Summer is a great time for an impromptu family day trip. 2020 is shaping up to be a summer unlike any we’ve experienced before. If your family is anything like mine, warmer weather gives us the urge to explore....
Have you ever been to the Amana Colonies in Eastern Iowa? At less than 2 hours from Des Moines, it's a great destination for a day trip.
My family has taken many day trips to the Amanas over the years....
When was the last time you had a girls weekend away?
I am learning that taking time away from my kiddos and being on my own is important. Whether it is a night out with friends, a quick trip to...
Last summer, I took my boys to visit the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa. It is a little over 2 hours northwest of Des Moines. It is an easy drive through a very...
Summer is a great time for a family road trip (or day trip). Maybe you’re taking the family cross country. Maybe you’re just heading to the mall. Either way, here are some must-haves to keep in the car.
Summertime Car...
Looking for a fun weekend getaway the whole family with enjoy? Check out Great Wolf Lodge (GWL) in Kansas City. It's a great destination for the whole family. Here's why we loved it.
1. Location
Kansas City is an easy 3...
Living in Des Moines offers some obvious family getaways: Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha. Just pick a direction.
Then there are the many options for a family staycation.
But what our family has found infinitely satisfying, necessary, and cheap this year is...
I have started a summer tradition of doing a “yes day” or a mini trip for my school-aged child. It’s her reward for working hard at home over the summer while her parents both worked from home. This year,...
Last summer, my husband and I decided to give our kids a 1980s summer. (You can read all about it here.) No camps, activities, or schedules. We wanted lazy days, wide-open for boredom and adventure. We knew our kids...
When you're traveling with kids, vacation rentals are the way to go. We’ve stayed at places in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. During a couples' trip, we even stayed in an oceanfront Airbnb in Belize! Vacation rentals offer more...
In + Around Des Moines
Summer Programs at The Little White Schoolhouse
Keep your kids engaged with learning during the summer with Jump Start at The Little White Schoolhouse in Ankeny, Iowa. It is designed to...
