To reduce whining
and arguing, allow everyone to choose at least one activity.
Now, that’s not to say that you should give your kids the freedom to
choose anything. It’s especially important that you do not overwhelm your kids
with options, either. Young children should choose between only two options,
but you can give older children a few more as appropriate. Try to offer choices
that will result in a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, and more
active and less active recreation.
When you give kids
choices, you invite cooperation and strengthen their sense of community while
building respect and capitalizing on their need for autonomy. You also can
point out that each person got a choice, and that you made the staycation as
fair as possible should any arguments arise.
Staycations are an affordable, time-saving alternative to traditional family vacations. To do a staycation the right way, keep safety in mind, protect your kids with sunscreen and bug repellent, and give everyone a say!
Great Ideas for Canadian History Buffs!
familyDaysOut Jul 16, 2018
Notable Sites To Visit with your Kids in Canada That Every History Buff Must Visit
With Canada being the second largest country in the world, it will be no
surprise to you that it's full of history. Now if your family consists of
history buffs and you have an inkling that your kid is a future enthusiast of
all things past, then Canada should be at the top of your list for a holiday.
There are so many historical sites that you can visit in this popular
destination and to help you out, we've pulled together a list of the top 5
notable sites to visit. Read on and get ready to scribble down which places
you're going to see with your family.
1. Head on over to the Museum of
Canadian History
Image (c) Canadian Museum of History
The Museum of Canadian History is a gem
for all visitors who love learning about history and
thus makes it to the top spot on our noteworthy places to see with your kids!
The purpose of this museum is to document and reflect the human history of
Canada. This place is very child friendly and is even home to the Canadian
Children's Museum as well as an IMAX theatre where you can watch educational
movies. The Canadian Children's Museum, opened in 1989, and is as popular as
its host museum, the Museum of Canadian History. This is because it’s very
interactive and allows children to learn about how people all over the world
live; there are little areas dedicated to different destinations such as India,
Pakistan, Indonesia and Mexico. Your whole family will have a blast visiting
and learning about different cultures at this unique museum. You can
stay at one of these hotels in Gatineau for an easy trip.
2. Appreciate and spend time at the Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is a very
informative and thought-provoking place which is definitely recommended if the
kids in your family are over 12 years old. This is because of the content and
impact that the museum can have on them if they are of a younger age. The
exhibitions throughout the museum are well laid out and the museum's online
website is helpful if you want to plan your visit in more detail beforehand. We
recommend that you check out the collection of tanks and other military
vehicles on display as they are eye-opening and intriguing. You may be
surprised to hear that you can even see an original black car that was once
driven by Adolf Hitler. There is also a part of the Berlin wall on display.
3. Combine history and nature at the Dinosaur Provincial Park