Tired of ho-hum beaches and less-than-thrilling children's museums? These family-friendly vacation spots are weird, wonderful and anything but ordinary. — Christina Couch

21. Foamhenge, Natural Bridge, Virginia

Our kids may not be able to comprehend the true weirdness of an exact replica of mysterious prehistoric stones made out of foam located in rural Virginia, but they're sure to have a blast at the site's annual medieval Enchantment Faire. Kicking off September 6th and 7th, this year's Enchantment Faire will feature costume fairies, a unicorn-themed ring toss, a sheep-throwing competition (thankfully without live animals) and peddlers hawking medieval wares. Get ready to geek out. Admission is $5.

20. A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village, Salem, Oregon
World's largest Erector set: check. Dig for prehistoric mammoth bones: check, Step inside a giant animal cell: check. All in a day's work in A.C. Gilbert's stranger-than-strange backyard. Half children's museum, half playground, Discovery Village is home to the country's only child-sized grocery store, a room dedicated exclusively to bubble-making, and a room that lets kids freeze and manipulate their own shadows. Admission is $5.75.

19. Rockome Gardens, Arcola, Illinois

Why hit the beach this summer when you can play tic-tac-toe with a live chicken? Located approximately three hours south of Chicago in the heart of Amish country, this children's park and historical re-enactment town features Ben Franklin impersonators, WWII re-enactments (complete with tanks!) and a horse-powered saw mill children can ride. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for kids under twelve.

18. Wizard Quest, Wisconsin Dells
Cynical parents who enter these doors may not be able to keep a straight face. Located in a 13,000-square-foot climbable labyrinth (known in the game as the "Quadrasphere"), Wizard Quest is essentially a 4-D computer game that presents children with questions and riddles (spoken from the lips of dragons of course), the correct answers of which release imprisoned wizards . . . naturally. Packed with secret passages, animatronic sorcerers and a mysterious "Gnome Depot" (no idea what happens there), Wizard Quest will be equally enjoyable for kids and snarky adults. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for kids.

17. RoboWorld, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Prepare your human offspring for the robot revolution by showing them the largest permanent robot-themed exhibit in the world. Led by Andy, a socially interactive "Robo-Thespian," RoboWorld features hockeybots, artificial intelligence bots, lunar rovers, computerized foosball tables, service bots and mechanical men that create art. Kids will have the chance to play b-ball against a robot. Parents will learn how close we are to a machine takeover. Tickets are $14.

16. City Museum, St. Louis

A fantasy come true for adventurous kids, a nightmare for overprotective parents, City Museum is half novelty museum (featuring oddities such as the world's oldest corn dog and the world's largest pair of underwear), half dream playground. With hands-on attractions including walls with secret passageways, an indoor skateless skate park where kids swing from ramp to ramp with overhead ropes, an outdoor playground comprised of mesh wire tubes suspended twenty-five feet in the air, and a bar for stressed-out parents, City Museum is both totally awesome and completely terrifying. On weekend nights after ten, City Museum shuts off the lights and hands out flashlights. Kids and adults can climb around suspended cave-like structures in the dark until 1 a.m. Admission is $12, $10 after 5 p.m. on weekends.

15. Insectropolis, Toms River, New Jersey

Many zoos and museums offer insect exhibits, but only one combines the beauty of bugs with the terror of prison. At Insectropolis' permanent Rock State Prison exhibit, children learn first-hand just how many bugs out there can kill them. Divided into categories like "Six-Armed Bandits" and "Mass Murderers," the exhibit presents kids with dossiers of villain bugs that are dangerous to humans. The upside to surviving Rock State Prison is that it makes Insectropolis' bug petting zoo (featuring Rosie the Touchable Tarantula) a little less scary. Tickets are $7.

14. Museum of Questionable Medical Devices, St. Paul, Minnesota

Located within the Science Museum of Minnesota, this collection pays homage to medical forms of fraud, quackery, deception and deceit. Featuring devices ranging from the Foot-Powered Breast Enlarger to the McGregor Rejuvenator, a contraption that used magnetism, UV and infrared rays to supposedly reverse the aging process, this hands-on collection allows kids to try on fake medical equipment and take pot shots at past generations. Tickets are $11 for adults, $8.50 for kids.

13. Metropolis, Illinois

Sure, there hasn't been a good Superman movie since the '80s, but that hasn't stopped the citizens of Metropolis — the only town in the world dedicated to the Man of Steel — from placing a fifteen-foot statue of the superhero in the middle of town, as well as a Super Museum. Metropolis' Superman Celebration 2009 (June 11th through 14th, 2009), the largest Superman-themed event in the country, will feature an array of comic book authors, celebrity guests, a Superman Fan baseball game (Metropolis Marvels vs. Smallville Meteors), video and musical tributes and not one, but several Superman-themed game shows.

12. Aircraft Boneyard, Tucson, Arizona

Located literally around the Pima Air and Space Museum on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the 309 Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group — better known as the Aircraft Bone Yard — features seventy-five acres of aircrafts and aerospace vehicles currently being reserviced, regenerated or stripped for parts by the U.S. Air Force. The three to four-hour "Boneyard Tour" takes families through 4,400 piloted machines from the Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard and NASA. Tickets for the Pima Museum are $15 for adults, $9 for kids ages seven to twelve. Boneyard tour tickets are $7 per person.

11. International UFO Museum and Research Center,
Roswell, New Mexico
Dedicated to all things alien, this tiny museum explores what happened in the 1947 Roswell UFO incident, as well as the history of "human contact with aliens," including crop circles and testimony from UFO abductees. The on-site research library lets future alien hunters dig deeper into the paranormal. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for kids.

10. Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Admission is free, but bring some change. With 5,500 square-feet of coin-operated heaven, Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum is the alpha and omega of arcades. Machines date back to the early 1900s. The highlight is a fifty-five-piece mechanical orchestra that still plays over 300 songs, but other winners are the old-timey gypsy fortune tellers and an electric chair supposedly from Sing-Sing prison.

9. International Spy Museum, Washington D.C.
The first and only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage, the International Spy Museum is paradise for James Bond wannabes. While the museum exhibits are undeniably cool — think everything from ninjas to Cold War-era satellites — the real highlight is the scavenger hunts, kid-friendly spy missions, speakers and workshops designed to give first-hand accounts of how it feels to live the spy life. Adult tickets are $18, kids are $15.

8. Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison, Colorado
If sifting soil in search of the decayed remains of dead creatures doesn't turn your stomach, have we got a spot for you. Home to some of the best-known dinos, including Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus, Dinosaur Ridge lets kids "examine Crustaceous crime scenes" in the on-site Dig Pit. Admission is free, tours are $3 per person.

7. Salem Witch Museum, Salem, Massachusetts

Even looking past all the torture and death, the Salem Witch Museum (located in a creepy, gothic castle-like structure) is still kind of scary. Children eager to learn about that time in history when our country burned women for no discernable reason will be delighted/terrified by the museum's theatrical presentations and their life-size mannequins. The current "Witches: Evolving Perceptions" exhibit focuses less on people-burning and more on modern-day witchcraft. Adult tickets are $8, children's are $5.50.

6. Trash-o-saurus, Stratford, Connecticut
Located in the Museum of Garbage (one of two museums in Connecticut dedicated to refuse), this one-ton, twenty-foot dinosaur is made of the same amount of garbage the average consumer creates each year. In addition to extinct creatures made from waste, the museum also offers hands-on exhibits and family workshops that promote green living. Admission is $2 per person, but possibly not for long. The museum is in danger of closing due to lack of funding.

5. Creation Museum, Petersburg, Kentucky

What's surprising about this Bible-centric museum/petting zoo is how many dinosaurs are roaming about. On top of permanent exhibits that focus on natural selection, the construction of Noah's Ark and the Garden of Eden, the museum also hosts daily family-friendly presentations on topics like "Snakes Alive! (a look at reptiles from God's perspective)" and "Four Power Questions to Ask an Evolutionist." Whether you agree or not with the politics behind Creation Museum, it's still one of the only sites in the country that features a live zebra-donkey hybrid. Long live the zonkey. $22 for adults, $12 for kids.

4. Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

All the charm of a Victorian mansion combined with all the whimsy of Pee Wee's Playhouse. According to legend (and the web site), the former owner of this 160-room mansion kept carpenters working round the clock for thirty-eight years in an effort to stave off evil spirits. Whether or not the plan worked, Winchester Mystery House is an architectural marvel packed with functionless features including windows buried in floorboards, stairs that lead nowhere and doors that open to blank walls. $26 for adults, $23 for children or $23 for a behind-the-scenes tour (hardhat required).

3. Craters of the Moon, Arco, Idaho

A national park roughly the size of Rhode Island, Craters of the Moon was a bed of molten lava just 2,000 years ago. Today the site, made predominantly of crusted lava, looks almost post-apocalpytic. It's peppered with underground caves (called lava tubes), and is a guaranteed geek freakout for young scientists. Admission is $8 per vehicle, $4 for those on bikes, motorcycles or on foot, free for ages 15 and under.

2. Santa Claus, Indiana
Christmas only comes once a year everywhere except for Santa Claus, Indiana. Home to the Santa Claus Museum, Santa's Lodge motel and Santa's Candy Castle — a sweets shop that not only sells confections, but also personalized phone calls from Santa year-round — Santa Claus also receives over half a million letters each year addressed to St. Nick himself. The biggest attraction in town is Holiday World and Splash Safari, a Christmas-Halloween-Thanksgiving-all-rolled-into-one themed amusement park that vastly overshadows Frosty's Fun Center, the Christmas-themed mini-golf course just a few minutes away.

1. Professor Cline's Dinosaur Kingdom, Natural Bridge, Virginia
What would have happened if Union troops had used dinosaurs as weapons of mass destruction against the South? It's a question historians have pondered for ages. Thankfully, one outdoor sculpture park in nowheresville, Virginia, is dedicated to solving the mystery. Featuring sculptures of life-sized dinos attacking old-timey soldiers (an excellent sepia-toned photo is available here), Professor Cline's Dinosaur Kingdom and adjacent Haunted Monster Museum (featuring "no scare" tours for kids) is well worth the $8 ticket ($5 for kids).

Whenever I see the toys available to kids these days, I seethe with jealousy. Robotic unicorns that fly! Video games more realistic than life itself! Jet packs! Where was this stuff when we were kids? To be fair, we had some pretty decent toys during our childhood. That is, if said toys had ever actually done the things they were advertised to do. We are a generation of rubes. On Saturday mornings, advertisers showed us incredible playthings that could do stuff far beyond what technology was capable of achieving. But we bought it hook, line and sinker because . . . we were kids and we were dumb. Then we worked all summer just to earn money to buy that laser death ray which — guess what? — vaporized nothing. That was the moment we learned the world was just a tangle of lies. In memorium of our childhood innocence, here are the fifteen most egregious toy commercial claims. — Cole Gamble

1. Play in the mud. Mud can be made anywhere — in the yard, in a small pool, or in a bucket on the porch. Just combine dirt and water, and most children will know what to do from there. For extra fun, add utensils, pans, bowls and buckets (thrift stores usually have super-cheap ones). If your child is hesitant, dig in yourself and show him that it can be fun to commune with mud. The point is to get dirty with reckless abandon. Another fun mud project:  Place your child's muddy handprints on construction paper to create a unique keepsake. Turn the handprints into inspirational "mud art" by writing this line from an e.e. cummings' poem at the top of the handprints: "The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."

2. Build a fairy house. Find an out-of-the-way place to build a fairy house, such as at the base of a tree, in a corner of the yard, or even in a planter. Then search for natural materials that can become tiny chairs, tables and beds for elusive "woodland fairies." Let your child's imagination run wild as she searches for sticks, pine cones, leaves, seed pods, acorns, shells and rocks that can be turned into a fairy's household items. When your child asks if fairies are real, just ask her what she thinks about it. For ideas and inspiration, read Tracy Kane's wonderful children's book Fairy Houses.

3. Grow a garden. Michelle Obama is growing a White House Kitchen Garden this summer with her daughters. Try this yourself at home, either in a small plot in the yard or in planters. You can grow plants from seed in the early spring or purchase plants in late spring. Tomatoes, lettuces, herbs and sunflowers are good plants to start. You'll learn in your first year and can expand upon your knowledge the next year. Keep a garden notebook to record your successes and challenges, as well as pictures of your farmers and crop.

4. Visit a nature center. A nature center is often a community's best-kept secret. These outdoor education centers typically offer helpful programs about local plants and animals, and nature center naturalists are great resources for information about interesting activities in your area. Look in the phone book or online for your closest nature center and plan to spend a morning or afternoon exploring what's there.

5. Make a tree your friend. Have your child pick a favorite tree in your yard or neighborhood to make his own. Put a ribbon around it or something simple that declares it "his" tree. Name the tree and watch how it changes throughout the year. Have your child draw and photograph the tree to create a special tree book. Find out what kind of tree it is, and watch throughout the year to see what animals live in it and what kind of seeds it produces. This is a simple way to develop a child's connection with nature.

6. Find a secret hideaway.  Help your child to find her own secret hideaway in the yard, woods or at a park — under a tree, behind or on top of a rock, or in a special nook at the park. This can be a hidden place for your child to read a book, play and imagine. This can even become a spiritual place of sorts, such as a prayer rock or quiet spot under a tree for quieting the mind.

7. Go berry picking. There is nothing like picking your own strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries on a warm, sunny day. Look for local farms with pick-your-own opportunities. Or look for wild areas with berries ripe for the picking — for free. Be sure all berry pickers are wearing hats and shoes (not flip-flops). If you have space in your yard — it doesn't take much — plant and grow your own berry bushes; it usually takes a couple years to establish bushes, but it is well worth the effort. Look online for the best-tasting crops so you aren't disappointed when your plants bear fruit.

8. Rock hop in a creek. Childhood isn't complete without a creek to hop around in once in a while. Creeks are great for wading, water fights, crawdad-hunting, rock-hopping and exploring. Find a favorite spot and allow your child time to play and explore. Be sure that any creeks children enter have acceptable water-quality ratings; check water quality through local municipalities and utilities.

9. Learn about songbirds. Place a bird feeder near a window or in the yard and watch who comes to visit. Purchase a bird guide, such as The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (a Peterson Field Guide), to help identify the birds at your feeder. If your family gets good at identifying birds, try participating in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Check online for local birdwatching groups; these groups often host educational outings that are interesting for children and adults.

10. Start a nature journal. Buy a blank notebook and some colored pencils and, voila, you have a nature notebook. Pack the journal in a backpack for walks, hikes and canoe trips, and encourage your child to draw what she sees: trees, leaves, birds, pine cones, rocks — even you. Be sure to set aside 15 to 30 minutes to sit, draw and talk with your child about what she is drawing. Don't critique drawings; simply let her draw and enjoy the experience.

11. Feed the squirrels. Gather acorns or other nuts in a basket and put them out for the squirrels. Watch to see if you have any takers. If you set up a squirrel feeder (dried corn-on-the-cob will work), create a fun maze for the squirrels using ropes, water guards or other deterrents — squirrels are smart and you'll enjoy watching them navigate the maze.

12. Play outside. American children spend an average of 30 minutes of unstructured time outdoors each week, according to recent studies. Give your child the gift of unstructured play time to discover, create and imagine while outside in nature.

13. Paint rocks.  This may seem simple, but rock painting is a great way to excite children about exploring outdoors. The most important part is the rock hunt, which can be done in the woods, the park or the backyard. Have your child search for "special" rocks. Then sit outside — armed with paintbrushes and non-toxic paints — to create rock art. Painted rocks are artful additions to potted plants, gardens and windowsills. If you live near or plan to visit the beach this summer, you can do this with shells too. The salt on the shells makes watercolors bright and beautiful, and it's a great way to escape the sun for a while.

14. Visit a state park. Look online for state parks in your area and plan a weekend getaway. Many state parks offer camping or cabin rentals, as well as outdoor fun, such as fishing, hiking, canoeing and swimming. To get the inside scoop on activities and events, call the park and speak to a ranger — most are happy to share their recommendations.

15. Enjoy a campfire. Campfires represent everything wonderful about being outside — camping, friends and family, hot dogs and s'mores. Check with your local fire department about campfire regulations. If you can have a safe campfire in your backyard, invite the neighbors over to enjoy it with you. If not, plan a weekend getaway at a park or campground that allows for campfires.

16. Build a fort. Forts, tree houses and playhouses can be rustic or extravagant. There are many books today that offer wonderful and practical ideas for creating childhood getaways. Or use your imagination — and your child's — to create your own.

17. Follow the phases of the moon. The moon affects nature and all living things, but it is so easy to overlook its changing beauty. Take a month to watch the moon phases. Each night at the same time, step outside and look up. Have your child draw each night's moon phase. Or just look and listen to night sounds. Find some moon-themed children's books at the library or bookstore that you can read together during your moon-study month. There are many websites that can provide additional age-appropriate information about the moon

18. Pack up some books and read outside. Find a special place outdoors to read — under a tree, in a hammock, on a porch or at the park. Pack your backpack with books and snacks and head out to read with your child. This takes away all the distractions of home, such as phones, all things electronic, and the constant need to clean. If you need some new books, look for nature themes at the library or bookstore. Learn more about the importance of reading aloud to your child, as well as age-appropriate books, at Read Aloud Magic.

19. Explore in a canoe. Canoeing is a fun way to explore local waterways, as well as to quietly observe the plants and animals that live around water. If you have never canoed and are starting from scratch, call a local nature center, aquarium or outdoor recreation retail store for information about canoe outfitters in your area. There are also canoe and kayak clubs in many areas that offer skill training and outings.

20. Take a hike. Hiking is great exercise and a fun way to spend family time. Look online or ask around for local trails. Fill a backpack with snacks and water, and you're off for an easy outdoor adventure.

21. Start a nature basket. Find an old basket, or something made of a natural material, that can be your family's nature basket — a place to keep anything beautiful that is found outdoors. This is a great place to keep rocks, sticks, shells, fossils, pine cones or anything else deemed beautiful by your family while exploring the outdoors. Be sure not to disturb anything growing or take anything that should remain outdoors (such as bird nests). Keep the nature basket in an accessible place for your child to empty and look through whenever he feels the urge. Find a special place in the woods or near water for returning items back to nature when you are through with them or when you need more space for new items in the basket.

22. Inspire the imagination. If you ever thought you had "discovered" something ancient in nature as a child, you probably still remember it to this day. Children come alive when they believe they have discovered something, whether it's a hidden treasure in the bottom of a creek or a flint rock that could have belonged to an American Indian. Help your child think like an archaeologist, anthropologist or historian by opening your mind to what you could be looking at in nature. Even the mere suggestion that a rock could be a dinosaur bone, that a crevice could be a footprint, or that a stone could be an ancient animal bone can stir a child's imagination and joy in exploration.

23. Host a water day.  Invite friends over for water fun in the yard or a park. A small pool isn't necessary, but if you have space, use it. Make bubble buckets with water and soap. Play with water balloons. Bring ice cubes outdoors to watch them melt. Put out a sprinkler. Water toys can include bottles, sponges, spoons, cups and pitchers. This is a great activity for hot days in July and August.

24. Play in the rain. Turn off the parent voice in your head that says "Get out of the rain!" and let your child stomp in puddles and get muddy and soaking wet. Rain boots and an umbrella are optional.

25. Take a family camp vacation. Put away the Mickey Mouse ears and take the whole family to camp for vacation this year. Many summer camps offer weekend or week-long sessions for families to enjoy all aspects of camp together — activities, meals, cabins, campfires and roughing it. Call the traditional summer camps in your area to see if they offer family camp sessions or look online for family camps around the country.

1. Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Between cleaning bottles and washing up after diaper duty, a new parent's hands can start to feel reptilian. Slather this soothing ointment onto paws (it also does wonders for cracked heels) and they'll start to feel almost as smooth as your little one's tush. $35 for 28 ounces.

2. Belli Tinted Anti-Cloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25

If you only have time to put one thing on your face in the morning, reach for this multi-tasking tube. The tinted formula not only covers imperfections, it also protects skin from the sun and fights those dark splotches (aka chloasma) a lot of women get from pregnancy. $24 for 2 ounces.?

3. Spanx Power Panties

Want to get rid of lumps and bumps without spending a moment schvitzing at the gym? You're in good company — hot mamas Gwyneth Paltrow and Rebecca Romijn are both Spanx users. Spanx Power Panties are like underwear on steroids, leaving you looking svelte and sexy in all your pre-pregs clothing.? $25-$30 each.

4. Geox shoes

You may not be on a first name basis with Manolo and Jimmy at the moment, but that doesn't mean you have to relegate your footwear rotation to sneakers, flip-flops and Crocs. This pair of flats from Geox is chic enough to pass for Chanel with the extra benefit of their patented "breathable" technology (read: they're super-comfy). $91.

5. Pantene Pro-V 2-in-1 shampoo + conditioner

You're setting new records in the quickie shower department. Beat your latest time with Pantene's two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. $18 for 51 ounces.

6. Nars The Multiple in "Orgasm"

Fake a post-romp glow with this creamy stick of shimmery, peachy pink. Pop it in your diaper bag and dab onto eyes, cheeks and lips whenever you need a beauty pick-me-up. $35 a stick.

7. Rosebud Salve

This iconic tin holds the cure-all for dry, chapped lips and diaper rash. Toss it in your purse and take it everywhere! $5 a tin.

8. Blax hairbands

Your hair seems to be in a perma-ponytail these days. Whatever you do, do not reach for a scrunchie! That's like admitting defeat. Instead, tie your hair up with one of these discreet hair elastics. ?$3.50 a box.

9. Pssssst Instant Spray Shampoo

You haven't washed your hair since last Monday? Rather than putting a paper bag over your head, spray Pssssst, the original dry shampoo, onto your roots for instantly refreshed scalp and hair sans water. $6 for 4 ounces.

10.?Oscar Blandi Pronto Colore Root Touch-Up & Highlighting Pen

Dark roots only look good on Madonna. Touch yours up in between salon visits with this genius little hair coloring pen. It comes in five hair-matching shades and washes out the next time you shampoo. $23.

11.?Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream

No time to blow dry? Apply a dime-sized amount of this wonder cream to wet hair and let it air dry. The olive oil formula fights frizz and leaves behind a lovely shine. $20-$27.

12.?Instant Button for Jeans

Squeezing into your old jeans can take some time. Instead of shopping for new sizes, use this handy button to make your pairs tighter or looser. It fastens onto the waistband of your jeans, either to the right or left of the original button, and voila — a perfect fit! $15 each or $25 for two.

13.?MAC Quick Dry nail polish

A fresh mani and pedi can make you feel like a new woman. Use MAC's no-fail quick dry so you can get back to baby business ASAP. $11.

14.?Clinique Non-Streak Bronzer For Men ?

Dreaming about an island vacation? Fake that golden glow with Clinique's genius gel bronzer. It may be marketed for men, but its natural-looking tan crosses gender lines. $15.

15.?Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

There's something about curled eyelashes that immediately makes you look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — especially when you use makeup artist fave Shu Uemura. It takes only 20 seconds to curl both eyes; consider it time well spent! $19.

16.?Ray-Ban Original Aviator Sunglasses

These classically cool shades not only protect your eyes on stroller walks, but thanks to the nose guards, they don't slip while you're rooting through your diaper bag. $129.

17. ?Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips

Your sense of humor isn't the only thing that's dry these days. Dr. Lipp's medical grade lanolin does the trick for soothing cracked nipples and dry lips — it's a diaper bag essential! $14 for 10 ml.

18. Yummie Tummie T-shirt

The extra poundage around your center remains an unwelcome guest after pregnancy. Yummie Tummie tanks and tees chicly and discreetly camouflage unsightly lumps and bumps. $76.

19.?TheBalm TimeBalm Concealer

You haven't pulled this many all-nighters since college. Show your dark circles who's boss with this like-magic concealer. Blend the super-creamy formulation into the corners of your eyes and over the circles and watch them pull a disappearing act. $18 for .25 ounces.

20. Air Stockings

Thanks to increased blood circulation during pregnancy, spider veins have reared their ugly heads. Cover them with this silky spray-on body foundation. And don't worry if your application is less than perfect — unlike self-tanner, it washes off with soap and water. $25-$40.

21.?Bliss Triple Oxygen Eye mask

The Bliss Triple Oxygen Eye Mask de-puffs, soothes and oxygenates in as much time as it takes to feed your munchkin. $54 for 4.

22. Kimara Ahnert Mineral Core Lip Tint SPF 15

Lip color is the easiest way to up your MILF factor. This lipstick from makeup artist and mom Kimara Ahnert comes in four gorgeous shades, has a moisturizing center and sun protection. $28.

23.?Kiehls Essence Oil

Poopy diapers can really take a toll on the olfactory senses. Treat yours to something a bit more uplifting with one of Kiehls' portable roller ball fragrances. Choose from classic Kiehls scents like grapefruit, vanilla and cucumber. $25 for .23 ounces.

24. ?T3 Bespoke Labs Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Dryer

T3's proprietary technology cuts drying time by 70% and leaves hair looking silky smooth. What else could you ask for in a blow-dryer? From $85.

25.?Nair Lasting Results 5 Day Hair Removal Gel Cream

Rushing through a shaving session will leave you with nicks and missed patches of hair. Swap your razor for Nair and you'll get smooth legs that stay hair-free for up to five days. $4 for 5.4 ounces.

There is perhaps no greater affront to the system than the loss of a good night's sleep in the hazing ritual that is Freshman Parenting.  It's not for nothing that sleep deprivation is recognized the world over as an "enhanced interrogation tactic" of the highest order. And why didn't anybody tell you that "sleeping like a baby" meant being rudely awakened every two hours?

From how to scare off monsters under the bed to getting your own monsters to stay in theirs, from feng-shui to Ferber, here are 50+ tools for helping little ones learn their ZZZs. — Allison Pennell

How to Handle Bedtime Escape Artists

A recent study in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology found that a free pass may be just the ticket to a sound sleep.  When kids strongly opposed to bedtime (you know the ones) were put to bed with the free pass, parents reported a substantial decline in flight risk and much less crying out. Follow-up studies after three months showed sustained gains.

Sleep: By the Numbers

Infants (3-11 months)
What They Need: 14-15 hours
What They're Getting: 12.7 hours

Toddlers (1-2 years)
What They Need:  12-14 hours
What They're Getting: 11.7 hours

Preschoolers (3-5 years)
What They Need: 11-13 hours
What They're Getting: 10.4 hours

School-Aged Kids (1-5th grades)
What They Need: 10-11 hours
What They're Getting: 9.5 hours

The Case for Early Bedtimes

We know, it's hard to stick to early bedtimes, but the consensus of current research shows that they're key to better sleep and happier kids.Research by the National Sleep Foundation found that 69% of today's kids aren't sleeping enough. Just an hour less sleep a night has been shown to put the ability to concentrate on par with children two grades younger. Beyond meltdowns, less sleep is linked to attention problems, dulled memory, hyperactivity, and obesity.

Arrange Your Kid's Bedroom for Maximum Relaxing

DO:

DON'T:

Keep the room dark for sleeping. The body makes melatonin at night in the dark. Light makes the body think it’s daytime.

Let a child sleep with the TV on or keep a nightlight on all night. Use one with a timer if a little bedtime light is necessary.

Use ambient sound or white noise machines if street or household noise is a problem.

Have aquariums or other moving water features in the bedroom. They might sound soothing, but they can make it hard to sleep.

Display happy family photos, accomplishments, and favorite picture’s at kids’ eye level.

Hang any negative images like sharks, tigers, monsters, war toys, evil rulers of the universe, etc.

Keep clutter to a minimum.

Let your kids have access to all their toys at once.

Source: Robyn Bentley, Feng Shui Diva.

How to Scare off Monsters

Armed with a flashlight and some magic monster repellant (eg.  a spray bottle filled with water you can use for a little bedtime exorcism), you'll have those monsters out from under the bed in no time.

How to End Musical Beds

When she gets out of bed, calmly, peacefully and lovingly put her back to bed. EVERY TIME. Kiss her, hug her, rub her back. Even sit or lie next to her until she falls back to sleep if necessary. Don't talk much, and don't turn on any lights. Do choose a key phrase to repeat to her a few times, such as, "It's night-night time now. Mommy loves you. Please stay in your bed and have sweet dreams."

Source: Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution

How to Help Him Fall Asleep (And Stay Asleep)

• Serve up a (mostly-banana) banana split for an early evening snack. The high content of potassium, magnesium and serotonin found in bananas promotes relaxation. Other good bedtime snacks: calming carbs. Try a bagel melt with cheese or some peanut butter and honey on toast.

• Teach the art of belly-breathing. At bedtime, have your kids lay down on their backs with eyes closed and tell them to take slow, deep breaths, with their belly pushing out on each intake. You can rub your hands together to heat them and place them on their bellies, a couple of inches above the belly button and then replace your hands with theirs. A couple of minutes should do the trick.

• Calgon, take my child away. A nightly bath helps set the mood.

• Try an eye pillow. It is a novelty for kids and it keeps their eyes closed long enough to fall asleep.

• Exchange back massages and head rubs. Just don’t fall asleep while getting yours.

How to Evict a Kid from the Family Bed

Pimp that room. A little redecorating will go a long way to transitioning a kid to his own room. Think: his own hand-picked cool new bed or bedding, a sign for the door, some new wall art, a special transitional object like a little silk blanket or stuffed animal.

Bedtime Rituals. Start with a week of jammies and books in his room, not yours, but let him keep sleeping with you. Next, have him set up a sleeping spot next to your bed week two (as opposed to in it).

Make your move. Set a date for the big move of one week later. Mark your calendar. Talk it up. And make sure that along with the heave-ho, you give him lots of kisses, lengthy cuddles at light's out and return as needed for reassurance. During this transition period, welcome your kid back into your bed if he comes calling in the middle of the night.

Source: Jodi Mindell, author of Sleeping Through the Night

5 Short Stress-Breaks for Sleep Deprived Parents.

Rub Down. For an endorphin shot, try these pressure points: Ears. Gently tugging and rubbing your ears will relax you and clear out your sinuses. Shoulders. Deep kneading with your fingertips releases tension from tissues and gets the oxygen flowing.

Mix It Up. Studies say a change of tunes can mean a change of moods. Type in an artist or song you like at Pandora.com and listen to a free custom playlist.

Treat Yourself. Re-charge with snacks high in stress-busting antioxidants like a handful of almonds or blueberries or that ideal chill-pill, vitamin C.

Stay hydrated. When your energy is dwindling, drink a glass of water or juice.

Power Nap. It only takes 20 minutes to do the trick. Human circadian rhythms make late afternoons a more likely time to fall into deep sleep, which will leave you groggy, so better to nap just after lunch or late in the morning. Set the alarm so you don't sleep too long.

Baby Sleep Solutions

From Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No Cry Sleep Solution.

When: Night is Day and Day is Night
Do This: To help reset her body clock, have your baby nap during the day in the main area of the house, with all the family noise and light that implies. At night, think dark and unexciting. White noise is good for newborns used to the hum of the womb, where it's even louder than a vacuum cleaner. 

When: Morning Reveille is Too Early
Do This: Black-out curtains and a white noise machine can help. If your baby is waking up still tired and cranky, treat a predawn wake-up as you would a middle of the night one and don't get up for the day until sunrise. If they're raring to go, sorry, but five may just be a respectable hour if you've been sleeping for ten hours already.

When: Baby's Making Weird Sounds
Do This: Expect lots of grunts, whimpers, outright cries that don't necessarily signal awakening. Wait a minute or two before you do anything. If you're worried, check with your doctor to make sure it's not sleep apnea.

When: Your Good Sleeper's Gone Bad
Do This: Blame growth spurts, teething, developmental milestones. Just continue with usual bedtime routine and keep overnight interactions short and sweet. Without picking the baby up, place a comforting hand on her chest for a few minutes and make gentle rocking motions and repeat "shhhh" close to her ear.

When: The Pacifier Keeps Getting Lost
Do This: Have several spares strewn around the crib.

When: The Kid Only Wants to Sleep in the Car Seat
Do this: Create a cozy nest with a crib divider. And swaddle; a tight swaddle often stops newborns from startling themselves awake. If it's motion he seeks, try a baby hammock, a rocking cradle, or vibrating crib accessories.

When: She'll Only Fall Asleep While Being Held
Do this: When your baby begins to fall asleep transfer her to her crib or cradle — but keep your hands on her, pat and rub her, and even keep your face near her making a "shhhhh" sound. Babies adjust to new sleep routines, but it does take more than a day or two for this to happen.

Beyond Good Night Moon

There's no more restful pre-bed ritual out there than storytime.  Here are favorite bedtime reads from Lisa Von Drasek, children's librarian at Bank Street College of Education. Her top ten:

1. Time For Bed, Mem Fox
2. The Sleepy Little Alphabet, Judy Sierra
3. Kiss Good Night, Amy Hest
4. Owl Babies, Martin Waddell
5. Llama Llama Red Pajama, Anna Dewdney
6. Bear Snores On, Karma Wilson
7. Once A Lullaby, B.P. Nichol
8. Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, Bob Shea
9. A Visitor for Bear, Bonny Becker
10. The Going to Bed Book, Sandra Boynton

Best Baby Sleep Aides

No, we don't mean Nyquil.  Our must-have list of sleep paraphernalia:

• Security Blanket (aka silkie, blanky, lovie)

• Black-out shades (for early reveille prevention)

• Lullabye CD

• White noise machine if there's household or street noise

• Swaddling blankets for newborns or sleep sacks for older babies

• A co-sleeper (easier to manage for feedings than a bassinet; lets babies learn to sleep in their own space)

And Finally, In Defense of Crying-It-Out

Dr. Judith Owens, pediatric sleep expert and Director of the Pediatric Sleep Disorders Clinic at  Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, RI, weighs in:
 
"No matter what anyone says, there's really no sleep training for getting babies and toddlers to fall asleep on their own that doesn't involve some crying. A certain amount is inevitable; it's the way non-verbal babies protest, and it's perfectly understandable that they will do so for a few days when the regime changes.

Think of it as short-term pain for long-term gain (like 99% of parenting).  Sleep deprived parents aren't at their best during the day. And keep in mind that your average two-year-old would probably also like to eat ice cream 24-7, but we as parents recognize that this is probably not a good idea, and can stand our ground on this one despite the protest.

There's no evidence that "ferberizing" (and Dick Ferber actually hates the term) will be psychologically damaging to anybody except perhaps parents, for whom the wailing will live on. And if you start by putting the baby to sleep "drowsy but awake" from four months on, you'll probably avoid having to do any formal sleep training at all.

DON'T freak out when your child calls the nanny "Mommy." No mother wants to hear her child call another woman Mommy, but breathe deeply and think it through before taking it out on the nanny. This is a normal phase for children and a great sign of your child's bond with the nanny.  When called Mommy, a good nanny will use the opportunity to correct the child, talk about when Mommy is coming home, suggest drawing a picture for Mommy or giving her a call. 

DON'T install a nanny cam. If you are suspicious, approach your nanny with your concerns instead of going straight for the nanny cam.  If you don't get the response you're looking for, then this probably isn't the right woman for you anyway.  Another option is to drop in on your nanny and child unexpectedly to get a sense of their day.  Surprisingly, many nannies say they would not mind a nanny cam if told it was there in advance.  Ideally, you would bring this up during the hiring process so your nanny understands it's a condition of the job.

DON'T treat your nanny like family — unless you also treat her like a treasured employee. The longer a nanny is with your family, the more she becomes part of the fabric of your life.  While a great relationship boosts a nanny's self-esteem and commitment, many prioritize professional respect over intimacy. 

DON'T ask her to scrub your toilet. While most nannies will cook, clean and do laundry for the children, they resent being asked to broaden those housekeeping duties.  There is a clear status line in your home between housekeeper and nanny.  Think carefully before you cross it. If you want to add to your nanny's list of responsibilities, do it openly and directly, explaining your reasoning — maybe your child is now in school most of the day — so you don't insult her.

DO expect to feel jealous. It's perfectly normal to feel jealous of the nanny if you are a first-time parent who has gone back to work.  Once you see that no one can replace you, it will get easier.  Meanwhile, see if there are ways the nanny can help you see your child more often. Maybe she can meet you for lunch with the baby or call you at a certain time every day.  Let her know that it's because you want to stay connected, and not because you want to control her.

DON'T cut your nanny's salary when you go broke. In tough times, avoid putting your nanny's pay on your list of things to cut.  She may take the news gracefully. However, she will also pick up on contradictions.  When you got raises, stock options and bonuses, did your nanny receive increases, too?  On a practical level, make sure your nanny can live on her new salary. While cuts in your income may result in fewer trips to Whole Foods, she might have trouble covering basic expenses. 

DO nail down the basics. Address as many concrete employment issues as you can at the start of the relationship.  Discuss when your nanny can take vacation (many families offer it only when they take their own) and back-up options should she get sick. Also know her after-work schedule. Will she be able to stay late at the last minute and will you pay overtime?

DO have a full refrigerator. Whether you stock your own kitchen or your nanny does the shopping, make sure there is food that she likes.  Full-time nannies don't bring lunch to work.  They expect to eat what you've got in the house. Don't let her go hungry!

DON'T try to pay below market rate. If you can't afford the market rate for a nanny in your area, don't hunt for a bargain.  You might find a nanny willing to take the salary you offer, only to have her quit when she discovers she's underpaid or gains the experience to find a higher salary.  Better to have your child in a great and affordable day care center than with an inexperienced or disgruntled nanny.  You can also look into sharing a nanny with another family to lessen the cost.

DON'T take yes for an answer. Many nannies will say "yes" when inside their heads they are really screaming "no." It's often hard for nannies to be direct because they worry about offending their employers, are natural caretakers or just don't like confrontation. If you've asked her to work a lot of overtime, pick up dry cleaning or make you dinner every night, and she has agreed, look for clues to see whether she means it. Did she make eye contact? Does she seem quieter than usual? This may be her way of saying she feels that you are taking advantage of her.

DO prepare for blow-ups. The everyday life of nannies is routine and uneventful, but there are dramatic moments, usually when something boils over with a parent.  Blow-ups can end relationships, but they can also clear the air and set things back on track.

DO ask your nanny if she has children of her own. Some families won't hire a nanny who has children.  Others are open to the idea.  If you are, make sure you discuss the subject from the beginning.  Are you willing to let her bring her child to work sometimes?  Does she have back-up child care when her child is sick so she can come to work?  Would you feel comfortable employing a woman who left her own children behind in her home country to care for yours?  If you do hire a nanny with children, ask her about them, remember their ages and think about getting them birthday or holiday gifts if your nanny buys them for your kids.

DO go with your gut. Some parents know something isn't right about a recently hired nanny, but they take too long to act.  They feel guilty about firing her or forcing their child to adjust to a new caregiver. Some have trouble admitting that they put their child in the wrong hands.  The best thing is to acknowledge the mistake and move on.   

DO think about the style of nanny your family needs. There are all kinds of nannies.  College-educated and high school drop-outs, American-born and immigrants, documented and undocumented, women who view the work as a career and those who do it as a means to an end. If you need someone to run the house, look for a woman with experience who views the job as a career.  If you want your presence felt on a daily basis, make sure you don't hire someone who will resent your input on schedules and diet and discipline.

DON'T let the little things fester. A nanny relationship is like a marriage.  If you don't communicate, petty irritations can loom large.  It's often hard for parents to be direct, and even harder for nannies. Force yourself to talk, but remember to balance out the negatives if you're happy with her in general.  Tell her that you feel lucky to have her.  Then bring up your issues. 

DON'T hire someone like you — hire someone who complements you. You may love the nanny sitting on the couch across from you because you can almost read each other's minds. But that doesn't mean you are a good fit.  If you're a control freak and hire another control freak, you are asking for trouble.  If you're laid back and your nanny is laid back, you're asking for chaos.  Think about what kind of team you will make. 

DON'T skimp on the Christmas bonus.  If there is one time of year the streets in your neighborhood are buzzing, it's post-Christmas.  Nannies will ask other nannies about bonuses and if you cheap out, she will feel embarrassed in front of peers and unappreciated by you.

DO evaluate the interview later. Did it feel like a question-and-answer session or a conversation?  You need to have natural, easy interactions with your nanny.  If she held back or only said what you think she wanted you to hear, she's probably not right.  If she was blunt, had a sense of humor and asked to meet your child, she might be just who you're looking for. 

DO set up regular performance reviews. A review once or twice a year is a great idea for nannies. Working inside a home can be isolating and frustrating.  Nannies appreciate being taken seriously, and a review is a good way to emphasize that they are professionals doing a job. 

DO accept this is a learning process. Expect to make mistakes when you hire a nanny.  You might discover the relationship is too intense for you and look for day care instead.  You might realize experience is more important to you than education and you made the wrong choice.  It's not worth beating yourself up. Take it as a lesson learned. 

DO over-prepare for the interview. You can't have too many questions. Read everything you can get your hands on about nannies and interviews.  Clarify what is important to you and consider your style of parenting.  There are lots of questions you can find online covering everything from discipline to handling emergencies to whether the nanny prefers spending time inside playing or keeping busy with outside activities.

DON'T micromanage. Nobody likes a boss breathing down her neck, and nannies are no exception. Check in with her and ask your children questions. But as your trust in your nanny builds, step back and let her do her job.  She might not do everything as you would, but if your child is happy and healthy and safe, that's just fine.

DO praise her. Being a nanny is a tough job that carries very little status.  Some encouragement and praise will go a long way toward boosting her morale.  If you think that your life couldn't run as smoothly without your nanny, or that she's done a great job handling your son's tantrums, make sure to let her know.

DO assume the nanny is observant. If there is one thing nannies hate, it's when people think they're too stupid to pick up on clues. Your nanny is fully aware of everything going on in your home. She knows you're pregnant again, that you're moving to the suburbs, or that your child is having trouble in school. Try not to keep secrets for too long especially ones that affect her job.

DON'T expect Superwoman. Yes, the nanny is paid to do a job, but don't have unreasonable expectations. If you have trouble shopping with your two children and lugging the groceries into your home, so will she.  If you want her to play with your child, read to him and go to the playground, don't be surprised when the laundry isn't folded at the end of the day.

Check out kid services at other hotels. Just because you?re staying in one hotel doesn?t mean that you can?t visit another ? especially if the other hotel has kids? offerings. Do some Googling or talk to your travel agent to check out competing hotels' programs; for example, in Grand Cayman, we stayed at one resort, but headed to the Ritz-Carlton for their spectacular marine adventure program "Ambassadors of the Environment," designed by Jean-Michel Cousteau. Offerings were divided into little kids? and big kids? categories, and included night snorkeling, expeditions to a breeding ground for endangered blue iguanas, and underwater photography with digital photo editing session. All of the programs were offered in an eco-friendly cottage, the Ambassadors Heritage House, on the hotel property. (The Ambassadors of the Environment at the Ritz-Carlton is unique to the Grand Cayman, but there are other Ambassadors programs for kids around the world through Cousteau?s Ocean Futures Society; more info here.)

Fill up the iPhone or iPod with family photos and videos.
If you have an iPhone, it?s probably already loaded up with kid-friendly apps like MyFirstABC, Poppin', Doodle Kids, Scribble, and KidArt. When your little one tires of doodling or popping bubble wrap bubbles, pull out the big guns: family photos. I've yet to meet a toddler who doesn't love going through the family digital photo archive. It's a chance to tell stories, reflect on the past, and remember the good times your family has had. In other words: a perfect way to begin a family vacation! When you tire of explaining who's who in every photo, it's time to move on to home movies of your child. Unrepentant narcissists that they are, toddlers looooove seeing movies of themselves and people they know. The other day, I put on a video of my son's preschool class singing "Happy Birthday" and set it to repeat. My son would have been happy to watch it all day; I cut him off when I couldn't stand to listen to it anymore. Now, we save the Happy Birthday video for traveling. I plan to take that video with us on every plane ride until he's in college. Headphones, too. Speaking of which...

Bring DVDs and headphones for the grown-ups, too. There?s a special kind of vacation hell I discovered the first time my husband and I traveled with our baby. He went to bed at 7:00 PM, and we were? stuck in the room. We couldn?t turn on the TV, lest we wake him up. But you probably already travel with a portable DVD player and kid DVDs, right? Make sure your player has two headphone jacks (or get a splitter) so that you can watch movies together in the hotel room after the baby goes down for the night. It?s not plasma TV with surround sound, but it?s better than trying to read in the dark. And it?s certainly better than my most desperate bored-in-the-hotel moment, when I put a pillow in the bathtub so I could stretch out and read a magazine while my baby was sleeping in the darkened hotel room. An empty bathtub is surprisingly cold. Another option...

Get a suite. Suites aren?t just for VIPs; they?re also for parents who want to have a conversation with each other while their children are sleeping in the other room. Ask to reserve a suite, or consider vacationing at a suite hotel. My family is partial to the warm chocolate chip cookies offered daily at the Doubletree Guest Suites chain (fun fact: the Doubletree gives out 29,000 of these a day). Another bonus: suites generally have two TVs, so nobody needs to fight over the remote.

Find a local sitter. Good help can be easy to find on vacation. The Vacation Kids travel agency offers a listing of major-label resorts that can accommodate families with kids or babies. If you don?t go to a family resort, ask the concierge at your hotel ? or the concierge at a nearby major hotel ? about babysitting options. Most will refer you to a local nanny or caregiver service. It?s not the kid down the street, but when you hire a nanny from an agency, you know you?re getting someone insured, experienced, and capable of dealing with emergencies. And you can actually get out of the hotel and go to dinner. A few hours? break from the kids will go a long way toward enjoying the vacation!

More tips on page 2 — including the best road trip toy for under $3!

Get a room with a view. When you travel with a small child, you always want a room with a decent view because looking out the window is an extremely entertaining pastime for children. In our hotel in Boston, we had a view of the Prudential Center mall and the Barnes & Noble inside it, as well as the cars on Mass Ave. I thought at first that I?d prefer the view from a higher floor, but my toddler thought it was great to be on a lower floor. We watched the people cross the street below; we looked at the people in the Barnes & Noble caf?. It was plenty entertaining when we had a few moments to kill in the hotel room.

Always get new toys for the trip.
A grandmother once told me that new, quiet activities are essential for a plane ride. Big spender that I am, I headed to the dollar aisle at Target to fill up my son?s toddler-sized backpack with stuff that he could take on our recent Spring Break plane ride. I went for light objects so he?d be more likely to carry the backpack himself. The big hits: a Curious George notebook with stickers, and a bag of fuzzy pipecleaners that we turned into pipecleaner animals and pipecleaner glasses (and pipecleaner trees, and pipecleaner birds in the pipecleaner trees, etc). I brushed up on my pipecleaner skillz with a few of the tutorials available online.

Bring plenty of Band-Aids. Know what a toddler loves about having his very own box of Band-Aids? Everything. You can take them out of the box, put them back in the box, count them, line them up, pull them apart, cry when they don?t go back together. You can stick them on the seat, stick them on your body, stick them on your clothes, stick them on your parents, stick them on the airsickness bags, stick them on your stuffed animals, and then show your handiwork to the doting flight attendants. You can act out medical dramas with your parents if they aren?t too grouchy, you can color on the Band-Aid box, put pretzels in the box, take pretzels out of the box? the possibilities are endless. I?m usually stingy about Band-Aids (only one per boo-boo), so my kid was thrilled to have an entire box to himself. For my toddler, the biggest hit of all time was a $2.50 box of Spiderman Band-Aids that I bought to occupy him on a five-hour flight. The Spiderman Band-Aids were such a big success on the way down, I bought a box of Scooby-Doo Band-Aids for the flight back.

Print some coloring pages. Coloring books are great for traveling; custom-designed coloring books are even better. ( If you?re traveling by car, think about investing in a clipboard or another surface that your child can lean on while coloring.) Grab your stapler and a few sheets of paper, then go to any of these sites for free coloring pages you can print out and bring on your trip:

Crayola's pages include color-in projects like a dump truck that can be attached to a juice box. Bring tape!

Dover Publications coloring books are delightfully old-fashioned and intricate. Check out their free page samples here; my favorites include the Firefighters Coloring Book ("Mike runs outside to stop traffic so that the big engine can pull into the street safely") and the picture of the Harlequin Tuskfish in the Great Barrier Reef Coloring Book.

National Geographic Kids offers old-school illustrations of mustangs, Emperor penguins, prairie dogs, giant tree frogs, Western lowland gorillas, and three different kinds of sea turtles?all the wild animals you could possibly want. I particularly like the three-toed sloth.

About.com's Family Crafts page has dozens of simple pictures sorted by topic.

A long trip is the perfect time to introduce your kid to vintage cartoon characters. Print out coloring pages with pictures of old-school cartoon characters and tell your kid the story of what happened when Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble met the?Schmoo, or the story of the day that Smurfette first appeared in the Smurf village.

Want characters your kids already love? Check out the print-out pages at PBS Kids.

Going to a warm place? Don?t forget that afternoon nap conflicts with prime time on the beach.

There are two strategies for dealing with the afternoon nap issue. Option 1: reserve a room with a balcony, or a first-floor room with outdoor access. It sounds simple, but I can tell you that it made a huge difference in my happiness on our beach vacation. While my little one napped in our first-floor beachfront room, I sat outside in the sun and read my trashy mystery novel or chatted with friends. It was perfection.

Option 2: Avoid hotels and go to a family-friendly B&B or small inn. "Parents often worry about taking little kids to a B&B, imagining that all the other guests will be honeymooning couples," says Droolicious blogger Lisa Mulcahy, who also runs the Waterstone Inn in Greenwood Lake, NY. "It?s not true." Since most B&B owners have their own kids (or grandkids), they often have unexpected extras like kid-sized ice skates or a spare Pack-N-Play. And since an inn is more like a house, it?s easier to put the little one down for a nap, then hang out on the porch or in the living room ? just like at home.

Do you have toddler travel tips of your own? Leave them in Feedback!