This week, our family did something crazy together. We took to the waves together for the first time. There we were, a 6 year old with his mom and dad totally clueless about what to do, and nervous about how we were going to survive the next 2 hours. (3 year old brother posed for some pics on the surf board but was too young for the lesson). The experience was phenomenal to say the very least. First of all, we were so happy with our surf instructors from the Surf Academy by Dane Keahole on Waikiki. But more significantly, the experience of trying to gain a new skill that none of us had ever tried before was such a bonding experience. There are such rare moments where you are at the same starting point as your 6 year old, struggling and fearing the same things.
For our 6 year old, the experience of watching mom and dad take on a new challenge alongside him seem to be particularly energizing. He seemed determined to out do us…and it really wasn’t hard for him to do so. For me, I found it wonderfully freeing to know nothing more about something than my child. I didn’t feel the need correct him or give any tips. We were all in for the ride together. This will be a memory that we carry with us for many many years to come. So, if you are thinking of putting yourself out there to try something totally novel! Go ahead and take the whole family with you. This is the stuff great memories are made of.
Other Kid-Friendly Activities in Oahu, Hawaii
Elementary school aged kids are eager explorers and discovering San Francisco with them is a total blast. Kids at this age are great communicators, able to follow a tour, are interested in history, and are strong enough to do what may be more demanding physically. If you are coming to San Francisco with a child who is in elementary school, here are some must see attractions listed in order of importance.
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/236189021
Pier 33 (on Embarcadero and Bay St)
Hornblower Alcatraz Landing San Francisco, California
3. California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, California
- Photo from Flickr/the justified sinner
June is here and the kids are ready for summer! If you haven’t booked your summer vacation trips, there is no better time to book than now. Deals abound for families in Orlando, Mexico, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, Myrtle Beach, the Bahamas and Monterey.
These are Trekaroo’s Top 10 favorite travel deals to family-friendly destinations and resorts. Many of them are too good to last and will be gone within the next 24 hours, so be sure to check the “Book by” dates.
If you haven’t made your 4th of July plans yet, check out the deals at the bottom of the post.
1. AirTran one-way flights — starting from $39
Travel to and from top destinations like Atlanta, Orlando, New York, and more from just $39+ one-way when you book on Expedia. No booking fees apply. Book by June 4th, travel by October 30, 2009.
2. Orlando: Book 3 nights and save 30%. Book 5 and save 35% — from $41/night
Located in Kissimmee, just 2 miles from Disney World. Kid’s swimming pools on-site. Book by June 22nd, travel by September 30th.
3. Orlando: Save 35% off condos at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa — from $99/night
Located 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista has great condos with fully equipped kitchens. Great for families. 1 bedroom suites for $99/night, 2 bedrooms for $119/night and 3 for $139/night. Book by June 22nd, travel by September 7th.
4. Orlando: Up to 35% off select Disney Moderate Resorts, $119 + tax
Cool off during the summer months with these refreshing room-rate offers at select Disney Moderate Resorts. Prices are per night; book now through June 6. By Walt Disney World Resorts(R), Book by 11:59 PM on 06/06/09 (PDT). From Hotwire’s TravelTicker.
5. Mexico: up to 35% off condos at Pueblo Bonito, Los Cabos — from $161/night
Kid-friendly resort where kids under 12 eat and stay for free. The resort offers many family- oriented activities along with complimentary, supervised children’s activity periods. Book and travel by 9/7/09.
6. Hawaii: up to 60% off Big Island villa with extras — from $67
Big fun, Big Island, little $67. Get 60% off a one- or two-bedroom villa at the Kona Coast Resort when you stay 5+ nights. Or get 40% off stays of up to 4 nights. Rates start at $67. Plus, get extras like dining discounts. Travel now-August 1.
By Kona Coast Resort, Book by 11:59 PM on 06/02/09 (HST). From Hotwire’s TravelTicker.
7. 3-night Bahamas cruise + 2-night Florida hotel stay — $199
A surf-and-turf special. Get a 3-night Celebration cruise to Nassau, Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale as well as a 2-night hotel stay in either Ft. Lauderdale or Orlando, all for just $199 per person. Valid for select Friday departures, May 29-October 9.
By Celebration Cruise Line, Book by 11:59 PM on 06/02/09 (EDT). From Hotwire’s TravelTicker.
8. Niagara Falls: 4-star suite + up to $150 in extras — just $119
Stay any night of the week at the 4-star Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview in a king suite with Jacuzzi for only $119 USD. Up to $150 in extras including breakfast, dining vouchers, show tickets and shuttle service. Travel now-June 25.
By Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview, Book by 11:59 PM on 06/03/09 (PDT). From Hotwire’s TravelTicker.
9. Myrtle Beach: 50% off oceanfront room in peak season, $69
Peak season, no blackouts and the beach. Head to award-winning Myrtle Beach, SC, where an oceanfront king room at The Reef Fesort is just $69/night midweek. Weekends and upgrades start at $20 more. Valid now-September 7 with no blackout dates.
By Reef Fesort, Book by 11:59 PM on 06/17/09 (EST). From Hotwire’s TravelTicker.
10. Monterey, California: 50% off Hyatt Regency — $99/night for midweek, $60 more for weekends
Hyatt Regency Monterey is less than ten minutes from lots of family fun activities like Cannery Row, the Aquarium and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Book by 6/7/09. From Travelzoo. Blackout dates apply.
- Anaheim hotels: Third night free at the Anaheim Park Hotel ($65) and the Comfort Inn-Maingate ($68).
- Antigua: 40% off all rates at Halcyon Cove by Rex Resorts ($75) . Stay 3 nights and receive 50% off.
- Cancun hotels: Every fourth night free at the Hyatt Regency ($87) and the Marriott CasaMagna Resort Cancun ($139)
- Capecod, MA: Stay 3 nights and save 35% at the Heritage House Hotel ($84)
- Charleston, SC: 30% off any stay at the Shem Creek Inn ($130)
- New York City: Fourth night free at the Roosevelt Hotel ($148), Millenium Broadway Hotel ($194), and the Morgans ($134).
- Puerto Vallarta: 30% off at the NH Krystal Vallarta ($82). Condos available with fully equipped kitchens.
- San Diego: 3rd night free at the Lodge at Torrey Pines ($219), Best Western Seven Seas ($92), and the Ramada Plaza Hotel Circle South ($55)
- Washington DC: 35% off at the Westin Arlington Gateway ($129)
- Washington DC: Fourth night free at the Capitol Hill Suites ($129)
For more deals, go to www.trekaroo.com/bookings.
These travel deals have been handpicked for your family by Trekaroo. Trekaroo is a reviews site 100% dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids. It is where travel savvy parents share their inside scoop about hotels, activities and restaurants. Trekaroo is an affiliate of Expedia.com / Hotels.com and offers their lowest price guarantee on all hotel bookings.
If there are any good deals that we’re missing, share it in a comment! 
