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Top 7 Family Vacation Spots (By Regions) USA

The Stork Bag - Top 7 Family Vacation Spots By Regions USA

It’s almost summertime and that means fun, sun and exhaustion for mom and dad. BUT if you’re planning on taking a few family trips this summer, we have some great recommendations for you and we’ve even broken them down into regions (#momlife). Check them out:

  1. (South East) Orlando, Florida (Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios, Beaches)
  2. (North East) Hershey, PA (Chocolate, Chocolate and oh, Chocolate!)
  3. (North Midwest) Chicago, IL (The Bean, Willis Tower, Millennium Park)
  4. (South Midwest) San Antonio, TX (Six Flags, Sea World, Morgan’s Wonderland)
  5. (South West) Sequoia National Park, CA (Giant Red Wood Trees!)
  6. (North West) Seattle, WA (Woodland Park Zoo, Aquarium, MoPOP)
  7. And, there’s always all-inclusive cruising! Family favs include Disney cruise line for their array of fun activities for parents and kids and Carnival cruise lines for their budget-friendly “fun ship” offerings.

Have a few destinations to add to this list? Drop us a comment below!

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6 Helpful Tips for Expecting Toddler Moms

*This article from our archives was written by The Stork Bag Founder, Ericka Perry.*

And then there were two…

Oh my, I have decided there are different stages of motherhood and each has its own challenges and solutions.

As a mother of a toddler and infant, I am constantly looking for ways to cheat time. I always want to squeeze out another hour from the 24hours in a day. It’s impossible!

I have learned that nothing is easy, you only get better at it with time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids plus the laughter in my home has doubled, the joy has increased and with two kids there is never a dull moment. But it isn’t easy, so we’ve put together a few tips for you.

Are you a mom of a toddler and expecting another baby? Well, here are 6 tips to help you:

Don’t forget that you already have a child. Anytime your toddler calls for your attention, make sure you give him/her your attention.

Kids act out sometimes. Refrain from blaming the toddler for anything that happens to the baby.

Have special activities for your toddler. Know what your toddler loves that can keep him/her busy for 20-30 minutes and use it whenever baby needs your undivided attention.

Routine and stability are important to toddlers. Ensure your baby’s arrival does not upset your toddler’s routine.

Give each child one on one time when possible. You and your spouse should exchange one on one bonding time with each kid. Daddy and toddler time, mommy and baby time; daddy and baby, mommy and toddler.

Help your toddler to feel important. When family and friends come to visit, let your toddler introduce the baby, and let them know that they have been a good big brother or sister.

This whole situation must sound difficult and stressful, but don’t worry – parenting two young children at the same time can be done. And if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, don’t be hard on yourself – being a mom isn’t always easy! Be sure to reach out to family and friends for help, and to access parenting and community resources.

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Tips For Expecting Mothers With Toddlers

Tips For Expecting Mothers With Toddlers

*This guest blog was contributed by Dee Styles*

I’m scribbling and crossing out as I try to write my article for The Stork Bag – it’s a bit difficult to concentrate now as an expecting mother. And my 2 year old toddler isn’t helping at all, with her constant questioning; “Mommy what is this? Mommy what is that?”

One of the hardest parts of writing these blogs is finding the right topic, which my fellow moms will find fun and insightful. I was just about to grab my hair and start tearing it out, when I thought to myself, “exactly!” I’m going to write about how to get by as an expecting mother with a toddler! My hubby and I are expecting our second baby and we are super excited (well he is more excited than I am since I’m the one going through the discomforts that come with pregnancy!).


It’s been an adventurous journey so far, taking care of my toddler (a super hyper active 2 year old girl), my hubby and myself, plus the little one in me. Trust me, it’s no joke -sometimes I wonder how moms with twins get by!


But it’s not all bad, and below are some tips to make your journey through this phase a little more comfy.

  • First, you need to have a good support system.  Surround yourself with friends and family you can trust and that can cater to your needs or help you out when you really need them – especially on short notice. Maybe having a parent or sibling on standy if you need someone to watch your toddler for a few hours so that you can have a (much needed) break.
  • Second, talk to your toddler about the coming baby, prepare them mentally, and try engage them in DIY activities such as crafts. Fostering independence in your child will benefit both of you
  • Third, when you forget to take care of yourself (as we mothers tend to do every once in a while), remember the little one inside you. For their sake, you need to ensure that you are healthy and fit.

Try to eat a balanced meal each time whenever possible: infuse green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumber, and fruits into your everyday meal plan. If you are a busy mom like me and you run around and driving a lot, it helps to have a water bottle or smoothie, along with a protein bar to take with you on the go.


Carry healthy snacks around like apples, dried fruits, nuts or a healthy sandwich. As the pregnancy progresses, I’ve discovered that I burn more energy quickly while catering to my toddler and the little one inside of me seems to want food more often than usual (especially when I am out!). Rather than get hungry and stop for some unhealthy fast food, I go to my pre-packed healthny snacks. Best of all, I can share these with my toddler if they are long.

Waking up in the morning has become a major chore as I am getting closer to my 3rd trimester and preparing my toddler for daycare every morning is always easier when I plan ahead the night before. I sort out her backpack with a change of clothes, ensure she has her snack and lunch for the next day available the night before, so all I have to do in the morning is warm it up and package it.  I also sort out her clothing for the day the night before. Being a fashion oriented mom, I’m kind of particular about what my kid wears to school.  

p.s. Remember to look after yourself! I can’t stress this enough. If I feel the need to rest I don’t push it. I found out the hard way during my first pregnancy that high blood pressure in pregnancy is not good for you or your baby. Relax, and take the time for some self-care.


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7 FREE and Fun Family Activities

The Stork bag - 7 free and fun famly activities - family at the park

With colder weather, it’s easy for cabin fever to kick in if we stay cooped up in the house too long. With that scary notion in mind, we’ve come up with 7 fun activities to keep your family busy without costing you a dime! Check them out:

Museums: Yep, believe it or not, some museums have free days or times for families to come and visit during the winter months. Although many of them have specific free times, this is still a great outing for the entire family. Pack a lunch and head out to your local museum!

Parks: I know, I know the park is outside but hear me out. In many of the colder states public schools allow the kids to play outside for recess anytime the temperature is above 32 so bundled those babes up and head out to your community park for some good old’ fashion fun. Pair your outdoor fun with some yummy hot cocoa and you’ve got yourself a free fun day!

Gyms: Have a gym membership? Bring the kiddos along for a family work out. Many families don’t think about this but imagine the fun games you could come up with by mixing your workout routine with some dance breaks!

Home Movie Night: Who knew the family room could be converted into a movie theater? Pop up some popcorn, grab some juice boxes and pull out that Halloween candy (I can’t be the only one still holding on to 3-month old candy)! With so many video streaming services and on demand movie access, you’re sure to find a movie that the whole family would love! This actvitiy is fun, free and convenient!

Rec Center/YMCA: This community gem is a gold mine for fun and free family adventure! From a friendly game of basketball to a little swimming time, there is all sort of fun to be had. Plan ahead and check out your local recreation center’s event calendar before you leave to avoid any disappointment.

Sightseeing: Pack everyone in the car and head over to the next town for some sightseeing. Live in or near a large city? Even better, there’s always so much to see in new or big cities. Even venturing to your local downtown area would be a treat; all the antique shops and old diners make for a good history lesson. Don’t forget to pack the snacks!

Your Local Library: This gem has so much free fun hidden away at your local library! From allowing the kiddos to pick out their very own book with their very own library card, to enjoying story time, arts and crafts and even movie time, the list goes on and on! Many local libraries have an event calendar as well with upcoming events they have, which are usually free of charge. The adventures tucked away at the library are endless and a true gem for the entire family.

These are just some of the great activities that you family can have for fun, and free – if you’ve got others, we’d love to hear about them!