In the midst of preparing for a family feast each year, we’ve also wrestled with how to talk to our kids about Thanksgiving. We want our children to learn from and do their part in changing the inequality in their world, and perpetuating the Thanksgiving story we were taught in elementary school runs squarely at odds with that mission.
But, it can be hard to know how and when to start having the true story of Thanksgiving conversation with kids. So first, remember that we don’t need to nail this by the time the turkey hits the table. This is ongoing and important work to do all year round. Following are a few ideas and resources that are helping our family to lay a foundation that, we hope, will help our kids respect and respond to real history in a way that supports a better future.
Build a Foundation for Knowing & Respecting Native Peoples
Start by teaching children real stories and truths about Native and Indigenous peoples, both from the past and the present. The more our children can be curious and aware of people for their strengths and rich history, the more they will push back on stereotypes and absorb the real history in a way that makes them compelled to act.
Here are a few easy ways to do this, even with very young children:
Learn about the people who live or used to live on the land in your area. Use an app like native-land.ca to find out which people live/lived and which languages are/were spoken on the land on which you live. Search for “native people from {city, state or region}” or “indigenous people from {city, state or region}. Then, look for historically accurate accounts of how those people thrived, being aware of the limitations of the perspective of whoever has created them.
Read books that help children come to know about Native peoples and prepare them to push back against stereotypes. For starters, check out this list of 15 beautiful picture books by Native authors about Native protagonists assembled by veteran Tinkergarten Leaders Erika McLemore, who is Creek-Seminole, and Cholena Smith-Boyd of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. As you select more books on your own, consult a reputable resource like Dr. Debbie Reese, a researcher focused on the representation of Native Americans in children’s literature. Through her expert advice, my family has learned how to pick books that are about specific tribes or Native peoples, avoiding the kind of generalizations that lead to stereotypes.
Incorporate Native history into everyday outdoor play. As you are walking in a forest or along a river in your area, share something you’ve learned about the Native people who live/lived and what makes/made them special as a group or society.
When you feel your kids are ready, work with them to question and point out the mismatches between the accurate history and the often perpetuated Thanksgiving Story. To start:
Get to know the true story of Thanksgiving story yourself.PBS Kids offers wonderful resources for parents and educators on how to approach Thanksgiving with authenticity. These resources also help us parents better understand, for ourselves, the story of the people we call Pilgrims, their interaction with the Wampanoag people, and the full history of the holiday we’ve come to know as Thanksgiving.
Don’t be afraid to share with children that there is more to the story. It’s important to help them understand that the familiar story that has been shared for a long time is over-simplified and, as such, can even be hurtful to whole groups of people as well as the allies of those people. One way you can present the disparity to kids is, that although there was a feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, it happened during a time of terrible cruelty and unthinkable loss to the Wampanoag.
Seek out additional tools for learning. This New York Times article has helped us use both age-appropriate resources and inquiry to start engaging our kids in conversation about Thanksgiving. For example, it has encouraged us to help our kids ask “Who is telling the story, and what is their perspective? How is this story different from other accounts and facts that we now know?”
Focus on Gratitude
While it’s essential that we help our children become more attuned to inequality and injustice, telling the true story of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to undermine our practice of sharing gratitude. You can even kickstart an annual gratitude tradition that’s respectful of Native history. Once you learn about the original caretakers of the land you live on, it becomes easy to express thanks for all they’ve done to preserve its natural beauty as part of Thanksgiving.
Be sure to help kids reflect on what they’re grateful for in their day-to-day lives, too. For many years, our family has focused our Thanksgiving on expressing thanks for our family, our health, our earth, and whatever else feels authentic to our kids. We engage in rituals like building a tree of thanks to make this even more concrete for them, and fun for us. This has extended far beyond Thanksgiving for us as well, helping us use simple rituals to develop a gratitude practice as a family and improve our own mental well-being in the process.
However you choose to celebrate this holiday, remember that while we cannot change history, we canmake our children alert to who is telling and what needs to be told about the story. It’s the only way our kids will learn to do their part to make sure better stories are written in their time.
After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Today, Meghan serves as co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Tinkergarten, the national leader in outdoor play-based learning.
Lions and tigers and… cars? If seeing the zoo on foot doesn’t cut it for your animal-loving brood, there are plenty of immersive animal experiences that’ll give you the feeling of an authentic wildlife safari park from the comfort of your (or someone else’s) car. Whether you want to gaze at giraffes from a double-decker safari truck or see the wild from the comfort of your own front seat, here are the best safari park experiences in the U.S.
Safari West - Santa Rosa, CA
Safari West
While a three-hour tour through the Sonoma wine country usually conjures up visions of gorgeous grapes ripening on the vine, Safari West will have you rethinking those expectations. Here, you'll board a double-decker safari truck and log some serious face time with zebras, giraffes, water buffalo and any number of the other 800 animals that call this preserve home. Expect learning to happen, too. Safari West guides love actively engaging guests, promoting conservation and education efforts on their tours, as they expertly weave the open-air jeep in for a closer look. When tummies rumble, belly up to the Savannah Cafe that overlooks the park; the authentic food, beautiful scenery and grown-up grape juice from the region hit the spot after a long safari.
Wildest Extra: Want to make a weekend out of it? Spend the night in one of Safari West's 30 authentic African safari tents, with polished hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms (with hot showers and real toilets), hand-hewn furniture, and ultra-plush linens atop comfortable beds.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park (a branch of the San Diego Zoo) has everything a zoo has to offer, with a plethora of ways to see it all. Rather than keeping animals in small cages, this place opts to let the animals roam free—and puts the people in various vehicles to go out and see them. Families can commune with exotic wildlife from golf carts, African trams, zip lines, behind-the-scenes truck tours, or, even in a hot air balloon for a spectacular bird’s eye view of it all. Add in a ropes course for adventurers as young as seven, and you could spend days taking it all in. But at the heart of this animal wonderland is a mission to save the critters of the world, with its researchers and activists leading conservation efforts in 45 countries, with 380 partners in its conservation work, five conservation field stations and 200 conservation scientists working in the field or the lab, according to this article.
Wildest Extra: Want to really wow your wildlife-loving kiddos? Opt for an overnight in an authentic safari tent. At the Wild Animal Park's "Roar and Snore" overnights, you'll get a nighttime tour of the zoo (with up-close animal encounters), then fall asleep to the sounds of lions' roars in the distance.
Gas up the family wagon and grab a bucket of tasty grains for the “locals” at the gate before taking off along the three-mile paved drive through this natural animal habitat. Expect a few delighted shrieks from the littles as ostriches, llamas and zebras poke their heads through the windows to say hello and help themselves to tasty treats. When you’re done with the drive, be sure to check out the Village Walk-Thru where the kidlets can spend some QT with potbellied pigs, chickens and goats and more. Let the good times roll!
Wildest Extra: For an added fee, you can feed giraffes from a special platform, get up close and personal with the penguins or feed and pet the rhinos—all while learning how zookeepers take care of the animals and how the Safari Park is helping the animals in the wild.
What’s not to love about a family-owned and operated animal park where it’s all about the beauty of the land and the animals that make their home there? Drive your car or hop on the bus to get a rolling tour of this bucolic oasis. Little rangers can be on the lookout for llamas, bison and ostriches, all of whom may cautiously approach the tiny outstretched hands looking to feed and interact with them. It’s a ring-side seat your sidekick won’t soon forget. Add in dinner at the Trailside Grill and you’ve got the whole day planned. The park opens in May and runs through October before closing for the winter.
Wildest Extra: Winter sleigh rides through the lower park make for a magical, snowy, family-friendly outing. Sleigh bells ring!
With a focus on preserving and encouraging the repopulation of native Northwest wildlife, this sanctuary, just 60 miles south of Seattle, is a surprisingly perfect place to be on a rainy day. In the true spirit of the Pacific Northwest, the bison, elk and bighorn sheep (and moose, if you can spot one) are a little less camera shy when it’s overcast and drizzling. The park's all-new "Wild Drive" premier tour lets you drive your own car through the Trek's Free-Roaming, where you'll cruise by herds of Roosevelt elk, bison, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, swan and deer.
After that, stretch your legs on the Animal Walking Paths as you check out grizzlies, cougars and more. Kids will love the "Kids Trek," a nature-inspired playground with ropes, slides, sand, cabins and a massive “tree trunk" to climb. Up for a hike? Access to more than five miles of paved and primitive walking trails is included in admission.
Wildest Extra: Don't miss Eagle Passage, an immersive experience that allows visitors to see majestic bald eagles close up while giving the rescued birds—all of whom have some degree of long-term wing injury—a safe passage between habitat sections.
Drive your car on a three-mile gravel trail to see some of our country's most popular wild natives, including bison, black bears and wolves. When you're ready to stretch your legs, the winding walk-through, Fort Bearizona, will give you the perfect view of the park's resident jaguars, grizzly bears, and more. Craving cuddles? Creepy-crawly lovers can see bugs, spiders and nocturnal animals at the Mine Shaft Experience.
Wildest Extra: Want a peek at the resident bears... right now? Check out the park's Grizzly Cams!
Alpaca, bongos and camels are waiting to say hello to kids and their parents as they drive through the African Safari Wildlife Park. Cup in hand is the way they roll here. And when the drive comes to an end, be sure to check out the Walk-Thru Safari, where kidlets can come face to face with white alligators, ocelots and playful gibbons as they stroll along. In warmer months, the park brings out its giraffes for up-close encounters that let you feed these long-necked beauties a snack.
Note: The park is closed from Dec. through Apr. Check the online calendar for details.
Wildest Extra: Want to come face-to-tongue with a giraffe? Sign up for the 30-minute Giraffe Encounter, which lets you feed and mingle with the giraffes, Matata, Rudy, Poptart, and Harrison.
Be sure to slap your “Will Break for Bison” bumper sticker to the back of your ride before driving the gang through this open-air Safari park in Oregon. Families can get up close and personal with mammals, reptiles and birds as they check out the sights and feed a few of the residents in this 600-acre park. When your little animals get restless, take a break at Safari Village, a walkable area with trains, playgrounds and a petting zoo to keep kids busy and happy. As for conservation, Wildlife Safari’s staff works hard to protect animals both internationally and domestically. They’ve helped bring over 235 cheetah cubs into the world as part of their super successful cheetah breeding program. Hooray!
Wildest Extra: Want some wine with your wild? Be sure to get tickets for the park's "Sippin' Safari," which will honor the park's 50th anniversary on July 22 with live music, wine and beer tastings, and local food trucks.
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari - Ashland, NE
The winner of USA Today's Best Safari Park two years in a row, this Nebraska wildlife park (which is owned and operated by Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium) lets you enjoy a four-mile, drive-through experience showcasing North American wildlife. You'll see a menagerie of animals, including American elk, bison, waterfowl, raptors and white-tailed deer. At Wolf Canyon, guests can get out of their cars to gaze at grey wolves and American black bears. After the drive, take a hike to one of the park's overlooks to view the animals from above.
Note: Due to a current Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in Nebraska, the American white pelicans in the Pelican Wetlands, the sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans in Crane Meadows and the chickens at the Hands-on Corral will not be on display until further notice. The Eagle Aviary will be closed, but the eagles are still viewable to the public. The whooping cranes will be off display.
Wildest Extra: For an extra $65 per person, you can book a Backstage Experience to see the animals and their keepers up close. Experiences include a Cheetah Conservation Experience, which gives visitors a backstage look at the state-of-the-art Cheetah Conservation Breeding Facility to see and learn how keepers care for the park's 20 cheetahs; and the Tiger Conservation Experience, in which visitors will get the chance to tour and meet the tigers at the Tiger Conservation Breeding Center.
A sprawling sister property of the award-winning Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Wilds lets visitors get an unfettered glimpse of the animals who call this 10,000-acre park home. Here, it's the humans who go in the "cages" and the animals who get to roam free. To see the wildlife, visitors must board the park's open-air safari vehicles to see the resident rare and endangered animals roaming in their large, natural settings.
What else? Want something extra special? Select from a variety of specialty tours to soak in The Wilds’ stunning scenery. Whether you want to float the day away during a relaxing Fishing Safari on one of nearly 100 lakes; whoosh above it all on a Zipline Tour; saddle up on a Horseback Safari through the quiet prairies; snap some Insta-worthy shots during one of the park's gorgeous Sunset Tours, or get a behind-the-scenes look at the animals with a Wildside Tour—there’s an adventure for everyone!
The original drive-through safari park in the U.S. (and believed to be "the first cageless zoo in the country"), this safari spot has been serving up African game park experiences for the whole fam since 1967. It’s four miles of drive-through meetings with oryx, giraffes, rhinos, wildebeests and a whole slew of animals we’ll bet you’ve never heard of (with more than 900 total, we’re pretty confident taking that bet), each living it up in an area that replicates their natural habitat. And the lions for which the park is named? Well, they’ve got their special spot where they can’t get up to too much mischief. Ice this cake with an adjacent KOA campground where you can fall asleep listening to the nighttime sounds of the animals outside your tent, just like a real safari!
Wildest Extra: The get-up-and-move activities that are available after your car safari are awesome perks. Mini golf, a safari cruise, plenty of rides and even a splash park are all part of the day’s adventures at Safari World, the 55-acre amusement park portion of this preserve.
Born out of a desire to help dwindling animal populations, Fossil Rim found its roots and eventual footing in propagation programs for threatened and endangered species. Thirty years later, families still flock to this Texas park, where they can take their own vehicles around the 9.5-mile Scenic Drive, or get insider deets and educationally potent tidbits when they ride along on a Guided Tour. We love that The Overlook is smack dab in the middle of this drive, as it's the perfect stopping point for antsy toddlers. Get out and interact with friendly tortoises and curious goats at the Children’s Animal Center, or grab grub at the snack bar.
Wildest Extra: A two-hour nighttime tour through the park to see what wild antics the animals are up to once the sun sets is as thrilling as it sounds! Want to stay even later? Adventurous explorers can also spend the night at the Fossil Rim Lodge, which was the original home for original Fossil Rim owner Tom Mantzel; or at one of the safari cabins overlooking one of Fossil Rim's most popular wildlife watering holes.
Nominated as one of the top 10 Best Safari Parks in the U.S. by USA Today, this 100-acre park is home to hundreds of exotic mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world—with an assortment of fun ways to see them. Climb aboard the open-air safari truck—or upgrade to a"Supermog" (an all-terrain, safari vehicle modified from a medium-size Isuzu truck)—and set out on a bumpy ride into the Serengeti preserve to see zebras, sable antelope, gemsbok, and more. You may even get a chance to feed a giraffe along the way! When the ride is over, there's plenty more to see, including the "Tiger Splash" show, which lets you spy on Bengal and Siberian tigers as they splash around in their pool and interact with their keepers; and the "Predator Feed," where keepers throw 800 pounds of raw food to eagerly-waiting carnivores.
Wildest Extra: Adrenaline junkies will want to sign up for a zip-line tour over the rolling hills. The "Racing Raptor" features three parallel lines—so you and your kids can zip the more than 1,000 feet together above the animals; the Predator zipline tour gives brave riders a course of five zip line runs above it all (Children must be 8 years old to ride.).
Whether you drive your vehicle, rent a zebra bus (you know you want to) or take advantage of the guided bus tour, your pack will have a grand time spotting many (and even touching a few!) of the 65 different species that roam this 250-acre Serengeti adventure park. Think zebras, elk, bison, camels and more. When the park first opened, it was specially designed to capture the imagination of the littles and engender a lifelong love of animals. Not much has changed since then. Kiddos of all ages love the personal attention they get from the curious animals here! Don't miss the park's newest resident: Malaika, a giraffe calf born in January.
Note: The Wild Animal Safari also has locations in Strafford, MO and Aggieland, TX.
Wildest Extra: The chance to hand-feed animals at the park's Walkabout Adventure Zoo is a hoot for the tot lot. "The animals are sociable, and you may be slobbered on if you are too close," warns the website (in other words, animal-loving kids will be in heaven). Fuzzy, friendly and hungry, these animals are sure to elicit some giggles from the little ones who feed them.
Mexico’s proximity to the US, ease of travel even with kids in tow and dream weather make it a can’t-go-wrong destination for family vacation planning. Most of us think of heading straight to digging our toes in the sand or wading into the clear-as-bathwater ocean when we dream of heading south of the border. But, there’s so much more to the culturally rich Mexico than beach bumming. A visit to the State of Yucatán will find you at the top of ancient pyramids, swapping the ocean for naturally formed pools deep underground swirling with Mayan mystique, exploring welcoming cities with rich histories and finding a new appreciation for the people of Mexico. Read on to hear about our favorite places to discover in Yucatán.
How often do you get to see a color-coordinated city? Here's your chance as it's forever golden hour in Yucatan's magical "Yellow City", Izamal. When Pope John Paul II announced a visit and mass in 1993, the city got to work painting the town yellow, a revered color in Mayan culture. The long-lasting effect of the decision is a city that gives a sense of peace and serenity when walking amongst its buildings—it's impossible not to smile immersed in the happiest of colors.
Pack along your sense of adventure and take an ATV tour to fully appreciate the monochromatic experience. You'll learn about the history of what is considered the most culturally important Mayan city, zip past the colonial buildings and admire this living-breathing museum to Mayan culture.
Climb to the Top of Kinich Kak Moo
Maria Chambers
The city of Izamal is home to the largest structure on the Yucatan Peninsula, Kinich Kak Moo, thought to be one of the most important Mayan pyramids because of its size. Visitors can climb the pyramid's 10 levels for 360-degree views of Izamal and the jungle below. The city itself tends to not be overrun with tourists, which means the crowds at the ruins are minimal and entrance is free and open to the public.
Be sure to pack sneakers or other shoes with grip because the climb is uneven and steep.
Still an active convent, this Franciscan colonial building in Izamal was erected atop the ruins of Pap-Hol-Chac, which was believed to be the largest Mayan pyramid. It was destroyed by the Spaniards and the current structure was built using the same stones from the Mayan site.
Convent of San Antonio de Padua has the distinction of having the largest closed atrium in the Americas and the second-largest in the world, second only to St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. Its size, design and signature Izamal yellow color make it a stunning site to visit.
Not all hammocks are created equally, and the best can be found at Cielo Hamacas in Yucatan. Cielo hammocks are handmade by local artisans in their homes, with each hammock taking 5-7 days to complete. Some more intricate designs can take up to a month and over 900 local families work to fulfill orders from all over the world.
In Yucatan, hammocks aren't just an every-once-in-a-while spot to nap. Homes are built with sturdy clips cemented into the walls and many choose this mode of sleeping over a bed. So, these hammocks are made with that in mind—quality, durability and comfort are top-notch. Stop by one of their storefront locations to pick your favorite and see in person the effort that goes into the art of making a hammock.
We can promise you'll never want to leave Hacienda Zamna, located 25 minutes from the city of Mérida. Regardless of your equestrian skill level, you can escape to their pastures for 1-4 hour horseback rides with an expert guide. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and pristine, the staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and kids will get a kick out of the sheep, goats and pigs they see along the way—they may even get a peek at some newborns!
This is seriously one of the most gorgeous and kindly farms we've come across in our travels. It's a must-see and a beautiful way to spend a day disconnected from technology, but connected as a family.
Ogle at the Beauty of Chichen Itza
Maria Chambers
The pages of your kid’s textbook will come alive with a day trip to see what was left behind from Mexico’s mysterious Mayan civilization. The signature Kukulkan Pyramid that dominates Chichen Itza, also known as El Castillo (the castle), was designated as one of the seven wonders of the world in 2007. Built as a physical representation of the Mayan calendar, it has 91 steps on each of the 4 sides totaling 364 steps and its 9 platforms bisected by a staircase on each side represent the 18 months in a Mayan calendar. It’s a shining example of the Mayan’s phenomenally intriguing understanding of math and astronomy.
Swim Like a Mayan at Ik Kil
Maria Chambers
A must-do if you head in the direction of Chichen Itza is a reprieve from the heat in the cool waters of the 135-feet-deep Ik Kil Cenote. If you’re unfamiliar, cenotes are natural sinkholes from the collapse of limestone that expose groundwater underneath, a natural swimming pool, essentially. And, Ik Kil is arguably one of the most beautiful in all of Mexico. Take the stairs 85 feet below ground level and imagine what it must have been like for the Mayans, who considered this sacred ground. The cold of the water and the natural beauty of the landscape equally pillage your breath.
New to the scene is Unknown Hotel in Merida's Santiago neighborhood. It's a small boutique hotel, but every detail is well thought out, designed and executed. The goal is for guests to connect with the space and neighborhood and to have nature and architecture merge, which leads to a serene, natural feel to the property.
Each room has a seating area and some have a private plunge pool, as well as access to a swimming pool and garden area, restaurant and bar. It's walkable to shops and restaurants but the inside is so peaceful, you forget you're in a city.
Or any Mercado, for that matter. If you see one, pull over and spend an hour selecting fresh regional produce or enjoying a meal. We highly recommend seeking out food from where the locals eat when you travel to Yucatán and it doesn't get any more authentic than visiting these markets.
Taqueria La Lupita can be found in Mercado Santiago in Merida's Santiago neighborhood. They've specialized in local dishes and snacks like Cochinita Pibil and Lechón al Horno, making their tacos and dishes fresh daily, for more than 40 years. The vibe is extremely low-key and it's a great way to get a feel for the culture as the area's residents go about their day, shopping for and with their families.
Learn More About Local Cuisine & Dine at Museum of Yucateca Gastronomy
In the heart of Merida's cultural district, you'll find Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca (MUGY) where you can learn more about the history of food in the region, and get a taste of authentic dishes in the restaurant. Behind the museum is a replica of a small Mayan village where visitors can watch fresh tortillas being made, learn about the different spices used in the cuisine and watch (and taste) as the chef digs up pots of local mainstays that are cooked underground daily.
Casa T'HO borrows its name from the fallen Mayan city that stood long ago, taken over by the arrival of the conquistadores. The house itself is a former 19th-century mansion with a center courtyard, with nine boutiques and a gourmet restaurant taking up residence in the home's original rooms. The collective of designers draw inspiration from the local region, work with a focus on sustainability and have an eye for the beauty of simplicity.
Hacienda Katanchel operated as a hotel for many years, but now this family-owned 17th-century Spanish colonial hacienda is only available for rent to small private groups. Set in the jungle, the 740 secluded acres is a perfect hideway for a family reunion, wedding or anniversary celebration. The property includes a pool, dining area, villas that include private plunge pools and incredible architectural elements you won't find anywhere else. The husband and wife team ensure there is adequate staff to feed and take care of your group and cover every detail to make sure the stay is special and memorable.
If you've never experienced a Banyan Tree property, now is your chance. The brand is always on-point in all areas: service, design, and attention to detail. Just 15 minutes from downtown Merida, Hacienda Xcanatun's 18 spacious suites were recently renovated to their 18th-century splendor. It's surrounded by 4 acres of private gardens, which include rugged walking trails the kids will enjoy exploring. The Hacienda also has an outdoor pool and spa on site.
One of the absolutely best-kept secrets in Mexico is the small town of Valladolid. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, Vallalodid's artful architecture, pastel-colored buildings housing boutique shops and hotels, excellent cuisine, and historic churches make it a quaint home base for a visit to Yucatan. In the city center, you'll find free walking tours that we highly recommend. They'll guide you to all the most interesting spots to see in the city and help you get your bearings to explore on your own.
Valladolid is located halfway between Cancun and Merida and is a good place to stay if you want to visit Chichen Itza and the area is rich with cenotes of all sizes.
If you're looking for an interesting dinner spot, La Palapita de los Tamales is a great option. Various regions of Mexico prepare their tamales in different ways—they're wrapped in leaves depending on the vegetation of the region and some are even cooked underground. This spot gives you the opportunity to try versions you may not have tried before.
Test Your Inner Daredevil at Cenote Chukum
Maria Chambers
This 130-foot Cenote Chukum close to the town of Valladolid is one of the more recently opened cenotes in the region, having only been used as a well until that point. Three natural openings in the ceiling above create an ethereal effect when the sun shines in on the turquoise water, which is 65 feet deep. Three diving platforms, ranging 3 to 15 feet above the water give you a chance to show your kids your best swan dive. Or, for the heights-adverse, you can ease into the crisp, cool waters using the stairs. Either way, the experience is absolutely mesmerizing and dreamlike.
One of our favorite cenotes near the town of Valladolid is family-owned Zazil Tunich. You'll not only fall in love with the site, but the family that owns it. This is truly a family operation, with the owner's daughters oftentimes conducting tours that make clear their passion and respect for the land and its history.
Zazil Tunich is a cave cenote, meaning there is no hole in the ground above illuminating the waters like the other cenotes we've highlighted. It's considered to be one of the more spectacular in the region because of its thousands of stalagmites and stalactites, including the largest in Yucatan.
Book a boat tour of Rio Lagartos and experience the natural beauty of this 120,000-acre biosphere reserve, which also happens to be a breeding ground for 40,000 flamingos and is home to gators and 395 species of birds. We recommend touring with family-owned Rio Lagartos Adventures because they are highly particular about running their tours in a way that's respectful to the environment and the animals that call this area home. They dock at the Ria Maya Restaurant and Lodge where you can get a fresh seafood lunch before or after your tour.
— Maria Chambers
This trip was paid for by Yucatán Tourism, but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer
It’s officially time for a trip to the Mall of America: Mars Wrigley just opened it’s newest store! The 24,000 sq. ft. will open on May 1 and packs more excitement than a fresh bag of M&M’S.
M&M’S Mall of America store will feature free immersive experiences, digital downloads, personalization station, M&M’S, “Wall of Chocolate” and exclusive in-store merchandise. So where, in the vast land that is the Mall of America, can you find the store?
Head to Level 1, East near the Rotunda of Mall of America if you want to visit in person. Not close to Minnesota? You can visit virtually! Visit MMS.com to “walk” through the store and purchase M&M’S products using a 3-D virtual experience.
The second store to open in 2021, this M&M’s location offers unique experiences. Shoppers can check out M&M’S Sweet Moves and show their their personality through color, sound and movement and head to Peanut Peak to view the beauty of Minnesota.
This particular location also pays a special honor to Minnesota culture with decor that is unique to the region. The Mars Candy Factory was opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1920 and has a special place in the legacy of the company.
How much do babysitters make? To answer this question, UrbanSitter recently published its 10th Annual National Child Care Rates Survey!
After reviewing booking data from more than 10,000 families, UrbanSitter calculated the hourly rates of caregivers such as tutors, virtual sitters, and pod sitters. The results include national averages for different types of sitters along with regional averages.
photo courtesy of UrbanSitter
According to UrbanSitter’s stats, fifty-seven percent of parents surveyed will pay over $10,000 in child care costs this year. The national average for in-person sitting services is $18.36 per hour for one child in 2021. This is a 3.5 percent increase from 2020. The average jumps to $21.23 per hour for two kiddos—a 4.5 percent increase from 2020.
Virtual sitting services averaged $16.51 per hour and pod sitters made an average of $15.90. Tutors made more than these types of sitters, with a national average of $20.72 per hour.
If you’re wondering which region has the highest sitter rates, look to the west. San Francisco rates averaged $20.72 per hour for one child and $23.56 per hour for two kiddos. Las Vegas sitters charged the least, with an average price tag of $12.52 per hour for one kiddo and $17.18 for two.
For more information on how much American parents pay their sitters and other child care trends, visit UrbanSitter here.
Nearly 12 million children in America live in households where they don’t have enough to eat, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In response to the nationwide food insecurity issue, the USDA recently announced the government agency will extend waivers that provide free meals for children through Sep. 30, 2021.
The waivers help to provide local programs with the ability to distribute free meals to all children (regardless of family income) in safe ways. These include Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and allows programs to offer bulk food pick-ups for for parents that cover multiple days of meals.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, said in a press release, “We will do everything we can to make sure children get access to healthy, nutritious meals regardless of their families’ financial circumstances.
Vilsack added, “Our child nutrition professionals are doing a heroic job ensuring kids across the country have proper nutrition throughout this public health emergency, often times with limited resources. USDA is committed to providing local operators with the flexibilities and resources they need to continue offering the best meal service possible to their children, given their day-to-day realities.”
Specific meal pick-up sites vary by region. These include settings such as churches, schools, parks, libraries and community centers. Learn more about free meals for children by visiting the USDA website here.
The Wizarding World is going on tour—in 2022! In a collab with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Imagine Exhibitions is bringing a brand-new Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts to fans around the globe.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition will include fan fave characters from the Harry Potter movie franchise, Fantastic Beasts and the rest of the Wizarding World. The traveling exhibit will feature an up-close behind the scenes look at authentic props, original costumes, and more.
photo courtesy of PR Newswire/Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Peter van Roden, Senior Vice President of Global Themed Entertainment at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, said in a press release, “We are thrilled to be partnering with the experts at Imagine Exhibitions, on this all-new Harry Potter exhibition.” Van Roden added, “Everyone involved with this project is committed to bringing a masterfully crafted newly innovative Wizarding World experience to fans around the world.”
Of the collab, Tom Zaller, CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, said, “We are honored to be entrusted with the iconic Harry Potter brand and excited to develop and share an exhibition experience that celebrates the magic of the Wizarding World.”
The touring exhibition will travel through North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle-East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific Region. While there’s no set start date yet, Imagine Exhibitions will announce the initial venue information in the coming months.
These tiny elves really have the holiday spirit. Babies being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare are getting decked out for Christmas. Staff members created adorable pint-sized costumes to bring the North Pole to the NICU.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is home to the only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and high-risk labor and delivery unit in Florida’s Big Bend region and they work to make the environment as comfortable as possible for the babies and their families. Having a baby in the NICU can be very stressful for families, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, making the holidays feel a little less merry. Bringing the festive fun to these little “elves” and their parents is just one of the many ways the team works to normalize the NICU environment and keep families’ spirits high.
The crafty NICU night team created the costumes and the day team helped bring their visions to life.
Happy holidays from the sweetest gifts around — baby elves!
Disclaimer from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare: Please remember, you should always place your little ones on their backs to sleep, with nothing else in the crib. These NICU babies have special circumstances and are monitored 24/7 by our skilled nursing team.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
All photos courtesy Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Just because summer is over, you don’t have to give up colorful fun inflatables. The newest division of the beloved PoolCandy line of floats and water accessories, SnowCandy is this season’s hottest launch. We can’t wait for the next snowfall.
SnowCandy is a fantastically fun line of whimsical snow tubes, sleds and forts for outdoor winter adventures. Easy to inflate and deflate, these super sturdy inflatables were crafted for serious snowy shenanigans.
Glitter Galaxy Snow Tube
SnowCandy
The new Glitter Galaxy Snow Tube ($50) uses RealPrint technology. This pink glitter filled snow tube uses the deep space super region photo taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. This image is a wavelengths composite of images from the Hubble Telescope, featuring an HII region emission nebula. The image also shows numerous galaxies, each averaging approximately 100 million stars
Add some much needed color to your snow day with the Arctic Rainbow Tube ($50). This epic snow tube will let you stand above the crowd with its super bright colors.
Drive along the sandy stretch known as Mustang Island, in the Coastal Bend region of Texas, and you’ll find yourself in the quirky community of Port Aransas. Dubbed “Port A” by the locals, this charming town has all the vibes of a traditional beach town with a Texas flair you won’t find anywhere else. Discover over 18 miles of wide, sandy beach, a variety of lodging, family-friendly dining, and an array of outdoor fun for kids and their grownups.
It’s the perfect family getaway, just hours from your door.
