We recently took a family road trip to the Poconos with our three boys. It was a 4-hour drive from where we are in NY to PA, but we were excited to make the trip after being stuck at home with COVID a few weeks prior during a long winter break.

The boys were eager to get outside, play games, and possibly go snow tubing for the first time — I was just excited to spend quality time as a family in a new setting. Over the past few years, being stuck at home and delaying new adventures was the unfortunate norm. So I’ve been on a journey to try and do a little more each season.

When I heard about Woodloch Pines Resort, I was extra excited. Not only is it an all-inclusive resort, with accommodations, meals, and an array of activities for all ages — toddlers to grandparents— its mission is to bring family and friends together through great meals, fun games, and wholesome entertainment — exactly what our family needed to connect.

The resort is set in the Poconos Mountains with pristine lake views. We stayed in the Springbrook building — in a room that accommodates up to 6 guests with two beds and a sofa couch. It was a short walk from the main lobby and dining facilities, and the building is adjacent to the pool complex.

I couldn’t wait to start making new memories with my kids because family vacations or weekend trips weren’t something we ever did in my childhood — so now, my inner child was grateful for these experiences.

We arrived late afternoon Friday and were given a list of activities. Downloading the Woodloch app was also strongly encouraged to access maps, meal options, and more activities (although most included activities don’t require sign-ups).

Family Activities at Woodloch

During our stay the resort offered a variety of 30 fun-filled activities to choose from, conveniently arranged throughout the day with morning, afternoon, and evening options for all ages.

Some of the individual contests and games varied each day, with new scavenger hunts, contests, and crafts for the little ones but also regularly scheduled activities like go-carts, skating, archery range, bumper cars, bocce courts, mini golf, playgrounds, swimming and more.

After the long drive, we couldn’t wait to get started.

The boys went straight for the go-carts, starting with the “junior go-carts” for younger kids and then moving up to the “viper go-carts” as they met the minimum height requirements. It quickly became a favorite. I was surprised by how much of a thrill it was making those sharp turns around the track; the ride lasted a good amount of time. So much fun racing with each other and letting go!

Afterward, we took some time to slow down explore the pristine grounds, and unwind in our rooms before dinner.

One thing I appreciated about the resort was that the fun didn’t stop after dinner. That evening we played some good-old family games and trivia in a version of Family Feud with other guests. The hosts provided each team with whiteboards and dry-erase markers so all families could play at the same time.

Although we didn’t win, we played well and had a great time working as a team. While we called it a night around 10 pm, night owls could stay around for the ongoing fun including a silent disco party!

The next day’s lineup included bumper cars, swimming, and a Broadway-style family show, but first, we decided to grab skates and make our way onto the rink together — a new adventure for the kids and me! The rink was synthetic so we struggled to keep our balance with lots of laughs getting up and down trying a new activity as a family.

In between meals, they couldn’t get enough of the outdoor adventure playground — I was pleasantly surprised by how much time they spent using their imaginations, weaving through webs, tunnels, and rope bridges. It’s set up like an obstacle course that allows them to get creative in play!

Before dinner, we decided to warm up and head to the indoor pool complex — connected to our building.

I was impressed by the super clean pool water and areas to splash around in. While Dad and our oldest worked up a sweat in the sauna, the rest of us ventured over to the splash zone and water slide area which was a blast! I’m not a big water slide person, but I gladly joined in when my youngest asked me to go on after him. It’s funny how the kids are so adventurous and help adults feel like kids again!

After some time in the hot tub for the adults, we followed the kids over to the water play area for younger kids. The area is meant for toddlers, but because it cleared out during this time, they went over and loved it.

Although the rainy weather and lack of snow meant no Winter Olympics or snow tubing, we still had a blast. Plus, we were super appreciative to have access to the shuttle when the downpour started!

Sunday morning we were set to head home early, but not before visiting the adorable bunny, calf and lamb at the Petting Zoo and getting some pony rides!

Food and Meal Options at Woodloch Resorts

One of the highlights of our trip that I absolutely can’t stop raving about was the food. Not just the fact that all the yummy meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided, but that every single family member could equally partake and have something safe to eat. We are an allergy family — two of our boys are on a gluten-free diet, which isn’t always so easy to accommodate. They’ve had some unfortunate contamination, getting sick eating out. It was such a delight watching their faces light up being able to choose from a variety of food they enjoy eating — the kid’s gluten-free dinner menu included favorites like burgers, pizza, pasta, nuggets, fries, and a variety of desserts. But their absolute favorite was breakfast — pancakes, waffles, and more that they typically miss out on! The resort can accommodate special diets and handles the food with great care. It’s something that I hope more resorts will take into consideration.

Meals don’t require a reservation, but you must enter the main dining room within the hours listed to grab your seat — when we arrived each family had a designated table to use during their stay which was great to know we always had a spot.

A few of my personal favorites (as a non-allergy eater) are Scandinavian pancakes, Belgium waffles, acai fruit bowls, bacon, eggs, potatoes, shrimp tempura, salmon, and the most amazing turkey and cheese sandwich on a croissant — all delicious!

Visit Woodloch Year Round

Although it wasn’t without hiccups getting there with our three competitive boys, the experience was well worth it. As my firstborn put it, “This was worth the 4-hour car ride, Mom!”

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive place to visit with your whole family — immediate or extended, make sure to add Woodloch to your list. Although we visited at the end of winter, they are open all year long and offer even more fun and outdoor activities during the summer months. It is an ideal place to unwind, play, and connect with loved ones.

It’s no wonder Woodloch is a family favorite, voted #1 all-inclusive family resort in the Poconos by USA Today, and recently in the running by Newsweek.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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Brachiosaurus, Triceratops and T.Rex! Those are just a few of the many dinosaurs your kids will be calling out when you visit a kid-friendly attraction, The Dinosaur Place.

Nestled inside the Nature’s Art Village, sits the popular 60-acre dinosaur outdoor adventure that makes an unforgettable day trip for kids who love dinos.

We recently had a chance to visit the popular destination spot with our three dinosaur-obsessed boys — and when I say obsessed, I’m not exaggerating (they own almost every dinosaur figurine imaginable…including these parent-approved models!!)

What a Day Trip at The Dinosaur Place Includes

Dinosaur Trails

The Dinosaur Place hosts 40 life-sized dinosaurs over 1.5 miles of kid-friendly nature trails. The pristine Southern Connecticut woodlands has a Jurassic era vibe filled with fun adventure, education and exploration for the entire family!

Once you make your way through the gift shop entrance, you will encounter all the glory of the dinosaur park, starting with greeting Tyrannosaurus Rex. From there into the park, you’ll begin to see some of your favorite dinosaurs.

Down one of the first trails past the massive Brachiasaurus, you’ll spot dinos hidden throughout the woods…some perfectly camouflaged between trees and dinos your kids are sure to recognize (but ones with names you can barely pronounce) like Spinosaurus, Euoplocephalus and Parasaurulophos.

You’re future Paleontologist will even get to guess what dino objects are contained in the “What am I?” educational activity boxes scattered throughout the trail, giving them a chance to compare shapes, sizes and textures of a variety of natural objects including dinosaur teeth.

Further down the path, you’ll make your way to Raptor’s Bay – a 7-acre man-made lake that includes a rumbling volcano — a site to see for sure!

While the biggest attraction are the life-sized dinosaurs you’ll encounter on your journey, you can easily make a day trip out of your visit. Because beyond the actual dinos, here’s what else you get during your visit:

Monty’s DINO-Sized Playground

With your entry you get access to Monty’s Playground — a playground designed for children of all ages. Kids can play inside, outside or whichever way they choose in the jungle gyms. The playground includes a 3 foot tall climbable Pachyrhinosaurus (thick-nosed lizard) skull and Connecticut’s first Evos® playsystem — a 3-D design with various ways to enter, exit & play throughout it.

“MAZE”asaurus

Deeper into the woodlands you’ll also discover a “MAZE”asaurus — a giant complex maze kids must navigate through carefully to escape. (I’ll admit I did get a little dizzy myself in there chasing after the kids, but all twists and turns lead to a slide down T.Rex’s open mouth – talk about excitement for the kids!)

T.Rex Tower

Within the play area, you can’t miss the two-story enclosed tower (socks-required) which features new fun in each little room. Get in line so kids can climb throughout the obstacle filled tower, swing across the zip-lines, bounce around and slide down for more fun — my boys didn’t want to leave!

Splash Pad

Worried about the summer heat during your trip? Well, within the Dinosaur Place sits New England’s largest Splash pad — a zero depth water playground for kids to cool off from the summer heat (just be sure to check hours as it was closed the first time we were there closer to closing time). It accommodates children of all ages with a separate play area perfect for infants to toddlers and dinosaur-themed features including a water cannon and dumping buckets!

Monty’s Munchies or the Ice Cream Shop

Working up an appetite? Grab a bite to eat at the outdoor food area Monty’s Munchies — selling hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza. Just be sure to check the hours. While you can only purchase food seasonally, you can always pack a lunch bag and take a break at the various picnic tables on site.

You can even end the day with some ice cream behind the park.

And if you’re planning a trip to The Dinosaur Place this summer grab this voucher for a FREE milkshake just for our readers! It will be an extra little treat from us so you can sit back and relax!Thanks to the folks at The Dinosaur Place for providing us complimentary tickets during our visit. If you’d like to learn more and plan a trip this summer, be sure to visit them here for all the details!

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

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Luckily with a little planning and thinking ahead, you can enjoy the ride and find ways to better manage any bumps along the road.

Below are easy tips for stress-free traveling with kids, from babies to toddlers.

1. Take Advantage of “Sleep” Hours.

When traveling with young children, you will find it very beneficial to plan the bulk of your traveling during the hours your children normally sleep. For example, if you are traveling by car and your destination is 12 hours away, consider leaving at night, around your kids’ bedtime. You and your spouse/partner can drive in shifts to ensure traveling all night is possible. Then, when the kids wake up in the morning, most of your traveling will have already been done.

For plane trips, look for early flights so the kids will rest on the plane ride. You can also look for red-eye flights.

2. Pack More Than You Think You Need.

This is a very important rule to remember when traveling with children. Always pack more than you think you will need. This goes for all things, but especially toys. A toy that you think will keep your child entertained for 15-20 minutes, will probably only hold their attention for 5-10 minutes. Therefore, make sure you have plenty of things to keep your child busy. Many parents actually go and purchase a few new toys before a big trip and wait until they’re in the midst of traveling before pulling them out.

And don’t forget to pack extra batteries and spare chargers for electronic devices.

3. Allow Time for “Pit” Stops.

There is no such thing as a non-stop trip with kids. It doesn’t matter how short of a trip you’re going on…kids aren’t able to sit for hours on end without stopping. It’s important that you give your kids a few opportunities to get out, use the restroom and stretch their legs a little when traveling. An easy way to incorporate “pit” stops in your travel plans is to stop at normal meal times. Stopping to eat usually gives kids at least 30 minutes outside of the vehicle, which will do wonders for them!

4. Plan a Few “Fun” Things.

To ensure everyone in the family has a good time, make sure you plan a few activities that your kids will find fun. Having fun activities planned specifically for the kids will not only give them something to look forward to while traveling, but it also gives you some bargaining power as well. “Fun” things can be as simple as stopping for ice-cream or as time-consuming as visiting a popular amusement park. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something the kids will enjoy!

Even if your destination is an amusement park, stopping to do fun things along the way can make the trip more enjoyable.

Just remember: kids are kids. They don’t have the patience or attention span of adults; therefore, traveling with them will require a little more thought and patience on your part.

This is a part of a guest blogger series. Thank you for our blogger, Kori T.

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post 4 Easy Tips for Stress-free Traveling with Kids appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.

Are you preparing to hit the road this holiday season with a new baby in tow? Believe it or not, it can be done with little stress if you plan ahead. I traveled with my kids several times; My oldest flew with me at about 10 months and we’ve had several long road trips before then.

Through experience, I learned that a few adjustments here and there can make all the difference for a successful trip.

Timing

First things first, if at all possible try to travel during nap time. It will make things that much easier for all involved if baby can sleep through the long ride.

Carseat

Since your little one will be in the same position throughout the car ride, you need to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Scan to see if the head rest is in prime position for when baby falls asleep, keep the car nice and toasty without overdoing it and remove a bulky coat which could pose a serious risk while in the car.

Here are more carseat safety tips for winter travel and summer travel:

• Keeping Baby Safe in the Car Seat in Winter
• Keeping Baby Safe in the Car Seat in Summer

Diaper Bag

Of course you’ll have a diaper bag fully stocked, but is it easily accessible? You never know when you’ll need to pull over suddenly to change a diaper blowout or clean up baby vomit so try not to keep that particular bag buried somewhere under other luggage. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to rummage through a fully-packed car to find the right bag.

Toys

How could you forget to pack a few favorite toys for your little bundle of joy, you ask? It can happen! Remember that your baby can get just as bored as you so make it a point to pack a couple things to keep them happy. A plush animal that lights up, a taggie toy and teether are great options to take a long!

Food

Baby will obviously need some nourishment along the way if you’re traveling long distances. Pack extra water bottles for formula and remember your nursing cover if you’re a breastfeeding mama — for those moments you may need some privacy.

But don’t forget to bring some snacks for yourself! You’ll need some food or water to recharge after a long ride especially if you are nursing. Remember that baby relies on a healthy mommy! Plus traveling during the holidays usually means more traffic…so it may be a while before you reach that next rest stop.

Medicine

I posted a few months ago some recommendations for things to always pack in your bag when heading out the door with little ones. Medicine topped that list.

Music

Although music is not something you need to “pack” per se, you may want to make a playlist of classical or soothing music you can easily turn to, if the back of the car turns into a scream-fest somewhere along the route.

Accessories

Stroller If you’re packing heavy you may not remember to leave room for a bulky stroller, but an umbrella stroller or snap-n-go that attaches to the infant car seat is a must if you’ll be doing a lot of walking or shopping at your final destination.

Mirror When I was a new mom, there were only a few things that provided some peace of mind when driving around with baby. One of those things was a car mirror that let me keep a close eye on my little one while seated up front. I would highly recommend one of these that easily attaches to the back seat, so you have one less thing to worry about!

Extra tissues or wipes Because messes are bound to happen, you can never pack enough tissues or baby wipes!

Extra Diapers Don’t forget to pack extra diapers every time you travel…even if you think you have enough, it never hurts to have a little more for those bound to happen accidents.

And when it comes to diapers, make sure you’re carrying a brand that you can trust like Huggies Little Snugglers. These diapers have a Gentle Absorb liner to provide a cushiony layer of protection, plus a flexible pocketed waistband for a gentle secure fit. When packing wipes I’d also recommend stocking up on Huggies Natural Care Wipes the brand’s simplest formula yet for a gentle clean. These wipes are gentle enough for baby but strong enough for those other messes.

Safe travels!!

Is there something that you’ve dreamed about adding to your registry? Huggies wants to help make your wish come true. Add Huggies Little Snugglers and Natural Care Wipes to your baby registry HERE for a chance to make it a reality!

Thanks to Huggies for sponsoring this post in a series for new moms. If you missed my last posts in the series check them out below:

• Things to do Before Baby Arrives (Especially for Mommy!)
• Top Reasons Babies Cry + Solutions
• Tips for Grooming Baby
• Playing with Baby: Taggie Toy Tutorial

Ana @ Mommy's Bundle

Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.

mommysbundle.com

The post Traveling with Baby: Tips for a Stress-free Road Trip appeared first on Mommy's Bundle.