Travel Apps for Toddlers

If you have flown once with a toddler you know how important the Ipad is...wifi is not always available. Even though there is a personal tv on international flights with a kid zone station..one of the personal tv was broken our last flight so we did seat switching and relied on the Ipad. So I always have about 6 shows and 3-4 learning apps. 

Tip: if you load too much on the Ipad, your shows may be moved to the cloud. If you have no wifi, you have no shows...we learned this lesson.

Apps
Little People Apptivity Barnyard 

• Taking care of barn animals
• Sorting colors
• Finding letters
• Counting vegetables

Tiny Hands Lotto

• 10 matching games for toddlers

Tiny Hands Whats My Pair 1

• Colors, shapes, and numbers

Tiggly Toy & App

• Award winning toy with 4 toy shapes that you use on an app to learn shapes

Room on the Broom

This app is based on a british children's book and short movie. Very cute story and DMC really enjoys playing this

Dr. Suess Bookshelf App

Traveling international you are limited on your books we tend to read the same ones over and over. With the Dr. Suess book app you have access to all the popular books in one place. DMC really enjoyed picking 2-3 stories out each night. 



ABC Mouse
This is a great app, with over 400 activities (reading, coloring, songs, puzzles,etc.). There are lesson plans according to age group and after each lesson is completed your child receives a ticket. The ticket is used to purchase items for pets, clothing for avatar, or to decorate a room. The only issue when traveling is you need wifi.

Playgrounds at the Airport

There are a few memorable times we have been delayed at airports, the longest was 4 hours at our own Sea Tac Airport. The 'play space' made all the difference. A majority of the airports we fly in and out of either domestic and international have a 'play space' area. Look on the map at the airport for a icon of a teddy bear.

Here is a great article link 'Airport Fun Guide for Kids'

We personally really enjoy:

Sea Tac Airport (there is a family restroom and nursing area in the playspace area)

Chicago O'Hare Airport (this a a very large playarea, however family restroom is across the hallway)

Frankfurt Airport

London Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5)

Travel with your Family to Celebrity Resort Locations

I came across this article on yahoo recently '5 Family-Friendly Resorts that Celebrities Love'. Of course I had to see where celebrities travel and relax with their families. The resorts are pricey however the locations can be budget and family friendly. So you will still be able to appreciate these locations that celebrities flock to with their families. Since we have stayed at three of the five recommendations, I'm able to give my budget and family friendly travel advice.

1. Los Cabos, Mexico

Celebrity Resort: 
Las Ventanas (price per room $1,600)

Budget Friendly Resort: 
Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf &Spa Resort 
(price per room $ 309.00)

This is a great family resort. The reason we booked, is due to miles rewards and also the variety of pools and restaurants available at the resort. The hotel is clean and had beautiful views from the restaurants, pool, beach area, and a lookout tower in the hotel. The beach was not a safe area for children due to the high and strong 12ft waves. Cabo in general has a few beaches that you need to exercise caution around the waves. 

·      Sheraton Adventure Kids Club

·      Kids Pool Play area

·      6 restaurants (poolside, casual, and upscale)

·       

2.  Sardinia, Italy

Celebrity Resort: 
Forte Village Resort (price per room $437.00 euros)

Budget Friendly Resort:
Grand Hotel Smeraldo Beach (price per room $200.00 euros)

This hotel was perfect due to location, easy parking, and the amazing beach access. The hotel itself had the seaside charm and great buffet breakfast every morning. The rooms were a bit small and  the gym..well there was a few machines that did'nt work. However again location, location. When you are on a 'beach' vacation you are not indoors. There is a small town plaza in walking distance and its not overcrowded. This is an Italian hotel chain, so leave American expectations at the door:) 

• Walking distance to a small town plaza; restaurants, gelato shop, beach store, etc.
• Large buffet breakfast
• Beautiful beach area

3.  Dubai (closer destination Bahamas)

Celebrity Resort: 
Atlantis in Dubai (price per room $600)

Budget Friendly Resort:
Atlantis in Bahamas (price per room $350)

Atlantis resort has two locations in Dubai and Bahamas. The Bahamas is a bit closer and more budget friendly to travel too. This is a very family friendly resort and similar to a Disney experience. The great thing is its perfect for families with children from toddlers to teenagers. We had a great time at the water park, exploring the aquarium, and walking around the grounds. 

Tip: here is a great link on the website for activities for toddlers, kids, teenagers, and parents

• Waterpark
• Dolphin Cay
• Mini Aquarium 
• Stingray Lagoon
• Babysitting services
• Kids Club