Courtney Elko

Toddler swimming in pool with swim floaties on; Courtesy of FamVeld/Shutterstock.com

8 Best Swim Floaties for Kids 2023

by Courtney Elko

Whether you have an infant, toddler or a young swimmer, floaties for kids are a fun and a safe staple for any day in the…

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Weekender Bag; Courtesy of Abeer Sadiq/Shutterstock.com

10 Weekender Bags for Your Next Family Escape

by Courtney Elko

If you buy it, you will travel! That’s what you can tell yourself as you browse through these fabulous (and efficient) weekender bags for women…

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Sandcastles and sand toys on the beach

Best Beach Gear 2021: 9 Must-Haves for Families

by Courtney Elko

The days of conveniently carrying one beach chair, a towel and a cute beach bag to the beach are mere memories of your time before…

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Wychmere Harbor, Harwich, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The 17 Best East Coast Family Vacations

by Courtney Elko

Choose the best East Coast family vacation based on your family’s ages and interests.

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Fairmont Mayakoba – Rivera Maya, Mexico; Courtesy of Fairmont Mayakoba

10 Best Eco-Friendly Hotels for Families

by Courtney Elko

Looking for sustainable lodging that’ll allow you to do some good for the planet while on vacation? Start with one of these eco-friendly hotels. From…

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two kids running wearing fall jackets; Courtesy of By YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock

7 Best Fall Jackets for Kids 2021

by Courtney Elko

Fall weather can be unpredictable; one minute there’s a crisp breeze in the air, the next it’s snowing. So fall jackets for kids need to…

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Baby In Beach Tent; Courtesy of Marcella Miriello/Shutterstock.com

8 Best Baby Beach Tents 2021

by Courtney Elko

Looking for a beach tent to protect your little ones from the sun and heat? These are our picks for the best baby beach tents.

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Kids skiing at Keystone Resort in Colorado; Courtesy of Vail Resorts/Daniel Milchev

7 Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Beginners

by Courtney Elko

Skiing for the first time can be intimidating. The ski gear and equipment, alone, is overwhelming, and the chair lifts and mountains can look scary.…

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teenager using laptop and headphones on vacation; Courtesy of Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

8 Best Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots

by Courtney Elko

Traveling with limited internet (or without it entirely) can be difficult. Sure, you may want to unplug from work emails and social media, but you…

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little kid boy making a snowman and eating carrot. child playing and having fun with snow on cold day.; Courtesy of Romrodphoto/Shutterstock

10 Best Winter Hats for Kids

by Courtney Elko

The best winter hats for kids need to stay on little baby heads, be stylish enough for teens, and keep everyone warm. Whether you’re planning…

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Happy family on a road trip in their car.; Courtesy of Estrada Anton/Shuttertsock

11 U.S. Road Trips Kids Should Experience Before They Grow Up

by Courtney Elko

The classic family road trip should be experienced by every kid at least once in their lifetime (more if you can withstand the are-we-there-yet’s!). When…

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travel gadget products headphones life vest candy

10 Most Purchased Travel Gadgets on Family Vacation Critic

by Courtney Elko

We love to provide our readers with recommendations for gear, and our readers love to shop for products that make travel with kids just a…

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Roshambo baby and toddler sunglasses; Courtesy of Courtney Elko

Roshambo Baby and Toddler Sunglasses Review: The Unbreakable Kid Sunglasses

by Courtney Elko

The Roshambo Baby and Toddler Sunglasses are kid-sized, fashionable and UV protective. They protect from the sun’s harmful rays, while also allowing kids to look…

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Body Glove Paddle Pals Swim Vest; Courtesy of Courtney Elko

Body Glove Paddle Pals Life Vest Review: The Life Vest Kids Will Actually Want to Wear

by Courtney Elko

The Body Glove Paddle Pals Swim Vest is a life vest with attached arm bands for kids weighing between 30 and 50 pounds. It allows…

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Grocery Delivery; Courtesy of Twenty20

7 Ways to Help Small Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Courtney Elko

Small businesses have been hit hard in the wake of this global pandemic. Restaurants, local shops, family-owned contractor businesses and others continue to lose money…

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Kids wearing face masks; Courtesy of Twenty20

Homemade Mask Patterns Kids Will Love

by Courtney Elko

The newest fashion statement and recommended way to protect yourself from the spread of COVID-19 is the medical facial mask. Seeing masks across faces while…

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best podcasts for kids covers

10 Best Podcasts for Kids and Families 2020

by Courtney Elko

Whether you’re on a family road trip or just looking for something to enjoy together at home, podcasts (which are a series of audio episodes)…

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Child video chatting.; Courtesy of Twenty20

How to Play Games Online with Friends and Family

by Courtney Elko

Yes, you can play board games and card games with extended family and friends, even while socially distancing! Board game simulators, apps, video chat services…

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Making homemade playdough; Courtesy of Family Vacation Critic

The Best Homemade Playdough Recipes

by Courtney Elko

Why buy Play-Doh when you can easily make your own at home? Some playdough recipes are easier or faster to make than others, while other…

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Child a playing with puzzle; Courtesy of Twenty20

10 Best Puzzles for Kids and Families to Create Together

by Courtney Elko

Staying at home doesn’t have to be boring. Crafts, board games and puzzles are all excellent alternatives to screen time. When buying a puzzle, also…

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Movie Night; Courtesy of Twenty20

14 Best Early Release Movies for Families with Teens

by Courtney Elko

With movie theaters temporarily closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak, several new release movies will be available to stream at home for a fee. These…

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Monterey Bay Aquarium; Courtesy of Knmata/Shutterstock

Go on Virtual Safari with These Animal Web Cams

by Courtney Elko

In times of quarantine and uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus, animals can bring calm, laughter and fun to our daily lives. Most zoos and aquariums…

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Beach and Steel Pier in Atlantic City; Courtesy Vlad G/Shutterstock

9 Best Family Beaches in New Jersey

by Courtney Elko

The tradition of going “down the shore” for summer vacations goes back decades for folks who live in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Families…

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air boat rides at the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo; Courtesy of at the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

The Florida Vacation You Never Thought to Take—But Should

by Courtney Elko

When most families think of a vacation in Florida, they immediately conjure up images of Cinderella’s Castle, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and maybe…

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Courtney Elko, Editor

by Courtney Elko

Courtney Elko has been a journalist for more than 15 years, working in both print and digital media. She’s had a passion for travel since…

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