Most children nowadays will pick up technology in a heartbeat – but instead of using it for creative purposes, they’ll just play games, watch videos or even, from a young age, use social media channels such as Facebook or Twitter. While this is okay in small doses, children need to learn how to get the very best out of their technology.
That’s why we recommend that from a young age you teach your children how to be creative with technology. There are many ways to do so, and here’s a list to help inspire you.

1. Use specific games to harbor creativity

Okay – we know we said kids spend too much time playing games. Hear us out though. We’re not talking about regular video games, but games created especially for bringing creativity out in children. With games such as Minecraft, GarageBand and Little Big Planet, players are required to create things. This teaches them a number of things, from design skills to the idea of taking ownership of a project.
Minecraft has been used in schools all around the world to teach children complex topics such as logic gates and engineering. If it’s good enough for schools, then it’s certainly going to help your children.

1. Get them using creative software

There’s an abundance of software on the market to allow your children to express themselves. You can make your own wallpaper with the kids for use as a homescreen, or download classic paint software on your computer. Have them draw pictures of their home, of mummy and daddy, or your pet. Guide them to use the mouse to bring their imagination to life. All of these are valuable skills which they can use in the future.
With devices such as the Surface Pro or the Apple Pro, you can purchase integrated smart pens which allow you to create freeform art directly on the screen. While we don’t think there’s anything wrong with the regular old pen and paper, kids nowadays don’t see it this way, and so using tablets with smart pens is a great alternative to inspire them further.

1. Get them to create music

We mentioned GarageBand earlier, but we thought it was worth a mention on its own. The popular music making software is a great way to get kids into creating music. Essentially, it allows you to replicate various instruments on screen – so you can create a drum beat on the drums, a melody on the guitar, or a bassline with a bass guitar. You can create simple beats, or more complex symphonies with a grand variety of string instruments.
The great thing is there are various GarageBand tutorials out there. So, take a look beforehand, learn the basics and then grab your kids. Being creative isn’t all about art – it can involve music as well. So, get out there, and make some music with the kids!
So – there you have it! Three tips on how to be more creative with the kids. Get out there, grab those devices, and make something worth remembering.

Ski trips with the family can be a great way to bond while having fun and enjoying the scenery. They can also be a logistical nightmare if they aren’t planned properly. Fortunately, there are a few things anyone can do to make sure that their family ski trip goes as planned. Here are four essential tips for families planning their first ski trip.

Choose the Right Mountain and Resort

Since you’ll be going with the family and not seasoned pros, you have to choose a mountain that isn’t too difficult if it’s your first time. While some slopes may be very steep, some resorts, especially in the Snowmass area, have varying degrees of skill. You should visit a website like Snowmass Vacations and pick a resort that is close to a family friendly hill. The easiest way to know is to visit their sites and call them directly to ask them if they have family friendly slopes or special assistance for little kids. Some resorts are purely performance oriented and should be avoided by novice skiers, so beware.

Never Underestimate the Power of Weather

Bad weather could completely make or break a good family ski vacation. I know that weather is out of your control, but you can make adjustments in case you experience extreme weather. If it’s freezing cold or there are huge snowstorms, you could shorten your sessions or take more hot cocoa breaks for instance. A nice resort will allow you to have fun inside as well with entertainment for the whole family.

Be Patient

It can be very easy to lose your cool when you have to manage your family on a vacation. Here are a few tips to make sure that you don’t lose control. First, make sure that you don’t have too high expectations before leaving. Also, make sure you establish clear rules before you go. For instance, don’t let your kids dictate whether they’re going to wear gloves and helmets. And if they aren’t cooperative, don’t be afraid to put your foot down and cut the day short if needed.

Get Some Training

It is always a better idea to get lessons before you go skiing. While skiing lessons can be time consuming and expensive, you just can’t hit the slopes with at least some minimal training. And you’ll have more fun too. If you’re away for a week, you should at least take three days of lessons before you start hitting the slopes on your own. However, please note that lessons can be overcrowded during peak times, so make sure you reserve your spot well in advance.

Conclusion

Ski trips can be a wonderful experience when done right. Before you go, make sure you pick a family friendly resort with varying levels of difficulty. Also, be prepared to make changes to your plans in case of extreme weather. Be patient and set clear rules before you go if you want your vacation to go smoothly. And, make sure you book lessons before you go if you want to make the best out of your vacation.

Vacations are an excellent way to bond with family by getting out of the house and spending quality time together, assuming the vacation itself doesn’t become a source of strain and conflict in and of itself. Think about the horror stories that are so common that the National Lampoon Vacation movies simply build upon and add a little more humor. That isn’t the type of trip you want to have with your family, which is why spending a little more for a luxury vacation that suits your family is the best type of family vacation. Here are four tips for organizing the perfect family luxury vacation.

Set a Budget that Everyone Will Support

Set a budget for the vacation that everyone will be able to not only live by but support. For example, it isn’t fair to ask a family member with limited means to pay several thousand dollars to come on a luxury family vacation planned for a reunion. Don’t plan on grandparents paying for things unless they’ve explicitly agreed to do so. Set a budget for travel, lodging, food and activities that won’t cause the bills for the trip to tarnish the memory of the vacation as you struggle to pay them off over the next few months. Set a budget for activities and let the family choose who will do what. This has the side benefit of reducing stress because you aren’t trying to rush through numerous expensive activities, potentially cutting a fun one short because the more expensive one starts in a few minutes.

Plan Amenities and Facilities that Fit Your Needs

If you like being in the outdoors but hate setting up campsites, consider renting a fully stocked cabin or glamping instead of roughing it. For those with the money, a luxury resort in the wilderness allows you to see the glory of nature without the massive work of managing the campsite at the end of the day. If you hate navigating a foreign destination, book a hotel that is located in the immediate area of the sights you want to see, even if it costs a little more. For example, if you’re staying in Quebec City, book the Chateau Beauvallon at https://www.chateaubeauvallon.com instead of renting a cheaper hotel on the outskirts and trying to plan for travel time despite the language differences.

Vet for the Right Type of Services

When you research hotels, find out which have family support services like babysitters with background checks or a “kid’s club” that is supervised by qualified childcare professionals. The best hotels can arrange for baby gear upon request. It may be worth it to pick the Four Seasons hotels over a different chain because of their good “kid’s club”.
Don’t assume that sending your children to the pool is enough to keep them busy, since many resorts don't allow children in the adult’s pool and may not let your preteens go swimming unless you’re there. In some cases, they may require you to hang out by the kid’s pool and prevent all of you from being in the nicer adult pool.

Plan Your Schedule

Traveling with children adds time to getting ready to get out the door and packing up to go on to the next activity. Allow for extra time when traveling with children at the start of each day and between activities. Plan for your child’s naptime, since nothing ruins an afternoon like a cranky, crying toddler. Remember that your two year old will not adjust to the time zone change in one day, so arrange activities so you are staying at the hotel or a quiet place so the little one can rest. Return to the hotel with at least half an hour before bedtime so the children have time to wind down; otherwise they won’t be unable to get enough sleep at night.
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Keep the above tips in mind and you should be on your way to a perfect family vacation.