My advice to families planning their visits to Vancouver, B.C.? Block out an entire day for a visit to Granville Island. Here are five tips to help you get the most from your time there:

1. Arrive by Ferry – One of our favorite outings in Vancouver was our visit to Granville Island. We arrived on one of the False Creek Ferries, which is definitely a must-do activity when visiting Vancouver with kids and is also a very fun way to arrive at the island. Ferries run to and from the island constantly. Bringing your stroller onboard is no problem, just know that you will need to take your child out of it (sleeping or not) and fold it for the ride.

2. Enjoy the Street Performers – We made our way up from the docks to the sounds of bagpipes, and there at the top was the musician himself, kilt-clad and magnificent against the Vancouver waterfront. So inspiring was the scene that our daughters spontaneously began dancing a jig while we could only laugh, grab the camera and a tip for the bagpiper. We also enjoyed a fire-juggling comedian, flamenco dancers, and other talented musicians around Granville Island.

3. Visit the Kids Market – I’d been very curious to see what the Kids Market was exactly, and as you’ll see in the video clips it’s an area where you could end up spending quite a bit of time with children, between the shopping for magnificent kites or puppets, the 2-story play zone with slides into a ball pit ($5.95 Canadian – bring or rent socks), little kiddie rides ($1 Canadian, or free if you let your toddler pretend to use his car keys!), and an ice cream / snack bar. Behind the Kids Market, we also find face painting, henna tattoos for kids, and more musicians.

4. Be Prepared for the Water Park – There is a terrific, free water park operating on the island in summer months. If there’s any chance you’ll make a stop there, and if you’re visiting with kids in warm weather you should, be sure to throw your bathing suits and sun block in your daypack, and a hand towel wouldn’t hurt either.

5. Visit the Playground – My video doesn’t do this playground justice, but you can trust me that it is quite large and is apparently popular for birthday parties (two were in progress while we were there). At the edge of it, a face painter transformed children into butterflies. The large lawn beside it is also a perfect spot to bring your picnic of goodies from the markets.

Now, click here or click the video frame above for a virtual trip to Granville Island.

Related posts and pages:
Tips for visiting the Vancouver Aquarium
Review of The Modage – Vancouver vacation rental
Hooray, hooray for Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe
Tips from a local mom: Moms Around the World, Vancouver
Find baby gear rentals in Vancouver, BC

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
https://travelswithbaby.com/

The post Vancouver Tips: Granville Island with Little Kids appeared first on Travels With Baby.

Last week I returned to ABC 7’s The View from the Bay to discuss hotel babyproofing tips–with a few funny photos you might recall from here in the blog. If you missed the segment live, here’s your chance to watch!

Included here are some more tips for those of you gearing up for hotel and vacation rental stays with babies and toddlers, including things to know before you go, and what you can do on arrival to help ensure a safe and hopefully relaxing stay with your family.

Good things to know before you go:

• Will there be a balcony? Are the railing balusters safely spaced for small people (don’t assume they will be even at U.S. hotels), and does the door offer an extra lock for safety to ensure your child can’t open it alone?

• Are the windows child-safe? Not such an issue in most chain and international-type hotels, but smaller inns, vacation rentals, and hotels abroad may have very old windows or charming large windows that can be a problem with small children.

• Is there a heater or AC unit with controls down at your child’s level?

• Also, will the hotel provide a portacrib or pack ‘n play? You can use it to help two ways:

     1. A safe place to put your child at times when you don’t want them having free access to the room, such as while you’re doing the initial childproofing or using the bathroom, etc.

     2. A blockade to certain temptations like the minibar, heating or AC unit, in-room electronics and cords, or other issues.

Tip: Visit the hotel’s website to see pictures, read reviews from customers who have also stayed there with children (TripAdvisor.com is great for this), and don’t hesitate to call and ask the hotel directly.

Some of the biggest concerns to check immediately upon arrival:

• Windows and doors are latched and locked securely. Use that extra chain or lock up above to help keep your toddler from sightseeing without you!

• Cords and outlets are out of sight and reach. Check especially around desk and dataport areas, floor lamps. In many cases you can lift the extra cords up above tables and slightly move furniture to block access. Don’t be afraid to rearrange furniture!

• The bathroom door lock will not be a problem. You can add a “finger guard” if you want to prevent your toddler or preschooler from locking it closed or getting fingers pinched, or add a door knob cover if you don’t want your toddler opening the door in the first place. Both options are small and travel easily.

• Do a basic sweep to make sure there aren’t any coins or other hazards hiding under furniture out of your sight-but not necessarily out of your child’s!

For more tips on Babyproofing On the Go, see related sections in Chapter 2 and Chapter 10 of Travels with Baby. 

Related posts and pages:
Travel safety and childproofing products
The Ultimate Hotel Babyproofing Trick
Bring garden training wire for childproofing
Childproofing somebody else’s home for the holidays

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby
https://travelswithbaby.com/

The post Hotel babyproofing tips + View from the Bay segment appeared first on Travels With Baby.

– Need a vacation? If you haven’t already entered to win the 3-night all-inclusive stay for a family of 4 (or more, with kids under 6 years!) at the Frankly D Resort & Spa in Jamaica—what the heck are you waiting for?! Click here for details.

The post Happy, healthy holiday travels—and a few really good reminders appeared first on Travels With Baby.

It’s not too late to squeeze in a family camping trip with your little ones this summer, especially if you haven’t already made plans for Labor Day weekend with its bonus holiday. I’ve rounded up my assorted tips on camping with babies, toddlers, and little kids from previous sources in the list below, including my discussion on the topic on ABC’s View from the Bay (click to watch).

Travels with Baby 101: Tips for camping with babies and toddlers

Tips for Camping at Big Trees State Park, California

Tip #34: Fall in Love with Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Tip #35: Scorpions, Ticks and Bears—oh, my!

Tip #31: Practice Camping

For more tips on planning trips with happy campers of your own, including back-country camping, see chapter 2 of Travels with Baby.

Safe journey,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby

travelswithbaby.com

The post Rivoli Roundup: Tips for camping appeared first on Travels With Baby.

These are perfect for keeping tots out of bathrooms, some closets, and other off-limit rooms in your house. Not to mention, they can help keep kids from exiting out the front door unescorted. Yet all you need to do as you come and go is squeeze and turn the knob.

When you travel, toss a couple into your suitcase to click on door knobs wherever you roam. Not only are they a great way to temporarily childproof in vacation rentals and many hotel rooms, they’re a terrific way to help keep little ones safe while staying in the homes of friends and family members–without imposing on your hosts or other guests as they come and go.

For more great gadgets for childproofing on the go, be sure to check out my page for travel-friendly childproofing & safety products. And if you’ll be visiting friends or family soon, don’t miss my segment on Childproofing at Someone Else’s Home that aired yesterday on ABC’s The View from The Bay (click here).

The post Tip #39: Bring Door Knob Covers appeared first on Travels With Baby.