by alichava | Oct 20, 2019 | Travel
Did you know that if you have a 4th grader, she/he is entitled to a free park pass that will get you into national parks all over the country? We planned a bunch of trips (some of which are free and we don’t need a pass and some that have paid entrances) when my oldest was in 4th grade.

Screenshot of Randal Olson Itinerary
Here’s an article that features a road trip itinerary to cover some great parks.
Here are some of the places we have been:
- Great Falls (both the MD and the VA sides)
- Shenandoah
- Chincoteague
- Philadelphia (There are a number of National Parks)
- Statue of Liberty (This is a national park, but you have to pay a vendor to get there)
- Harper’s Ferry
- Everglades
- Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
- Mojave National Forest
- National Arboretum
- Wolf Trap
- Fort McHenry
by alichava | Aug 20, 2019 | College, Deals, Travel
The American Tourister 5-piece redefines the physics of luggage maneuverability to create the most effortless rolling bags on the market. This set offers unparalleled control, fluid movement and a range of motion which truly compliments the physiology of the modern traveler. One Set – So Many Options!
27″ Spinner Checked Bag
27″ Spinner: 27″H x 16.5″W x 8″D
Effortless 360 degree spinner wheels offers both a smooth and stylish ride
20″ Upright Carry-On
20″ Upright: 20″H x 13″W x 6.5″D
Rolls upright so there is no weight on your arm or shoulder. Smooth-rolling in-line skate wheels for effortless mobility
Wheeled Duffel
Wheeled Duffel: 12″H x 23″W x 12.75″D
Reinforced corners defend against the harshest travel conditions.
Boarding Bag
Boarding Bag: 14.5″H x 10.5″W x 4.75″D
Exterior pocket keeps you well organized.
by alichava | Jul 30, 2019 | Children, Entertainment, Travel
A few years ago, I saw a post on Facebook from someone I was in youth group with about what her family would be doing during that summer. She had a fun handwritten list of activities that her family had created. It had things like a dance party, make slime, hike, etc. I thought it was a great idea and we decided to create one as a family, but also focus on the rich adventures that we could take advantage of here in DC. I divide the list into three times of the year: Summer, Fall/Winter, Winter/Spring. And as we have weekends free of birthday parties or Bnai mitzvah, we fill in with an adventure. As I see activities on people’s Facebook feeds, I also add it to my list.
I’m sure there are many other adventure to add, but here is what I have put together. What other activities have you done that I should add?
- African American History Museum
- Air & Space
- Air & Space (Dulles)
- American Art Museum
- American History Museum
- American Visionary Art Museum (Baltimore)
- AnneMarie Sculpture Garden (Soloman’s Island)
- Aquarium (Baltimore)
- Arcade@Smithsonian
- Art Investigators @ National Art Gallery
- Artechouse
- Badlands
- Barbies
- Beach
- Bike Rides
- Blokus
- Botanic Garden Model Trains
- Bowling
- Brookside Gardens Glow Lights
- Brookside Gardens Wings of Fantasy
- Building Museum
- Camping
- Capitol
- Caps Practice
- Chanukah Fire Truck
- Chanukah on Ice – Pentagon City
- Chocolate World (Hershey)
- Crayola Experience (Easton)
- Cunningham State Park
- Damascus Children’s Museum, Stop Play
- Davis Kids Museum
- Diggerland (Cherry Hill)
- Dress Up
- Dumbarton Oaks
- Family Movie Nights
- Finger Painting
- Flying Circus Air Show (Sundays through Oct)
- Folkart Festival (Beginning of July)
- Frederick Trains Museum
- Fruit Picking
- Georgetown Glow
- Glen Echo Theater
- Glenstone Museum
- Great Falls Hike
- Harper’s Ferry
- Horseback Riding
- Hyperkidz
- Ice Skating
- Imagination Stage
- Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
- Kennedy Center
- Kid Museum
- Laser Tag
- Leesylvania State Park
- Lego Discovery Center
- Library of Congress
- Lighting President’s Park
- Live Music
- Magnatiles
- Make Necklaces
- Maryland Science Center (Baltimore)
- Microscope
- Millennium Stage @Kennedy Center
- Miniature Golf
- Minor League Baseball
- Monopoly
- Monster Golf
- Mount Vernon (Christmas Day)
- Nasa Goddard Visiting Center
- National Aquarium
- National Arboretum
- National Engraving
- National Geographic
- National History Museum
- National Menorah
- National Postal Museum
- Nats Game – Jewish Heritage Day
- Natural History Museum
- Newseum – Kids are Free this Summer
- Occoquan Wildlife Refuge
- Olney Children’s Ballet Theater
- Parks
- Patuxent Wildlife Refuge
- Pinstripes Bowling
- Play Video Games
- Playdates
- Play-Doh
- Port Discovery
- Portrait Gallery
- Postal Museum
- Potomac Paddle Boats
- Rock Creek Planetarium
- Rummikub
- Scrabble
- See Fireworks
- Sesame Place (PA)
- Set
- Shakespeare in the Garden
- Show at local Theater
- Sledding
- Snap Circuits
- Snow Tubing
- Solomon’s Island
- Sorry
- South Mountain Creamery
- Splash Park
- Strathmore
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Sunflowers at Mckee Beshers Wildlife Management
- Tidal Basin
- Train Rides
- Trolley Museum
- Turkey Hill Experience
- Turtle Park
- Volunteer
- Walkersville Southern Railroad (May – Oct)
- Wharf DC
- White House
- Wolftrap Children’s Theater
- Zoo
- Zoo Lights
Here are some tips & Videos from The Innovative Dad about Bucket Lists
Summer Planning: Turn over the Bucket List to Your Kids
The Family “Bucket List”
This Week Have I? Fighting the Summer Doldrums
by alichava | Jun 13, 2019 | Amazon, Camp, Gifts, Travel
Price: $44.46
Was: $109.00
Travel in style with this great soft-sided rolling duffle bag. Bag features a heavy duty polyester construction. Inline skate wheels for superior mobility, internal retractable hide-away handle system, U-top opening provides easy access to roomy zipper secured main compartment. Two front zipper-secured compartments, adjustable ergonomic shoulder strap. Made of 600 denier heavy duty polyester.
- Wheels
- Zipper
- Large u shape top pocket
- Six front pockets
- Internal handle
- Wheels
- Zipper
- Large u shape top pocket
- Six front pockets
- Internal handle
by alichava | May 8, 2019 | Amazon, Deals, Kosher, Travel
Price: $34.99
Was: $36.99
When looking at items to buy for traveling, this item has been recommended a lot is essential. I always find it fascinating what is a subscribe and save item. There is also a coupon to click on.
- ☀ Magic Mini Oven — Tired of cold and unhealthy food or waiting in line for the office microwave? Get your own lunch warmer and enjoy a hot meal conveniently by keeping this magic little oven!
- ☀ Super Easy to Use — Mini food warmer design with Automatic Temperature Control, No fear of food overcooking, preserving moisture and enhancing flavor – just plug-it and leave-it for 1-2 hours (reheating) or 2+ hours (cooking), the delicious meal will be ready!
- ☀ No Food Scent Overflow — The premium lunch tote with good sealing effect can greatly block scent spill out, your co-worker won’t even know you are heating up food until you open the mini oven. (Your container should be sealed)
- ☀ Take it Anywhere — Put this personal slow cooker in your backpack and you will not even feel its weight, can be taken through railway, airport and metro security. A great choice for truck driver, railway worker, flight attendant, office worker, patrolman, nurse and more.
- ☀ Multiple Containers Acceptable — Food warmer portable can be used with any flat-bottomed, sealed-top containers sizes up to 9″W x 6.75″L x 3.5″H or less. We offer a 30-DAY MONEY-BACK & 12-MONTH WARRANTY for it to guarantee your totally RISK-FREE shopping experience.
by alichava | Mar 23, 2019 | Amazon, Deals, Travel
Price: $69.99
Was: $139.99
- 600 D Shiny Polyester
- Imported
- polyester lining
- 600x600D Polyester – Is a man-made fiber produced by the polymerization of the product formed when an alcohol and organic acid react. Loosely defined, denier (D) refers to yarn size: the larger the denier, the bigger the yarn.
- Carry On Sized – Luggage designed to fit in most airlines overhead compartments; may not conform to some airlines carry-on standards.
- Inline skate wheels – Are constructed of polyurethane with ball bearings to minimize frictional resistance, offer durability and reduced resistance for smooth rolling.
- Push button handle – Locks when fully extended so you can push or pull your case. The handle also locks when fully recessed, greatly reducing the risk of damage when not in use.