We’ve slept in hotel rooms all over the world, from Colombia to Canada to Cambodia, in everything from basic budget rooms to gorgeous $1000 a night resorts where someone magically apparates to fluff your pillow when you aren’t looking.

And somewhere along the way, we started noticing something funny.

Sometimes we sleep ridiculously well in hotels.

You know the kind of sleep. You crawl into bed after a long travel day, disappear for eight hours and wake up wondering why you can’t sleep like that at home.

Of course, plenty of hotel beds have been terrible too. We have stories. But when a hotel gets sleep right, there are usually a few reasons why. Better yet, most of them are surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

You Leave a Lot of Your Everyday Stress Behind

One of the biggest differences has very little to do with the bed itself.

At home, your bedroom exists right in the middle of your regular life. There’s laundry waiting to be folded, an email you forgot to answer, something you need to do tomorrow and possibly a mysterious pile of stuff that’s been sitting on a chair for six months.

A hotel room comes with far less baggage, at least mentally.

There’s no laundry basket glaring at you from the corner. You aren’t thinking about unloading the dishwasher. Even on a work trip, the room tends to have fewer reminders of everything you should be doing.

That separation can make it easier to switch off.

It’s one reason we’ve learned that making a bedroom feel less like an extension of the rest of the house can help. You may not be able to recreate the feeling of waking up somewhere new, but you can make home feel a little less demanding at bedtime.

Hotels Take Darkness Seriously

I’m always amazed by how dark some hotel rooms get.

Pull those heavy curtains closed and suddenly it could be noon or midnight outside and you’d have absolutely no idea.

At home, bedrooms tend to collect little bits of light. Streetlights sneak around the curtains. Chargers glow. Alarm clocks shine across the room. Then the sun starts creeping in far earlier than you’d like.

A good hotel often eliminates most of that.

If you love the pitch-black hotel-room effect, blackout curtains are one of the easiest things to copy at home. You can also take a quick look around your bedroom at night and see how many tiny glowing lights you’ve stopped noticing.

You might be surprised.

Hotel Rooms Are Often Cooler

Temperature is another big difference we notice when we travel.

Hotel rooms often have individual heating or air conditioning, so we can cool the room down before bed. And after a hot day exploring somewhere tropical, walking into a cool room and climbing under the covers feels especially good.

At home, it’s easy for bedrooms to get warmer than we realize, particularly in winter when the heat is running or during a Canadian summer when the house has been warming up all day.

If you consistently sleep well in cooler hotel rooms, experiment with lowering the bedroom temperature at home before changing anything more expensive.

Sometimes the simplest change makes a noticeable difference.

Fresh Hotel Bedding Just Feels Good

There’s something wonderfully satisfying about climbing into a freshly made hotel bed.

Crisp sheets. Fluffy pillows. A duvet that hasn’t somehow migrated halfway out of its cover. Someone else made the bed, which may honestly be part of the appeal.

Hotels put a lot of thought into that first impression because the bed is one of the first things you notice when you walk into the room.

At home, bedding tends to become invisible. We keep sheets longer than we probably should, pillows flatten slowly enough that we barely notice, and making the bed can become one more chore to get through.

You don’t need luxury hotel linens to recreate the feeling. Fresh sheets you actually like, comfortable pillows and bedding that suits how warm or cool you sleep can go a long way.

And yes, freshly washed sheets still feel fantastic even when you’re the person who had to wash them.

The Mattress Can Make a Huge Difference

Then there’s the obvious one: the actual bed.

Hotels know people judge them heavily on sleep quality, so many put serious thought into their mattresses. A good hotel bed needs to work for thousands of different guests while holding up to constant use.

Meanwhile, mattresses at home have a sneaky habit of getting old gradually.

You don’t wake up one morning and suddenly discover your mattress has become uncomfortable. It happens slowly. A little sag here, a little less support there, until you spend a night somewhere else and suddenly realize how much better another bed feels.

If that keeps happening every time you travel, it may be worth looking at the bed you use the other 350-ish nights of the year.

You can even bring home a bed as comfortable as a good hotel’s rather than saving that level of comfort for the handful of nights a year you’re away.

Being Somewhere New Does Play a Part

Travel itself changes the rhythm of your day.

You may have walked for hours sightseeing, spent the afternoon swimming or simply been away from your normal routine. We’ve had plenty of travel days where we’ve walked 20,000 steps without even thinking about it. By bedtime, everyone is done.

There’s also something mentally different about climbing into a bed in a completely new place.

Sometimes that works against you. We’ve absolutely had nights where unfamiliar noises, strange pillows or a glowing hotel thermostat kept us awake.

Other times, though, being somewhere different seems to help break the usual bedtime patterns we fall into at home.

The easiest way to figure out what’s happening is to notice what you consistently love about your best hotel sleeps. Is the room colder? Darker? Is the mattress firmer? Are you spending less time staring at a screen before bed?

Those little clues are useful.

Give Your Bedroom One Main Job

This may be the hardest part of the hotel experience to recreate.

A hotel bedroom mostly exists for sleeping.

Your bedroom at home may also be your office, laundry sorting station, late-night TV room and temporary storage area for everything you haven’t figured out where to put yet.

We’ve definitely been guilty of this.

When your bedroom constantly reminds you of unfinished jobs, it’s much harder for the room itself to feel restful.

You don’t need to turn your bedroom into a minimalist showroom. Even moving work somewhere else, clearing a few cluttered surfaces and making the room feel calmer can change how it feels when you walk in at night.

Steal the Best Ideas From Hotels

One of the perks of staying in so many different places over the years is that you start noticing the little things that work.

If you sleep incredibly well somewhere, pay attention.

Maybe you love having two different pillow options. Maybe the room is darker than yours at home or the duvet is lighter. Maybe you like having almost nothing sitting on the bedside table.

Take the ideas home with you.

You can experiment without spending much at all, then put your money toward the changes that make the biggest difference for you.

Don’t Save Your Best Sleep for Vacation

Most of us spend far more nights sleeping at home than we ever will in hotels.

So if you keep coming home from trips talking about that amazing hotel bed, it’s probably worth figuring out exactly what made it so good.

Make your room darker. Try sleeping a little cooler. Replace the pillow that’s been flattened into a pancake. Put fresh sheets on the bed before you leave on a trip so you come home to something that feels almost as inviting as the hotel you just left.

And if your mattress has clearly reached the end of its useful life, maybe it’s finally time.

After 20-plus years of sleeping our way around the world, we’ve learned that there’s no single secret ingredient that makes hotel sleep better. Usually, it’s a bunch of small things working together, plus the underrated pleasure of knowing nobody expects you to take the garbage out in the morning.

You probably can’t arrange hotel housekeeping at home. The blackout curtains, however? That idea you can steal.

Some of our favorite hotel rooms;

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• Where to stay in Vancouver – the Vancouver Four Seasons Hotel Downtown

When we visited Belize with our kids several years ago for a month, that extra space made a real difference. On Ambergris Caye, we stayed in large two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, laundry and room for the kids to spread out. We baked blueberry muffins and crepes for breakfast, ate meals outside on the terrace and appreciated being able to mix pool and snorkeling days with quieter time at our temporary home.

We also discovered that choosing the right rental involves much more than comparing beautiful photos and nightly prices.

A peaceful beachfront villa may be perfect for slow mornings by the water, though it could mean a longer golf-cart ride to restaurants and grocery stores. A lower-priced condo may cost more once transportation and cleaning fees are added. A rental that works beautifully for a snorkeling vacation may be less convenient if most of your plans involve caves, Maya sites and mainland adventures.

Before booking, think about how the destination, exact location, transportation, amenities and level of service will shape your entire vacation.

Decide What Kind of Belize Vacation You Want

Before comparing individual properties, picture how you’d genuinely like to spend your days.

Belize offers Caribbean islands, coastal communities, rainforest destinations, Maya archaeological sites, wildlife experiences and access to the Belize Barrier Reef. The country may be relatively small however each part of it offers a very different kind of vacation.

Our time on Ambergris Caye was heavily focused on the water. We snorkeled, swam with sharks and stingrays, used the provided kayaks and paddleboards, explored San Pedro by golf cart and spent plenty of time around the pool with the kids. That made staying on the island a natural fit for us.

Start by considering a few questions:

• Will most of your time be spent near the beach or on the water?
• Are snorkeling, scuba diving or fishing priorities?
• Do you want restaurants and nightlife nearby?
• Are caves, Maya sites and wildlife central to your plans?
• Do you prefer a lively town or a quieter residential setting?
• Are you willing to rent a car or golf cart?
• Would you prefer an independent home or a professionally managed property?

Once you know what kind of trip you want, it becomes much easier to choose the right part of Belize before comparing specific rentals.

Compare Belize’s Main Vacation Rental Destinations

The best destination will depend on your interests, preferred pace and comfort with transportation.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and a popular base for reef activities, boating and laid-back island vacations. San Pedro, the island’s main town, has plenty of restaurants, shops, tour operators, beach bars and nightlife.

We stayed both in San Pedro and a few miles south of town, and the two experiences felt surprisingly different. In town, we could easily walk to restaurants and shops, and the kids loved spending their mornings in the warm oceanfront pools before ordering nachos for lunch. Farther south, things were quieter and more spacious, with a real beach, a long dock and kayaks and paddleboards ready to take out on the water.

Ambergris Caye may be a good fit for travelers interested in:

• Snorkeling and scuba diving
• Fishing and boating
• Reef excursions
• Island restaurants and nightlife
• Beachfront accommodations
• Golf-cart transportation
• A combination of activity and relaxation

When comparing rentals on Ambergris Caye, check the property’s actual distance from San Pedro. Descriptions such as near town or a short ride away can mean something very different once you’re making the trip several times a day.

Ask how long the golf-cart ride usually takes, whether tour companies provide nearby pickup and where the closest grocery stores and restaurants are located. We rented a golf cart for our time on the island, and it gave us the freedom to explore, pick up groceries and move easily between quieter areas and the livelier sections in town.

Travelers who want the privacy and space of a villa without managing every detail independently can explore professionally managed Belize vacation rentals that provide local guest support and access to resort-style conveniences.

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Placencia

Placencia sits along Belize’s southeastern coast, combining beaches and marine activities with easier access to mainland attractions.

The area includes Placencia Village along with quieter communities and private homes farther north on the peninsula. A rental near the village can make it easier to reach restaurants, shops and tour operators while a home farther along the peninsula may provide more privacy and space, though transportation will become a larger part of your daily plans.

Placencia can work well for:

• Families and couples
• Large groups
• Beach-focused travelers
• Visitors who want access to both coastal and inland activities
• Travelers looking for a slower pace
• Guests comfortable renting a vehicle

Confirm the property’s exact location and whether a car is recommended. It’s also helpful to ask whether tour companies will pick you up at the rental office or expect you to meet them in the village.

San Ignacio and Western Belize

San Ignacio is a strong choice for travelers planning an adventure focused trip rather than a primarily beach based vacation.

The surrounding area offers access to Maya sites, caves, rivers, rainforest experiences and wildlife. Rentals range from homes near town to secluded jungle cabins where the sounds and scenery become part of the experience.

Consider San Ignacio when your itinerary includes:

• Maya archaeological sites
• Cave tours
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• River activities
• Wildlife experiences
• Cultural excursions

Before booking a remote rental, confirm the road conditions, transportation options, Wi-Fi availability, air conditioning and access to dining.

A jungle home can be peaceful and memorable. You’ll simply want a clear understanding of how far it is from San Ignacio and how you’ll reach tours, restaurants and other services.

Consider Splitting Your Stay

Travelers with a week or more in Belize may enjoy dividing their vacation between the coast and western Belize.

For example, you could spend several nights near San Ignacio exploring caves and Maya sites before traveling to Ambergris Caye or Placencia for time near the Caribbean.

A split stay can help you experience more of the country without turning every inland activity into a long day trip. The downside is it also creates another travel day that includes packing, checking out and transferring to a second property.

For shorter vacations, one well-positioned home base will often make the trip feel easier and more relaxing.

Check the Property’s Exact Location

A listing may describe a rental as being in San Pedro, Placencia or San Ignacio even when it sits several miles outside the main town.

We learned firsthand on Ambergris Caye that a few miles can have a noticeable effect on a stay. Our quieter accommodation south of San Pedro gave us more beach space and a peaceful setting. Our stay in town made restaurants, shops and activities much easier to reach.

Both were wonderful in different ways. The key was knowing what each location offered before settling in.

Ask for the property’s exact location or a recognizable nearby landmark before booking.

Consider:

• Distance from restaurants and grocery stores
• Travel time to the nearest town
• Road, golf-cart or boat access
• Availability of taxis and transfers
• Tour pickup locations
• Road conditions during wetter periods
• Distance from medical services

A secluded location can be a wonderful choice for travelers who value quiet, privacy and space. Make sure you understand how the location will affect the rhythm of your days.

Plan Transportation Before You Book

The nightly rate won’t tell you how easy or expensive the rental will be to reach. Depending on the destination, travelers may use domestic flights, water taxis, private transfers, rental vehicles, taxis, buses or golf carts.

Map the complete trip from Belize’s international airport to the property before making a reservation. This matters even more if you’re traveling with children, arriving later in the day or carrying a lot of luggage.

Ask:

• Does the host arrange airport or water-taxi transfers?
• Will someone meet you when you arrive?
• Is a domestic flight recommended?
• Will you need a car or golf cart during the stay?
• How far is the rental from restaurants and stores?
• How will tour operators pick you up?

On Ambergris Caye, our golf cart became part of the experience. We used it to explore the island, reach restaurants and pick up groceries. At our quieter stay outside town, the staff arranged for the golf cart to be delivered directly to us, which made arrival much easier.

Include transportation costs when comparing properties. A less expensive rental may lose some of its value if it requires costly daily transfers or a vehicle for the entire stay.

Make Sure Your Belize Vacation Rental Fits Your Group

A property advertised as sleeps eight may still feel crowded with eight adults.

Maximum occupancy can include sofa beds, bunk beds or sleeping spaces in common areas. That may work perfectly for a family with younger children while feeling less comfortable for several couples or a multigenerational group.

Before booking, confirm:

• The number of private bedrooms
• The size and type of each bed
• The number of bathrooms
• Whether sofa beds are in shared spaces
• Which rooms have air conditioning
• Whether there is enough seating for the group
• Whether cribs or high chairs are available

During our family trip, the two-bedroom layouts worked especially well. The kids had their own twin beds, bathroom and television, while we had a separate bedroom and enough shared space to relax together. It felt comfortable for a family of four without everyone living out of one room.

Choose a property based on its practical layout rather than relying only on the maximum listed occupancy.

Focus on the Amenities You Will Use

A long amenity list doesn’t automatically make a property the right choice. Think about which features will genuinely improve your stay.

A full kitchen can be incredibly useful for families, groups and longer vacations. We made good use of ours in Belize, from cooking simple pasta dinners to baking blueberry muffins and crepes with the kids. Having grocery stores nearby also made it easy to prepare some meals ourselves while still enjoying the island’s restaurants.

Confirm that the kitchen includes the appliances, cookware and dining space your group will need. You should also find out where groceries can be purchased and how you’ll transport them to the property.

Don’t assume the entire rental is air-conditioned. Some properties cool only the bedrooms, while common areas rely on fans and natural airflow.

Laundry facilities can be valuable for families, long time stays and anyone planning several water or outdoor activities. We appreciated being able to wash swimsuits and towels rather than packing enough clothing for every day of the trip. Ask whether the equipment is inside the rental, shared with other guests or available through housekeeping.

Travelers working remotely should ask about typical internet speed and reliability rather than simply confirming that Wi-Fi is available. A dedicated work area can also be useful when you need to answer emails or take a call without occupying the dining table.

Understand Beach and Water Access

Beachfront, oceanfront and beach access can describe very different experiences.

We experienced this contrast during our own trip. One property was directly on the water with beautiful views, pools and nearby piers, though it didn’t have a beach of its own. Another had a genuine sandy beach where the kids could play, along with a long pier that made it easier to get beyond the shallow water and seagrass. The last one had a small beach, pier and pool but the ocean was only feet away at any time.

An oceanfront property may offer gorgeous views without having a wide swimming beach (or any at all). Shoreline conditions, docks, tides and seasonal changes can also affect how guests use the waterfront and many hotels are on a marina that limits swimming opportunities right off the property.

Ask:

• Can guests swim directly in front of the property?
• Is the beach private or shared?
• Is there a dock?
• Are beach chairs provided?
• Are kayaks or paddleboards included?
• Is the pool private or shared?
• Are life jackets available?

Some of our favourite Belize memories happened right beside the water. We took kayaks and paddleboards into the quiet bay, snorkeled from the dock and watched fish and turtles moving through the clear water. One especially memorable moment involved a giant manta ray gliding beneath our paddleboard in the crystal clear water before disappearing to join it’s mate.

Recent guest photos and reviews may give you a more realistic view of the waterfront than carefully framed listing images so make sure you check the reviews to see that what you’re actually getting matches the listing pictures.

Compare Independent and Professionally Managed Rentals

Vacation rentals may be managed by an individual owner, a local property manager or a hospitality company.

An independently managed home can offer privacy and a more residential experience. Before booking, confirm who handles check-in, maintenance and emergencies.

A professionally managed property may combine the space of a villa or condo with services such as:

• Local guest assistance
• Housekeeping
• Transportation coordination
• Tour planning
• Concierge services
• Maintenance support
• Grocery stocking and large water bottle refilling
• Pools or beach facilities
• Onsite or nearby dining

The right choice depends on how independently you enjoy traveling and how much help you’d like to have available.

The local staff made a meaningful difference during our Belize visit. They helped arrange golf-cart rentals, called taxis and coordinated tour pickups directly from the pier. When a family emergency meant Micki needed to reach the airport quickly, a staff member drove her himself because there wasn’t time to wait for a taxi.

That kind of support is difficult to see in listing photos, though it can become one of the most valuable parts of a stay.

First-time visitors, families and larger groups may appreciate having a local team available to coordinate transportation, suggest activities and help when plans change unexpectedly.

Calculate the Complete Cost

Compare the total price for the stay rather than focusing only on the advertised nightly rate.

Additional expenses may include:

• Cleaning fees
• Booking or service fees
• Local taxes
• Security deposits
• Additional guest charges
• Electricity or air-conditioning fees
• Resort or community fees
• Airport transfers
• Golf-cart or vehicle rental
• Housekeeping
• Chef or concierge services

A property with a higher nightly price may provide better overall value when transportation, housekeeping or guest services are included.

Consider how much you’ll spend getting to restaurants, grocery stores and activities. A centrally located rental might allow you to walk more often, while a quieter property outside town may require a golf cart, car or regular taxi trips.

Review the payment schedule as well. Some rentals require a deposit at booking and full payment several weeks or months before arrival.

Confirm Local Support and Booking Policies

Local support becomes especially valuable when renting in another country.

Ask who will assist if your transfer is delayed, if you can’t access the property, if the air conditioning suddenly stops working or severe weather affects your plans.

Confirm who manages the rental, how that person can be reached and whether assistance is available outside normal business hours.

You should also read the cancellation policy carefully. Belize’s wet season overlaps with the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through November 30.

Ask whether:

• Deposits are refundable
• Reservations can be moved to new dates
• Refunds are provided if the property becomes unavailable
• Weather-related transportation delays are covered
• Travel insurance is recommended

Travel insurance may offer additional protection, though coverage varies. Read the policy terms carefully so you understand which delays, interruptions or cancellations qualify.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Before sending payment, ask the owner or manager:

• Where exactly is the property located?
• How will we reach it from the international airport?
• What transportation will we need during the stay?
• Which amenities and services are included?
• What is the complete cost after taxes and fees?
• Who provides local support during the stay?
• What are the cancellation and weather policies?

Save written copies of the answers, booking agreement and payment receipts. Use a recognized booking platform or follow secure payment instructions on the property or management company’s official website.

Choose a Rental That Fits the Entire Vacation

The best vacation rental in Belize is the one that fits the way you genuinely want to experience the country.

Our stays on Ambergris Caye taught us how much the right location and layout can shape a trip. Being close to San Pedro made it easy to walk to restaurants, explore town and spend long mornings around the pool. Staying farther south gave us more peace, a sandy beach and easy access to the water from our own dock.

Start by deciding which part of Belize best supports your itinerary. Then compare each property’s exact location, layout, amenities, transportation requirements, complete cost and local management.

Taking time to look at the full experience will help you find a comfortable home base and leave more room for the parts of Belize you came to enjoy, whether that means snorkeling over the reef, exploring the jungle, swimming with sharks or sharing a quiet breakfast outside before the day begins.

About our Belize trip:

• We Review The Phoenix Resort Belize And Tasty Nachos
• Better Than Home, A Review of Athens Gate Resort in Belize
• 23 Moments You’ll Experience At Victoria House on Ambergris Caye

Our Buddha Board review of this fun, water-activated canvas for mess-free travel with the kids.

Let’s dive into our Buddha Board review and learn how this compact, drawing tool can transform your family’s travel experiences.

We’ve had our original Mini Buddha Board (and its cousin, the white Special Mindfulness Edition) for about a month now. In that time, the mini has become a staple both in our house and when we’re on the road.

In a hurry? You can buy the Buddha Board on the Buddha Board website here or on Amazon.

That’s given us plenty of time to run the Buddha Board through its paces, both at home and on the road.

But first, let’s dive into exactly what a Buddha Board is, and how it works.

What is a Buddha Board?

A Buddha Board lets you create art using only water, a brush, and the board itself. The board is made of a material that turns dark when wet. As the water evaporates, the image slowly fades away, leaving a blank canvas for you to create anew.

Because it only uses water (no ink, chemicals, or paint is used), the Buddha Board is environmentally friendly. Plus, it lasts for years with proper care.

What’s the point of a Buddha Board?

The Buddha Board is inspired by the Zen concept of living in the moment and embracing impermanence. It encourages users to practice mindfulness and let go of their attachment to their creations, as the art eventually disappears.

People use the Buddha Board for relaxation, stress relief, and meditation, as it promotes a sense of peace and tranquility through the process of creating and observing the temporary nature of the artwork.

Buddha Board Review

When we travel, we don’t have room to carry much for art supplies. Usually, we only carry a sketchpad and pencils, but we invariably run out of paper. We do explore our creativity with photography to capture landscapes, people and animals as we travel, but we were craving another form of creative expression.

Turns out, we needed the Buddha Board all along. All you require is a bit of water and, with a canvas that flips to become a cover that’s about the size of a CD (remember those!), and you can make art anywhere you travel.

There are two sizes of Buddha Board available: the standard size, equivalent to a letter-size paper, and the mini Buddha Board, our choice for travel.

We found the standard-size Buddha Board to be perfect for creating bigger artistic creations at home, but it’s not great for picking up and carrying around. This is why we choose the mini Buddha Board for travel.

The compact mini Buddha Board fits perfectly into a travel backpack or suitcase. It’s only five inches square and 1/4 inch wide.

How does a Buddha Board work?

You draw on the board using a brush, dipped in water. When you draw, the image appears shortly after you use a brushstroke but not immediately like an pen would.

I expected a cheap brush to be honest, but the quality of the brush is very good, with a long, tapered end.

You can put water into the stand compartment, and dip your brush in or have a small bowl or cup at the ready and use that instead (that’s our preferred way).

As you draw, your brush strokes slowly fade away within about 10-15 seconds.

For darker strokes, use more water on the brush, and for lighter strokes use less water. The more water you use the longer it takes to disappear. So, by adjusting the thickness of your strokes, and the amount of water, you can really control the darkness and thickness of your Buddha Board water art.

The Buddha Board takes away the stress of worrying about making a mistake when drawing. You don’t need to be a great artist, because if you make a mistake, it just fades away.

Our family also like to paint a sketch then as the image fades, recreate a new painting using the fading brush strokes as inspiration for our next creation.

The mini Buddha board folds into its own small easel stand and holds the paintbrush for your next moment of creative inspiration.

Want to preserve your artwork longer? Simply snap a photo of your drawing with your phone.

There are several different Buddha Boards. They all come with a brush and a stand.

• The Original Buddha Board is the largest, measuring 12 × 9.5 and is 1/4 inches deep.
• The Mini Buddha Board is perfect for travel, at 5 × 5 and is 1/4 inches deep.
• Special Mindfulness Edition (White) of the Mini Buddha Board, measuring 5 × 5 and 1/4 inch deep, just like the Mini Buddha Board.

Using the mini Buddha Board for travel

As parents, we understand the challenges of entertaining little explorers during road trips and long flights.

The quest for mess-free, engaging activities is never-ending, but the water-based fun of the Buddha Board happily occupies young artists without leaving a trace of chaos in their wake.

You don’t have to worry about any cleanup because the image is drawn on with water. There are no inks of any kind.

The Mini Buddha Board lets your little ones create masterpieces with just a brush and water. It’s perfect for road trips and airplane rides, keeping kids busy during long flights or car rides, and filling their time with imagination and Zen-inspired fun! It’s quickly become one of our top tips for fun family travel.

Tip! Place a glass 1/4 full of water in your car’s cup holder to minimize water spills in the car. While we’ve used the mini Buddha Board in our vehicle, it does require water, so water in the stand can tip over the stand. To minimize water spilling, we just use a small cup, fill it with a bit of water, and place it in the cupholder in the car.

The Buddha Board’s perfect as an electronic-free distraction at your destination, too, and it’s one of our new favorite unique travel gifts.

What is a Buddha Board made of?

The Buddha Board website says “both the surface and backing are made of natural and man made materials”.

You can damage the surface by scratching, or even from oils on your fingers, so you need to use some care to keep your Buddha Board useable for years.

Buddha Board cons

Overall, we like the Buddha Board a lot. It’s small, easily packs in our backpack, and is a lot of fun to use on the road (with only a little water needed).

That said, no product is perfect for everyone, all of the time. If you want to keep and display your art pieces, then you may want to use a more permanent canvas for your creations.

The Buddha Board canvas seems tough but can be scratched or damaged by oils on your fingers. If you tend to be rough on your belongings, you may want a less delicate canvas.

It would be great to have an extra large version as well, to have plenty of space for larger creations at home.

How much does the Buddha Board cost?

You can buy the Buddha Board on the company website here or on Amazon.

The mini Buddha Board is about $18 USD, and the original runs about $38 USD on the company website.

See prices for the mini Buddha Board.

See the mini mindfulness edition Buddha Board.

See prices for the original Buddha Board.

Did you try the Buddha Board? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Imagine a trip where grandparents get to see the world through their grandkids’ eyes, parents get a break from their daily grind, and kids create memories with the entire family that they’ll remember forever. Multi-generational family vacations are growing in popularity, and for good reason.

Shared memories can often transcend generations and creating memories the entire family can talk about for decades to come is one of the many reasons to travel with an extended family. In todays busy world, carving out some much needed family time gets harder every year.

However, let’s be honest, balancing the needs of different age groups can feel like juggling flaming torches at times. Seniors often have health and mobility concerns, parents are often over stressed, and kids are either glued to their devices or have so many activities going on in their lives that they often don’t know if they’re coming or going.

The good news? With thoughtful planning and the right destination, you can craft a trip that’s as fun as it is stress-free for every member of your family.

How to Plan the Perfect Family Getaway: Ideas for Kids, Parents, and Grandparents

Step 1: Picking Accommodations That Work for Everyone

Your choice of accommodation can make or break a trip. For multi-generational groups, flexibility and space is key.

• All-Inclusive Resorts: These are great for stress-free family travel. All-inclusive resorts provide dining, entertainment, and childcare in one convenient package. Everyone can pick their own adventure while staying within arm’s reach of each other and all of them offer day trips if you want more culture or more excitement on your trip. Find the perfect multi-generational retreat with Escapes.ca’s all-inclusive vacations.
• Vacation Rentals: If you’re looking for a home-away-from-home vibe, consider an Airbnb or Vrbo. Shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms make family bonding easy, while separate bedrooms provide much-needed privacy. These can be initially cheaper than all-inclusives but make sure you budget in your meals, alcohol and any activities as those will all cost you extra.
• Cruises: A family cruise offers a floating resort experience, with options ranging from kids’ clubs to fine dining. Some cruise lines, like Disney or Royal Caribbean, excel at catering to multi-generational groups though you’ll likely pay handsomely for the privilege.

Why All-Inclusive Resorts Shine for Multi-Generational Travel

All-inclusive resorts take the guesswork out of planning. Here’s why they’re perfect:

• Everything in One Place: Dining, entertainment, and activities are all covered, so no one has to stress about logistics.
• Customizable Fun: Kids can join supervised clubs, grandparents can lounge by the pool have a spa day, and parents can enjoy activities like yoga or water sports.
• Budget-Friendly: Upfront pricing makes it easier to plan and avoid unexpected expenses plus a lot of resorts charge the same per 2 person booking as they do for shared rooms. That means that the grandparents can have their own room down the hall from you and the costs don’t double like staying in a hotel. If you have older kids, they could have theirs as well.
• Examples to Consider: Iberos Resorts in Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe or Barcelo resorts in Mexico, or Riu Resorts in Montego Bay Jamaica.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Destination

Picking the perfect destination is crucial to ensuring everyone has a great time. Start by considering:

• Accessibility: Choose a destination that’s easy to navigate for grandparents who may have mobility concerns. Think resorts with shuttles, flat walking paths, and minimal stairs.
• Family-Friendly Activities: Look for destinations that cater to all interests. For example, a beach destination might offer snorkeling and paddle boarding for the adventurous while providing serene beachfronts for relaxation.
• Weather and Season: Consider travel times and seasons that are comfortable for all ages. Not too hot for grandparents and not too cold for young kids. If planning a beachside holiday, make sure that the water is comfortable to swim in but not so busy you regret leaving your room.
• Top Picks: Mexico’s family-friendly beaches, Orlando’s theme parks, or European destinations like Italy and Spain, which combine culture with family-friendly attractions.

Step 3: Crafting a Balanced Itinerary

The secret to a successful multi-generational family trip is balance. While it’s tempting to pack your itinerary with activities, it’s better to create a schedule that allows for flexibility.

• Group Activities: Plan experiences that everyone can enjoy together, such as a guided walking tour, a family-friendly cooking class, or a wildlife safari. Often a shared experience can transcend the mundane because the whole family got to partake in it.
• Age-Specific Activities: Include downtime for grandparents, like spa treatments, while kids burn off energy at a pool or playground.
• Dividing When Appropriate: Sometimes separating the group for specific activities can allow everyone to get something from the trip that they can’t as a group. Whether that be ziplining through the jungle or going out for a romantic meal, realize that sometimes giving each person their own time can benefit the family as a whole. If nothing else, it gives the family things to talk about afterwards.
• Free Time: Build in periods of free time or down time for everyone to explore independently or simply relax if they’re feeling burnt out. We’ve learnt over our many years of travel with our family that when someone hits the burnt out stage that the entire group suffers. Factor that into your time equations when creating your plans and don’t fret about not doing every single thing a new place offers. The point of the trip is family and sharing and not tired and cranky.

Stress-Free Travel Tips

• Book Early: Multi-generational trips often require larger accommodations or group bookings. Planning ahead ensures you get the best options and if you’re planning for an all-inclusive getaway, often the best price is well before things start booking up.
• Travel Insurance: Cover everyone with a comprehensive policy. It’s especially useful for families traveling with young kids or older adults. There are cheaper plans that cover larger families so make sure you search them out for better deals.
• Meal Planning: All-inclusive resorts simplify meals, but for other trips, choose restaurants with varied menus that accommodate dietary restrictions. if you’re cooking for yourself, make sure that you make something your whole family will enjoy. When away from home and cooking for ourselves, we always try to include a few local flavored meals using local ingredients while also throwing in an occasional tried and true family favorite meal to give a small taste of home.
• Delegate Responsibilities: To reduce stress, assign roles, such as one person handling transportation while another manages bookings. This helps spread the load of planning a trip and ensures everyone has their say.
• Get Everyone On Board: The more each member of your family shares their input ahead of time, the more likely that they’ll enjoy that same activity when it finally arrives. We’ve learnt to prep our kids for our travels more as they get older so that they feel invested in the trip and have a personal activity they’ve chosen that they get to look forward to. It goes a long way to ensuring that the trip isn’t just what this person or that person wants but that there’s something for every member of the family.

Packing and Preparing for a Multi-Generational Trip

• Essentials: Bring medications, snacks for kids, and entertainment for downtime. If it’s a long flight, make sure to bring things to make the flight easier with little ones.
• Shared Items: Consider packing communal items like sunscreen, travel-sized games, and books. If you have a pool where you’re staying, packing or buying a few small inflatables when you get there isn’t a bad idea either nor is packing large refillable water bottles so everyone stays hydrated on days spent in the sun or on hikes.
• Tech Tools: Use apps like Google Maps or WhatsApp to coordinate schedules and stay connected. Look at getting a shared Wifi device or picking up eSims for data for a few of the group if you think you’ll be splitting up often enough.
• Light Packing: Encourage everyone to pack light to leave room for souvenirs. We still travel with only carry-ons but with a large family group, consider checking a few bags so that getting around the airport is easier on everyone and boarding/unboarding the plane remains stress free.

Wrapping Up: Embrace Flexibility and Have Fun

No trip is without its hiccups, but the magic lies in creating shared experiences and lasting memories. Embrace flexibility, focus on the moments that matter, and remember, the best part of a family vacation is being together.

A family reunion can be a blast, especially when it’s set somewhere unforgettable! After our family of four (that’s me, Micki, my hubby Charles, and our two teens) learned about Charles’ nephew planning a wedding in Mexico, I started to dream about turning the next family reunion into a destination get together!

There’s just something magical about family reunions – the laughs, the stories, and the chance to catch up with everyone. Now, imagine all of that, plus finally bringing the family together somewhere everyone’s excited to be like on a sun-kissed beach, by a mountain lake, or in a bustling city!

How to Plan an Unforgettable Family Reunion in a Dream Destination

Planning a destination family reunion might seem like a lot, but with the right tips (and a little insider knowledge), it just may be the best memory your family makes together. In this guide, we break down everything you need to plan a reunion that’s as fun as it is unforgettable!

Ready to start crafting those family memories somewhere spectacular? Let’s get started.

1. Start Planning Early and Get Everyone Involved

Planning a family reunion can be like herding cats – and that’s especially true when it comes to picking a date. Start early, and don’t be afraid to use a poll or online survey to find the best time for everyone.

Get input from different family members on the location and activities. This way, everyone feels involved, and there’s a lot more excitement from the start!

2. Choose a Destination with Something for Everyone

Here’s where it gets fun!

When picking a location, make sure it has options for all ages and activity levels. Think about including things like hiking, water sports, or sightseeing for those with an adventurous spirit, but also consider relaxing activities like spa days, beach lounging, or sightseeing tours.

Not every family member is up for ziplining, but everyone can enjoy an evening beach bonfire!

3. Book Accommodations That Bring Everyone Together (With a Little Privacy!)

Vacation rentals are perfect for family reunions – you get common areas to hang out and kitchen spaces for cooking those big family meals. Plus, everyone can have a bit of their own space, too.

Look for homes or condos with enough bedrooms and bathrooms for comfort, or consider a group of cabins close together if you’re planning something a little more outdoorsy. Keep in mind that, in some places, larger vacation rentals book up fast, so lock those in early!

4. Don’t Forget to Send the Invites!

With the date and destination set, it’s time to send out the invites! You can send digital invites for easy RSVPs, but don’t forget to get some physical invitation printing for a personal touch, especially for older or offline family members. Printed invites can be a great keepsake!

Include key details like the date, location, accommodations, and an RSVP deadline. Add a personal touch with a family photo or a fun trip teaser. About a month before the reunion, send a follow-up with any updates and packing tips. A well-crafted invite not only gets everyone on board but sets the tone for an unforgettable family getaway!

5. Keep Meals Simple and Stress-Free

Meals can be one of the most fun parts of a family reunion – but also one of the biggest headaches.

Pro tip: Have someone bring a cooler full of snacks and drinks for outings so no one gets hangry.

Consider catering one or two big meals to save time and hassle. Or, plan for a fun potluck where everyone can show off their favorite dish! If you’re renting a house, assign a cooking team for each night or plan a family BBQ. A few grocery runs and plenty of snacks keeps everyone happy.

6. Plan a Mix of Activities and Downtime

When it comes to family reunions, more is not always better.

Don’t over plan every minute – give people a chance to relax, explore, or catch up at their own pace. Schedule a few big activities, like a group hike or boat trip, but leave room for spontaneity.

Some of the best memories are made from those little, unplanned moments – like watching the sunset or playing cards together in the evening.

7. Coordinate Travel Wisely

Since everyone is coming from different places, organizing travel can be a challenge.

If people are flying in, pick a destination with a nearby airport and consider arranging shuttles or car rentals for your family. Create a group chat or shared document to share flight details, travel times, and any other relevant info.

Planning For A Trip: 10 Practical Tips To Save Time, Money And Hassle

Keeping everyone in the loop makes a huge difference!

8. Hire a Photographer for a Day

Everyone loves snapping photos, but having a professional capture those priceless family moments is worth it.

How to Find and Hire the Perfect Vacation Photographer

Hire a local photographer to spend an hour or two taking family photos on the beach or at a scenic spot. You’ll get beautiful pictures that everyone can cherish, without someone having to miss out on the fun to be behind the camera.

9. Plan for Group Games and Family Challenges

A little friendly competition can make the reunion even more memorable.

Set up a family trivia night, an outdoor scavenger hunt, or a talent show. You could even create a Family Olympics with activities that suit all ages – sack races, tug-of-war, and even a water balloon toss. It’s a great way to get everyone laughing and bonding, and the kids (and adults!) love it.

10. Pack Smart and Share Essentials

Families tend to pack a little bit of everything, so make a list and share it ahead of time. Things like sunscreen, first aid kits, extra beach towels, and bug spray can be shared. With fewer suitcases to lug around, everyone can focus on enjoying the reunion. Plus, you can assign certain family members to be in charge of specific items – it’s all about teamwork!

11. Bring Along a Few Family Traditions

Reunion trips are perfect for adding a few family traditions.

Bring along a favorite family board game, make time for a group movie night, or start a new tradition, like a family reunion time capsule. Each person can contribute something small, and you can open it up at the next gathering.

Traditions help make each reunion feel a little extra special and give everyone something to look forward to for the next one.

10 Fun Family Reunion Destination Ideas

Ready to let your imagination run wild? Here are 10 perfect spots for your next family reunion:

1. Maui, Hawaii – Amazing beaches, waterfalls, and family-friendly luaus.
2. Banff, Alberta – Stunning mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and endless outdoor activities.
3. Smoky Mountains, Tennessee – Cozy cabins, beautiful hikes, and family-friendly attractions in nearby Gatlinburg.
4. Disney World, Florida – A magical experience for all ages, with resorts that cater to large families.
5. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada – Beautiful lake views, water sports, and skiing in the winter.
6. San Diego, California – Gorgeous beaches, family-friendly attractions like the San Diego Zoo, and year-round sunshine. There are many cool places to camp near San Diego in case you want to avoid hotels.
7. Niagara Falls, Ontario – Stunning waterfalls, boat tours, and a range of activities for all ages.
8. Sedona, Arizona – Breathtaking red rock landscapes, outdoor adventures, and relaxing spa options.
9. Whistler, British Columbia – Great for summer or winter activities, with hiking, biking, and world-class skiing.
10. Charleston, South Carolina – Historic charm, beautiful beaches, and delicious Southern cuisine.

Wherever you decide to go, planning a destination family reunion is all about making memories, having fun, and creating traditions that might last for generations. Enjoy every moment, and happy travels!

International Family Reunion Destination Ideas

Looking for somewhere international for your reunion? Here are four amazing international spots for your next family reunion:

1. Costa Rica – Known for its lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, and incredible wildlife, Costa Rica offers family-friendly eco-lodges, zip-lining adventures, and opportunities to relax in natural hot springs. Perfect for a reunion filled with both relaxation and adventure!
2. Santorini, Greece – With stunning white-washed buildings, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets, Santorini is a beautiful choice for families who want a mix of culture, beach time, and delicious Mediterranean food. Rent a villa with views of the Aegean Sea for an unforgettable experience.
3. Bali, Indonesia – Bali is ideal for families looking to immerse themselves in a peaceful, tropical paradise. With beautiful beaches, lush rice terraces, and family-friendly villas, you can enjoy activities like snorkeling, temple visits, and exploring traditional Balinese culture together.
4. Queenstown, New Zealand – Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is perfect for families who love outdoor activities. You can take a boat ride on Lake Wakatipu, explore the stunning Southern Alps, and enjoy everything from bungee jumping to wine tours. It’s a scenic and thrilling destination for all ages.

Each of these locations offers something unique and memorable for a family reunion, so you can gather the whole family and make memories in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!

We found Little Passports when searching for fun, indoor activities for our kids, with a travel and exploration focus.

After over a year of not traveling due to the pandemic, we miss the sense of adventure and exploration that we used to get from seeing new places and experiencing new things. That’s why we’ve been looking for ways to bring some of the fun you get while learning and exploring during travel to our home life.

Sure, watching the best travel vloggers on YouTube is a lot of fun, but its educational value is debatable, especially for our kids, and to be honest, planning out your next adventure can only go so far until you can actually start booking things and marking off dates.

What is Little Passports?

Little Passports is a monthly subscription box for kids, with kits that focus on travel and exploration, or science (or both).

The subscription delivers everything your kids need to make, create and play, with different kits for different ages and interests.

They have monthly boxes for kids aged three to twelve.

Little Passports has five subscription packages (more on these down below):

• Early Explorers (ages 3-5)
• Science Junior (ages 5-8)
• Science Expeditions (ages 8+)
• World Edition (ages 6-8)
• USA Editions (ages 7-12)

Looking for a deal? Little Passports usually has a coupon on the home page, so check them out.

Little Passports Review

We tried Little Passports to see if it could bring together education and exploration for our kids.

Science Expeditions Review

We tried the Science Expeditions kit, aimed at ages 8 and up.

The Science Expeditions subscription lets kids solve real-life scientific mysteries every month, helping characters Sam and Sofia learn about the mysteries of the world through science experiments and activities.

The first, introductory, Science Expeditions kit comes with:

• Science Expeditions tote bag
• science lab notebook
• forensic science experiment kit
• fingerprint analysis card and ink pad
• a booklet with more fun games and activities

We tried a regular monthly Science Expeditions kit. Each monthly kit lets you solve new mysteries with cartoon characters Sofia and Sam, and comes with:

• 16-page comic book with glossary and bonus activities
• hands-on science experiments
• achievement badges for each subsequent theme
• access to bonus online videos and science content

Little Passports Science Expeditions review

The first Science Expeditions kit we tried was the Pinball Party.

Pinball Party kit

The first thing I noticed was that the 16-page comic book for the kit is glossy, colorful, and nicely illustrated. Inside there were fun facts about pinball’s history, and an illustrated story about Sam and Sofia, which taught about how pinball machines work, and which raised a lot of fun questions.

The comic book is full of games and puzzles, a pinball word search, and a comprehensive glossary at the end.

There were physics terms and questions throughout the book, and they were presented in a way that was fun, and simple, but also challenging.

There is even a link to more fun facts and a video online.

Once my 12 year old was done reading through the comic book for Pinball Party, she moved on to the science experiment.

The experiment had her create her own pinball machine with a guide, pre-cut wooden pieces, and all the assorted bits she’d need to make the pinball machine.

I really loved that the experiment guide is thoroughly illustrated, and easy to follow, with plenty of color illustrations, and tips.

What’s especially fun is that she ended up with a working pinball machine at the end of the experiment. She had the fun activity of building the pinball machine, learned a lot about physics and building, and she also ended up with a fun toy to enjoy at the end.

The second kit we tried was a Solar Energy Science Expeditions kit.

Solar Energy Science Expeditions kit

The timing of the solar energy kit was perfect, since we are working on getting a solar system for our travel trailer.

The illustrated comic for the solar energy kit started with a fun story of how Sam and Sofia join their Aunt Charlie on an adventure to monitor the movement of snow leopards in the Himalayas.

That’s a win – science and travel adventure combined!

While visiting a local village in the Himalayas, Sofia and Sam are surprised to learn that the village has adopted solar technology for everyday uses like cooking and drying clothes. Along the way, they learn how solar energy works.

For this kit, the science experiments are a solar powered car, a spectroscope, and an ultraviolet impact experiment. Again, all of the parts needed to do all the experiments are included in the package.

Our daughter hasn’t quite finished all three experiments yet, but she keeps asking when we can get started. We had a busy week, so we haven’t had a chance to get going on the last experiment yet, but I think her enthusiasm to start says it all.

All in all, I was really impressed with the subscription. The booklets, instructions, and supplies are high quality, and they were fantastic at keeping our daughter engaged and entertained.

Early Explorers kit

Early Explorers ages 3-5. Characters, Max and Mia, and their dog Toby, travel around the world exploring a different theme each month.

World Edition subscription with Little Passports

The World Edition subscription is for ages 6-8. In this kit, characters Sam and Sofia travel to a new country every month, teaching kids about the world.

USA Edition Little Passports box

The USA Edition subscription is for ages 7-12. In these kits, characters Sam and Sofia travel to two new states every month, with an activity-packed State Journal.

Little Passports Science Junior box

The Little Passports Science Junior subscription is for ages 5-8. In this subscription, characters Sam and Sofia explore mysteries through science experiments and activities.

Get hands-on educational activities for all ages delivered to you every month,.

Summer Camp with Little Passports

This year, Little Passports has a limited time Summer Camp subscription.

The summer camp boxes come in three types:

• World Edition, for ages 6 – 10.
• Science Junior for ages 5 – 8.
• Early Explorers for ages 3 – 5.

Little Passports Cost

Little Passports subscriptions start at $16.95/month.

The Science Expeditions box costs $27.95 monthly, $25.95/month with a 6 month subscription, or $23.95/month with a 12 month subscription.

You can pay monthly, get a six month subscription, or a 12 month subscription.

Shipping is free within the continental USA.

See up-to-date Little Passports prices on their website here!

Little Passports coupon

Looking for a Little Passports discount?

We found the best Little Passports coupons by navigating to their home page, where they usually have a discount up front.

See discounts here.

Is Little Passports worth it?

What we like about Little Passports:

• on time delivery
• the kit was perfectly age appropriate, and had great quality supplies
• subscriptions include everything you’ll need. There’s no need to shop for additional supplies.
• the kits did a great job of engaging the imagination, and were a lot of fun

What we didn’t like

We have a 15 year-old, and I would love to see a subscription geared toward older kids.

In our case, the kits were fun for our younger child, but we had to find a different activity for the 15 year old. It would simplify our lives to have something for our older one as well.

I would especially love to see an older version of the World Edition subscription, which is for ages 6 to 8. The USA edition is geared for ages 7 to 12, but, as Canadians, we were less interested in a USA-only kit than subscribers based in the USA may be.

Learn more about Little Passports.

More about Little Passports

Here’s what the Little Passports website has to say about their service.

Little Passports creates products designed to inspire children to learn about the world through monthly subscriptions, educational toys and characters kids love. To date, we’ve delivered over 4 million packages designed in conjunction with professional educators, PHDs, and award-winning writers and designers. Headquartered in San Francisco, Little Passports is a National Parenting Publication Award winner and a Parent Tested Parent Approved product. The company was founded in 2009. Today our products are available in 16 countries and counting.

– littlepassports.com

With kids out of school and social distancing still in effect, families like us are looking for healthy, active ways to spend our family time.

If you’re fortunate enough to have an outdoor space, we’ve come up with some great inspiration for the best backyard games for the family.

What’s great about these games, especially CROSSNET, is that they can be played in your own backyard while you’re stuck at home. Some require just a tiny bit of space, while others need a bit more outdoor room however we even have a few choices for games that don’t require any special equipment at all.

Best Backyard Games for Families

These are challenging times. Depending on where you are in the world, you’re likely spending a lot of time indoors.

As a family, we’ve made a big effort to get outdoors as much as we can (in a safe way). Luckily, we have a private back yard, so we’ve tried out plenty of outdoor games with the kids. Here are our favorite backyard games for families.

CROSSNET

CROSSNET is a new game to us, and we’ve had a blast trying it out over the past week or two. It’s essentially a volleyball game divided into four. What’s awesome about this game is that you can play it in your backyard on grass, sand at the beach or even play it indoors! It’s easy to set up in a few minutes (though it did take us a bit longer the first time).

CROSSNET is meant for four players, though you can rotate additional players in and out if you have more than four and you can even play with just two or three.

What I really like is that the height is fully adjustable (from 5′ 6′ to 7’11”), making it easy and fun for kids of all ages. CROSSNET comes with a volleyball, pump, travel backpack, and the net itself.

Because our youngest is 11, we chose to play with the net a little lower than the typical adult height. It was actually a great height – not too easy, but still not too high to make it frustrating for our youngest.

The standard CROSSNET is an outdoor set, meant for sand or grass. You can buy an indoor base set add-on to let you play CROSSNET indoors, or you can get the indoor and outdoor bundle all in one. The bundle includes the CROSSNET, indoor bases, travel backpack, volleyball and pump.

Order your CROSSNET here.

Fun outdoor family games that require some equipment

There’s tons of fun to be had outdoors in your own back yard, whether it’s with a Frisbee, football, soccer ball, or another game.

Looking for free (or almost free) games? Scroll to the bottom to see our list of outdoor games that don’t require you to buy any special equipment.

Frisbee or flying discs

If you happen to have a Frisbee on hand, this is one of our favorite back yard games. It doesn’t require a lot of athletic skill, and it’s perfect for a casual bit of exercise if you’re not the competitive type. It’s also a perfect game if you have a puppy that’s game.

Tip! If you’re playing Frisbee with smaller kids, get a soft flying disc that doesn’t hurt when you accidentally toss it at someone.

If you set up a few items (like plastic buckets) as targets, you can even start a backyard version of disc golf (though there are backyard sets for that as well). Add in some artificial turf and you’ll look like a pro!

Nerf balls

Nerf balls and Nerf guns are almost always a hit with any age. Even better, if you accidentally hit someone (or a window), a Nerf ball doesn’t typically do a lot of damage.

We even picked up some Nerf bow and arrows and have had Nerf archery matches both in the backyard and in the house. (Yes, we’re that bored.)

American Football

You’ll need a bit of space for a proper game of American football, which can be modified a bit to play with as few as four players. If you’re a short on garden space, or players, then practicing throwing your perfect spiral is a great alternative.

Bocce Ball

If you haven’t tried bocce before, then you’re in for a treat. Bocce is more of a bowling game than a throwing game, and it’s a fun game to play in teams.

Tip! We found that bocce is better for older kids. The regulation size bocce balls we bought are a bit heavy and awkward for our kids however they do sell smaller sets if your kids are younger.

Basketball

Even if you’re alone, basketball can be a fun game when you’re practicing free throws.

With only two people, you can have a fun (but usually exhausting) game of one-on-one. With four people, and modified rules, you can have a proper game.

You can even make a DIY indoor mini basketball net with some wire hanger and string.

Ladderball

We play ladderball all the time in our back yard and in the park.

A ladderball game has two golf balls tied together on a string that are thrown at a ladder- like stand. It really is a fun backyard game to play with the family.

Ladderball is still relatively new, so it’s also known in some circles as ladder toss, ladder golf, ball rope, hillbilly golf and our kids favorite, horse nuts.

Check out ladderball sets here.

Horseshoes

Since horseshoes are heavy and a bit awkward, you may want to save this for slightly older kids (at least if you value your toes).

For younger kids, you can buy sets of lighter plastic horseshoes.

Feeling nostalgic for horseshoes? Check out this awesome starter set.

Beanbag toss

Beanbag toss is another staple in our list of fun back yard games.

In beanbag toss, you take turns throwing square beanbags at a board with a hole in it.

Interesting note: Since traditional beanbags are filled with dried corn, beanbag toss is also known as cornhole, especially down in the south.

Interested in beanbag toss? Check out your future cornhole set here.

Washer Toss

Washer toss is a cross between beanbags and horseshoes, where you throw metal washers into a small box with a circular hole in the center. There are plenty of variants on the basic game, meaning you can make up your rules as you go along.

We actually built one last summer to take camping with us since it’s so small and the kids enjoyed watching the metal washers destroy the wooden bases we made every throw.

I think we’ll fork out for these plastic coated washers instead this year: Plastic Coated Metal Replacement Washer Set – Set of 8 Washers at Amazon.  

Croquet

Croquet has been around for centuries but it’s still a fun game if you have a small group of people and a bit of space to play. It’s also so rewarding to smack someone else’s ball away with a wooden mallet that it’s a great way to relieve some stress from all those days stuck indoors together.

Soccer (Football)

Whether you call it soccer in the US and Canada, or football in the rest of the world, this is still a great back yard game. Sure, you probably don’t have the room for a full sized game of soccer, but your back yard is the perfect place to practice your fancy ball handling and for short passes.

Footvolley

Footvolley is a great choice if you don’t have room for a proper game of soccer. In footvolley, teams are 2 vs 2, and it’s essentially a combination of volleyball and soccer. Check it out in the video below.

Hacky sack

Hacky sack isn’t just for ’90’s university student’s sporting dreadlocks.

It’s a great backyard diversion, since it doesn’t take a lot of room. You can also play with a hacky sack solo, or in a larger group.

Since you generally don’t keep score, hacky sack lets experts and novices alike enjoy kicking the old dirtbag among the circle.

If you’re the crafty type, you can even crochet our own hacky sack.

Check out these hacky sacks here.

Tip! If you’re really good, you can even use the CROSSNET set above to practice your foot volleys with a real soccer ball or a hacky sack.

Sepak takraw

We first saw sepak takraw being played when we traveled around Thailand. Sepak takraw is a game from Southeast Asian where you have to kick a rattan ball over a net using only your feet, head, chest or knees. Imagine a combination of hacky sack and volleyball.

It’s usually played 3 vs 3, but you’ll get a heck of a workout when playing 2 on 2 or even 1 on 1, if you dare. The court is similar in size to a badminton court, but you can modify it to play in a smaller space.

Check out these traditional sepak takraw rattan balls here.

Backyard games that don’t need special equipment

Stuck in the house without a lot of equipment? Don’t worry, if money’s tight, or even if it’s just hard to pick up games right now, we have some great ideas for backyard games without special toys.

Here are some alternative games you and your kiddos can play in the back yard. The only limit here is your imagination.

Treasure hunt

Kids love searching for hidden treasure, so give them a mission. The treasure hunt can include things of a specific color, rocks, sheds, specific plants, and so on. Depending on your kids’ ages, you can make it easy or hard.

Just make sure you have some sort of prize for everyone at the end! Cookies or chocolate still works with our family.

Obstacle course

Kids of all ages love a good obstacle course.

Easy obstacles include wiggling through a kid’s play tunnel, hopping through hula hoops, dodging sprinklers (when the weather allows), walking a tightrope along a board, jumping from rock to rock, tossing a ball into a bucket, and so on.

Blowing bubbles

Ok, so it’s not really a game, but blowing bubbles is a blast, and easily done without special equipment. Check out this recipe for making your own homemade bubble solution.

If your kids are bigger, try getting them to make giant bubbles with a rope and a stick.

Volleyball without a net

Ok, so admittedly volleyball without a net sounds like some weird sort of extreme sport, but it’s honestly pretty simple. Even if you don’t have a volleyball net on hand, getting a few people together in a rough circle is a great way to enjoy playing a little volleyball.

You don’t even need a volleyball, honestly. Any inflatable ball, including a beach ball, works in a pinch.

Playing catch

It’s an oldie, but a goodie. All you need is a ball and two people. You can even bounce a ball off the side of your house (just be sure the noise isn’t too annoying for your neighbors or someone inside).

If you have baseball gloves, great, but you can easily play catch bare handed.

Do you have any favorite outdoor games for kids and adults that you can play in the backyard? Let us know below!

Are you thinking about buying Rosetta Stone for kids?

My husband and I tested out Rosetta Stone with our own two kids to prepare for our annual winter trip down to Mexico.

What did we discover?

Here’s what we thought of Rosetta Stone’s foreign language learning, and whether it’s worth it or not.

Curious? See Rosetta Stone’s pricing here.

Rosetta Stone for Kids

For a couple of years now as a family, we’ve been learning Spanish from a free app, and via first hand interactions while traveling in Mexico and South America. At this stage, we have a bit of basic vocabulary, but I’m finding that none of us are progressing at a level I’d like.

Despite dozens of cumulative hours spent on the free app, we’re still not able to hold a conversation in Spanish. Besides for a bunch of key words, we still haven’t even learned basic day to day questions.

At this point, we’re just not learning as much or as quickly as we’d like. Instead, our choices are to take a class at our local college, hire a tutor, or find a really good online program. Once I checked out how expensive local classes would be for the four of us, I decided that was out.

Hiring a tutor would be around $20 an hour where we live, so that was out as well. We could hire an online tutor (with good reviews) for cheaper (around $10 an hour), but that still got expensive with four of us wanting to learn is.

With those all crossed off, we decided to take an online course with Rosetta Stone to learn better Spanish. The price is pretty good, at $5.99 per month (if you sign up for 24 months) or $7.99 a month (if you sign up for 12 months). We took the Spanish Latin America course.

First impressions of Rosetta Stone

This review was originally written after five weeks of using Rosetta Stone.

We’ve been using Rosetta Stone for six months now. In that time, I’ve found huge improvements in my Spanish language skills. My Spanish vocabulary is bigger, and I’m much more adept at asking questions in Spanish.

I also find it pretty useful to be able to pick up bits of conversion that other people are having in Spanish. Before I started Rosetta Stone, it was really hard to understand when other people would talk in Spanish. It all seemed too fast too understand.

Now, while I don’t understand everything in a conversation between two native Spanish speakers, I get the gist of a conversation, by picking out probably every third word. I still have a ways to go before I’m fluent, but I’m getting there!

We’ll update again with our impressions at 12 months.

What’s interesting is that Rosetta Stone’s immersive lessons are done only using pictures and words in the language you’re learning. It doesn’t use your native language during teaching (other than if you ask for help, or if there are instructions on how to use the app).

There are no explicit explanations or translations. However, you can press on the photo or words, and a translation will pop up, if you need.

At first, not having an English translation onscreen felt a little disorienting, but I quickly got used to it. I found that having the lessons only in photos and Spanish kept me from translating to and from English in my head. Instead, I found myself going straight from a photo to a Spanish word or phrase.

One thing that I noticed right away is that I was spending more time learning. I think that’s a good thing.

My Rosetta Stone sessions said they’d last about 30 minutes a day (I finished most of them in 20 or 22 minutes, though).

When I was learning using other apps, I found that I’d lose focus after about 10 minutes and quit. Rosetta was really good at keeping me focused and on task, so I almost always finished my daily lesson.

What did the kids think of Rosetta Stone family?

We have two kids, age 14, and age 10. Rosetta was simple enough that both kids installed the app, got started, and completed their lessons on their own. We occasionally sat with our 10 year old as encouragement, but she really didn’t need it.

Honestly, I was a little worried they’d have trouble staying with the 30 minute lessons. It turns out that wasn’t an issue at all.

There was a little resistance at first, but when I told them they’d be able to play video games when they were done, that melted away pretty quickly.

The kids used the Rosetta Stone app on their iPod (for the 10 year old) and an older iPhone 6s (for the 14 year old). I think that being able to use Rosetta on their gaming devices made it feel a lot more like a game, and less like language learning, so that’s a definite win.

I wish I could say that they managed 30 minutes a day, five days a week, but we fell a bit short of that. They occasionally had a bit of homework, had friends over, or we had an after school activity. All in all, they averaged about 3 days a week learning.

Even with the kids doing about 3 days a week, I saw improvements in their Spanish the second week. Our youngest tends to pronounce Spanish words with a strong English accent (like me), and I noticed a huge improvement in her Spanish accent in only a week and a half.

When you first sign into Rosetta, it asks if you’re an adult or kid, and it tailors the voice recognition specifically for kids or adults.

Is Rosetta Stone only for beginners?

No, you can start at what level of lessons you need: beginner, intermediate, or proficient.

We’re all probably at beginner, nudging into intermediate, but we all chose beginner.

What are Rosetta Stone Lessons Like?

For this review, I used the Rosetta Stone app exclusively.

Each week starts off with a basic core lesson in language basics. Then, you’ll go onto phrases (for example, phrases you’d use when meeting people), pronunciation, and vocabulary. After that, there are lessons in listening, speaking, and grammar.

After that, you move onto basic sentences, listening, and speaking.

Lessons focus on basics like meeting people, dealing with time and money, clothing, family relationships, around the house, travel, shopping and travel.

I really liked that each week’s lessons had a lot of opportunities to practice the language. Rosetta uses something called TruAccent speech recognition, which helps Rosetta understand and rate your spoken lesson. I found it did a really good job of understanding my Spanish, but corrected me when my pronunciation was a little off (which was a lot of the time).

Since I struggle most with pronunciation and spoken Spanish, doing a lot of pronunciations, and listening to Spanish, was great for me.

When you first start a lesson, you can tailor the plan to your specific needs, like traveler, career builder, heritage seeker, language lover and so on.

Because we travel so much, I chose traveler.

How much does Rosetta Stone Cost?

Right now, Rosetta has a great sale on. Here are the prices.

• 3 months $11.99 /month
• 12 months $7.99/month
• Lifetime, with unlimited languages, $179.

However, you can’t pay monthly. You’ll need to pay for the entire 3 or 12 months up front to get the deal.

Subscriptions automatically renew at the full retail price (plus tax). You can turn off auto-renewal at anytime.

To start, you need to buy a minimum of three months.

What we didn’t like

All in all, I really liked Rosetta Stone. I found that I learned a lot.

That said, I wish it was a little cheaper. Then again, I found that you get a lot for what you pay for. I definitely learned more with Rosetta than with any other language learning program I’ve tried. Now, maybe I really stuck with it more this past month because it was more expensive, but who knows?

I don’t love that subscriptions automatically renews at the full retail price. Sure, you can turn off the renewal in your settings, but a lot of people will miss that in the fine print.

I also didn’t love that you needed to pay for your entire subscription at once (with the exception of the 24 month subscription, which let you pay in 3 monthly installments). Honestly, this seems like a missed opportunity to me. A lot of people will sign up for something at 5.99 a month for 24 months, but I would think that fewer will pay $143.76 up front.

I also had two times where I got an error in the app. Both were when I closed my lesson, and then went back in quickly. The kids never saw an error, so it just may be a glitch with my phone. As soon as I closed the app and opened it again, the error went away, so it was really no bother.

Should you take Rosetta Stone’s Spanish Latin America or Spanish (Spain)?

Here’s the short answer: if you’re traveling to Spain exclusively, then take Rosetta Stone’s Spanish (Spain). If you’re traveling to Mexico, South America or Central America, then take Rosetta Stone’s Spanish Latin America. Most people in the USA and Canada take Rosetta Stone’s Spanish Latin America.

We’ve discovered first hand that there are quite a few differences in spelling, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary between Spanish in Spain and Spanish in Latin America.

We ended up taking Rosetta Stone’s Spanish Latin America course, since we tend to spend more time in Mexico and the Americas than Spain itself.

Rosetta’s Spanish (Spain) course focuses on a European Spanish dialect, called Castilian (castellano), that most Spanish-speakers in Europe use.

Though we weren’t as fluent in Spanish when we visited Spain a couple of years ago, we definitely noticed the many different words and a different pronunciation from the Mexican Spanish we were used to.

As frequent travelers with both a teenager and a tween, we’ve witnessed the good and all the bad when traveling with someone whose moods and hormones can fluctuate like a duck on a pogo stick.

The good news is that you can travel with a teen!

Benefits of traveling with a teen or tween

Mood swings and occasional disdain aside, teens can make great travel partners. Not only are they now better at communicating, they can sit still for hours and can better occupy themselves during extended travel or down times. Some can even tolerate museums, art exhibits, and even enjoy the odd architecture tour, which is something we dreaded when our kids were younger.

Teens and tweens can also better create and hold onto memories than younger children can.

We’ve traveled with our children since they were babies, and it always surprises us of what they do and don’t remember about our previous travels. We’ve definitely discovered that they retain way more now, as well as better understand the cultural and historical significance of the places we often stop at. They even sometimes surprise us with their knowledge of certain events and people that made a landmark important in the first place.

Another big plus of traveling with teens is that teens and tweens can generally do the same physical activities we as parents enjoy, such as extended hiking, ziplining, biking, waterslides, and even going on scary amusement park rides.

Travel memories with your teen

I can now look back at certain moments of my childhood with a certain clarity. That’s right, I can remember in perfect detail what that 14 year old teenage me was thinking as I walked into a Disney theme park and compare it to the first time I went when I was only seven. I can even compare it against the 21 year old me’s thoughts as well.

To say that my memories and mindset were in vastly different places would be an understatement. I was at a different place in my life at each age. Not only were my expectations and enjoyment different, but I was different both physically and emotionally.

Trust me, you probably don’t want to know exactly what’s going on in your teenager’s head, however, if you realize that they’re their own person and have their own thoughts, expectations, problems, likes and dislikes, you’ve just discovered the best secret to successfully traveling with a teen.

Why you should travel with a teen or tween

As I get older, I realize I have years of my childhood where I have no significant memories, outside of a few school events or family emergencies. I’m guessing this is common for most of you. We often don’t remember the day to day events of our past and really, why should we?

The fact that I can remember our family trips so vividly is important because it not only gives me glimpses of my past, but helps me realize that the memories my kids carry forward likely won’t be the hours of video games we’ve played together, or throwing the ball around in the backyard or the neighborhood hikes, but of places and events so out of the ordinary that they create a time stamp of their past.

The reason I say that is because even though our teens and tweens are constantly marching towards adulthood, the memories they look back upon will likely determine how they move forward.

Isn’t a memory of shared time, exploration, discovery, adventure and culture one of the best gifts a parent can give their child?

Don’t believe me? In terms of travel, many families will look back at shared trips with a certain fondness, even though regular day to day family life was a struggle for them.

I think the reason for this isn’t the location or sights you see. Often, just the fact that you spend quality time with your teen, experiencing things together, trying new things, getting out of your normal habits and putting their enjoyment occasionally over your own, creates these lasting memories. The rest is just a bonus.

Understanding your teen

Every time I go back to Disney Parks as an adult, I’m reminded not so much how it’s changed, but how I have changed over the years and what my mindset was each time I went there.

The first time I went at age seven, my family took three weeks off and we all drove down to California to check out Disneyland. I can still remember most of the rides and the thrill at being at my first true amusement park. To say it was magical would be an understatement.

Fast forward seven years and now I’m walking into Disney World in Florida for the first time. Considered the jewel of the Disney empire, what did that 14 year old have to say as he crossed the fabled gates? “Ugh, how long do we have to be here?“

So what had changed? The park still had its familiar castle and rides, it had characters I grew up with both old and new, it had everything I remembered from that first visit and much more.

The difference was obviously me. I was going through the awkward growing pains of adolescence. Yup, I was in my teen years.

To make matters worse, I was there with my cousins who were so excited to be there that they could barely contain themselves. The moment we walked in they were literally vibrating with enthusiasm.

My parents, who were supportive as usual, couldn’t understand why I was so bitter. The truth is, even I didn’t know why. They had just spent a small fortune flying with a teenager out to California, and tickets to theme parks aren’t cheap.

I’m not exactly sure when or why it happened, but somewhere that day the unhappy teen cynic that I had become took the day off and I ended up enjoying myself no matter how hard I fought against it. Some might say that it was just the magic of Disney, but given the right circumstances, it could as well apply to any place in the world.

So, what can make even the sourest teen laugh out loud in delight? Well, let’s go over a few suggestions on travel with teens and let’s find out.

Tips for traveling with teens and tweens

Now that we have a teenager and tween of our own, we’re constantly trying to figure out new ways to appeal to their likes and dislikes, and also keep the whole family happy and entertained when we travel. If you have a tween or teen of your own you’ll understand. If yours aren’t there yet, just keep some of these travel with tweens and teens tips handy. You’ll thank us later.

Keep your teen informed

The most important thing we’ve discovered when taking either a teen or tween someplace down the street (or anyplace in the world for that matter), is to give them options and keep them in the loop. Younger children are often happy to just follow along, but teens like to know what’s going on.

Don’t worry about giving them too much information (unless they ask for more details), but make sure they know what’s going to happen beforehand.

Yes, your first instinct might be to skip talking about the two hour bus ride you all have to take, or the overly long airport connection you’re going to have to sit through, but all that’s going to happen is they’re going to resent you once it happens. Give them the info beforehand and tell them that it’s required to make this trip happen.

If your child understands it has to happen regardless of anyone’s choice, they’re more likely to go along with it and hopefully make peace with it before it even begins. There’s also the added bonus that they’re now in the adult loop, which is what most teens crave for anyway.

Telling them beforehand puts them in the right mind space and lets you prepare for possible fallout before it happens. Having a plan to tackle inevitable boredom with video games, books or pre-downloaded Netflix movies isn’t a bad idea either.

Get your teen on board

If you want your teen or tween to feel like this trip isn’t all just about what you want, get their input in the planning stages. Everyone is much more likely to go along with a plan they helped establish.

It doesn’t mean giving in to every one of their demands, but give them options and let them choose from what you find acceptable. If they really don’t want to go, give them a small win by letting them choose the restaurant you’ll eat at that night or picking out the next movie you all watch together.

It doesn’t have to be much, but teens often feel like they have no control over their lives, and often rightly so. If they feel like they can control one aspect of the trip, it should help with the rest of it.

Let your teen help plan the vacation

Want to get your teen excited about your next trip? Give them some material to research before you leave, whether that’s a guidebook, a YouTube video or a couple websites for them to peruse.

YouTube videos are a huge hit with our kids. We often search for videos of the places we’re thinking of going to, and watch them as a family.

Given a little nudge, you might be surprised what interesting research your children do on their own. Whether they read about it in school, have a friend who talked about it, or whether they saw it online, searching for a few answers to a question they have about a place can lead to a desire to find the answer out themselves. This desire can even lead to excitement and that’s the best any parent can ask for in regards to their teen.

Give your teen some space when you travel

Nope, not talking about Space Mountain (but that is an awesome ride for teens), the trick is to give your teen and tween room before and after the days major events. Whether you’re checking out an amusement park, walking through ancient cathedrals or hiking the alps, everyone needs a little time to decompress after a long day of seeing the sites.

Whether that means getting them their own room or just upscaling your accommodations for a bigger sitting area, we’ve found giving our teenager space to relax and unwind pays for itself in peace of mind for everyone.

Tip: At this point in their lives, teens are going through changes, both physically and emotionally. Give them a chance to recharge their batteries at their own pace and they won’t be such a drain on yours.

Split up the group occasionally

It hurts me to say it, but the truth is, not everyone loves roller coasters and not everyone likes magical rowboats. If you find yourself traveling with two or more children of different ages, their interests might not crossover so well. Accept that and split the group up as needed to keep everyone happy.

If you do split up, arrange meet up times so you can swap parents and make sure to choose some activities you’ll all enjoy together so you can make family memories you share. Travel means different things to different people. It only makes sense that your growing children have their own passions they want to follow too.

Let the older kids play

This one is hard for most of us to accept, but your older teen is almost an adult. If they’re comfortable exploring an area on their own, and it’s safe, let them. Just make sure that, as above, you have pre-determined times and places to meet up so you can all have some shared memories as well.

This applies to major sites and activities, as well as amusement parks. Smartphones make it particularly easy to regroup later.

We used to travel with walkie-talkies when the kids were younger. When one of us went to run an errand or take the kids to the beach or someplace similar, it made splitting up into teams so much easier to regroup after.

Schedule some down time

After traveling to more than 30 countries with our children, often for months at a time, the one thing we always make sure to do is schedule in some down days. Whether you’re visiting Disney World or Universal Studios with your teens, exploring quirky and unusual things to do in London, checking out the Louvre in Paris, or gallivanting around the Galapagos Islands with your tween, everyone gets burnout eventually.

When you’re tired and cranky, standing in line or waiting around in the sun can make a good day become a bad day. Unless you’re a family whose members all have extremely high energy, don’t schedule something for every second.

Instead, enjoy a day off in the pool. Hit up a spa while letting your teen get a few solitary hours full of gaming, watching YouTube, reading a book or even checking out their social media and chatting with friends back home. It will go a long way to making every memory a good memory and the holiday a success.

These days, we’d rather miss out on an “OMG, we have to see this while we’re here” place than overburden the family. If it’s high enough on the list, it will happen regardless and if it’s not, there’s always next time. For us, the flow of travel is often more important than the destination.

Choose your destination carefully

Your children are getting older. Soon they’ll be traveling on their own. Try to pick out places today that you’ll all enjoy experiencing.

If you crave a tour of Ireland’s pubs, or a quiet remote island getaway, it might be prudent to visit those after the kids have moved out. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit certain places, it just means that you should consider what your family members will get out of the trip as well.

This realization has rearranged our travel lately more than anything. When our kids became teens and tweens, we realized that it opened up a lot of possibilities that we didn’t have when we traveled with young children.

For one, we can now go enjoy a parent’s night out since our kids are old enough to safely stay on their own for a few hours. We can now do activities that the kids were just too young to take part in like ziplining or mountain climbing. We can visit places we held off because the thought of little ones zooming around gave us panic attacks before we even got there.

On the down side, traveling with teens can get expensive quickly, since in most places they’re charged full adult fares. Don’t even get me started on their much bigger, and more expensive, eating habits. All these combined made us realize that traveling with teens is different than traveling with younger kids, but can still be just as rewarding.

Make your own memories

One of the biggest reasons people travel is to make new memories, to include special places and events that stand out from everyday life.

That’s why it’s just as important to not only see something you’ve only seen in print or online, but create a few strong memories to stay with you long after your trip has ended.

The truth is I’d rather have a single great shared memory of specific time and place with my teen than a jumble of memories all intertwined.

As an example I’m going to go back to the very first time I visited Disney when I was seven. After a very long day of rides, getting autographs signed and watching all the shows, my father and I were feeling burnt out. My older siblings wanted to go on a few more rides, but we needed a break.

My mom decided to take my brother and sister on a few of the bigger rides while my dad and I hung back. It turns out that my sister got motion sickness and my brother lost a shoe or something. It’s not my memory but it is one forever shared by my mother and her two tweens.

My memory is of my father and I stealing away into one of the little bakeries and each having a huge $5 piece of chocolate cake with a little blob of ice cream on it. Seeing this is well over 30 years ago, that was a lot of money for a piece of cake regardless of where we bought it.

The kicker? I can clearly remember my dad looking down at me and saying itwas worth it. To this day, I have yet to taste a chocolate cake that was as delicious and rich as that cake was and, for all the fun and excitement that day brought, that specific memory is still the most vivid of that entire trip and one of my most cherished.

Enjoy the moment

The fun part about when you travel with teens and kids in general is that you never know which moment will be the memory everyone keeps. For you, it might be having that perfect croissant while looking up at the Eiffel Tower with your children at your side. For your teen, it might be standing in line at the airport when someone’s bag failed to show up and their dad chewing out the poor baggage handler.

Teens have their own view of the world, and their own take on what’s important to them. Don’t be afraid to listen to them, they might shed light on things you’ve never thought of and have ideas you’ve never dreamed of.

Just realize that they’re people too and what’s important to them is what’s important to them. Understand that and you’re on your way to having one of the best trips of your life and a shared memory that will last forever.

It’s a boring one, if you ask my kids. While beach balls, sand castles and water pistols are great for little ones (and myself), older kids and adults often need a little more to do when they hit the beach in summer.

We spend a lot of time at the beach, so we decided to put together a list of the best beach games for adults and kids alike.

If you enjoy beach activities, there are so many beach games to play if you’re bored of working on your tan or swimming in the water. Whether you enjoy classic beach games like throwing a Frisbee around, or prefer some of the newer beach fads like pickle ball or roundnet, there are plenty of things to do at the beach for everyone of all ages and skills.

So without further ado, here’s our list of some of the best beach games you can play while spending the day by the water. We know which ones are our favorites, which ones are yours?

Best Beach Games List

Looking for some fun games to play at the beach? Here are our favorites, with picks for beach games for couples, adults, and kids. Some of these involve fun beach toys you can buy, but keep reading for free games to play at the beach as well.

Whether you’re booking some time away with your loved ones, a solo trip, or a couples retreat, beach games are always a great way to make the most of your time in the sand.

Best throwing games for the beach

Throwing sports make great beach activities. You can often play them in the water, on the beach or on the nearby grass and, if the beach is a little crowded, lobbing something in the air gives you more room to maneuver. Just be mindful of other people’s space, and try to keep everyone, including yourself, safe.

Frisbee or flying discs

No beach day is complete without someone getting hit by at least one Frisbee. To make sure you’re not the one getting hit, be the one throwing it.

If you have a few beach items as targets, you can even start a beach version of disc golf.

If you’re playing Frisbee in the water, consider getting a soft flying disc so it doesn’t sink or hurt when you accidentally toss it at someone.

Check out these floating flying discs here. 

Nerf balls

Whether it’s shaped like a football or some weird hybrid, Nerf balls make a great way to kill time while on the beach. The best part, if you accidentally hit someone, a Nerf ball won’t typically do a lot of damage. Some even absorb enough water that if you’re playing catch in the surf, it’s just like having a water balloon fight, minus the messy balloons..

Want a nerf ball for yourself? Check them out here.

American Football

Yeah, the ol’ pigskin is better suited to throwing around on the grass and not the sand however football is still a very popular beach pastime in North America. Just don’t be the guy trying to kick it because you know that never turns out well.

Feel like throwing a classic football around? Check these out.

Bocce Ball

This is probably the pinnacle of beach style class. Technically, it’s more of a bowling game than a throwing game, however it’s great fun and a good game to play in teams. The best part is that lots of wind just makes the game more enjoyable and you can play on sand, grass or even gravel. If you enjoy playing bocce ball but haven’t bought your own set yet, similarly played petanque might also be something worth checking out.

Love bocce ball as much as we do?

Check bocce ball sets here.

Beach Volleyball

A quintessential beach sport, there’s no better reason to dive into the sand than while playing a quick pick up game of v-ball. Considering there are volleyball courts at nearly every beach these days, it makes it an easy game to get started and, if you show up at any beach with a volleyball, guaranteed friends.

Tip! Even if there’s no net, getting a few people together in a rough circle is a great way to enjoy playing a little volleyball. The bonus, you won’t be letting the team down if you suck at it.

Love beach volleyball more than life itself?

Check out beach volleyballs here.

Basketball

You know I had to add this in here. Why? Because everyone takes a basketball to the beach silly! Actually, there are basketball courts in so many parks, especially in North America, that adjoin the beach that taking one actually makes sense if you enjoy shooting hoops outside. Just make sure to grab a street ball vs a regular ball since most courts close to sand can be hard on an indoor ball.

Enjoy a little street b-ball? Check them out here.

Ladderball

Yes, this is that game where you toss two golf balls tied together on a string at some stick like ladders. No, you aren’t a dork for playing it. Yes, it’s more fun than it looks, and yes, it’s actually harder than it looks. Who knew that golfballs had so much bounce?

What’s in a name? Since ladderball is still relatively new, it’s also known in some circles as ladder toss, ladder golf, ball rope and hillbilly golf. There’s even an area down south where they call it horse nuts. If you have to ask, you don’t want to know.

Wanna toss tied golf balls at plastic pipes? Check out ladderball sets here.

Horseshoes

Speaking of horses, classics never go out of style and though lobbing a 5 pound metal U at a steel spike in the ground isn’t as common as it once was, you can still find horseshoe pits along many beaches, especially ones with parks attached to them. If you enjoy the game but hate being forced to use a sand pit, grab a set of lighter plastic ones and play wherever you want.

Feeling nostalgic for horseshoes?

Check out this awesome horseshoe starter set.

Beanbag toss

Nope, not talking about that 70’s beanbag you spent a decade lying on while ruining your posture as a kid. This is the one where you toss some square beanbags at a board with a hole in it. Yeah, it’s kind of dorky, but that’s what you get when you ask for lawn darts to be banned. For the unaware, it’s also known in many circles as cornhole, and competition can oftentimes be fierce.

Personal brag: My brother in law and I once won 17 straight matches against the extended family. The result? Accolades, trophies, money? Nope, just forever banned from ever playing together again.

Interested in tossing the old beanbag yourself?

Check out your future cornhole set here.

Roundnet

Ever wanted to slap a ball on a mini trampoline with your friends? Now’s your chance with roundnet. Also known as SpikeBall, BounceBall or Slammo, roundnet is a great new game to play at the beach. Comprising two teams of two, you need to smack the small ball onto the net and hope the other team can’t return the ball. This game is fast and furious and is a ton of fun to both play and watch.

Feel like some hectic fun? Check out these sets here.

Washer Toss

A cross between beanbag and horseshoes, washer toss involves throwing metal washers into a small hole. Obviously created by some bored mechanics, the smaller boards and large metal washers means this game can be played at the beach or in your backyard. The best part about it, with more variants than any other beach game on here means you can make up your rules as you go along and it’s doubtful anyone will know the difference or call you out about it.

Curious about washer toss? Buy your washer toss game here.

Best kicking games for the beach

If you have room to run, kicking a ball around the sand might be the best beach game for you and your friends. If you don’t have so much room, there’s also a few beach games you can play that don’t require a lot of running. No matter which beach kick sport you choose, you’re going to work up a sweat. Especially if it’s a hot day out.

Soccer (Football)

If you’re from Canada or the US, then having a soccer ball with you at the beach might seem a little strange however, trust me, pretty much anywhere else in the world the number one beach sport is soccer by a large degree. We’ve seen soccer (football to almost everyone else in the world) played on some of the most remote beaches we’ve been to and it’s not uncommon for dozens of players to join in on an impromptu match.

Need to get your beach footie on? Check out this great barefoot ball here.

Hacky sack

What? Hacky sack isn’t a sport! Well, I’m not going to argue but there are several world champion hacky sack players that might disagree. In any case, hacky sacks are perfectly suited to the beach. They’re small, easy to carry in your beach bag and since you generally don’t keep score, it allows experts and novices alike to enjoy kicking the old dirtbag among the circle.

Need to get you hacky sack on? Check out these hacky sacks here.

Sepak takraw

Volleyball not your style but still enjoy hitting something over a net? Sepak takraw is a Southeast Asian specialty where you have to kick a rattan ball over a net using only your feet, head, chest or knees. It requires crazy skill and is essentially a combination of hacky sack and volleyball. Matches are 3 vs 3 and the court is similar in size to a badminton court.

Think you have what it takes for sepak takraw?

Check out a plastic version of the traditional rattan balls here.

Footvolley

Footvolley is closer to beach volleyball than sepak takraw where they use an actual ball and the teams are 2 vs 2. You can also use a beach volleyball court so in some aspects it’s also easier to set up. Skilled soccer players without a lot of room to run love playing footvolley or kickball at the beach and you’ll often see it being played in Brasil and Paraguay.

Love soccer but hate running? Check out this footvolley ball here.

Best paddle games for the beach

Ha, bet you didn’t realize there’s a whole division of paddle sports you can play at the beach. Well, there is and here is what makes them some of the best beach games you can play anywhere.

Pickleball

The newest fad to hit the world, (actually originally conceived back in 1965), pickle ball is remarkably like ping pong but with bigger paddles and big plastic balls with holes in them. A lot of beaches have tennis courts nearby so pickleball is a great way to get some exercise without all the running involved in tennis.

Ready to get pickled? Check out this great starter set here.

Paddle Ball

I can remember playing this when I was a kid. There really was no game, it’s pretty much just trying to hit a hard little ball back and forth to each other with a really big wooden paddle. The funny part about it is that it’s ridiculously fun and is a great game to play in the surf since you really can’t hit it that far to begin with and the ball floats quite well.

Think you can keep it up going for more than a few turns? Check out this Deluxe Paddle Ball Game Set here. 

Badminton

Ah, badminton. I didn’t really want to add this here since badminton can get frustrating outdoors. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still one of my favorite gym sports, however outside the wind plays havoc with the shuttlecock. That said, I’ve seen more than one group at the beach frolicking about with badminton rackets in their hands and happiness in their eyes. That alone tells me it’s a real beach game to someone, somewhere.

Willing to brave the outdoors?

Check out everything you need right here.

Tennis

If you can play Pickleball, you can surely play tennis, right? Yup. Tennis has been around since the 13th century and will likely long outlive most of the other games on this list. Though there’s lots of tennis courts next to beaches around the world, when you can play Pickleball in a court half the size, why would you want to get all sweaty like that?

Feeling like a champion? Check out this great tennis racket here.

Best free beach activities

Like to think out of the box? Hate organised sports or want to buck the trend of the best beach games above? Don’t want to invest in some of the best beach toys?

Here are some alternative games you and your kiddos can play at the beach. The only limit here is your imagination.

Hole digging contest

Yup, you want alternatives, dig a hole. This is great if you have sand castle blasé but still want to play in the sand. The goal is simple, get everyone in a line and see who can dig a predetermined depth before the others. Have a bunch of different ages playing? Make it something like the depth of the persons knee. Little ones with stubby legs might win it every time, but it’s not winning or losing here that counts. They get to dig!

Water filling contest

Well, what’s the next best thing to digging sand? Filling it with water, obviously. Get everyone to fill their holes in as fast as they can. Want to make it even funnier? Tell them they can only use their bodies to hold the water and no buckets allowed.

Sand sculpting

How do you make something a little more fun for bored kids? Make it into a competition. Instead of everyone creating one giant sandcastle, have everyone create their own then let everyone vote on their favorite or pick a non competitor to be the judge. Points should be awarded for creativity as well as execution to give everyone a fair chance. Bonus points to those incorporating objects they find along the shore into their design.

Sand drawing

What’s easier than sand sculpting? Sand drawing of course. Grab your finger or a stick and see who’s imagination is equal to their skill at drawing. Want to make it even funner. Tell them it has to be a self portrait or their favorite animal. Winner gets their choice of snack and bragging rights!

Beach treasure hunt

Well, if it’s a beach, there’s likely sand and water. What else is there depends on what kind of beach it is. Kinds love finding things so give them a mission. They can either do it alone or as a group and it can range from rocks of a certain size to shells, pieces of wood, crabs, feathers or even things of a certain color. Your imagination (and forethought) can make it easy or hard depending on your children’s ages.

Beach item must haves

Love the beach as much as we do? If so, you probably realized a long time ago that having a few beach specific items is a must for a happy day by the water. Besides for classics like sun tan lotion and sunglasses, here’s a few extra things that you might want to consider.

Beach socks

Love the beach but hate the feeling of sand beneath your toes? We know a few people like that and they swear by lycra beach socks. Unlike typical water shoes, these feel more like socks and are great if you’re playing beach volleyball or beach soccer and your feet get sore quickly from the sand under them. They also make great fin inserts if you enjoy wearing flippers.

Need a little more foot protection? Check out these comfortable lycra socks here.

Water shoes

Water socks not going to cut it? Need just a little more protection and a harder soled bottom so you can tackle the rougher water terrain? Water shoes are a great investment if you enjoy more natural beaches that aren’t all fine sand and comfy grass. We just picked up new sets of water shoes for the whole family and they’re great when we’re out paddle boarding or enjoying our new camper and enjoying the more rustic beaches.

Ready to tackle any beach terrain? Check out these great water shoes.

Air pump

Do you have any of those beach balls we mentioned at the top like a soccer or volleyball? If so, you’re going to need to fill them up with something. We picked up one of these a while back and it’s a great way to fill or top up those balls after a long winter of storage. The best part, with the included pressure gauge, you know exactly how hard or soft it needs to be.

Need something to pump you up? Check out this air pump kit.

Sand pails

Every kid (and sand loving adult) needs a sand bucket for a day at the beach. Sure, a true sand sculptor can get by with his hands and a stick but why limit yourself to traditional means when you can have various sized pails for every situation. The best part about this 4 piece nesting set is you can share it with your friends! Feel free to invest in some dollar store shovels and molds but a quality set of pails that generally take the biggest beating will last you forever.

Ready, set, dig! Check out these nesting sand pails.

Essential beach packing lists

Heading to the beach and not sure what all you need to bring? We wrote a great beach packlist that should get you started. If you’re looking for other essential beach gear we have you covered as well.

Looking for other ways to stay cool this summer without going to the beach? Check out this post we wrote on ways to beat the summer time heat.

So, now that you have your list of the best beach games out there, why are you still reading? Go out and enjoy your day at the beach!

Have we forgotten any of your favorite beach games? Are there other things to do at the beach that we missed? Please let us know below so we can share your insight with the rest of the world!