Stop those back to school commercials JUST a moment! Though in some parts of the country school may be already starting, August is American Adventures Month! You might not have known that, but don’t you just love a good excuse for an AUNTIE ADVENTURE with your favorite kid or kids? The purpose of American Adventure Month is to celebrate and discover new places and locations within the Americas. Kids can learn so much from traveling to places that may be just a bit different from where they live or where they are used to.
 
I’m a bit of a believer that when you integrate learning into fun, you kind of sneak in expanding any kid’s horizons (that’s 10 years in education for you!). I mean who doesn’t want to take a road trip with their most Savvy Auntie or Uncle? A sans parents weekend can be super exciting for a kid or kids. And what set of parents wouldn’t appreciate a weekend respite from their favorite offspring?
 
If you are planning a day or weekend road trip with your nieces or nephews I am sure you want to consider a few things. Here are some tips to making the most of adventurous August!
 
1. BUDGET: Before you even start a conversation, remember kids usually don’t know how much things cost. Have in your mind what the budget is for your auntie adventure and be clear about who is footing the bill? Are you sponsoring this trip entirely or are the parents helping out? Be clear about the who and what of your financial ability and flexibility to plan a trip with and for your favorite kids! If you can only do a day or overnight trip, no problem! Any memory you can create is worth it!
 
2. GOOGLE AWAY! Depending on the age or ages of said children, do some preliminary research about possible destinations that you know are in your budget with respect to activities, meals, and lodging. Trip Advisor, Yelp, and Hotels.com can be a huge help in this area! What kinds of activities would really interest your niece or nephew? Think of areas like sports, museums, amusement parks, outdoor activities, and more!
 
3. HAVE A PARENT CHAT! Go over your ideas with the parents and makes sure they are comfortable with what you have in mind. The worst thing to do is getting a kid excited about something that a parent may have an objection to! Also come up with possible dates that work for you and the family.
 
4.GET THE KIDS INVOLVED! Once you have a few ideas and have covered all of the above, have a little “adventure meeting” with your nieces or nephews and start planning. Allowing kids to learn about making decisions and choices is a great way to have your niece or nephew really own the adventure! Set your dates, times, things to pack and get ready for your adventure!
 
5.HAVE AN ACTUAL EXPERIENCE, NOT A SOCIAL MEDIA DOCUMENTARY. Yes, its 2014. Somewhere along the way we have started to believe that an experience is not actually happening unless we are documenting every minute of it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Consider actually engaging in the adventure and inviting the kids to also. Yes of course social media is part of life. Perhaps take all the great pictures and then post and album in the evening or when you get back. Unless you are getting paid to be a reality TV, be in the moment!
 
6.BRING BACK A SOUVENIR! Bring back a little something to remember the adventure and perhaps make it a tradition. My mom started us on a tradition of getting magnets from every place we visited and it is a great reminder of favorite memories. If you are taking one of multiple children in family, be sure to bring something back for some siblings and maybe even the parents!
 
A travel experience is a wonderful thing to be able to give a child. If time and budget allow, make sure you are also enjoying yourself! Gifts are great, but memories truly last forever. Create your August Auntie Adventure today!

Published: August 13, 2014