How to Arrange the Perfect Winter Road Trip On a Budget

In the winter, when nights are dark, and it is cold and wet outside, we all want to have some fun outside, but moms and dads are worried about the little ones catching a cold. If you can’t book a family beach vacation, or a spa treatment with your loved ones, the alternative is a road trip. You will be able to spend some quality time together, and explore new places, while staying safe and warm in your car. Below you can find a guide to making the most out of your winter road trip on a budget and enjoying the great outdoors, despite the weather.

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Create a Detailed Itinerary

The key to a successful road trip is being prepared, and making sure that you know everything about the road ahead. In the winter, it is important that you pack your jump starter, in case your batteries give up, and check your car before you start off. Pay attention to the condition of your tires, as well as the air pressure, as it can make a difference when you need to break on slippery roads. Pack spare clothes, and check out deals on Nickis moncler jacket kids so everyone stays warm during the outdoor activities. Check the weather and traffic reports, and plan your stops carefully, so everyone can take a break from sitting in the car, and enjoy some of their favorite activities.

Pack Lunch and Have a Picnic

To save money on eating out, you can pack your picnic basket, and get some snacks and drinks. If you visit a historic site or kids’ museum, you are likely to find a picnic area nearby, but if you eat in the cafe, you might spend up to $50 on a decent meal. You can even take some hot drinks and soup with you, and have a great picnic wherever you stop. Kids love doing things differently, so this idea will surely impress them.

Visit National Parks

National parks look different in the winter, and some of them have free parking. Make sure you start off on time, as they can get crowded on the weekends. National parks and reserves usually offer free kids’ activities and themed play areas, where you can let the little ones relax and run around, while you are enjoying a walk or a cup of coffee.

Go to a Farm Shop with a Play Barn

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Another cheap idea for your family winter road trip is visiting a local farm with a petting zoo and play barn. Entry tickets are usually cheap, and you can pick up some healthy snacks and fresh produce, while the kids are exploring the barn and making friends with the animals. Check for special activities in the area, and events on the weekend, such as tractor races, miniature trains, and competitions for kids, to break up your day.

Just because the days are shorter and colder in the winter, you should not sit at home with the kids all weekend. Plan your visit to the local kids’ museum, national park, or farm shop, and you can make the most out of the winter sunshine.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

Five Home Improvements for a Better Family Life

If you haven’t been able to save up enough to get a full makeover of your family home, you are not alone. We all need to prioritize expenses and home renovation projects, but it can be challenging. You need to focus on the improvements that make the greatest difference in your and your family’s life. Below you will find a few home renovation projects that will improve your family’s comfort, finances, and security.

1. Playrooms

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Busy parents working full time to make ends meet can benefit from a bit of free time when they can cook a family dinner, or just watch a movie together. If you create a playroom for the kids, they will be out of the way when you are trying to organize your finances and file your invoices, and you will know that they are safe. Building a playroom in the garden, or converting your conservatory is a much better option than allowing your children to play on the street all night.

2. Home Security

It is also important that you invest in home security, so you can take a long weekend away, without having to worry about your house being burgled. Some DIY house alarm systems are as effective as those that are installed by professionals, and can be tailored to your needs. If you are any good at wiring and drilling, you can set one up in just a few hours. Security is one of the most important aspects of family life, so you should invest in it.

3. Smart Thermostat

If you worry about your kids not turning off the lights or heating, you might want to get a smart thermostat. It is a great investment, but doesn’t come cheap. If you need to take out credit, you can check how to get a quick personal loan online and fund your smart thermostat. Your savings over the years will cover your investment, and you will no longer have to worry about heating an empty home.

4. Kitchen Area

Cooking with kids is a cheap and joyful weekend activity. You can improve your kitchen in a way that it is easy to walk around the island, and everything is easily accessible. This will improve your weekends, and help you teach the kids some important life skills. Get a Bluetooth speaker, and stream some fun music while you teach them how to cook Spaghetti Bolognese.

5. Garden Landscaping

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Image via Wikipedia

If your kids love the great outdoors, you can make your garden more child-friendly. Create some benches where they can have a doll tea party or play with their toy cars. Build a garden hut that protects them from the rain, and a small playground to keep them busy during the summer vacations. Kids love tree houses, but if you don’t have any, you can get a cheap log cabin and turn it into a play den where they can escape to whenever they have friends around.

Whenever you need to prioritize home improvement projects, think about your values and preferences, and investments that will make your family life better.

This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.

Cinderella at the Fox this December 2017!

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Coming to The Fabulous Fox December 27 through the 31st is Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Tony Award®- winning Broadway musical Cinderella! Keep reading to find out how you can win tickets to the show from St. Louis Dad!

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA is the Tony Award®- winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream… or a really great pair of shoes.

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We are very excited to take our daughter to see this show. She is going to be thrilled that we will be going during her Christmas break. So instead of sitting at home she will be getting to see a fantastic show during this holiday season.

Tickets can be purchased as singles or there are also student and group rates available. Just check out the Fabulous Fox’s website for more information. Be sure to order your tickets now as I am sure this will be a great show for families to enjoy this holiday.

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CONTEST!

Now, onto the contest! I like to keep my contests really easy, so all you have to do to win some tickets to the show is…

1) Share this post on Facebook. I will be checking!!!

2) Comment below and tell me what your least favorite chore is to do.

That’s it! Be sure to use a valid email address when you comment so I can contact the winner. The winner will be selected on December 15th so be sure to enter! Once the winner is selected they will be contacted and will have 24 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within the 24 hour period another winner will be selected.

St. Louis Dad was compensated tickets to this show in exchange for promotion of this event. 

The Polar Express at Union Station 2017

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The start of this holiday season has been fantastic so far. Great weather, family, friends, and life! Each year we like to take our kids out to see the holiday lights, shows, and other festivities that are happening in the area, and this year we made our way back to Union Station for a first class ride on The Polar Express.

IMG_0354Our previous ride on The Polar Express can be read here. When we arrived I learned that they completely changed the setup from our previous visit. Upon arrival you will go to the ticket booth where you will be provided a bracelet which indicates which train car you will be riding in. It also allows entry and reentry into The Polar Express wonderland.

Inside is filled with Christmas galore! I would recommend arriving about an hour before the time listed on your ticket so you can see all of the awesomeness! Outside there were fire dancers. Two wonderfully talented individuals performed a number of tricks with fire. Definitely check it out if you have time.

Another fun fire filled activity was a fire show sync’d to music. It was incredible. Inside there were coloring pages, plenty of photo opportunities, games, jugglers, and more. If you arrive an hour beforehand you will have plenty of time to do everything.

The fire show at #unionstationstl #stlpolarexpress

A post shared by Richie Williams (@dadstl) on

An announcement will be made to start getting ready for boarding. This is where your bracelets really come in handy. You will be lined up according to your train car and from there you will wait just a bit for the Conductor to let everyone know it’s time to board the Polar Express to the North Pole.

IMG_0069You grab your seats and get your golden tickets checked by the Conductor and the fun just keeps rolling down the track. A nice cup of hot chocolate is delivered to your table along with a cookie. The chefs are bringing some serious energy with that hot hot chocolate! The music and dancing had everyone enjoying the fun. Once everyone had their drinks and cookies that’s when the story of The Polar Express is read. The kids relaxed and listened as the chefs walked up and down the aisle turning pages of the book.

After story time it was time to sing and dance! The kids marched up and down the aisle singing many favorite holiday songs. Just when we thought it was over, Santa got on board! He visited every child and asked them what they wanted for Christmas and then gave them a special bell as their first Christmas present. My kids want a new iPad and LEGO sets. So hopefully Santa comes through this year. Check out St. Louis Dad on Instagram and Twitter for more Polar Express pictures!

The Polar Express is at Union Station in St. Louis November 24th through December 30th. So be sure to book your tickets today. Coming from a out of town? You can stay at the grand St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton. Your rate includes Deluxe accommodations for the complete holiday experience.

Did you ride The Polar Express? Comment below and tell me about your trip!

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St. Louis Dad was compensated tickets to ride The Polar Express in exchange for an honest review.