Non Voyage
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Nine Ways to Non Voyage!
There's one thing the economy can't affect and that's a family's level of fun. If budget cuts and pink slips have you grounded this Summer, use a bit of imagination to staycation at home with the kids. Whether your children are interested in a sand and sea getaway, boarding a cruise ship or exploring America's big cities, we've got tips and tricks for how you can give them any and all of those experiences while getting a lot of bang for your buck.
Non Voyage: Leave Your Heart in San Francisco
You don't have to travel to San Francisco to leave your heart there. As we continue our week of metropolitan non voyages, we head to the city by the Bay where the kids can get in on the West Coast fun.
- Famous for being just seven by seven square miles, San Francisco is completely walkable.
Non Voyage: Bringing the Deep Heart of Texas Home
As our non-voyage moves across the country, we head on south to the great state of Texas where cowboy hats and boots abound. The destination offers up a number of kid-friendly activities that can be experienced right at home.
- The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center introduces both kids and adults to wildflowers and other native plants. Pack up the kiddos for a lil hike and see just how many different flowers they can find on the trip.
- The Alamo may be one of the main attractions in San Antonio due to its historic place in the Texas Revolution and the role Davey Crockett played in the battle. Help tots re-enact the battle by building a real-life backyard fort. Allow them to eat, sleep and play in the fort for a day and see how creative they can be with their limited space.
- Austin is known for its live music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Check your local calendar to see if there are any live shows planned for your area. If not, start your own! Gather up the neighborhood kids, have them each pick a song they want to "perform" and call all the parents around for an evening of fun and music as your tots take the stage.
Non Voyage: A Capital Celebration Where You Need DC to Be
If the new administration has your family dreaming of our nation's historic roots, a trip to Washington DC is sure to inspire the next generation of public servants. We continue our week of big-city non voyages in the nation's capital with activities and food that will help families recreate the DC experience without breaking their wallets.
- The National Mall is lined with some of the best museums in the world, and one of the most popular is the National Air and Space Museum. Teach your budding astronauts about the history of manned space flight and then have them create their own rocket ship that will transport them to the moon. Rockets can be built out of blocks, cardboard or with any scraps you have lying around.
- The International Spy Museum is one of the most unique places to visit in DC, where children and adults alike can learn about the CIA and FBI's covert operations and the techniques used to keep the nation from harm. Recreate the experience with a backyard scavenger hunt where lil ones can search for hidden treasures and practice their detective skills. Don't forget the trench coats and magnifying glasses to make them feel official.
- Even in the age of email, everybody still loves to get mail and the National Postal Museum shows kids how their letters get delivered. Visit your local post office and have the kids pick out their own stamps and mail letters to their family and friends. See if the postal workers will allow your tots to view the sorting machines in the back too.
- It's hard to imagine what life was like before cars, computers and modern conveniences, but Mount Vernon, George and Martha Washington's home, does just that.
Non Voyage: Make Chicago Your Kid's Kind of Town
When you are through celebrating the bright lights of New York, head to the Midwest to give your children a taste of Chicago. The Windy City, which isn't really as breezy as kids might think, offers a scaled down version of big city living with its own unique flavors and sights.
- The newly reopened Shedd Aquarium is one of the hottest destinations for Chicago-bound kids with its up close and personal looks at beluga whales, sea otters and sharks. Try visiting a local aquarium to get an aquatic animal experience. The Shedd's Polar Playzone allows kids to dress up like penguins and practice waddling around with an "egg" between their legs, sliding down ramps and experiencing life in a freezing atmosphere.
- The Crown Fountain at Millennium Park is a big attraction for tots with its 50 foot towers bookending a reflecting pool of water and its video images that spout out water at unexpected times. Recreate the fun water experience with a backyard sprinkler that the kids can run through to cool off on a hot day.
- Fill the kids up on local specialties like deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs. Gino's East may make the perfect deep-dish pie in their restaurant, but instead of having it flown in, get your family to create your own perfect cornmeal-crusted deep-dish creation. Chicago-style hot dogs are known for their heaping piles of toppings like mustard, onions, relish, pickles and celery salt, so have the tots race to see who can build the tallest frankfurter.
- Navy Pier has become a giant amusement park for kids, complete with its own 150-foot tall ferris wheel. Recreate the ferris wheel with markers and scissors with these unique instructions.
Non Voyage: Bring New York's Bright Lights Home
Get your walking shoes on and prepare to see the bright lights of some of our nation's biggest cities! Families looking to explore the culture and variety that urban centers offer can do so in the comfort of their own homes with projects and foods that celebrate the metropolitan destinations. Our week of big-city "Non Voyages" kicks off in the largest one of all – New York City.
Non Voyage: Rev Up for the Ranch
Giddyup lil doggies! It's time to get the wee ones fired up for some time on mama's kickin' dude ranch. Heading to the Big Sky territory may not be in the credit cards this summer, but there's plenty one can do to create the same atmosphere in their own backyard for a ranch style non voyage.
Non Voyage: Bring the Surf, Sun and Sand Home!
A lengthy stay at a coastal getaway can be pricey for families so bring the beach to your abode! This non voyage doesn't require much advance planning — just oodles of imagination! Slather on the sunscreen, slip into swimsuits, sun hats and shades and head out to the backyard!
Non Voyage: Get Ready to Cruise!
Pack your bags kids — it's time for a Non Voyage! Families planning on spending the Summer at home can still embark on a mock vacation by carefully planning projects and themes for each day. We're sharing tips on how to turn a "Non Voyage" into a weeklong cruise affair.
Non Voyage: Pitch a Tent For a Backyard Adventure
If your kids are climbing walls begging for an outdoor adventure, but time and a budget are keeping you close to home this Summer — invest in a tent or tot-sized teepee that can be used for many nights out under the stars in the backyard. Kick the adventures off with a scavenger hunt through the yard or a "hike" around the neighborhood. Barbecue up some dinner goodies — chili and franks — and nosh on smores before hitting the hay.
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