Destinations the whole family will love!

You, and the kids, are going to flip over this deal. 

We all know how kids and parents love the ideas of kids clubs. It gives kids a chance to be people who are actually fun, and it allows parents a break from entertaining the kiddos for a few hours. The down side is that all that entertainment can be a bit pricey. But there are bargains to be had. Like the fabulous deal at the Aston Kaanapali Shores where they’re offering kids clubs for $25 dollars per session. And with tickets running about $300-400 round trip to Maui (from the West Coast) this summer, it’s time to go hawaiian.

The kids club activities have a lot of island flavor. Activities on offer are hula instruction, ukulele lessons and lei making, as well as the usual beach activities and arts and crafts.

Yes, Kaanapali is a very touristy area. But it’s Maui, and in my opinion, pretty much any location is beautiful paradise or even more beautiful paradise. I stayed in this area on my honeymoon (in the big pink hotel) and was completely happy with the location. And there are swanker areas or more boho areas, but the condo/hotels are a great option for families. They’re not super fancy, but they’re big, they have kitchens, they’re a good deal and you can’t beat the views.

Click HERE for more information and booking.

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photo from tripadvisor.com

Okay, I know you’ve all probably been on kiddieuptravel’s FACEBOOK page already to see the winner of our first annual DILF contest, but it’s time to announce it here as well. Feast your eyes on this hot baby daddy, Mr. Phil Malcolm of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who wins an amazing KIMMELKIDS tote bag filled with goodies. I totally wanted to keep it for myself, but I am far too much of a professional for those sorts of shenanigans.

Our winner was chosen by photo director extraordinaire and my colleague from my *SURFACE magazine days, Victoria Kelly. Today she’s the kick-butt new media director for LA’s eco-friendly child boutique (and my fave store) THE LITTLE SEED. Be sure to check out all the bo-hunks at kiddieup’s DILF PHOTO ALBUM. Thanks to everyone who entered and be sure to start snapping your hotties in anticipation for next year’s competition.

I just started thinking…why should my husband be the only one having all the fun, parading around shirtless in the glory of that, “I used to have time to work out and cook amazing meals  before I had kids and now am living on a steal-two-hours a week run and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich diet bod,” on my postings. So now I’m asking you to send pics of your hot husbands (aka DILFs) in for a chance to strut their stuff on kiddieuptravel’s FACEBOOK page.

I’ll be taking submissions between now and Thursday JUNE 17 and announce the winner Friday, June 18th, in time for Father’s Day.

The lucky DILF, I mean, Dad, will receive a cool KIMMELKIDS tote filled with amazing eco/craft/cool kids stuff. Here it is:

The giftbag.

The bag flowers are a bit fluorescent, but not this bright, or this rippled around the edges…anyways, I took this picture because my dress matches the print. And now you can rip this amazing gift bag out of my hot little hands!

That’s more like it…you’ll get the awesome orange one on the right. 

The bag is very similar to the one given away at the last KimmelKids craft weekend extravaganza at the ACE HOTEL in Palm Springs. Inside you’ll find:

Converse Sneakers/Undefeated t-shirt/Further liquid hand soap/Pop chips/Smart Water/Tasty Baby Gummy treats/Kind snack bar/Sun print kit/Envirosac reusable tote/Smith Row spin top/Yummy Fun Kooking DVD/Parents Magazine/Urbanic notepad & coupon/Two Plums crafting kit/Geoff McFetridge wallpaper/print by Pottuk/American Apparel adult tee/33 Things to Know About Raising Creative Kids

It’s practically ready to hit the beach. And the tote is really cool and super-sturdy. Yes, the print is a tad fluorescent, but in the best possible way. I can’t believe I’m not keeping this for myself. But I am indeed giving it away. Here’s how to win:

• Post your favorite hot daddy on facebook.com/kiddieuptravel
• The dad must be showing a bit of skin
• He has to have a kid in the picture as well—he’s got to be actively parenting or it doesn’t count
• Being on vacation can’t hurt your chances, but it’s not necessary

So send in pictures of your DILF for all the world—not just you, the kiddos and his mom—to love. One lucky person will receive this amazing gift bag!And I'll kick it off with my favorite DILF, here on vacation at the FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CABIN in Wisconsin.

Get to FACEBOOK.COM/KIDDIEUPTRAVEL and enter your favorite DILF today!

Still kicking yourself for missing the KimmelKids/Art of Exchange crafting weekend at the ACE HOTEL, PALM SPRINGS? Well, you should be. Check out these pictures. A fun, artsy time was had by all.

Succulent gardens in progress.

Potato print flags flying proudly. 

Customizing the Converse. I was way less inventive when I was a kid, I just used a black sharpie.

I’m sure they’ll host another weekend of crafting, artwork, pool time and just Palm Springs fun. Another weekend crazy with macramé, disco pinatas, underwater photography, taco nights, more s’mores. Okay, enough daydreaming…click HERE for more info and updates on the next event.

AND WATCH THIS SPACE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A KIMMELKIDS GIFT BAG.

Movie night. Or a rave. No, wait, definitely movie night. 

Confetti System pinatas. I’m semi-obsessed with these.

S’mores!

A snap from the underwater photography session.

I’m thrilled, excited and very lucky to have a guest post here on Kiddieuptravel by an expert on vacationing on the Sea Islands, Nicole Wilberg. As founder of the SEA ISLANDS VACATIONS WEBSITE, she’s the go-to source for vacations on these beautiful islands off the coast of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida and for her post on KU, she’s written about  an amazing sea turtle hospital on Georgia’s Jekyll Island. Be sure to check her site for other vacation ideas on these often-overlooked vacation treasures.
Still not sure if the Georgia islands are the exotic getaway you’ve been dreaming of? I say, it was beautiful enough to lure Bennifer Part I to their sandy shores, (remember Ben and La Lopez’s house down there?), I’m in.

Without further ado, NICOLE WILBERG unlocks the treasures of Jekyll Island….

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