So it’s getting colder out and you’re itching for a balmy beach getaway, but a trip to the tropics just isn’t in the budget, right? Since our first family trip to Wisconsin Dells (”waterpark capital of the world”) almost ten years ago, I’ve become a bit of a waterpark evangelist. Since then we’ve visited over a dozen parks within a few hours’ radius of our Michigan home.

Over the last five years or so, indoor waterparks have started popping up all over the country, so you no longer have to live in the Midwest to be within driving distance of one. Here are a few of the reasons why indoor waterpark resorts are one of my family’s favorite weekend getaways:

Something for everyone. Most of the indoor waterparks I’ve been to offer a nice mix of attractions for big kids and little kids. For instance, during a recent trip to Key Lime Cove in Gurnee, IL (north of Chicago), I spent most of my time in a warm, zero-entry toddler pool with a series of small slides. Clara, our baby, splashed in the shallowest water while Owen, 3, and William, 6, went down the slides. The big boys opted for the thrill slides, going down again and again, which emptied into a wave pool right next to the toddler pool. Of course, we had to take a few trips down the lazy river, too (my favorite part!). Continue reading…

The first time I took my oldest two children, Jacob and Isaac, out on a trip by myself, I was totally intimidated and overwhelmed. How on earth would I hold a baby and keep my then-two-year-old from bolting into traffic? What if I had to go to the bathroom? What if we had a poop blowout or other emergency? And how would I get them both around in a crowd?

Obviously, we lived to adventure another day. In fact, we did more than survive, since I’m now pretty unafraid to hit crowds with my larger-than-average family–even on those occasions that my husband’s not with me. It’s funny to me that I feel so much more comfortable now hitting the zoo or park or shopping center with five kids than I did years ago when I just had two, but experience has taught me that even a thoroughly outnumbered mom can keep things under control if she has the right tools. Here’s a look at a few different methods of getting around with your kids:

Strollers

My favorite single stroller for easy maneuvering through busy crowds–even one-handed–is our MacLaren Volo.  I had serious reservations about spending that much on an umbrella stroller, but we’ve gotten so much use out of it and it makes our outings so much easier that it’s been totally worth it.

If you have small kids close in age, double strollers can be appealing, but choose carefully: get one that’s too long and you’ll never make it around corners; one that’s too wide and you’ll hog up the whole sidewalk and won’t be able to make it through narrow doorways. Some doubles that have caught my eye recently include the Graco Quattro Duo (still pretty heavy, but shorter than a traditional tandem double and it can be steered with one hand), the Phil & Ted double jogger (pricy, I know, but just look at how sleek and compact that thing is—swoon!) and the Joovy Ultralight Caboose, which offers older kids an easy up-and-down perch to ride on when they get tired, but weighs in at just 21 lbs and isn’t much larger than a regular single stroller. And Joovy even makes a Caboose stroller with room for three.

Slings, front packs and backpacks

I’m a big fan of babywearing. Putting almost-six-month-old Clara in a sling or pack keeps my hands free to hang on tight to Owen and William (three and five)  in traffic-heavy or crowded areas.

We love our Ergo carrier—it’s so comfortable I almost don’t feel like I’m carrying a baby at all. Other great options include the Mod Mum (simple pouch sling for older babies who want to be up and down a lot), the Maya Wrap ring sling—comfy, customizable fit, great for longer wearing and smaller babies; and the Moby Wrap, which is basically a long piece of fabric you can wear a bunch of different (and very comfy) ways. For long hikes, especially in non-stroller-friendly terrain, a frame backpack can be a lifesaver. We’ve had our REI frame carrier for ten years and it’s still going strong.

Mix it up

When you’re on a long outing it can be really helpful to give yourself several options for carting kids around. Sometimes we bring a sling and umbrella stroller and let Owen ride when he’s tired. When he’s walking and I want a break, I can pop Clara into the stroller.

No matter how great the stroller or sling, shoulders and arms get tired, babies get bored of seeing the world from the same vantage point, and mixing it up keeps everyone in better spirits. Be creative. Our stroller is often used to cart snacks or a diaper bag while the kids are walking or being carried.

What are your favorite tools for getting your family around when you’re out and about? Share in the comments below!

My kids and I are out and about a lot, whether on road trips, day trips, or just trips to the beach. Since there are five of them and only one of me and–especially during the summer–we’re often all out together, I often get questions from people who want to know just how we manage to get out the door in the first place, let alone actually make it through a trip without falling apart.

I won’t lie–sometimes it does all fall apart, and I wind up abandoning that day at the zoo for something easier, like an afternoon in the backyard, where it doesn’t matter if one of the kids can’t find his shoes…or his pants.

But most of the time we make it work. How? I have a few strategies that keep us on the move with relatively little fuss.

Be prepared…but not too prepared. When you’re packing a bag for five kids, efficiency matters a lot. Sure, the baby needs diapers, and we’ll probably need snacks and drinks if we’re going to be away from home for a while. But I don’t necessarily need a change of clothes for each child, ten water bottles (heavy!), a bag full of toys, and a full meal complete with protein, starch and vegetable unless we’ll be gone a really long time.

My kids long ago learned the fine art of entertaining themselves with a stick or their fingers because there’s no room in that bag for their Matchbox car collection. When they’re old enough to care about bringing a toy with them, they’re old enough to carry that toy themselves…and they usually make sure it’s something that can fit in a pocket.When it comes to snacks, I think small, portable, and minimal clean-up required, like a piece of fruit or Mott’s no-sugar-added applesauce cup. The less there is to unpack when we get home, the more fun our adventures are for everyone involved…Mom included.

Be proactive. We learned the hard way (”Where are your shoes? What do you mean, you don’t know?!”) that certain house rules make being a family on the go a lot easier. First of all, shoes are always to come off by the front door–no exceptions. It’s easier on the carpet and easier on my sanity, since they don’t mysteriously get lost. Same thing goes for hoodies and coats and mittens and hats. Each has its own special place by the front door and we all take the time to put those things were they go when we arrive home. And since I’ve got a forgetful streak of my own, I found a place by the front door for my keys and purse, too.

Get ready in stages. First, I gather everyone by the front door. Then, I have everyone put on their shoes. Next, (in the winter) it’s coats and hats. Once kids are totally ready, they’re to sit on the sofa and wait for everyone, and we all walk out the door when we’re ready. This keeps the ‘getting out the door’ part from feeling too chaotic and ensures that kids don’t wander off and get absorbed in some project right when I’m trying to get them to jump into getting ready.

Walk whenever possible. Sure it takes longer to walk than to drive, but the absolute worst part about taking a bunch of kids out is getting them all strapped into their car seats, double-checking to make sure nobody is standing behind the minivan before I back out (I’m paranoid like that), finding a parking place, trying to keep some of them from bolting into the parking lot while I’m getting the rest out of their seats, trying to transfer sleeping kids from car seats to strollers…I’m stressed out just thinking about it! Walking isn’t only good for you and a great way to get in some bonding time–it also makes outings a whole lot more hassle-free.

What are your secrets for taking the stress out of family adventures? Share in the comments below!