Category: Travel

Parenting, Summer, Travel

Preventing Summer Kidnappings

Erin Sluka
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Summer is supposed to be a carefree time, especially for children who are out of school and can spend the majority of their time outside enjoying the beautiful weather and doing fun activities. But according to the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrown away Children (NISMART), 41% of kidnappings occur during the summer months of June, July and August. So before sending your child to the park or pool with friends make sure they know what to do if a stranger approaches them.

Below are a few tips from Krav Maga Worldwide on how to help lessen your child’s risk of being a victim of kidnapping this summer.

  • It starts with open conversations. It’s important to teach children while they are young about what do if a stranger approaches them or makes them feel uncomfortable in anyway. Young children may be confused about the concept of a stranger in general and who is or isn’t one. Parents should emphasize that a stranger is just someone the child doesn’t know and not necessarily a good or bad person. It can also be helpful if parents ask their child about their day on a daily basis to help ensure that nothing suspicious occurred. Even if a child does not directly say a stranger approached them, parents should be able to pick up on body language and verbal cues that something is off base.
  • Fight Back. Sign children up for intro self-defense classes specifically for kids and dealing with situations that can arise for their age group. These classes often teach children body language and verbal skills that can help deter potential attackers as well physical skills. Unfortunately, there is a very real possibility that a child may be in a situation that they can’t defuse or walk away from. Having a foundation of physical skills is vital for the child to be able to protect themselves when push literally comes to shove.
  • Emergency planning. If a child will be left alone during the day, create and practice an emergency plan with them so they are aware of what to do in case someone comes to the door or tries to break in. Leave written instructions and important phone numbers on the fridge or counter and continuously practice safety skills with the child, which can help them become second nature and the child will know what to do on the spot.
  • Make a plan and keep kids busy. Parents can set up a schedule with their child so that they know where they are supposed to be at what time and with who. If parents are friendly with neighbors, touch base with them and ask if they can keep an eye out on the child if they play outside often. Inform your child that they are trusted adults that they can go to if an uncomfortable situation arises. Parents can also tap into what the child’s interests are and sign them up for classes or programs that involve something that they love to do, such as art classes or sports programs. These programs and activities tend to be supervised by trained adults that can help keep the child safe.

For more information check out kravmaga.com see the Facebook page (KravMagaWorldwide), follow on Instagram @krav_maga_worldwide or call 800.572.8624.

Non-seasonal, Parenting, Summer, Tips and Tricks, Travel

Helpful Packing Tips When Traveling with Small Children

Erin Sluka

I hope you get the chance to travel together this summer, locally or abroad. These tips are great for flights or day trips and even a night at Grandma’s when traveling with small children. Safe travels!

Buy the RIGHT luggage

The fun monkey head suitcase is adorable, but I hate to tell you that many children luggage brands are not practical. Don’t get me wrong, there is a brand or two out there that does children’s travel cases well, but I ditched the cute stuff years ago with our 10 year old because I needed to fit more and stay organized with it all.

What do I use? We happen to use the Expanse Wheeled Duffel Carry ON by Eagle Creek. I use an Eagle Creek wheelie myself as well as the Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter On Board toiletry bag. Shout out to Eagle Creek in this post, they seriously do a great job with their bags and I recommend them for you and the kids!

Use Ziploc Bags for Clothing

I’ll never forget the look I got from my Mom when I dropped my son off for a stay with her years ago and as we opened the suitcase she saw my gallon Ziploc bag packing job. But, let me say that when I picked him up, they were all neatly re-stacked and refilled, dirty inside.

As I pack, I lay the bottoms, shirt, socks, underwear (in that layered order), fold all together in one set and put in a gallon ziploc and seal with air released. Put it in his duffel and repeat for all outfits. It is not only a folding space saver where I can stack many outfits neatly, but it is a time saver every morning. I (or whomever he is visiting and now himself) can grab a bag and head to get changed. It is all there. He shoves his dirty clothes back in, presses and seals. Smelly clothes are sealed and stay away from clean clothes and repacking to leave is so easy! Try it!

1 Bag + 1 Blanket + 1 Present

This is what comes on planes with us to the seat. I have one small backpack (bright colored so you can spot them if they get ahead of you) that he can wear and help me carry less with his snacks, entertainment, headphones and a small (noiseless) toy when younger. Now it is a tablet, his phone, book and chargers plus snacks. He carries his blanket and I always have a gift when he was younger to make the ride start off pleasant. The last one I bought him was a Pokemon neck pillow. He never took it off all flight or the next flight…..

Your Luggage Front Pocket

Chances are one of your luggage bags has that extra front pocket you never really know what to use it for. Grab 1 ‘special’ treat per child and a new thin book. Once you are done with the hassle off the plane, to a car or taxi, into a hotel lobby and finally checked in to your room you (and they) are beat! You have an urge to get organized, freshen up and plan the rest of the day and you have some exhausted kids.

Just wait for the magic as you unzip that pocket, pull out that special pick-me-up snack and quiet book(s). It will buy you some uninterrupted time. If you got in early enough a child or two may just doze off. Let them rest a moment or 2 and use that time! Then you’ll all be more relaxed, rested and ready to start your trip.

My Travel Items

Disclaimer: Thank you Eagle Creek for partnering with us on this feature. All opinions are 100% my own

Deals, Kids, Non-seasonal, Seattle Area Attractions, Travel

Great Wolf Lodge Birthday Experience with Friends

Erin Sluka

The birthday party! It comes around every year for your child and is such an exciting time for them. Anthony is our youngest so for over 2 decades planning birthdays are a Sluka event! They get presents, hand us wish lists and even have friends over to celebrate.

For the first time ever with all 3 boys, Anthony came to me with a special request, “Mom? I really want to take friends to Great Wolf Lodge for my (11th) birthday in May!” Wow, son that can add up! “But, Mom I am asking for an experience and I want this instead of a big party AND instead of presents”. I actually thought this was a fantastic idea!

An experience instead of gifts and party….

We stayed in a Family Suite with an outdoor balcony which is considered a standard room at Great Wolf Lodge, They also have premium and themes rooms too. This is not our first time staying in their Family Suite and every time we go, this little nook between the beds and the couch area is a favorite spot for the boys.

We arrive about 4 and our room is ready so we unload, fuel up with snacks before heading to the water park. Anthony brought 3 friends with him on this trip. Going to Great Wolf Lodge with a buddy or sibling is a must! The Family Suite fits 6 with the sofa pull out. So, one room gets 6 people into the Water Park.

2 of the boys have never rode the Tornado Waterslide before so Anthony made sure to take them there first. All of these boys have been to Great Wolf Lodge before, but not been on some of the larger waterslides. One of them never went on it again-lol!

The fun part is waiting at the bottom to catch some fun shots as they exit the tunnels. Below is the other larger waterslide called Carbon River. Most attractions have names native to the area and we live 1 1/2 hours away from Great Wold Lodge on the (real) Carbon River.

Once they rode the waterslides several times, they head to the Chinook Cove for some water basketball and Big Foot Pass pads.

Notice my son used the ropes on the Big Foot Pass and his friend did a fast crawl across the pads!

Once they were swim(ed) out and we ate some dinner, it was time for a game of Shadow Quest. I bought all 4 boys Paw Passes and that allowed them several indoor activities at a bundled price. They got to choose a wand and for the boys who already owned and brought a wand (they are reusable for next visit) those boys got to choose fun toppers.

Choose your topper carefully, each one does different perks to up your Shadow Quest game. The game and wand/topper come with the Wolf/Paw Pass package. They wear their Paw Passes around their neck so they can have access to their activities.

Anthony’s topper he chose gives him game hints, so he stopped at one of the kiosks for a hint…..

Once you successfully find the next stop on your hunt, your symbol lights up as you point your wand. The wand activates several stations and fun animations around the hotel. This is a great game before bed because it has them running all over for several floors!

As the kids run around playing Shadow Quest, my husband and I hear music and find a dance party in the lobby and a Mai Tai station! Our Mai Tai was delicious and comes in a light up souvenier cup.

What I love about Great Wolf Lodge is that for birthdays there are a lot of fun options you can add to your stay. There is a birthday package that includes a door poster and balloons with extras as well as other packages that can include cupcakes and even pizza.

When you check out you don’t have to leave. You do need to vacate your room by 11am and get your bags in your car, but your entrance into the waterpark and other attractions lasts until closing.

2 days of swimming and Paw Pass completed! Time to go home!

We are home now, the friends are dropped off and my son is still beaming. By far, the best present he asked for in his 11 years was a Great Wolf Lodge birthday experience with friends and the memories will last a lifetime!

For tips and hacks you will want to use when visiting Great Wolf Lodge, visit this recent post.

Visit your local Great Wolf Lodge this summer
Kids, Parenting, Travel

Tips and Hacks for Visiting Great Wolf Lodge

Erin Sluka

When you come back after a night you feel like you were gone a week! That is how I feel after visiting Great Wolf Lodge! Having visited several times I wanted to share stories, tips and hacks all in one place for you!

We will be staying again this month and I will be live and have some follow up photos and postings so stay tuned all month!

Our May 2019 Birthday Experience

Several weeks ago, Anthony came to me and asked if he could have an experience for his 11th birthday in May.

He said “…I have a lot of stuff and every year I have a big party with all of my friends. This year I just want to take a few friends to Great Wolf Lodge instead of presents or a big party…. I just want the experience…”

So at age 11 he gets that experience. We have a room that allows 6 people so my son, husband and I leaves 3 friends Anthony can invite and he immediately knew which 3 friends. Now I had the task of talking other children’s parents to trust me with their child for 2 days at the busy water park. They know us and trust us so there are 4 boys anxiously waiting for their fun weekend.

Booking your stay

When I am planning a Great Wold Lodge trip the first place I look is Groupon. Often times Groupon has great deals on packages. No luck?

Head to the website and make sure you are on their email list so you get notified of special rates. The best time to go is a weekday because it is cheaper and sometimes a little quieter. The weekends will always cost more, but so far I have gone during school year times so I don’t stay on weekdays.

When you are looking at rooms you will notice it may say – sleeps 4 or #. But, make sure you check the bottom of the description because the maximum occupancy is typically higher meaning that’s how many bracelets you can get per room. I have a room with 2 beds that says sleeps 4, however it has a sleeper sofa and in the description says that sleeps 2 and maximum guests allowed states 6! Everyone needs a bracelet to get into the water park and they do check everyone every time!

What is included with your room

When you book your room you get standard room amenities and your bracelet into the water park. Unless, there are perks or packages that came with your stay, a room means sleep and water park only. It also means you can participate in a few ‘free’ entertainment like story time/games at night downstairs and some venues have morning wake up shows.

When you enter Great Wold Lodge you will see so many extra things to do. There are kids running around with wands playing a scavenger game, there are arcades, gift shops, restaurants, Build A Bear and our GWL has an outdoor ropes course, indoor mini golf, mining station, ice cream parlor, candy store, buffet and restaurant (and a Starbucks too)! Those are all an extra cost, but I will tell you below the best way to afford them all!

When you stay at Great Wolf Lodge your room is guaranteed by 4pm and checkout is 11am, but……

On the day of arrival you can check in at 1pm, get your wristbands (those bands also double as your room key to scan) and enjoy the park. Once your room is ready you will get a text with your room number and someone can run to the car, grab the luggage and head up. No need to wait until after 4pm to start playing or to stand back in line at the lobby. When you check out by 11 you have no room access but are able to stay through closing (hours vary).

Packing for Great Wolf Lodge

Above I told you that you can check in at 1pm and start playing, but you may not have your room for a few more hours. Here is where how you pack will save you so much frustration.

First, you can bring your own food (meals) and a cooler. We also have ordered Pizza (our Dominoes delivers to the lobby) and they do not mind at GWL! You are free to eat how you wish just as in any hotel.

Here is how I pack:

  • Suitcase (for pajamas, toiletries, next day clothing)
  • Water bag. This is what you will grab to have with you because you have no room yet. In this bag you will want small snacks, diapering essentials, goggles, wipes, swimwear, phone charger and swim vests (anything you need on hand for a day at an indoor ‘park’. The parking lots are huge and you could get stuck parking a ways out so have a bag to grab and take because going back and forth will be a huge pain!
  • Have the kids fed a lunch before arriving! Trust me-they walk inside and absorb so much energy you will never get them to stop and eat, so have them fed a lunch! Bring a snack or 2 in your park bag. They’ll work an appetite up by dinner.
  • Cooler. The food isn’t cheap at GWL but is very convenient and you get tired fast! So, if money is no issue and you’d rather have the convenience all of your meals can be covered with great variety just fine inside. However, you can bring anything you need and because your food can sit in the car waiting for a room make sure you have plenty of ice on your cold foods. I typically bring sandwich makings for next day lunch, fruit and donuts for morning, order pizza for dinner. I have even had friends bring a crock pot, throw food like mac n cheese and let it cook and it is ready by dinner time.
  • Have the kids dressed to swim. The changing areas are hectic and you only want to carry around so much. Before leaving home and after some lunch, get them in swim clothes and flip flops then leave for GWL.

Once you get the text that your room is ready they have plenty of carts to grab and go get all of your other stuff for the room!

Avoid being Nickel and Dimed

Earlier I told you there is plenty of other fun indoor activities that all cost extra. Here is the best way to experience it because the kids WILL have to walk by all these games and venues between the water park and room so be prepared!

Wolf, Pup and Paw Passes

As a guest you have passes available to purchase that bundle the ‘other’ activities into one savings. The Wolf Pass is the largest pass with access to about every attraction. The Pup Passes and Paw Passes have several attractions and you can choose the one that best fits your child’s age. Typically the Paw Pass is great for the older child/tween and the Pup Pass will have the little kiddie events included. Activities included depends on location and season. Typically they run around $44-$59 and if you were to do the math on what is included it is a huge savings!

I love using the passes because it is a great way to give your kids a limit. My son could spend hours in the arcade or beg for multiple scoops of ice cream and candy cups. With a pass there is arcade credit and he gets a scoop of ice cream and candy and it is at a limit. They know this and typically just move on to the next activity on the pass when money or items are used up.

Add-Ons

There are also ‘unseen’ add-ons available. Such add-ons for an extra fee include birthday packages (sign on room door, party supplies, food, cake, balloons).

Packages for Mom and Dad such as a Wine Down Service. Salon packages (most locations have a kids salon too with packages available).

There is a Milk and Cookies package too where a character delivers to the room for time with the children.

Ask about your locations add-ons or visit their packages online.

New this Summer

This summer there is an all-new daily escape called Summer Camp-In. In just a few weeks (runs around May 24-September 2), families can expect the following brand new programming:

  • Trailblazer Challenge: Campers can win bragging rights by participating in different arts and crafts projects such as friendship bracelet making and rubber ducky decorating, as well as interactive games including family trivia and corn hole challenges 
  • S’mores: A special s’mores dessert bar will be featured, served up by the resort’s very own culinary experts — s’moreliers 
  • Pool parties: Complete with DJs, refreshments, limbo, rubber duck races, corn hole toss and a conga line 
  • Camp Themed Guestrooms: Everything from pennant bunting and yellow gingham bed scarves to actual in-room tents and campfire lanterns 
  • Campfire Ceremony: Wind down with family by a cracking fire with singing, face painting, s’mores, story-swapping, character shows and Story Time. Complete with a DJ-led dance party under the stars, guest can linger longer in the summer
  • Character Breakfast: Think camp counselor-led songs and dances and napkin twirling complete with Wiley and friends circulating throughout the breakfast for photos and autographs
  • BBQ: Mouthwatering BBQ anchors dinner menus at the resort’s main restaurant 

I think that is all I can give you for now! Stay tuned as we visit and post more experiences from the Grand Mound, Wa location (not in time for Summer Camp to start sadly).