Tag Archives: family

Nov21

Last Minute Holiday Gifts

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Last Minute Holiday Gifts

Howdy! As you all know, I am an early bird Christmas shopper. As someone who had an extensive tenure working retail from my teens to early twenties, the last thing I want is to be caught in the midst of holiday shopping anarchy. I experienced it first hand for so long that even now I can’t be bothered with it! I still have a handful of gifts to purchase and I feel like time is running out despite Christmas being over a month away lol. In my head it is down to the wire! Waiting till the true last minute, however, can be unavoidable so let’s explore some gift options that are sure to please when it gets down to the nitty gritty:

Hit up a vendor fair:

In the weeks leading up to the holidays, there are sure to be countless vendor fairs happening in your neck of the woods. This is a win/win situation to purchase from. You will be supporting local makers while checking off everyone on your list. From homemade crafts and body care to jewelry and sweet treats, you could consider an outing to a vendor fair as a one stop shop. If you are not sure where to find a vendor fair, take a look at your local talk of the town pages. You can also explore the calendars at churches, banquet halls, or community centers which are often popular places to host a vendor fair.

Food/Drinks:

The beauty of food and drink gifts are that they can truly be purchased at the last minute! Your local grocery store might carry options like gift sets for chocolate, booze with a glass or two included, or a festive tin of mixed nuts or popcorn. If not, good thing you’re in a grocery store! Food and drink sets can easily be made on your own. All you need are some baskets and an idea. Perhaps you will opt for all of the fixings for soup or a pasta dish. Maybe you will put together a basket with cake mixes and a cupcake tin. How about a basket filled with movie theater candy for those with a sweet tooth? A gift like this can be perfectly customized to the recipient and will definitely be used.

A night out on you:

There is this common fear that gift cards feel impersonal and not thoughtful enough. I think that can’t be farther from the truth! If you feel this way about gift cards, you can still personalize it to make it feel more special. You could treat a couple on your list to a gift card to the movie theater or a restaurant for a date night on you. Maybe you will get a gift card for your mom to get her nails done and you can get a mani or pedi together. What about a gift card to Home Depot or a craft store for those with a project in mind? Gift cards specific for what a person wants or needs to get done is extremely thoughtful!

Experience gifts:

Gifts of experience are always a fabulous way to go as it’s a clutter free gift and a way to have fun altogether. You could take the kiddos on your list to an afternoon at a trampoline park or an arcade. The adults could be treated to a few rounds of drinks at a favorite bar or a dinner out. If a play or musical is showing nearby, snag some tickets! Other great options include a craft workshop or paint class, bowling, a cooking class, or a coffee or wine tasting. Whether you try something new or visit a family favorite location, a day with family is the best gift ever.

Game night:

A game gift is perfect for those who love to host game nights or enjoy a rousing board game with their partner or kiddos. Like food and drink gifts, game gifts are an extremely safe bet for last minute prezzies. Any store like Walmart is bound to have shelves full! Local gaming stores also will carry classic games as well as more unique ones that you might not find elsewhere. Board games, card shufflers, or video games can be used again and again to provide hours of amusement. You can also opt for a gift card for the Nintendo Switch or a subscription for PlayStation. Then, tie it in with a gift of experience like the first family game night taking place at your house!

Regardless of waiting until the last minute, these ideas above are always going to be available and ready to put under the tree!

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? When do you want to have your holiday shopping done by? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct19

Holiday Shopping For The Kiddos

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Holiday Shopping For The Kiddos

Hello! Johnny and I are the fun aunt and uncle to five amazing kiddos and it’s always so exciting to celebrate the holiday season together. I am pleased to report that I have put a decent dent in my Christmas shopping and like to think of myself as an excellent gift giver. However, with several holidays as an aunt under my belt, even I admit that I need some inspiration now and then for children’s gifts. There are seemingly endless options of adorable things and it can be hard to narrow it down! Let’s explore a few ideas to get that gift inspo flowing for the littles in your life:

First and Foremost:

Honestly, one of the best things you can do is simply ask the parents lol. This might sound lazy but it’s so true and you can be sure that you are getting exactly what is needed and wanted. It could be clothing in a certain size, a particular toy they have their eye on, or a couple packs of supplies like diapers and wipes. The last thing parents need is more clutter like yet another package of play food or making trips to return or exchange presents. If you are unsure – just ask!

Gifts of Experience:

Speaking of clutter, the resounding theme I have heard this year from my parent friends is wanting gifts of experience for their children. This is a fabulous way to make memories and have cherished quality time. It could be a trip to the zoo or aquarium, purchasing lessons for swimming or theater, or tickets to a movie or live show. Several beloved children’s programs like Paw Patrol, The Wiggles, and Gabby’s Dollhouse have theater performances that super fan kiddos will love. Lots of local theaters also have performances of The Grinch, Elf, and Rudolph which could be tons of fun too to get into the holiday spirit.

Craft Supplies:

If your littles are anything like mine, they love to get artsy! Arts and crafts gifts are great and can give parents a welcome reprieve while their kids work on their own projects. It could be big coloring or sticker books, figurines to paint, packs of model clay or kinetic sand, jewelry making kits, or retro fuzzy posters to spend an afternoon coloring. If you want to combine art with a gift of experience, how about a trip to a pottery studio like Color Me Mine or All Fired Up? Then you can enjoy creating together and eagerly await to pick up your masterpieces after they have been glazed.

Building Kits:

Of course, Lego is an incredibly popular toy but it is also incredibly expensive! There are some loopholes though. 😀 If you have a 5 Below near you, check it out. The one that I shop at has several Lego Creator and even Technic sets on the cheap. I was really surprised to find them and got a handful of kits for a song as one of my gifts for my nephew. 5 Below also has pseudo Lego kits for Strawberry Shortcake, Hello Kitty, and candy like Hershey’s and Reese’s. This can give a taste for building without breaking the bank.

And, finally, there is a store in my neck of the woods called The Exchange. It is a buy/sell/trade shop for video games, movies, records, and memorabilia and oftentimes they have used Lego sets there. If you have a similar store in your vicinity, it doesn’t hurt to stop by. Mine currently has a lot of the Wicked sets there for close to half off. Why pay more when you can pay less?!

“Pet” Gifts:

If your little has been longing for a pet of their own and it isn’t possible, there are SO many cute animal care toys on the market. My eldest niece, for example, would love pet bunnies because of my Melvin and Penelope. Who can blame her? They’re the cutest! Last year for Christmas, I got her a Little Live Pets set for bunnies and she absolutely loved it. These toys come with a mama animal and babies to birth. It also includes clothes to dress them up in, play food to feed them, and bedding to make their hutch cozy. These toys make noises and are super interactive. It could be the perfect introduction to caring for a pet of their own some day! *Note: PLEASE don’t gift real animals for the holidays. They are family, not a present to be returned.*

It feels like October is flying by and the holidays are just around the corner. Stay tuned for more inspo guides from your girl all holiday season long!

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? Who is the most difficult person to shop for on your list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct3

Groovy Movies: Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie Edition

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Groovy Movies: Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie Edition

Hello! My two big nieces are HUGE fans of the adorable show on Netflix, Gabby’s Dollhouse. And, honestly, so am I. It’s just pure fun and cute as can be and I love all of the kitty cat friends! Ever since we learned that there was going to be a Gabby’s Dollhouse movie coming to theaters, grand plans were made to see it altogether. I went this past weekend with my sister and two little besties and our girl squad had the best time! Of course, we had to get ALL the snacks because no movie is complete without popcorn, candy, and an Icee. With our haul in tow, we made our way into the theater and were treated to a fabulous experience. This movie was hilarious, darling, and one that adults will enjoy too because my sis and I were in stitches. Let’s discuss:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!!

Our Gabby girl is SO excited because her and the dollhouse are heading to Cat Francisco for a week to spend time with Grandma Gigi. She is Gabby’s best friend and all of the cats in the dollhouse love her too. Gabby, Gigi, and the cats set out for their big road trip and have a blast sightseeing and snacking! Once they arrive at Gigi’s home, the dollhouse is still attached to the back of the car and CatRat is getting impatient to get out. So, he detaches the straps and the dollhouse takes a wild ride through Cat Francisco and ends up in the front of an antiques store.

Immediately, an ultra posh and super serious cat loving woman named Vera takes a shine to the dollhouse and lays her money down. Vera has no intention to play with the dollhouse. Rather, it is deemed as a “collectable” as everything in her cat decorated home is. She scatters the cats throughout her home and the dollhouse becomes a new place for her old toys to explore. While Gabby doesn’t know where her dollhouse ended up, she can still get tiny with the help of the audience and Pandy and comes to be in Vera’s cat museum for her rescue mission.

With Pandy’s help, Gabby begins to locate her missing cat friends and bring the dollhouse back home. She instructs CatRat and Vera’s old toys to stay at the dollhouse in case any of the cats come back on their own. Trouble is brewing, though. It has been so long since Vera’s favorite toys have been played with and they refuse to give it up that easily. The dollhouse has officially been taken over and all of its old residents will be kicked out. It is up to Gabby to save the day but she can’t do it without Vera. Somehow, Gabby is going to have to get her to unleash her inner child, use her imagination, and bring play back into her life. Will she succeed? See Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie to find out!

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie was just a delight from start to finish. I love going to the movies with my nieces and to laugh, sing, and cheer together is so special. And, this movie was certainly worth cheering for because it was an absolute blast. Kristen Wiig as Vera was so perfectly cast and literally everything she did and said was funny. I don’t think I have ever laughed this hard during a children’s movie before and as I retold some of the parts to Johnny, he was cracking up too. This really is a movie that parents can sit down and watch with their kiddos and not be counting down the minutes until it’s over.

For all of the fun of Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, there is such a sweet message behind it. That people do grow up, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t play, be silly, and dream big. For all of her quirks, Vera deemed herself as a serious businesswoman and had no time or desire to go crazy and be creative. So much so that she forgot what it meant to use her imagination. With Gabby and the dollhouse crew’s help, she learned that you are never too old to have fun and Gabby learned that growing up is okay… As long as she continues to never give up on her friends and keep her own magic alive. This is a good lesson for everyone and it came in the form of a nonstop fun flick!

Overall, I am going to award Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie with a ten out of ten stars. A ten for the experience of being with my nieces and a ten for being one of the best children’s movies I have seen. Highly recommend!

What was your favorite show growing up? What do your kids like to watch? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug31

Quelle Surprise!

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Quelle Surprise!

Yoo hoo! As I am self employed, I rarely take a day off or even a half day. Hey, if I don’t work then I don’t get paid because what’s PTO amiright? However, sometimes time off is unavoidable and that was the case this past Monday. My client was feeling unwell so I left about two hours into my shift and decided to head to chez mom and dad’s. They were watching one of my sweet nieces and I wasn’t going to let the opportunity for a play date pass me by. It was a glorious day of seventy degree weather and I couldn’t wait to run around and stretch my legs. After our Columbus Zoo trip last Saturday, Johnny and I literally didn’t move on Sunday so I could have used the exercise lol.

I arrived at my parents’ house as soon as they did and my niece and I went absolutely crazy outside. Bubble crazy to be specific! My parents got my nieces this adorable bubble blower that looks like a French Bulldog and provides beaucoup bubbles with a pinwheel mechanism. We ran and danced through the bubbles for a solid half hour plus. Only pausing for water and juice breaks and adding more bubble soap to the blower! We declared ourselves the Bubble Queens but my littlest Bubble Queen was ready for some lunch.

I stuck around for her meal and some more play, then went on my merry way home. Johnny wasn’t due back for another two hours and I knew exactly how I was going to spend my time: Kicking back and watching America’s Next Top Model AKA my number one guilty pleasure. I couldn’t wait to get home and have some me time and was shocked when I reached our apartment. Johnny’s car was in the parking lot! I was worried he wasn’t feeling well either but that wasn’t the case at all.

When he opened the door, my main squeeze proudly told me he took a half day so he could clean the bunny hutch and surprise me. Quelle surprise! He was also just as surprised that I was home early too! The hutch looked phenomenal and the bunnies were happily romping about with their dad. It was the absolute sweetest and I am the luckiest lady in the whole world. Johnny is the best bunny dad and husband and after my homecoming we enjoyed the rest of our half day together. Johnny played video games while I tucked into the new Rachel Joyce novel and then spent the rest of the day watching our new favorite sitcom, Abbott Elementary. It was the perfect surprise day off followed by a perfect surprise at home! ❤

^^^ What a guy!!!!

Have you had any fun surprises recently? What does a perfect day off look like for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug24

So Cool At COSI

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So Cool At COSI

Howdy! This past week, I took a trip to COSI which is a really cool interactive science museum in Columbus. It features exhibits that wow children and adults alike that include a trip to outer space, a dive under the sea, walking with the dinosaurs, and so much more. COSI also has pop up exhibits that change throughout the year and I was able to see an amazing section on sharks just in time before its removal on September first. This museum is so educational but extremely cool and it makes learning something new feel like play. Such a great way to spend an afternoon! Check it out:

Wayyyyyyy back in eighth grade, my class took a trip to COSI and I will never forget being so awestruck by the Ocean exhibit and my sentiments remain the same. As you walk through the hallway leading up to it, you can literally smell the chlorine and you just know you are in for something awesome! Entering the Ocean portion of COSI is like walking through a sunken ship and you can go one of two ways. Your first option is to visit a submarine headquarters where you can play games that allow you to control a submarine and explore the depths of the ocean. The second way to go, though, is truly the piece de resistance.

Option number two leads you into King Triton’s cavern and it is seriously breathtaking. From floor to ceiling is a huge statue of King Triton in a fountain that lets you control the water. It is just so spectacular and I could have stood there looking at it all day. Throughout the glistening cavern are different interactive activities that explore the movement and sound of water. You can balance balls on the tiniest geysers, make waves, create your own flow of water through pipes, and my personal favorite: The water bell. The water bell is a flow of cascading water that looks like… a bell lol. The cool thing is that after you put your hand through the bell, it no longer gets wet. My mind was blown!

Another major highlight of the trip was the dinosaur exhibit that reminds me so much of the Animal Crossing museum! The dino display is gigantic and showcases to scale dinosaur skeletons, fossils, eggs, feathers, footprints, and anything dinosaur related you can possibly think of. The dinosaur exhibit also features a portion specific to the relation of dinosaurs and birds as well as under the sea creatures. It explores taking flight, motion, hide or feathers, and skeletal structure. It was incredibly interesting and the similarities felt so obvious after all of it was laid out before you. I also really appreciated the way the explanations at COSI were written. While all of the information you see has scientific terms, the signage breaks it down into plain speak so you can fully grasp everything. I certainly learned a lot from all of the literature in each exhibit.

My final favorite part of COSI was an exhibit simply entitled Progress. I also remember this one from my eighth grade field trip! As you enter Progress, you step back in time to a bustling street in 1898. You can see all of the latest technology of the time like old fashioned cameras, telegram machines, and telephones as well as all of the different shops including an apothecary, general store, and hardware store. Once you are ready to time travel again, you leave 1898 and revisit the same street in 1962. My, how the times have changed!

In 1962, the street has completely transformed. There is a retro diner, a radio station, news station, and telephone booth. You can see vintage toys and games, food staples, magazines, and even an old time rocket ride outside of the toy store. My favorite part of 1962 was the appliance store because I absolutely love that style. There were funky refrigerators, blenders, radios, and huge box televisions. What a far cry from 1898!

What a fun little road trip to COSI. I can’t recommend it enough if you are in the area!

Do you have a museum similar to COSI in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite thing to learn about? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Disability-Friendly DIY: Making Playtime Accessible (And Fun!)

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Disability-Friendly DIY: Making Playtime Accessible (And Fun!)

Play is the way children develop skills, discover their world, and relate to other children. For families with children of varying abilities, it does take a bit of effort to come up with activities where all of them will be able to play together, but it is also very rewarding. Better still, you don’t have to spend very much money or have an extensive workshop setting in order to achieve it. Let’s look at a few different ways to explore how:

Start with What They Love:

Every child has something that will get them excited, a favorite activity type, texture, or color. Start with that. If your little one loves music, think of ways to integrate movement and sound into games. Drumming on turned-over pots, shaking handmade chimes, or beating along with one hand on something will entertain children of all abilities.

Keep It Flexible:

Inclusive play also means adapting play so that all children can participate at their own pace. Envision a game of catch with an enlarged ball that is easy on the grip and rolls more gradually. Or create a sensory bin with things of different textures, such as smooth rocks, soft cloths, and crinkled paper, so children can choose and select whatever entertains them. The more adaptable the arrangement, the more likely it is that each child will create his or her own manner of participating.

Take Into Consideration Space and Accessibility:

At other moments, it is not the activity that creates the barrier but the configuration of the room itself. Bypassing floor obstacles, the use of low tables, and gaps between the path and other zones all help greatly. If it is an outside game being organized, ensure that the ground is firm and easily negotiable for all users. Simple adaptations of this sort will allow full participation in the game to children with mobility devices or those requiring more space within which to move.

Involve the Whole Household:

When everyone joins in, play feels more inclusive. Siblings, cousins, or friends can be given simple roles like keeping score, helping to pass materials, or partnering up for team activities. This not only supports the child with additional needs but also builds empathy and understanding among all the kids involved.

Bring in Useful Inspiration:

Innovation is not always required. Sometimes the best of practical tips come from those already on the other side of the journey. Consultation with therapists, teachers, or other parents in support groups within the community will give you new activity ideas that work. At an even broader scale, information offered through a life care planning company might give you ideas on how you might incorporate environments and routines that specifically complement all of the family members’ abilities and needs.

Make It About Joy, Not Perfection:

The objective isn’t that all children finish the activity identically. It’s laughter, curiosity, and bonding in common moments. If the tower of blocks topples over, that’s all in good fun. If a child paints the grass rather than the paper, a new medium of art has been made!

Once you’ve discovered some things that all of you love to do, incorporate them into your regular lineup. You’ll notice over time which subtle changes make them more fun. Soon you’ll have a collection of games, crafts, and sensory activities that unite the entire family and you’ll see that with a little imagination, play really is for all!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug17

Bluey Paint Kit

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Bluey Paint Kit

Hello!! One of my nieces is almost a birthday girl and I can’t wait to celebrate! Last year, she was all about Gabby’s Dollhouse (And still is!) but this past year, she has turned into Bluey’s number one fan. TJMaxx always has beaucoup Bluey in the children’s department so I knew just where to go to pick up her prezzies. I got her new Bluey duds, an interactive Bluey toy, and a light up Bluey figurine to paint. Upon further inspection of the figurine, I thought that it might be too involved for her to do so I decided to paint it really nicely myself. I worked on it all of this past weekend and thought it turned out so good minus when the light is turned on. It looks like garbage then, which is kind of a bummer! Check it out:

^^^ UGH -_-

Painting this figurine was truly a labor of love and I mean that very seriously because it took for freaking ever lol. When I first started applying the acrylic paint, it was going on really thin and chunky. I also learned that it would be necessary to paint it in parts so there was always a place with dried paint to hold onto. Once the first layer was fully on, it was obvious that I would need to repaint it again… and again… and again. I ended up repainting this statue of Bluey’s loving mom and dad FOUR times in total and it definitely needed it. The areas that specifically had darker colors like the deep blues on Bluey’s dad didn’t even come close to being how it should look until the fourth attempt.

I was so happy I was satisfied with the end result by the time my fourth go around was complete because there was literally nothing else I could do. All of the paint was long gone at that point! I hate to toot my own horn, but I think that my weekend painting project turned out fabulously. Even Johnny was impressed and I was just pleased as punch. The real kicker, though, was when the batteries were in and the green and red lights began to alternate. Because WTF?! You can see Every. Single. Paint stroke and then some. It’s sort of creepy actually lol. On the bright side, sans light it looks just right and that’s good enough for me! 😀

As time consuming and sometimes frustrating as this project was, it warmed my cold bitter heart to make something special for my niece. I hope she loves it!

What was your favorite show growing up? Do you have any diehard Bluey kiddos? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug5

6 Challenges Parents Might Face With Their Children

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6 Challenges Parents Might Face With Their Children

Parenting is one of the most challenging journeys a person can take. From the toddler tantrums to teenage independence, every start stage of a child’s life brings new obstacles. The daily balance of nurturing, teaching, guiding, and sometimes just getting through the day can feel overwhelming. When considering educational options, many parents explore structured environments like Montessori preschools in hopes of supporting their child’s development. But this isn’t the only challenge that parents face, and how to navigate those challenges with patience and perspective is not always easy:

Managing emotional outbursts:

Parents are managing these outbursts from the moment they bring a newborn home from the hospital, but young children are still learning how to process emotions in healthy ways. Tantrums, tears, and yelling are all part of that process, but that doesn’t make it easy to handle. Parents will often struggle with how to stay calm and supportive while setting boundaries. Understanding that outbursts are normal and rooted in emotional development can help with consistency and empathy. Along with clear routines, you can give your children a sense of security and predictability.

Struggles with screen time:

This is a big challenge given that we’re now living in a more digital world than ever before. Managing technology in the home is a modern parenting challenge, and while screens can be educational, along with being entertaining, too much time can affect behavior, sleep, and attention span. Parents will often feel guilty no matter which way they choose to go because too much screen time feels lazy, but too little can feel isolating. The key is to find that balance.

Sibling rivalries:

When more than one child is involved, sibling dynamics can bring a whole new layer of stress to parenting. Arguments, jealousy, and competition are very common, and you might find yourself playing referee more often than intended. By encouraging cooperative play and celebrating each child’s strengths, you can foster empathy between siblings and ease that tension over time.

Sleep issues:

Whether it’s bedtime resistance, night wakings or early rising, sleep challenges affect everyone in the family. Lack of rest can impact not only their mood and behavior, but also the parents ability to function. A calm night time routine and limiting stimulation before bed can prove to be beneficial. Ditch the tablet for a good book, put on some white noise or calming music, and encourage healthier sleep hygiene.

Balancing discipline with connection:

One of the hardest parts of parenting is disciplining gently with love. It’s very easy to slip into extremes such as being too strict or too permissive, especially under stress. A big part of parenting is re-parenting yourself from an early age.

Worrying about their education and development:

From speech delays to learning styles, parents worry if their child is on track and the pressure to make the right educational choices can feel quite heavy. Choosing the right program can offer peace of mind, but it’s all about aligning it with your child’s pace and their individual interests. If you have concerns about your child’s developmental progress, it is a wise decision to make an appointment with their GP ASAP.

Whatever challenges you are facing, it is normal. And you are doing a much better job than you are giving yourself credit for!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug5

Idlewild Park & SoakZone

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Idlewild Park & SoakZone

Howdy! My family (sans sweet angel Johnny) enjoyed a lovely little getaway to visit Idlewild Park and SoakZone in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, outside of Story Book Forest, I didn’t get too many pictures while we explored the amusement park itself because it was all hands on deck with five small children in tow. Their ages ranged from under one year old to six years old and it was freaking anarchy lol. All craziness aside, Idlewild was truly a perfect park for their ages. It was quite compact, had lots of shade, rides for itty bitties and children (And some for adults too!), and there was also the SoakZone water park to cool off at. You can check out a full tour of the park in this fantastic video and let’s discuss further:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Despite the relatively small size of Idlewild, it was jam packed with all kinds of fun rides, attractions, and shows. The kids had an absolute ball being at a park that was specifically made for them and it was a delight to watch them live it up! One of the major areas of the park had total county fair vibes that included carnival games, endless options of carnival foods, and rides that spun like crazy. The kids loved the spinny rides – the adults… Not so much lol. Extreme heat + spinning nonstop = upset tummy!! The things we do for those kiddos! All of them were huge fans of the Spider ride that put you inside the shoes of a giant spider. Your cart spun around independently as the legs twirled and it was a lot lol I was SO dizzy afterwards!! At a much more moderate clip was the Balloon Race, Paratrooper, and Howler which were spin rides but nothing too crazy. That was much more like it!

Our bigger kids really liked playing in the Jumping Jungle which featured a playground with a HUGE net to climb. All of us also had a blast in the 3D maze where safari animals popped out with the magic of 3D glasses. It really blew the kids’ minds! The bigs also took a shine to the wooden Rollo Coaster that took sharp twists and turns as it clunked along. It was definitely a bumpy ride but a great beginner level rollarcoaster. The Wild Mouse was the steel rollarcoaster at Idlewild which we didn’t have the time to ride, but that was quite alright. It looked a bit too intense for the kids and the SoakZone was calling our name.

Idlewild has a very healthy mix of big and little kid attractions and our tiny tots adored Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Raccoon Lagoon Kiddieland. Raccoon Lagoon was home to all of the classic rides like spinning teapots, Red Baron airplanes, and motor cars. You could also hitch a ride on spinning dragons and turtles which was super cute. The Kiddieland was awesome because it gave the older kids some downtime to relax in the shade while the little ones got to have their turn on rides that they were tall enough for. It was so sweet to ride the Tea Party with my little niece – we were the only ones on the ride and it was like our own private tea party! ❤

On our second day at the park, we ended our adventure at SoakZone. As we all had to make a three hour drive back to Akron, Ohio we didn’t hang out there too long. It was absolutely delicious to cool off after trudging around in ninety plus degree temps all afternoon! We hit up the Little Squirts station which was great for all of the kiddos to splash about and play in. It had a splash pad, sprinklers, and a wading pool set up with cascading waterfalls in the fixtures. After the kids got beaucoup play time in, we went to the Wave Pool next and that was just okay. The waves were few and far between and it was basically just standing in water lol. We ended our time at SoakZone with a couple of laps around their lazy river and we headed home completely wiped out but happy as can be!

Idlewild Park is family fun to the T and it was such an amazing adventure to have all together!

Do you like amusement park rides? What is your favorite? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug4

Story Book Forest At Idlewild Park

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Story Book Forest At Idlewild Park

Hello! Despite no recollection of visiting Story Book Forest at Idlewild Park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania when I was little, we have countless family photos to prove it. It was a much beloved amusement park that is roughly three hours away from my home and my parents would take me and my siblings often. This past week, I had the pleasure of returning there with almost my entire family (Johnny couldn’t get off work) and my four sweet nieces and nephew. Being an aunt is one of my greatest joys and I am beyond thrilled to have the memory of this wonderful family getaway for keeps. Check it out:

Story Book Forest is exactly what it sounds like – a trek through the woods to visit the homes of all of the classic story book characters and even meeting some of them too. You begin by walking through the giant story book (Which is really cool!) where you are greeted by Mother Goose who tells you all about your adventure and sends you on your way. From there, the path winds all around and brings adults on a trip down memory lane while the children see all of the stories they know and love come to life. It is absolutely precious.

With my darling littles and family in tow, we explored all of Story Book Forest and had the best time! The kids loved interacting with all of the different character actors like Raggedy Anne and Andy, Snow White, Cinderella, the captain of the Good Ship Lollipop, Geppetto, and the wife of the Crooked Man. They played games with Raggedy Anne and Andy, swabbed the deck of the pirate ship and received candy for the loot, and took pictures with princess royalty. It was such fun to see all of these characters through the littles’ eyes and I think they couldn’t quite believe it themselves!

I’m sure all of the kiddos could agree that the best part was exploring all of the different homes in the forest and there were plenty of them. This included but was not limited to the digs of Little Red Riding Hood, the Crooked Man, the three bears from Goldilocks, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, Geppetto’s workshop, and the castle of Old King Cole himself. There were some homes you couldn’t enter like the Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe, Snow White’s cabin, and the homes of the Three Little Pigs but they were all noteworthy landmarks to check out. 🙂

Story Book Forest ended at Old King Cole’s castle where you could walk through a town square, release Excalibur from the stone, make wishes at a fountain, and meet Cinderella on her royal throne. Of course, it wouldn’t be a theme park if you didn’t make the final exit through the gift shop which blessedly had air conditioning and an adorable array of plushies, princess gear, candy for days, and anything else that a child’s heart could desire. If you are in an area where a road trip is possible, I truly cannot recommend a visit to Story Book Forest at Idlewild Park with your little ones enough!

From start to finish, my family’s Idlewild adventure was joy in the purest form. I cannot wait to tell you all more about it but our time in Story Book Forest will hold the most special place in my heart! ❤

Which amusement parks did you visit as a child? Do they still exist today? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah