Tag Archives: day trip

Spring Break

It’s that time of year again. School aged kids are out for Spring Break. Families are heading off to the beaches, zoo’s and amusement parks. Toddlers toddle behind, trying to keep up with their siblings. It is such a fun time of year. As with any vacation or day out with the family, there are always things to remember. There are items you don’t want to forget and there are things to do before leaving home. Planning any vacation with toddlers takes preparation. Things to Pack for a Day Trip: *Sunscreen *Change of clothes *Hand Sanitizer *Camera *Sippy Cup or … Continue reading →

Portland, OR: Ground Kontrol

Around the corner from Backspace is The City of Roses’ favorite arcade, Ground Kontrol. It’s a huge collection of classic pinball and arcade games. What a find! Eons ago, when I was in high school, every Friday night my sister and I would go hang out at The Castle. Miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, rides, and, of course, a huge arcade to eat your quarters. We’d take our money and save the last quarter. After we’d spent the rest, we took that last quarter and headed over to Eight Ball Deluxe, our favorite pinball machine. We knew we’d be able … Continue reading →

Portland, OR: Backspace

We make frequent trips to Portland, sometimes for a cultural activity and other times just to play. It was on one of these play trips that we discovered Backspace. They bill themselves as Portland’s “hip, uncool place”. It’s a 4000 s.f. space that reminds me of the beatniks of old. Yes, this conservative, Bush-loving, gun toting Christian mama likes a hotbed of insurgent thought. I just look past the anti-W stickers, the slogans of disillusioned youth, and the propaganda of the left, knowing that as they grow and have families, they’ll recognize the error of their ways ;-). Seriously, though, … Continue reading →

Factory Tours Are Fun And Free!

One of the most overlooked form of family fun is the factory tour. From watching a chip flip to witnessing marshmallow peeps being born, kids and adults will be fascinated during this great family activity. My family and I have visited many factory tour programs, and we have always had a great time. The tours are usually very kid-friendly and family oriented. Tour guides have always been super nice, and the factories are eager to show off their stuff. Free samples are almost always given. Ever eat a potato chip hot from the fryer? Yummy! Most of the tours are … Continue reading →

Botanical Gardens–A Wonderful Day Trip… And So Much More

They are destinations for gardeners… and for those who don’t even have yards. They offer inspiration in the summer and peace in the winter. What’s more, they are located in just about every city in North America. They are botanical gardens and they make for great family day trips…and much more. Our local botanical garden is quite a gem. At just over 47 acres it is but a mere shadow of the massive botanical gardens in New York, Chicago, and Ontario, yet it celebrates the relationship between plants and people just as well. It captures the beauty of Northeastern Wisconsin’s … Continue reading →