Learning a new language, packing their suitcase, and trying new foods are just a few of the benefits kids gain from travel
With the post-pandemic travel bug that everyone seems to be catching, some parents might be asking themselves if taking the kids on a big trip is even worth it. It turns out that traveling with kids (no matter their age) is a great opportunity for them to pick up new skills and reinforce other ones.
Dr. Betsey Martinez Noboa, Psy.D., says that when traveling, children have “to problem solve constantly to adjust to new expectations, environments, routines, etc and this would contribute to cognitive development.” We asked the Bébé Voyage community of traveling parents what skills their children have learned while traveling and here’s what they came back with.
Travel Skills for Babies and Toddlers
While many parents think there’s no point in traveling with babies and toddlers because they’re not going to remember anything, it turns out that this is a ripe time for introducing some important life skills.
“My kids are highly adaptable to any environment,” says Alex Neophytou who started traveling with each of her four kids when they were months old. “They can sleep anywhere, with any noise or light, adjust to jet lag pretty quickly, and usually are more open to trying new things whether that’s food or experiences when in a new city or country.” Her kids’ adaptability tipped the scales in favor of taking up a professional opportunity abroad.
Sleeping in different environments
Parents of infants are often afraid of messing up their child’s sleep cycle by traveling. But travel can help them cultivate better sleep habits. We traveled extensively with my older kid from 6 weeks on and so he got used to sleeping in different environments and has always been a super sleeper. My younger son was born early in the pandemic, so we couldn’t travel as much with him but he’s become a much better sleeper as our travel has increased.
Language skills
On a recent road trip, I noticed that my 3-year-old’s language skills exploded. I remember seeing similar growth in my older kid when he traveled as a toddler. According to Dr. Martinez Noboa, the enriched environment children are exposed to when they go someplace new could contribute to this phenomenon.
Using an elevator and escalators
Airports, train stations, and hotels give many tots their first exposure to elevators and escalators. Anyone who has taken a new walker on an escalator knows that it can be intimidating. But the more practice they get the easier it becomes.
In addition to expanding a child’s palette, trying new foods while traveling can also be used as a learning opportunity. “When we were in Jamaica my preschooler was obsessed with mango,” adds mom Stephanie Quesnelle. “We got to talk through why it’s not as good where we live and why it’s a lot easier to get fresh ripe fruit in the Caribbean where it grows.”
Walking a ton
“My almost 6-year-old walked almost 20,000 steps a day with us in Europe,” comments Carol Johns. “I reckon it’s double our step count with his small feet!” Again, the more they practice, the easier it gets.
Flexibility and resilience
Building on adaptability, Liz McEachern Hall shares that due to a scheduling snafu, her family ended up in a regular car, instead of a sleeper car, on a Swedish overnight train. That meant that her child “played Uno in the train seats at midnight, slept in my lap for three hours, and still managed to smile at the 6 am arrival in a brand new city.”
Recognizing flags (and logos)
Before kids can read, they pick up on visual patterns and flags are a great way to reinforce that. Flags are ubiquitous in cities and airports. Curious kids will ask about ones that are new to them. Because my older son also likes to spend a lot of time looking out at the runway, he learned to recognize all the different airline logos. (He still calls Lufthansa the “fork airline” because that’s what their logo looks like to him!) This has also now expanded into recognizing soccer jerseys, car logos, and different types of road signs.
Excitement to try new things
“When we were in Geneva recently, both my kids wanted to climb to the absolute top of the cathedral as they wanted to see the view. I can guarantee that wouldn’t have happened back home!” exclaims Rebecca Redfern. “Also they will excitedly try any food put in front of them when away from home. If I try the same tactic at home, absolutely no way!”
Managing their own luggage
Especially if it’s a scooter carry-on or a ride-on kids’ suitcase, little ones are often excited to haul their own suitcases through the airport. But because they also want to mimic their caretakers, they may try to manage your carry-on!
Packing and organizing their bags
“My daughter is 5 years old now and only needs me to tell her for how long we’ll be gone,” explains another Bébé Voyage member. “She’s learned how to decide and select what is needed and how to deal with limited space.” Usually, kids can do pretty well with packing, especially if you start them off with a list. Later you can just tell them what the weather is like and what activities to pack for. But you may want to check to make sure they didn’t forget anything… like underwear or toiletries!
Travel Skills for Early Grade Schoolers (7-9)
Learning how to read brings with it opportunities for additional travel skills.
Following the GPS and learning basic orientation skills
While we parents probably first encountered maps in their paper form, the reality is that our kids aren’t going to see much of those. Even if you haven’t yet given your child their own phone, they can follow the map on the car GPS or on their individual plane screen. Explaining to them what N, E, S, and W mean and showing them the different views will help them gain more fluency.
Learning to read the departure table
This is a great opportunity to practice reading and analytical skills. Eager readers will keep you posted not only on your own flight status but also that of every other departure.
Being open-minded and respectful of different ways of doing things
As mom Nadia Schoch commented, “There is not one right way of doing something. Acknowledging the culture you find yourself in or people you meet and trying your best to be respectful to and interested in it/them. From dressing to eating habits to greeting, expressing yourself, etc.” While this skill can be introduced from the youngest ages, it can be reinforced in older children. Schoch continues, “As soon as they start being interested and notice differences or have questions about why we do things differently, it is a great conversation to have and go deeper as to how we all are different and how we are similar.”
Independence
Especially if staying in a resort or out in the countryside, kids love growing into their independence by being able to explore a new place by themselves. Even being able to explore all the hallways of a hotel alone can be an important step. Some resorts with kids clubs give families the option of an “autonomy bracelet,” usually from around age 8. This gives kids the option of going in and out of kids club activities as they please and being able to meet up with friends or family members around the resort. For kids who aren’t used to this level of independence, this can be a big confidence booster.
Travel Skills for Tweens
As kids harness more math, reading, and reasoning skills, they can participate in more aspects of organizing a family trip.
As kids get older, getting their buy-in becomes more and more critical for a smooth family trip. One way to do this is to get them involved in trip planning. They can do research online and/or read a guidebook. Have them research activities or destinations that interest them. Ask them to help flesh out the itinerary. Not only does it take some of the mental load off of you, but it also makes them feel like they have a decision-making voice in the family.
Currency and time zone conversion
Putting math skills to work in a context that clearly demonstrates its relevance can get kids more excited about math. Time zone conversion is easier to start with and fun for kids to wrap their heads around. (“Wait, if Paris is 7 hours ahead of Chicago, that means that when we’re having dinner on our trip at 7:30 pm, our friends back home are having lunch at 12:30?!?!”) Older kids can dive into currency conversion, although depending on what the rate is, they may need to access a calculator or a currency conversion app.
Making new friends
While this is a skill that can be worked on at any age, if tweens can master it, the usually socially awkward teenage years can go a lot smoother. Practicing this skill while traveling can reinforce the skill at home, making joining a new after-school activity or switching schools more easy.
Most teens will have had at least a few years of foreign language education at school. Depending on the intensity of the foreign language program, their skills may range from deciphering a basic menu to acting as your personal translator. But even if you’re going to a country whose language your kids haven’t learned yet, learning basic phrases like hello, please, and thank you is a good place to start.
As Lydia Machová points out in her TED talk, the best way to learn a new language is to make it fun. So you can help your child find music they like in the target language, or maybe watch a series in that language. Machová shares that she learned German by watching her favorite TV show, Friends, dubbed in German.
Managing laundry
Kids have to learn to manage their laundry when they travel alone for an extended period, whether it’s camp or an exchange trip. This may mean learning how to handwash some items, asking their host family to show them how to run the washing machine, or going to a local laundromat.
Autonomy
When teens start going on school trips or teen tours, this is their opportunity to try on autonomy. All of a sudden, they are in a new context and get to make all kinds of choices without any input from their parents. This is also a growth opportunity for parents to work on trust—both trusting their child to make appropriate decisions and trusting the trip leaders to keep their kid safe.
The expansion of cognitive schemas (or mental frameworks) as kids are exposed through travel to new cultures, social roles, customs, and more, has benefits at home too. “Being exposed to new places and things help kids be more flexible, be more aware of how our world is different, and more accepting when something is in fact different,” concludes Dr. Martinez Noboa.
Your baby just might be the most well-behaved traveler you encounter on your journey
If you’re struggling to get out the door with a baby for daily errands, you’re probably not considering a road trip, going camping, or even a flight any time soon. But taking a trip with a baby is actually easier than you think. And straight talk: Traveling with a baby is easier than with an older child, so get out while you can.
Plus, you’ll score some amazing memories, killer photos, and probably a few funny stories out of it. So if you’re dreaming of traveling, here’s why you should make it a reality now.
1. Babies sleep. A lot. If you anticipate your baby’s needs by scheduling regular feedings, cuddles and diaper changes, they’ll be mostly content to snooze as you explore your new surroundings.
2. Time goes so fast. Take these moments to travel while you can.
3. You usually don’t have to pay for your child’s seat on a train or airplane until age two. Just pop them on your lap, which is their favorite place to be anyway. They will also likely not have to pay an entrance fee at museums and other must-see attractions. Yep, that includes Disney theme parks.
4. Your child will see a whole new side of you, and experience a sense of wonder you can’t get from your regular routine.
5. You don’t have to pay for baby meals either. You may be lugging along some extra gear, like baby bottles or formula containers, but you’re not paying for an overpriced meal that an older child would say “All done!” to after eating only two bites.
6. You can be present in a different way than you can at home. You’re experiencing new things right along with your child, and there’s magic in sharing that sense of excitement and wonder together.
7. It’s hard to believe, but you have more flexibility now than you will when your child is older. Before you know it, your child will be in school and enrolled in activities and your adventures will be restricted by those schedules. So enjoy that you only need to plan around adult schedules now.
8. Travel is the most fun way to learn that yes, you can do hard things as a parent. Packing for the trip, dealing with delays or other uncomfortable travel moments, resolving conflicts with your partner, all these things can happen. And while they’re what travel horror stories are made of, they’re also a way to impress yourself with how well you’re able to adapt, alter plans, speak in a foreign language or comfort your child. It’s just one of the many ways travel enriches our lives.
9. Traveling is good for your relationship with your partner. Babies tend to become the main topic of conversation with your partner because they’re both super cute and super needy. And while traveling with a baby won’t change that, it will give you and your partner lots of new things to discuss, as well as memories you’ll treasure.
10. Fact: Sometimes babies cry on airplanes. And despite the horror stories you’ve heard, most people are nice about it. You’ll be surprised at how helpful other passengers, and especially flight attendants, can be to parents with little ones. From offers to walk with your baby up and down the aisle to bringing snacks for you, you’ll find a community onboard that’s ready to help you get through an in-flight meltdown. And if someone is a jerk? Well, you’ll never have to see them again.
11. Portability! Non-mobile babies are along for the ride. Pop them in a stroller, infant car seat, hiking front pack, or baby carrier, and they will nap and chill while you go off on adventures.
12. A non-mobile baby gets into less mischief in a new place than an older child would. Once you plonk them down someplace safe, you don’t need to worry about them putting something dangerous in their mouth, knocking over a fragile vase, or toppling down ungated stairs.
13. Once kids can walk and talk, they have a lot of opinions about what they want to do and when. Babies mainly want to spend time with you, so you get to decide where you go and what you do, provided you’re mindful of naps and mealtimes.
14. That first year can be a blur of sleepless nights, feedings, and diaper changes. Traveling with a baby gives you new and exciting things to focus on, which can up your mood and your energy level. That’s good for you, and it’s good for your baby to see you excited and experiencing things you love.
15. Everybody loves babies. Expect kindness from strangers, hotel staff, and restaurant managers as they go out of their way to help you and make sure you and your child get the most out of your travels.
16. It’s the best kind of quality time. Experiencing new things as a family builds special bonds that are hard to create at home, where you’re working and rushing through your regular routines.
17. Visiting new places is an education. Point out different colors in the woods or name landmarks in a city to develop your baby’s language skills.
18. In addition to language skills, exposing your child to new people, sights, sounds, smells, foods, languages, and scenery enriches their mind and their life. Take photos and videos so you can remind them of their baby adventures when they’re older. Kids love to hear about things they did when they were younger, and travel gives you lots to talk about, from funny memories to historical landmarks you saw and interesting people you met.
19. You’ll love seeing the world through your child’s eyes. Watching your baby experience sand or ocean waves for the first time is a memory you won’t forget. The same goes for snow, new foods, and visits with relatives who live too far away.
20. Getting away from your home and most of your stuff shows you in vivid detail how you can be happy and fulfilled with so much less, and that definitely includes baby gear. Yes, you’ll need to bring necessities like diapers, but you won’t need all the toys, all the outfits, all the stuff. Try this test: Give your baby an empty water bottle or magazine and you’ll see how a random object can hold a baby’s attention as well as a toy does.
21. You’ll spot things you wouldn’t have otherwise. Watch your baby intently looking at an animal they haven’t seen before or laughing at an unfamiliar sound, and you’ll develop a new appreciation for your surroundings and your child’s brilliant developing mind.
22. Perspective. Babies thrive on routines and schedules, which can be difficult to maintain during travel. If you’re the kind of parent who freaks out if you get off schedule (same!), seeing that you and your child can survive a time difference, a missed nap, sleeping in a different bed or other shifts to your routine can make you relax and be willing to take other worthwhile risks in the future.
23. Traveling with a baby teaches you to slow down and adapt when necessary. It’s harder to maintain an itinerary when traveling with a baby, but it can be incredibly valuable to take an unexpected break and sit while your child drinks a bottle or nurses. Or to leave a museum amid a baby meltdown and walk the grounds instead. Stepping out of your scheduled activities to adjust to your child’s needs can also open you up to experiences you wouldn’t have had otherwise. A later start time, taking a different route or spending longer at one location can all lead to fortuitous surprises.
24. Self-care. Visiting a place you’re excited about and planning an enriching itinerary can make you feel like your pre-baby self again. And all new parents need that sometimes. Pro tip: Take turns with your partner to hang out with the baby during naps while the other parent slips out for some solo activities.
25. You’ll instill a love of travel and learning in your child. Even if your baby won’t remember the adventures you took when they were little, they’ll know that exploring the world is important to you and that can shape their own interest in new experiences.
The only Los Angeles, California-based luxury oceanfront resort, Terranea is the best when it comes to stunning views, 5-star accommodations, family-friendly activities, and experiential dining
Located on the Palos Verdes Penninsula—a smooth 31 miles from DTLA—Terranea is LA’s best-kept secret. And while other nearby destinations may get a lot of attention (we’re looking at you, Palm Springs and Big Bear), no destination comes close to offering what Terranea has at its fingertips. Not only is there a roster full of activities to choose from (more on that below), it has four heated swimming pools to choose from. And not just heated a little bit like those “heated” pools you find in Europe. They are heated enough (according to some staff, they said it was 80 degrees) that swimming outside, in the middle of winter, is downright pleasurable. And that’s just the tip of the Palos Verdes Peninsula—add to that 102 acres of explorable oceanside cliffs and trails, picturesque views of the ocean and Catalina island just across the channel, dining options galore, and a secluded beach all within steps of your room. Spoiler alert: You’ll never want to leave.
7 Unique Reasons Why You Should Stay at Terranea Resort
1. One-of-a-Kind Family-Friendly Activities at Terranea Resort
The resort offers so many things to do; they have an Experience Center to help you navigate all the fun things to do. Here, you can learn more about each activity and reserve what you’d like to do both on-and-off site. It’s the first place you need to swing by when you get here to get an overview of everything happening at the resort. If you need some help, talk to the Experience Concierge, who can help you plan your activities, make the reservations—and especially help with timing. Not only do they know which activities work best for all types of kids, but they also know the resort inside and out and can offer insider intel like the best spots to go stargazing.
Noteworthy Adventures at Terranea: When we say one-of-a-kind activities, archery class is just one of the unique possibilities you can explore. Add to that, a wonderful instructor who taught both my kids—and ended up getting multiple bullseyes along with a newfound appreciation for the ancient sport. There are also guided kayaking tide pooling adventures (you can also get a guided tide pool adventure without the kayaks if you have little ones), and a ton more activities to choose from, including horseback riding, tennis, golf, plein air art classes, etc…basically if you can dream it, it’s probably already here. Check the resort’s calendar for the full list of things to do in Terranea—including exclusive activities you won’t find anywhere else.
The Coolest Activity at Terranea You Don’t Want to Miss: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, you can attend the free ‘Meet and Greet’ with the Falconer. This takes place just outside the Experience Center, and for 30 minutes, you’ll learn all about majestic birds of prey and how, since 2009, the resort has used the ancient art of falconry to provide a natural bird abatement program, making sure seagulls, pigeons, and crows stay (naturally) away. PS: You can also book a private session with the Falconer.
Good to Know: The resort’s activities are available to book even if you aren’t staying here! So if a stay isn’t in the cards at the moment, you can still experience all the wonderful activities exclusive to Terranea.
2. Kid-Pleasing Dining Options Galore at Terranea Resort
The resort has eight dining options—from oh-so-casual to downright elegant. For families traveling with small kids, here are our recommends.
For breakfast, we loved sea beans—a casual cafe where you can order specialty coffee drinks, grab-n-go muffins and croissants, or if you’re here on the weekend, order one of their made-to-order waffles with all the toppings your kid could ever desire. Yes, that is in fact, Oreos and M&Ms on a morning waffle—when on vacation right? Seating is cafe-style and outdoors—perfect for little ones who would rather run around and look for lizards.
Sea beans is also located next to the Experience Center, so after breakfast, you can go and peruse the activities for the day or if you eat late enough, you can wait for the Falconer to show up.
Good to Know: You can also get lunch, as well as beer, wine, and other sundry items here.
For lunch, head to Nelson’s or order pool-side from The Grill.
Nelson’s: This casual, cliff-top eatery has picnic-style outdoor seating right up to the cliff’s edge—you’ll get the glorious sound of the crashing waves below as part of your background noise. Nelson’s also has fire pits and is one of the best spots on the property for a sunset, so it’s also a great spot for dinner. What to order at Nelson’s: The Bavarian Pretzel, the Lobster Roll, Fish and Chips, and a S’mores Kit for dessert!
Good to Know: Make a reservation (especially if you want outdoor seating to take in the view). This spot is popular, and the wait times can exceed an hour if you don’t plan accordingly. Call 310.265.2766 for a reservation at Nelson’s.
Insider Tip: If you aren’t staying as a guest, you can still receive complimentary parking with validation from their on-site restaurants.
The Grill at the Resort Pool: If you’ve got a picky eater, this is the place to go—thanks to a menu full of kid favorites like hot dogs, burgers, quesadillas, and grilled cheese sandwiches. And with its poolside location, kids will want to stay here all day long.
We recommend trying two kid-friendly Terranea spots for dinner—Catalina Kitchen and Bashi.
Catalina Kitchen: While Catalina offers a la carte menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we tried their seafood buffet dinner and it was a total dream for the kids. They were able to try lots of new things that they hadn’t had before—from crab legs to shrimp cocktail (plus a variety of bite-size desserts of course), but it was a great, low-pressure way to explore new foods.
Good to Know: Are you a fan of magic? Every first Friday of the month, renowned magician David Groves puts on a spectacular show at the Catalina Kitchen for adults from 10 p.m.-11:30 p.m. He walked around while we were eating dinner and put on a mini show for the kids, and, gotta say, it was jaw-droppingly good. Advanced tickets recommended.
Bashi: This Asian-style restaurant offers Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian dishes, but the wow factor are the grilling tables. If this is your first-time table grilling, the friendly staff will walk you through the menu and help guide you—especially if you’re nervous about your items being cooked throughly. It’s a super fun, interactive experience. Best for kids who are good listeners and don’t wiggle around so much. Advanced reservations are required. Seatings are available daily (closed Tuesdays) at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8 p.m.
3. The Pools at Terranea
We mentioned it before, and we’ll mention it again. Heated pools FTW. And not just a smidge over the outside air temperature. Legit, heated to 80-degree pools (and handy glass-wall windbreakers). But that’s not all. There is a 140-foot waterslide at the pool, and a splash pad for little ones. And hot tubs. And cabanas you can rent! And lawn games like ping pong, Connect Four, and foosball! The list goes on and on. Seriously this spot has everything, and while we said your kids won’t want to leave, we’re confident the adults won’t want to leave either.
Good to Know: If you’re traveling here without the kids, there are adult-only pools that are equally divine as the main pool. And if you’re about to have a kid? Terranea Resort makes our list of best destinations for babymoons in LA!
4. The Spa at Terranea Resort
If you have time and the opportunity to step away from the family (read more about how kids will love hanging at The Kid’s Club below), head to the spa and indulge in one of their exclusive treatments. We tried the Citrus Glow Facial—a restorative treatment that nourishes, boosts collagen, and restores firmness, providing a renewed glow.
Insider Tip:Day memberships are available Monday-Thursday, for the use of The Spa amenities, fitness center, and pool for $110 per person. FYI: If you can’t get away for a girl’s weekend, this is definitely the next best thing.
5. Why You Should Book a Bungalow at Terranea
While hotel rooms are available at the hotel, they also offer specialty accommodations—think two and three-bedroom suites. And unlike regular hotel rooms, guests are treated to 1000+ square feet of space, a full kitchen, living room, and dining table, separate bedrooms (both with en suite bathrooms), plus additional amenities like a washer and dryer. Ideal for families—whether you’re traveling with babies or big kids, the extra space is a godsend, along with having access to a full-sized refrigerator, coffee maker, an in-room gas fireplace, and all the accouterments that give parents the best of both worlds—a luxe stay with all the needs they require from home (no need to cram in all those snack pouches in the refrigerator). We can’t but help mention the washer and dryer again—not that we want to do laundry on vacation, but babies (and big kids) have their accidents—it’s so nice to be able to clean those onesies before packing everything into a suitcase before heading home. The rooms come with patios (ours opened up onto a vast green lawn space that also overlooked the Pacific Ocean), open the door and the kids could run around all they wanted.
Good to Know: If you book a stay at one of the Bungalows, you’ll receive free access to the spa that includes the use of the spa pool and the amenities.
If you are looking for even more space, Terranea’s Villas & Casitas offer 1800+ square feet of space. And the 3-bedroom Resort Villas all come with a private hot tub (another godsend if you have a baby who is sleeping and you want to relax but can’t go to the pool).
6. The Kid’s Club
As well thought out as the rest of the resort, this Kid’s Club has it all to please both kids and parents alike. The facilities are clean and modern and filled with games, toys, and crafts that would delight anything your kid may be into. The staff is friendly, and offer loads of opportunities for outdoor games, science-based learning, feature films, and on-site field trips. (Full disclosure: My kid has never been excited by a kid’s club and this is the first time she wanted to stay). If that’s not an endorsement for doing a kid’s club right, I don’t know what is.
Good to Know: Meals and snacks are provided during various sessions.
7. Time Stops When You Visit Terranea
Not literally, of course, and not to wax poetic, but there are a few magical places where when you arrive, time slows down. I am happy to report that Terranea is one of those spots. So whether you spend the day, a weekend, or longer, and whether you like a lot of activities or just lounging around—it will feel like the best, well-spent vacation for both your time and money. And that is the magic that envelops this resort.
100 Terranea Way Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Online:terranea.com
—This trip was paid for by Terranea Resort but all opinions belong to the writer.
If you find want a quick oceanside getaway from LA, then grab your bathing suit and boogie board and head south an hour and a half to Oceanside, CA. Hiding in North County San Diego, Oceanside is everything we love about about laid-back beach towns—tons to see and do with the kids (including bragging rights for lots of CA’s firsts, oldest and longest), loads of sand and water play and great food to boot. Here’s how to spend 72 hours in Oceanside with the kids—plus in-the-know tips to make your stay the best vacation getaway ever.
Day 1:
Travel to Oceanside, Visit the California Welcome Center, Check-in at The Seabird Resort and Eat Dinner at The Lab Collaborative.
Getting to Oceanside via car is simple enough—head down the 405, to the 5 (you can opt to take the 73 if you don’t mind paying the toll—you don’t need a toll pass as you can pay the fee online within 5 days) and take the 54B exit. Your biggest concern is going to be traffic but if you are willing to forgo your car, you can take Amtrak’s Surfliner or Metrolink to Oceanside from Los Angeles—the train station is just a five minute walk from the hotel—eliminating any worries or stress about driving and traffic jams.
Insider Tip: Kids ride for free on Metrolink trains during the weekend.
Visit the California Welcome Center: There are 11 welcome centers sprinkled throughout the state and these information-packed brick and mortars are well-worth your time. And while you’ll get lost (in a good way) in this recently renovated spot sorting through the magazines, brochures, discount tickets and exhibits (there was a super cool skateboard exhibit called The History of Skateboarding on display while we were there), the people working there are also unofficial ambassadors to the town. This is where you’ll find the best recommendations and local intel that you may not otherwise know (like where to find the best fish and chips, according to the staff it’s the Tin House located just under the pier, and how Oceanside is a treasure trove for resale clothing).
Check into The Seabird Resort: Opened in 2021, this 226-room resort, located on the Pacific Ocean epitomizes upscale coastal chic and it delivers on all levels (it’s like walking through a Nancy Myers movie—IYKYK). And while it is luxurious—incredible art work hangs all over the hotel and cozy corners abound with interesting coffee table books—it’s also super family-friendly. Don’t be surprised to see a barefooted surfer walking through the lobby, still in their wetsuit, board in hand, padding back to their room. And that’s the vibe here—marrying deluxe accommodations with that laid-back, literally just walked-off-the-beach charm.
Insider Tip: In your room, make sure to take a look through The Seabird Magazine—it’s chock full of information of what’s happening at the resort as well as what’s happening around town. And for those traveling with babies? BabyQuip—a baby gear rental service where you can rent cribs, high chairs, strollers, toys and more—has partnered with Destination by Hyatt so that parents can have all that stuff delivered straight to the hotel—leaving you less items to pack! Bonus? Between now and Sept. 5, 2022, Destination by Hyatt guests can take $100 off qualifying baby gear rentals of $150 or more at properties across the U.S.
If you have time before dinner, head to the pool deck and burn off some energy at the pool that overlooks the ocean. Comfortable lounge chairs abound plus there’s drink service as well as yummy bites from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (but more on that during tomorrow’s itinerary).
If you’d rather check out the beach than the pool, across the street, the hotel has a beach valet with complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas at The Beach Rambler.
Good to Know: While the beach is useable, it is under construction and is expected to finish this summer. And for those with toddlers in tow, this part will most likely a highlight thanks to the diggers moving all that sand around!
The hotel also offers a variety of activities for the kids—from rock painting and tie-dying to build-your-own-stuffed animal, check-in with the concierge for the day’s activity or book activities through the website, including fire pit rentals, surf lessons and wellness experiences like yoga classes.
Insider Tip: Want to head down here without the kids? Or looking for a babymoon getaway near LA? Check into Seabird’s sister resort, The Mission Pacific, located across the street. It’s the same upscale, California-coastal chic experience but geared more towards adults. PS: The Mission Pacific roof deck is the place to go for drinks and sunsets.
Eat Dinner at The Lab Collaborative: Located just a 5-minute walk from the hotel, this newly opened, bustling restaurant with a friendly, attentive and informative staff, sets the new bar when it comes to upscale family-friendly dining. And with over 50% of the menu sourced locally, you know you’re getting the best that SoCal has to offer.
Our recommends? The Pretzel and Sausage Platter was a huge hit for the whole table and while the adults couldn’t get enough of the Fried Chicken and Thai Baked Salmon (seriously delicious), the kids devoured their cheeseburger and linguini from the kid’s menu. Another must? The Dessert Waffle for the table. YUM.
Insider Tip: If you drink alcohol—don’t miss out on their specialty barrel-aged cocktails. We recommend The Manhattan, aged with Redemption Rye, and the Margarita—barrel-aged with Herradura Reposado tequila. PS: When you’re up early the next morning (depending on how many of those margaritas you had), stroll over to Jet Fuel—their craft coffee and tea outpost located right next door.
Day 2: Breakfast at Piper in The Seabird Resort, Go Mural Hunting, Visit the Surf Museum, Pool Time & Lunch at The Shelter Club, Visit the Top Gun House & High Pie, Walk the Pier, Eat Dinner at One of the Local Hot-Spots and Grab a Sweet Treat at Fugu Ice Cream & Taiyaki.
Eat Breakfast at the Piper Restaurant: Offering garden-to-table fare, this bright and airy dining spot, located on the ground floor of The Seabird, delivers fresh breakfast items like organic juices and smoothies, malted pancakes and eggs your way while the buffet has a waffle bar, pastries and baked goods. My personal favorite was the whole grains in a jar that refreshingly paired with the coconut-based yogurt and farm fresh berries.
Insider Tip: At night, the Piper offers organic pastas and garden-fresh vegetables for dinner. Reserve a spot outside to sit and eat by the fire tables.
Go Mural Hunting: Oceanside is an artistic community at heart and that extends to street art as well. You can follow the digital map of noteworthy murals or leave it up to chance (we did a combination of both) but it’s a great way to get the kids to walk around, hunting for the next photo-worthy wall art while soaking up the local culture.
Insider Tip: Swing by Artist Alley—multiple street murals are here as well as one-of-a-kind gift shops that expand onto the sidewalk and feels like a mini-festival.
Dive into Surf History at the California Surf Museum: This local gem, located within walking distance of The Seabird, hosts an impressive collection detailing the history of surfing and the surfing lifestyle—especially Oceanside’s influence. It also includes an exhibit dedicated to professional surfer Bethany Hamilton’s world famous shark attack(at age 13 she was attacked by a Tiger shark in Kauai, lost an arm, recovered and returned to competitive surfing shortly thereafter). Don’t miss the recovered surfboard—bite mark and all—on display. We even got to hold the jaw of a Tiger shark—an incredible and humbling experience.
Insider Tip: If you’re on the mural hunt, there’s a secret art mural through a side door—don’t forget to step outside and check out this cowabunga-worthy mural!
Pool Time & Lunch at The Shelter Club: The kids are probably ready for some pool time so head back to to the 3rd floor of The Seabird Resort to grab some lounge chairs—the friendly staff will be there to help you find a shady or sunny spot as well as deliver drinks, snacks and lunch when you are ready. Cabanas are available ($200 for the day) that include reserved poolside loungers or you can rent daybeds ($30 per hour and are the closest to the pool and super comfy)—on busy days, a godsend when you are vying for a seat.
The menu consists of casual lunch fare from The Shelter Club—crab rolls, nachos, salads and burgers and grilled cheese but the fries are some of the best we’ve ever had—so make sure to include at least one order with your meals.
Walk the Oceanside Pier: The longest, over-the-water, wooden pier on the west coast, stroll the 1,942 feet to the end before you head to dinner. Stop to watch the surfers, dotted along the coast, catch wave after wave and keep an eye out for Charlie, the resident pelican that graces the pier on the regular.
Insider Tip: Feeling fishy? At the Bait Shop on the pier, you can rent fishing gear and fish right off the pier—no permit required.
Visit the Top Gun House & High Pie: This historic home (also the last, oceanfront Folk Victorian cottage in San Diego County) made famous by the movie Top Gun (it’s where Kelly McGillis lived) has been reimagined as a pie shop, called High Pie, courtesy of the same geniuses behind Cheeky’s in Palm Springs—one of our favorite breakfast spots in the desert. Swing by and admire the architecture or head back here after dinner to grab an apple or cherry hand pie from this just-opened spot that is sure to draw legions of fans from all over the world.
Dinner: There are a bunch of family-friendly dining options around the hotel like Hello Betty Fish House for fish tacos and rooftop lounging, Blade 1936 for wood-fired pizza and modern Italian fare and Craft Coast Beer & Tacos—serving up (you guessed it) craft beer and tacos. All of these spots were full of families—you can’t go wrong at any of these dining spots.
Grab a Sweet Treat at Fugu Ice Cream & Taiyaki: If you skipped the apple pie from High Pie or if you have room for more dessert, grab a fish cone at Fugu Ice Cream & Taiyaki—filled with your choice of ice cream like Taro, Horchata and Matcha, along with your pick of filling like red bean, Mexican caramel or Nutella. If you don’t want the fish cone, they also do rolled ice cream—it’s fun to watch them create the ice cream rolls and are delicious to boot! They also have basic flavors like vanilla.
Day 3:
Breakfast at Swami’s Cafe, Explore Oceanside Harbor & Harbor Beach and Visit the Mission San Luis Rey on the Way out of Town.
Breakfast at Swami’s Cafe: Head to this popular hot-spot first thing in the morning to be beat the crowds and enjoy breakfast at a leisurely pace before the line wraps around the corner. Kids will love the waffles and pancakes while the parents will love diving into the spicy Mexican Burrito filled with jalapenos and the breakfast sandwich on a buttery croissant.
Insider Tip: If you’re still stuffed from all the previous meals and want something a little lighter, head to Petite Madeline to grab coffee and baked goods like danishes, croissants, and scones to go.
Explore Oceanside Harbor & Harbor Beach: Oceanside Harbor & Harbor Beach are located on the northern side of Oceanside. The harbor is a sweet village filled with one-of-a-kind shops, waterfront dining, plus this is where you can access loads of water-based activities like boat rentals, whale watching, surf lessons, and kayaking.
Insider Tip: If you haven’t hit the beach yet, this is a good spot to get your feet wet—there’s a long stretch of sandy beach protected by two rock jetties, keeping the water fairly calm for the little ones. Parking is easy but don’t forget to pay the meter.
Stroll through the Mission San Luis Rey: On your way out of town, swing by this gorgeous Mission for a little SoCal culture and history. Founded in 1798 and known as the “King of the Missions” it is also home to the oldest pepper tree in California as well as the oldest community burial ground in North County San Diego. Self-guided tours are available through from the gift shop but even if you don’t take the tour, definitely walk through the church to see the mix of Spanish Colonial architecture and Indian cultures—it’s a beautiful, peaceful space and the wall murals are stunning. Good to Know: The mission has a Día de los Muertos festival in the fall and a “Christmas at the Mission—Night of a Thousand Lights” in Dec.
Insider Tip: Before leaving, swing by the stop-worthy cafe for snacks and coffee for your ride back to LA.
More Things to Do in Oceanside, CA
The above itinerary worked well for our family but there is so much more to see and do in Oceanside, depending on your interests. Here are some of the things we’re planning on doing the next time we visit.
Visit the Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA): Located within a designated California Cultural District (there are only 14 designated areas in the state!), this museum showcases art and stories from Southern California artists—from landscape paintings and photography to contemporary neon sculptures and more.
Rent Bikes at Wheel Fun Rentals: Since 2008, the League of American Bicyclist has recognized Oceanside as a Bicycle Friendly Community and earning a silver classification for its “clearly marked bike trails, number of cycling events and incorporation of cycling into the development and future infrastructure of the community.” Cruiser, electric, quad sport, four-seater surreys and more are available to rent—no reservation required from this bike rental spot near the Pier. Insider Tip: Download the digital bike map before you go!
South Oceanside “South O”: A neighborhood full of funky businesses, restaurants, more wall murals (!), a retro bowling alley and close to the Buena Vista Lagoon & Nature Center, you can spend a whole day exploring this part of town with all the various treats, eats and local habitats.
Good to Know: LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and during the spring, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are all within a short driving distance of Oceanside.
This trip was paid for by Visit Oceanside, but all the opinions and photos, unless otherwise noted, belong to the writer.
Signs of spring are popping up all over Seattle, but the surest one of all is the return of the popular Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. This month-long celebration has miles of tulip farms to explore, and with events running throughout the season, it’s not only fun, it’s totally kid-friendly. So load up the car, get your tickets and make your way to Skagit Valley’s fields of dreams. Read on to make your plans.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
When to Go
The festival officially kicks off on April 1 and runs through April 30, when the flower fields in the Skagit Valley will be in full bloom. You should see color in the fields by the first week of April, and fields fully blooming by the second week, give or take. Tulip Town and Garden Rosalyn will open on April 1, and RoozenGaarde, open year-round, will start charging for admission March 25. Since blooms can change in a short amount of time, check the bloom status or bloom map so you know what to expect, or call the bloom hotline at 360-428-5959.
Just like last year, families will need timed tickets to visit the tulip fields in 2022. All three growers are encouraging folks to purchase them in advance, but Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde have confirmed they will be selling tickets at the gate, if space is available. Bottom line, it’s best to plan ahead, especially if a weekend visit is part of your flower gazing plan.
Good to know: Saturdays are the busiest days to visit the gardens, followed by Sundays, Fridays and Mondays. If you’re looking to avoid crowds and traffic, and you’ve got flexibility for your visit, a mid-week plan is best.
photo: courtesy Tulip Town
Where to Find the Flowers
Tulip Town will be open everyday from April 1 to May 1, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and offers a few different ticketed experiences. For families with young kids, the General Admission tickets should do the trick. It includes parking, entry to the fields and indoor exhibits and a ride on the tulip trolley, weather permitting. It’s all you need to get the kids in the field for those Insta-worthy photos on a beautiful spring day. General admission tickets are $15 for anyone over the age of 12, $6 for kids ages 6-11 and free for kiddos 5 and under. If spontaneity is your family jam, consider purchasing the Anytime ticket for $25 (ages 6 & up). You get the same perks as the General Admission without being tied to a specific time frame. To get your tickets, simply choose your date and a three-hour window (arrive anytime in between). Sorry, no pets.
Good to know: Due to last year’s regional flooding, there may not be as much color in the fields this year, but Tulip Town will strive to provide an amazing experience for visitors.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
RoozenGaarde has a colorful five-acre display garden (including a 25-acre tulip field and a 22-acre daffodil field) with over one million bulbs and an authentic Dutch windmill. Stroll the garden and see your favorite flowers, including over 150 varieties of tulips. Each year, RoozenGaarde redesigns and replants its garden with a new layout featuring brilliant color combinations, spectacular floral designs and flowering rivers of deep blue muscari. This year they’ll be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.on the weekends. Advance tickets are highly encouraged. It’s $15 per person and kids two and under are free. Sorry, no pets permitted in the garden.
photo: Allison Sutcliffe
Garden Rosalyn is Skagit Valley’s newest tulip farm, and it’s the only one that welcomes well-behaved, leashed dogs. Playful designs are part of what makes visiting this field fun for kids, but so are the geese and ducks that call the little lake on the property home. They plan to host food trucks on site this year and have picnic benches out to enjoy your meal. The farm will be welcoming visitors daily, from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. starting April 1. Tickets are $12 per person and kids 5 and under are free.
Good to know: If driving isn’t in your plan, Shutter Tours offers a motor coach tour that departs from the Downtown Seattle Sheraton with stops at the big tulip farms and downtown La Conner. The tours run April 2-24, 2022 and have limited availability.
photo: Kylie Kirkland
Possible Lunch Spots
The waterfront town of La Conner is a charming small town that’s bustling with activity during tulip season. It’s also a great spot to stop and eat once you’ve had your fill of flowers. There are lots of restaurants to check out, including the very popular Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery, a from-scratch cafe that serves all-day breakfast, hearty lunches and some of the largest cinnamon rolls this side of the Cascades. La Conner Brewing Company is another family-friendly spot, as is Waterfront Cafe, where you can watch the boats go by when you dine dockside.
You’ll also find plenty of options in Mt. Vernon, no matter what you’re in the mood for. Check out the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce site for some ideas. Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery also has a Mt. Vernon location, and a local favorite, Whidbey Island Bagel Factory, serves New York style bagels that are some of the best in the state. For an extra special treat, stop by Snow Goose Produce for a scoop of specialty ice cream from Lopez Island Creamery. Served in a homemade waffle cone, these generous scoops will fill the kids up for the car ride home. Note: Remember to bring cash if you plan to stop at Snow Goose Produce; they do not accept debit, credit or checks for ice cream.
We’re glad to report the popular Kiwanis Salmon BBQ at Hillcrest Park Lodge is back this year. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays it’s the spot to get a plate of delicious grilled salmon ($20-$23/plate) and support local and global Kiwanis projects. Note: Online tickets are not available this year.
photo: Eric Riddle
How to Dress
It’s best to dress in layers, and wear waterproof clothing in case there are April showers. Bring a change of shoes, socks and pants (especially if it’s a muddy weekend), and sun hats and sunscreen if it’s sunny. Depending on the rainfall, the fields may be mucky and uneven making even experienced toddlers a little wobbly on their feet.
What to Bring
You will definitely want to pack some snacks and items to keep the Littles busy in the car. Since the photo ops are endless, you’ll also want to bring along your fully charged smartphone (and maybe a backup). If traveling with babies or just-walkers, we recommend bringing a backpack rather than a stroller, and if a stroller is how you roll, make sure it’s got rubber tires. Older kids can walk the paths around some of the fields and put those cute rain boots to use!
Garden Etiquette
The fields are generally not for “picking,” just admiring and taking pictures. Often there are paths around the fields, but generally they don’t want you walking in the rows of flowers, as the bulbs are fragile. Tulips are usually for sale at the entrances, so you can take some home.
photo: Tanya Hayes
Special Events
There are all kinds of special events in honor of the festival happening throughout April. On April 9, the 35th Annual Kiwanis Club of La Conner Not So Impromptu Tulip Parade will begin at 2 p.m., starting at the Port of Skagit complex in LaConer. Grab a curbside seat and expect to see lots of wacky, impromptu participants—from farm animals and mascots to your favorite pets.
The 37th Annual Street Fair in Downtown Mt. Vernon is scheduled for April 15-17. Arts, gourmet foods, kid’s toys—you’ll find lots of goodies at this masked, outdoor event that’s fun for everyone.
If your kids are older or they just love being fancy, consider attending the English Tea at Willowbrook Manor. Reservations are available every Friday and Saturday in April, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for $40 per person.
Bonus Activity
Because children’s museums are always a hit with kids, plan to check out the Children’s Museum of Skagit County. It’s located inside the Cascade Mall in Burlington and has lots of fun exhibits to explore. The Museum is open with limited hours Tuesday through Saturday, with ticked, two-hour long sessions starting at 10 a.m. (although this may change come April.) Reservations are recommended. Admission is only $8 for kids and adults and $7 for military and seniors; babes under 12 months are free.
photo: Anika Blake
Travel Time & Getting There
Depending on traffic, it should take you 60 minutes from Seattle. If possible, try to go during the week. The traffic can be a bit of a zoo on the weekends, although that may not be the case because visiting the fields is now a ticketed experience. Whenever you travel, bring along some car activities and a dose of patience for the adventure.
It’s easy to get to the Skagit Valley. Travel north on I-5 for approximately 60 miles. The tulips are generally grown in a 15-mile triangle bordered by Highway 20, the Skagit River and the Swinomish River Channel. Note: The festival is designed as a driving tour as many events and attractions are miles apart, scattered throughout the lower Skagit Valley.
Think it’s too late to remake yourself? Think again. A recent study of 2.7 million startups found that the best time to start a business is when you’re in your 40s. In fact, it turns out, the average startup founder was 45 years old when starting some of the most successful tech companies. Inspired yet? Just ask these women entrepreneurs, all of whom started successful businesses after the big 4-0.
Vanessa Quigley - Getting Photos Off Your Phone and into Books
Who She Is: Co-Founder of Chatbooks
How anyone with seven kids has time to do anything beats us—but Vanessa Quigley managed to create a wildly successful business while also juggling the demands of motherhood (times seven!). Inspired by her desire to turn those endless phone photos of her kids into something real she could hold in her hands, she created Chatbooks, a website and app that turns social media feeds into printed photo books.
"It was a particularly heart-wrenching moment of mom guilt that catalyzed starting my company," Quigley wrote in this Thrive Global article. "I realized I had never printed a single photo of my youngest … and he had just turned five years old. (Horrifying, I know.) Our app was created when I realized there must be an easier way for parents to get their photos off their phones."
With Chatbooks, users can personally choose the photos they want to include, or let the app do it for them, sending a new book every time the user posts 60 photos on Instagram. With the help of hilarious viral videos like this one—the company has grown exponentially, now employing more than 100 people and having sold more than 10 million books to date.
"I continue to champion ways to resolve mom guilt in every part of our company," she continued in the article, referencing Chatbooks' "Toddler Guarantee," which says, that if your child rips, draws on, or eats your photo book, you can get a free replacement. "It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the mini failures of being a parent . . . When you take a minute to look at family photos, you remember that you’re doing a good job and feel like a better parent. I have photos everywhere now to remind myself that I’ve got this!"
Kate Torgersen - Helping Breastfeeding Moms Keep Working
Who She Is: Founder and CEO of Milk Stork
Kate Torgersen was 41 when she decided something had to be done to help working breastfeeding moms get breast milk to their babies—even if it meant shipping it during solo business trips. She was exclusively breastfeeding her twins in 2014 when she was called on a four-day work trip she couldn't turn down. To make sure her babies were fed and her milk supply didn't waiver, she pumped and stashed milk ahead of time—and pumped and stashed even more while she was away. The whole thing was physically and emotionally exhausting, she said.
"I got home from the trip and was determined to find a simple solution to this incredibly annoying problem that so many working moms face," she said. "The day after I got home, I started working on Milk Stork, and it was launched a year later."
Milk Stork, which is currently the only company of its kind for working moms, ships breastmilk nationwide and internationally to 54 countries using overnight delivery. While shipping can be expensive (upwards of $139), the company has grown so big that it's even covered by 749 companies as an employee benefit.
"As working moms, we are faced with enough tradeoffs and compromises," Torgersen said on her website. "Providing our babies with breast milk shouldn’t have to be one of them."
Cristy Clavijo-Kish was 47 and a mother of tween twin girls when she started Los Tweens & Teens, a site which she calls the only bilingual (English/Spanish) digital platform offering advice to teens, tweens and their parents. In addition to curated content from parenting experts, teachers and counselors, the site covers youth-centric topics like college prep, bullying and teen driving. It’s a niche, Clavijo-Kish said, that was direly needed online.
“I couldn't find any online support for older kids from a culturally relevant perspective,” said Clavijo-Kish, who was born in New Jersey to Cuban immigrants. “Blogs and online sites were mostly focused on toddlers and potty training, but content dropped off after Kindergarten it seemed. So I created a space to help parents facing similar issues of anxiety, testing, bullying, travel, wellness, etc.”
The company also produces local events and experiences for families called "Teens & Me” in Clavijo-Kish’s current home town of Miami (this may soon expand, she said).
“I have more belief in my own strengths now than ever before,” Clavijo-Kish said of her mid-life career change. “Funny that during your youth supposedly is the time for more risk taking, but experience allows you to be more thoughtful within your risk if that makes sense.”
We grown-ups have all heard how important it is to wear the right bra—but do our daughters know this when they go out looking for their first one?
Wendy Herman didn’t think so. So she founded BRABAR, a brand aiming to help girls feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin—by helping them find the right bras. The brand’s “EZ-fit” method teaches young women to find the correct band measurement: essential to a proper fit.
“Finding and wearing a bra that is the perfect size is fundamental,” Herman said. “We service the Junior Intimate Apparel customers, who need smaller band sizes and a more inclusive fit.”
The 49-year-old came up with the idea not just after decades of working in the intimate apparel industry (including work for Yummy and Calvin Klein)—but after taking her daughter bra shopping for the first time. It was then that she realized there were limited product options for extended sizing to offer support, especially for teenage girls.
BRABAR recently opened its first flagship store at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey.
“Becoming an entrepreneur and launching BRABAR as a mother has been amazing,” Herman said. “Where I feel a huge sense of responsibility; it also afforded me the opportunity to be more flexible and available for my kids, and I hope that juggling work and life sets a positive example for them.”
Julie Melnick - Making Air Travel With Kids Easier
Who She Is: Founder of SkySquad
For any parent who's ever flown with a brood of antsy little travelers, Julie Melnick feels your pain. To help with the daunting task of traveling with babies or kids (or just traveling, period), the 42-year-old founded SkySquad—an airport assistance company for moms, dads and seniors.
"The stress that goes along with traveling with kids was pretty major," said Melnick, who was working in public relations before starting SkySquad. "I knew there had to be a better way to travel."
Here's how it works: SkySquad assistants meet families (or seniors) at their car upon arrival and help carry bags, car seats, strollers, etc., to the ticketing counter. From there, they get the gang through security and to the gate—assisting with anything a traveling family might need (i.e. going on snack runs, sitting with the luggage during restroom breaks or chasing a toddler as he makes a mad run for the X-ray machine). All assistants are background checked and TSA cleared to help through security all the way to the gate.
Sounds amazing, right? The bad news: For now, the service is available at Dulles and Reagan International airports. Melnick hopes (and we do, too!) that it will grow to become a nationwide program.
You could say it was a good thing Jackie Moss ended up in the hospital. After all, it was only after her sudden cardiac arrest and subsequent hospital stay that she was inspired to make Giftgowns, a company that has since earned her a spot on Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women and, maybe more importantly, given thousands of hospital patients inspiring inpatient garb.
"My life changed after my cardiac arrest," said Moss, a longtime business executive who was working as vice president at a Canadian bank when she landed in the hospital. "During my time in the hospital, I had plenty of time to think and I knew that, by the time I left, I wanted to start a business. I came up with the idea of Giftgowns while I was in the hospital, and once I was out and brainstorming different business ideas, this was the idea that I kept going back to the idea that resonated the most with me. I liked the thought of making people happier and more comfortable in the hospital."
Giftgowns aren't anything like the sterile blue gowns we all associate with hospitals. Rather, they look like big, comfy T-shirts—with fun phrases emblazoned on the front like: "My other gown is Chanel," "Keep Calm and Ow," and "I'd rather be golfing." The gowns have easy access snaps on the sleeves and in the back, as well as pockets for anything patients might want to carry on them during trips to the bathroom or up and down the halls.
Since the company's founding in 2016—when Moss had to deliver and pick up the fabric herself—Giftgowns has expanded to include kids, maternity gowns and custom gowns. In addition, her gowns are now sold at hospitals across North American (and online). "What's really interesting about being an entrepreneur now that my kids are all grown up is they're prouder of me in a different way than when I was an executive," she said. "They love that I have taken an idea borne out of an experience and turned it into something real."
Alison Cayne was a mother of five when she decided at age 38 to go back to school (!!) to get a master's degree in Food Studies from NYU. On a mission to change the way people feel about cooking (making people realize how easy and fun it can be), in 2012 she started Haven's Kitchen, a New York cooking school, cafe and event space in Manhattan.
But that's not all. In 2018, she branded her own line of refrigerated sauces—exotic blends with names like "Herby Chimichurri," "Nutty Lemongrass," "Zippy Chili Harissa"—which are sold online and at more than 300 locations across the country. In her own unique spin, she packages the sauces in squeeze pouches similar to your kids' favorite apple sauce container.
"I thought that maybe I could get people to want to cook by making it a more creative, fun experience," Cayne said in a 2019 Bon Appetit article. "I want people to tap into that freedom of kindergarten, of self-actualizing through cooking a meal."
She is also the host of Heritage Radio Network’s “In The Sauce” podcast, where she interviews entrepreneurs about building consumer brands. And (in case you didn't already realize her super-human powers of doing a zillion things while also parenting FIVE kids), she is also the author of The Haven's Kitchen Cookbook, an adjunct professor of Food Studies at NYU, and a guest lecturer at the Institute of Culinary Education.
"I feel like I did my life a little bit in reverse," she told Bon Appetit. "I got married and had kids at 25, and then started my career at 40. I was very fortunate that when I started all this my kids were a bit older and more self-sufficient."
Gretchen Witt's success is bittersweet. She founded her nonprofit company, Cookies for Kids' Cancer, after her own son Liam was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma at the age of two.
At the time, Liam had just gone into remission, and she wanted to do something to help other families who, at the time, weren't so fortunate.
“I was so grateful for his good health, he was going to live, he was in the clear, but I knew there were other kids and families still struggling … I could see their faces … and I knew pediatric cancer was underfunded,” Witt, 52, told People magazine in 2018.
In that first year, she reportedly raised more than $400,000 selling cookies with the help of more than 200 volunteers. But not long after that, her family learned that Liam's cancer had returned. Tragically, the sweet-faced little boy, whom Witt described on her blog as her "guitar-playing, cake-baking, science-loving, scooter-riding boy," died when he was only six.
“My world came crashing down again,” Witt said in the article. “We needed Cookies for Kids' Cancer now more than ever.”
Since its inception, the organization has granted almost $15 million to some of the nation’s top pediatric cancer research hospitals. In addition, thousands of Cookies for Kids' Cancer bake sales have been held across the country (Here's how you can have one, too!).
“To know there is something my husband and I put together that’s lasted and helped us feel like it’s made a difference is just amazing,” she told People.
Growing up, Rena and her dad, Abe, loved to play games together—and it was this family tradition that led Rena, her children and her dad to come up with the idea for BANAGRAMS
"It was three generations over a summer at our beach house in Narragansett RI," said Rena, who was 43 when she started making games with her family. "We wanted a game we could all play together, at the same time … no turn taking, and where kids could win just as easily against adults."
BANANAGRAMS is a simple word game that comes in a banana-shaped pouch (perfect for travel!). Similar to Scrabble, the game asks players to build words off of existing words; unlike Scrabble, however, BANANAGRAMS doesn't go on so long that you have to preserve the board for days on end. With this game, the first one to get rid of their tiles wins and is crowned "Top Banana."
Looking back, Rena said that juggling entrepreneurship and single motherhood was a challenge—but that it was totally worth it. "My children were 10 and 7 when Bananagrams started," she said. "They were still needing school drop offs and pick ups, and all that goes with being a single parent. Bananagrams was a make or break, as I needed an income to support myself and the kids. Working from home made things more manageable, but it was a pretty busy and challenging time. I was doing all the packing, mailing, invoicing, advertising, marketing, etc., so there wasn’t much free time. I kind of made it up as I went along. But, I am proud to say that I didn’t miss many (if any!) school assemblies, plays or sports days! Even if that meant working into the night, which I did—and still do—it was worth it!
Since its founding, the company has released twelve games, including several variations of the award-winning BANANAGRAMS (a younger kids edition, a party edition, etc.) as well as a few stand-alone games.
Who She Is: CEO/Founder of Madison Reed Hair Color
You know when you want to get your hair done in a fancy salon ... but don't want to pay fancy salon prices? Amy Errett wants to solve that problem. A former venture capitalist, she founded the hair color company Madison Reed (named after her daughter, Madison Reed) in 2013 when she was in her early 50s. Her goal—besides cutting those exorbitant salon prices—was to create something a step above the boxed brands and somewhere below the pricey salons. Errett knew the business had a chance after learning that about 75% of women dye their hair, on average, every eight weeks (with 52% of those women doing it themselves at home). The hair dye industry was a 15 billion market, and Errett wanted a piece of it.
"Repetitive usage is why this business has a chance," Errett told Forbes in 2016.
It was a risk that paid off: The business now has more than 190 employees and pulls in more than $50 million in annual revenue, according to a 2019 Forbes article. In 2017, Madison Reed opened its first set of “Color Bar” salons, offering hair color services for lower prices.
As for the formulas, Errett wanted her products to be "clean," meaning nutrient-rich formulas without harsh ingredients like ammonia, parabens or phthalates.
What do you get the person who has everything? Certainly not a physical gift! At least, that's the idea behind inLieu, a company created by longtime entrepreneur Kathy Terry, that encourages people to give charitable gifts in lieu of actual physical items.
"The inspiration for inLieu came out of the frustration I felt when I had to purchase an obligatory gift for a friend or family member knowing that they really didn’t need or want anything," said Terry, a mother of two who was 46 when she started inLieu in 2017. "To top it off, all the things I was purchasing really didn’t represent the love, gratitude and appreciation I was trying to convey. You know the gifts I’m talking about: the hostess gifts, birthday gifts, thank you gifts, Mother Day gifts, Valentines, etc."
"I wanted a way to show my appreciation by donating to a cause that my friends and family were passionate about," she continued. "Hence, the idea of inLieu!"
Celebrities Sarah Paulson and Brooklyn Decker are fans of the app, which posts your donations on a social feed that can be shared with the gift recipients, making it a fun way to honor someone and promote a charity at the same time.
Terry, who with her husband also owns a chain of burger restaurants called P.Terry's in and around Austin, Tex., said that owning and operating a business is a learning experience for the whole family.
"I jokingly say we hold board meetings at our dinner table every night, but I wouldn’t change a thing," she said. "My girls have learned so much about our businesses, our employees, our customers, our values, our passions, our failures, our mistakes and our wins."
To anyone out there who may be thinking about starting a business, she says GO FOR IT! "The biggest regrets you’ll ever have are the risks you didn’t take," she said. "I know that if I fail, at least I tried and I learned so much along the way."
About two years ago, attorney and single mother-of-four Kate Westad realized she was missing something. It was the middle of the night, she was leaving for a trip for Paris in the morning, and her luggage was laid out across her bedroom floor. Her favorite beauty and toiletry items were lined up beside her suitcases, and she realized that the sum of them was just too big to take along.
That was her lightbulb moment. She came up with the idea for Palette: The Original High Fiver right then and there. Her brainchild: A connected strip of five small plastic wells that people can use to take small samples of their favorite beauty products on the go.
"This has been quite the adventure," Westad said. "For the last few years I really haven’t watched TV or spent much time on hobbies, I really spent all my free time working on this project. I’m having the time of my life. Every time I see someone using our product or they write to tell us how it has revolutionized how they pack their beauty, hair or skincare routine—it literally makes my day."
Made of a squishy, leak-proof material that lets you "push up" to get every last drop of product, the Paks hold liquids, creams and powders and are perfect for travel use (they're allowed through TSA) as well as a simple trip to the gym.
"I think from a functional sense it’s one of those crazy things where you have all your favorite full-size products right at your fingertips," she said. "It’s literally less guess, less mess, less stress. People are freaking out that we’ve created this all in one skin care kit. I love to call it your skincare BFF."
She also wanted to create something that would mean less waste for the planet, since Paks are meant to be washed and reused. "All those minis and travel size single-use plastics are likely not getting recycled," she said. "This is a really easy and great way to carve out an area of your personal care routine and say 'Hey I’m going to skip the tiny travel bottles."
Karri Bowen-Poole was a teacher for many years before coming up with the idea to design "smart playrooms." "I literally woke up in the middle of the night with an 'Aha!' moment," said the 54-year-old mother of three. "I had no idea if it was going to be a success. My motivation was always to shape and change the way kids learn and play."
With the help of interior designer Denise Davies, owner of D2 Interieurs, she started designing playrooms meant to entertain as well as educate. Their modern and sleek play havens are built based on "the belief that good design evokes creative and open-ended play," which means spacious, airy rooms with lots of room for creative and active play. By the looks of the SmartPlayrooms portfolio, these are the sorts of spaces that every kid (and parent) wishes she had—with whimsical but organized designs, built-in rock walls, from-the-ceiling monkey bars and customized reading nooks.
"Many of today’s playrooms are in out-of-the-way areas like the basement with floor-to-ceiling built-ins with way too many toys stored in huge bins. Both the children and the parents are overwhelmed," Bowen-Poole said in an article for Cottages & Gardens. "We work out designs for storage and division of the space that encourages hands-on manipulation, exploration and learning/
It was a labor of love for Bowen-Poole, who said starting a business while also raising three kids was, at times, a difficult task.
"The challenges to starting a business over 40 is that if you have a family and children, it can be a very hard balance, being a present mother and successful entrepreneur," Bowen-Poole told RT. "There were days when the balance was not always in check, but this made me prioritize my choices. I feel incredibly grateful that I have been able to be there for my children when they needed me (or when I wanted to be) and to be able to start my own company that I am passionate about. "
Shelley Goodstein - Giving Women The Hair of Their Dreams
Who She Is: Founder of Hidden Crown Extensions
Shelley Goodstein is no stranger to the spotlight. The longtime Ford model and Arizona morning show host was used to being a trendsetter—but she had never before started a business. That is, until she came up with the idea for Hidden Crown Extensions, a simple hair extension system that makes it easy for women to have the hair they've always wanted.
"On modeling jobs, they would often add clip in hair extensions and I loved the way it made my hair look fuller," said Goodstein, a mother of three who is also a blogger and author. "I had never dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, but it just made sense. I was motivated because I had three teens to put through college in the next few years."
To develop her product, she came across an old extension method called flip in hair and improved it with a patent-pending design. Her extensions use one "invisible wire," require no clips to hide and can be put on in less than a minute.
"I knew I was not the only woman that would want these—talk about finding a product that meets a need," she said. "Everything I had done up to that point in my life put me in a perfect place to launch this product."
Goodstein started her business the year she turned 50, an accomplishment that she said should remind people that, "You're never too old, or too young to start something new."
Sherri Langurt had been working in the social media space for years when she realized she knew a better way to connect brands with social media influencers: She came up with the idea for BabbleBoxx, a company that sends perfectly-packaged sample boxes to influencers who will tweet, blog and post about the products on social media channels.
"I had been working in the influencer marketing space and saw the need to create a solution that would allow brands to partner with influencers more consistently and cost effectively," said the New Jersey resident. "We approached several partners with the idea of creating an influencer co-promotion, and all five of them signed on within minutes."
Langurt said being over 40 was an asset when it came to starting her business. "There is a certain element of “not caring about what other people think” that comes with age, especially once you have a child," she said. "It’s less about you and more about protecting that tiny being you brought into the world which creates a certain kind of fearlessness."
Ellie Kanner - Making Board Games That Teach Life Skills
Who She Is: Inventor of The Game Plan game for kids
Ellie Kanner wanted a game she could play with her two kids that was both fun and educational. She couldn’t find the exact game she wanted in stores … so she did what any good entrepreneurial mom would do and invented one herself. The Game Plan is a game for kids 4+ that helps reinforce important life skills like manners, hygiene and personal safety—while also incorporating fun elements like exercise and movement.
“I wanted [my kids] to work on their reading and writing skills, and my friend (co-founder Lisa Solomon) suggested I add safety skills,” said Kanner, a longtime talent agent, producer and director who has worked on shows including Friends and Sex And the City. “Together, we added cards addressing emotional skills, good manners, health and any other life skills we could think of.”
The game asks kids questions including: “If a stranger tried to grab or hit you, what could you do?” (In the Health and Safety category); “Name at least 2 things you always MUST do after you go to the bathroom?” (in the Health and Hygiene category); “Act out a sport you play or would like to play someday. Let other players guess what it is!” (in the Move and Groove category), and “Say or spell ANY day of the week?” (in the Say And Spell category).
If players answer correctly, they get a token and move the number of spaces indicated on the question card. To win the Game Plan Game, a player needs to have collected four tokens (one from each category) and crossed the finish line.
“We assumed there would be a game like this on the market,” Kanner said, “but there wasn’t and still isn’t with the exception of ours.”
Traveling with babies and toddlers is easier than you think, thanks to these mom-approved hacks, snacks, gear and travel tips for plane travel and road trips. We even cover baby-friendly travel destinations, both near and far. Read on for the ultimate guide to traveling with baby on board.
What to Bring:
14 Can’t-Live-Without Hacks for Traveling with Baby
Before you board that plane or enter that hotel room, arm yourself with our best baby travel hacks. These 14 tips are certain to make your vacation a little less work and a little more enjoyable for you and everyone else involved.
The tickets are booked and the bags are packed; the only thing left to prepare is baby. And we all know that’s an adventure in itself! Here are the absolute must-have items, plus some I can’t believe I didn’t know about this! products that could make your trip easier.
What’s the key to flying with happy toddlers? Snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. The ideal treats not only fill up our kids’ bellies, they are easy to pack, don’t require refrigeration, aren’t super messy, and take some time to eat, so they double as an airplane activity. Read on for our favorite airplane snacks for toddlers, plus tips on how to pack, serve and even play with your food.
Whether you’re zipping through afternoon errands with your baby in tow or taking a cross-country trip as a family, bringing a stash of tasty, healthy snacks is key. Littles get hungry fast and frequently, so you want to have something on hand for quick and easy noshing. Bored of your usual nibbles? Here are 12 new treats for taking on the go, wherever you go!
Flying with a baby requires patience, mental toughness and killer organizational skills. But you’ve got this! Follow these helpful hacks and hints to make your journey a little easier and keep those skies friendly.
Get your motor running. Head out on the highway…with a baby? Sure! With a little preparation, your kid can be ready to hit the road and go exploring right alongside you. Read on for 10 ways to make your road trip go smoothly with baby on board.
A car seat: You won’t be able to leave the hospital without it. In fact, it’s one of the most important purchases you’ll make for your little one in his first year of life. We spoke with Emily Levine, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, a group with a mission to empower parents to keep their children as safe as possible while traveling by car, to get some important information to ensure you’re using the right seat, the right way, for your baby or toddler.
If you’re planning warm-weather travel, arm yourself with snacks, your GPS and some very good advice. Read on for our top 10 tips on keeping kids safe in the car on warm days.
Your sweet little baby might be the best adventure you’ve ever embarked on, but parenthood shouldn’t keep you tethered to your hometown. Going on vacation may be intimidating, but if you can manage the actual traveling(by car or plane) to and from your destination, the rest of the trip will be just as enjoyable (if not more) as your pre-baby sojourning days.
Isn’t it ironic that after having a baby—when your nerves are shot, you’re sleep deprived and you really need to go on vacation—traveling is the last thing on your mind? Well, it shouldn’t be. Especially when there are so many destinations designed with families of young ones in mind. From full-time (and free) resort nannies to stroller-accessible trams, these out-of-this-world locales go the distance when it comes to baby amenities.
