Samsung Mobile has a Bright Idea

When Samsung Mobile announced their sponsorship with the Blog Her 2011 blogging conference earlier this year—transforming a big chunk of the exposition floor into a swanky lounge for rest, relaxation, and recharging your mind and mobile device—it’s no surprise the public relations team had something worth bragging about.

Asked to review the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 during the conference, I gladly accepted the challenge. While I remind everyone that the Geek Squad isn’t exactly calling for a job interview, what I do know is this: if anyone can find the most meticulous way to use technology its me (if you don’t believe me, go read one of the geocaching GPS reviews).

Weighing just over a pound, space and weight is a precious commodity when traveling by air. Nothing against my laptop, but cutting out dead weight and cables became my pre-conference obsession. I didn’t intend on blogging “during” the conference and I knew I’d be carrying a ton of stuff to-and-fro during the day. Alternately, while the iPhone is fine for checking in on FourSquare, have you ever tried to keep up with Hoot Suite on a 2X3″ screen?

Mailed to me in advance of the trip, I enlisted the help of my four-year-old as we installed Angry Birds and checkers and bookmarking various email accounts and twitter handles in a web browser. After breaking a few iPhone habits, I found the interface to be fairly straightforward.

At  10.1 inches by 6.9 inches (hence the name Galaxy Tab 10.1), the tab is 8.6 mm thick and holds the current record of the world’s thinnest tablet. Using the Android 3.1 Honeycomb OS on a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor,the tablet is small enough to fit in a handbag (but maybe not an evening clutch). With an LCD resolution of 1280 X 800, the interface really is quite addictive nice (Even still, I can’t get past Level 4 in Angry Birds – stupid pigs!).

Playing a Game while Crossing Lake Michigan

During the conference, I happily tweeted, surfed, and emailed away. I used the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 during the day and the iPhone during the night and was sad to mail it back to Samsung. Pointing out the family travel nature of this site and planning for two weeks on the road with my kids (as in “solo,” 24X7, fourteen days, thirteen nights, and 1500 miles), we put the battery, durability, and 3 megapixel camera to the test. As with air travel, space and weight are also precious when packing into the more fuel-efficient (read: smaller) car, and the same digital connectivity and convenience holds true on a family road trip.

Not accustomed to traveling with digital entertainment, using the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 as we crossed Lake Michigan by car ferry contributed to the current state of my mental health (as in, still enact). A 2.5 hour crossing, choices for keeping kids in their seats (and not overboard) are coloring books, games, puzzles, and gadgets—all of which roll around during the smallest of wave. Playing games on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 saved me the hassle of filling my purse to the brim.

Adding a variety of activities and implementing a system of sharing and time limits throughout the entire two weeks, helped this voyage pass smoother than any other trip this summer. As Samsung already knows, big success is sometimes measured in small victories.

This guest post is one mom’s mission to create an easy to use app to use during road trips – or any time your kids need to be quiet and unwind.

I’m the kind of person who went to the epidural lecture when I was a mere 4 months pregnant with my oldest.  I figured, I have the time – I should go before I get too busy.  I like to accomplish things before my deadline paralyzes me.

When this same kid was about four months old, I read a book called The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease.  I wanted to make sure he would be a reader.  What I learned from Trelease is this: read to your child from the time he’s an infant.  Every night.  Read to him even after he learns how to read.  Every night.  Let your children read whatever they want.  Even crap–as long as they like to read, they’ll turn out great.  There!  Now you don’t have to read the book.  That’s the gist.

Here’s what you get when your kids read on the road: they don’t wander away, they don’t fight, they are safe.  They are quiet.  You see where I’m going with this…

So naturally (or because of my compulsion), my kids are into books.  My kids, however, are the type that get car sick when they read in the car.  Like me.  They even get a little sick when watching DVDs in the car.  Not that we watch DVDs in the car.

A little over a year ago, we were on a road trip and I wanted everybody to listen to audiobooks: they improve your vocabulary, they broaden your world!  (Oh yeah, that’s also part of the Trelease book.) I downloaded an iPhone app that had the entire Librivox.org catalog in it for a mere 99 cents.  That’s over 3500 books!  But really: 3500 books is overkill.

And that’s when it hit me:  I would create my own iPhone app with only the children’s catalog from Librivox.  And only with the best narrators.  No matter how good a book is, if the narrator is no good, it’s impossible to enjoy.

I engaged Mazal Simantov – a good friend and excellent designer, programmer  and lifelong children’s advocate.  Together we created Audiobooks For Your Kids.  Thirty of the best narrated titles from the children’s catalog of Librivox.org.  Now, you don’t have to spend the time figuring out which book to listen to: you can search by title, age, genre and author.  The titles are classic children’s literature, stuff like The Jungle Book, Aesop’s Fables and Little Women.  Best of all, the app is only 99 cents.  We also made sure that the design was beautiful, spare and easy to use.

There are no bells and whistles to this app: it’s old school.  If apps can be called such things.  You don’t read along, there are no graphics, no animations.  You just listen.  Slow down and listen.  There’s a lot of noise out there, online, and most of it is no good for us.  You can listen in the car, at home, in the doctor’s waiting room.  We even explain how to do it on our website.  Easy peasy.

Over the summer, we’ll release three new apps with 30 titles in each of the following categories: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Fairy Tales/Folk Tales.  Stay tuned.

Raise your kids as readers.  Audiobooks is too reading!  Enjoy the summer.  Drive safely!

Elizabeth Rodgers is an avid traveler, award-winning filmmaker and Los Angeles native who now lives in Boise, Idaho with her lovely family. She’s the co-creator of the Audiobooks for Kids iPhone app and contributes regularly to TravelingMom.com as the Idaho TravelingMom. Follow her on Twitter at erodg.

How do you teach your children to enjoy hiking?  It’s more important than ever to teach our kids to enjoy time in nature. Screen time is replacing outdoor play time for children and getting the next generation off the couch is vital. Jeff Alt is an avid hiker and he speaks and writes about the outdoors every day.  In addition to walking the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, he also walked the 218-mile John Muir Trail with his wife, and trekked across a 50-mile path of Ireland with his wife, young daughter, and extended family. He and his wife emerged from the church doors on their wedding day wearing backpacks, and his son was taken on his first hike at 8 weeks.

Start Early-Develop A Routine:

Give your kids a healthy dose of “Early Outdoor Intervention.” It will pay off later.

• Start hiking with your newborn. Infants and children weighing less than 15 pounds should be carried in a front body carrier or a sling. Children weighing 16 to 40 pounds can fit into a child carrier backpack. Children weighing more than 30 pounds might be ready to hike short distances and carry a little daypack.
  • Let the child lead. This helps you focus on what they’re interested in and keeps you from leaving them in your dust.
  • Get outside every day. Take a walk with the family once a day. Walk around the block, go to the park, go to the beach, and river.  Get maps and books and search out and find new places to go. See new places all the time.
  • Save money and stop driving everywhere. Walk to the grocery store. Walk to your local restaurant for dinner and back. Walk to the library.  Make walking and hiking as routine as brushing your teeth.
  • Bring the outdoors inside.  Educate constantly to generate interest and enthusiasm. Take lots of pictures of the kids and places you go. Make posters for the family and living room and for Christmas cards.  Get magazines, videos, and artwork that show places you want to go. Rent movies about faraway places. Use the Internet together to look at maps, and photographs of the wildlife, environments, and spectacular scenery you will be visiting someday.
  • Go high tech.  Bring on the gadgetry! Turn your computer game nerds on to the adventure technology. (e.g. GPS, pedometers headlamp flashlights, geocaching) and teach them all about how these incredible devices are being used for fun, like scavenger hiking in the Shenandoah & Great Smoky Mtn Ntl. Parks.
  • Take the kids to local orienteering course and learn how to use GPS & compass together.
  • Involve the kids in planning out all trips and adventures. Older children can use the computer to research your destination or sport.  (all national parks and most other destinations have websites chock full of facts & info., maps, wildlife).
  • Let the kids (especially teens) bring along a friend. Get permission from parents and make it a club adventure.
  • 

    Jeff, Beth and Madison Alt

    Research the destination & activity. Have your youngster help you with this-google, park websites, library, bookstore travel section, outfitters, etc.

  • You’ve got mail! Send for maps and guidebooks of the area, and check with the local travel experts on hiking, rangers, guides, etc. Have the packages sent to your child or children.
  • Attend local slide shows or lectures (outfitters/libraries/bookstores) every chance you get.
  • Plan ahead – especially when you have younger children.  Choose a trail that offers easy access to domesticated amenities.  Having a base camp or prearranged lodging allows you to be a parent, not a Sherpa.
  • Check into transportation options.  You should have a plan for what to do if you need to get off the trail.
  • Identify the restaurant and grocery amenities.  Not only is it good to know what’s available before you arrive so that you’ll know what to pack, but if the weather turns bad, you can have an instantly viable backup plan.
  • Prepare and plan what you need based on what you find. What kinds of wildlife can you expect?  Will water be available? What are the weather and terrain like?  You want to avoid hiking in freezing temperatures, lightning storms, and extreme heat. You want to identify and find swimming holes, wildlife, enjoyable views, and great places to boulder, look at flowers, spectacular trees, and wildlife.
  • Acquire the Right Gear. Get everyone properly fitted into essential gear particularly boots and packs.
    • Clothing- NO COTTON! Dress in layers (synthetics, fleece, wool, and waterproof breathable items.  Bring what you need for the weather and conditions you will encounter
      • Rain jacket
      • Hat
      • Shirt
      • Socks
      • Shorts/pants
      • underwear
    • Deet Free bug repellant (Nutrapell, Coleman, etc.)
    • Children’s sunscreen
  • Train at home in your neighborhood with your kids before you go into the wild.  Practice carrying your child in the child carrier. This will help you adjust to carrying the pack, and your child will acclimate to the routine.  Take older children (age 4 and older) on weekly walks so that they are physically conditioned for the journey. Wear your boots and all your gear on your training hikes to condition you and make sure everything fits and works before you leave town.

Prepare your family for your adventure:

Preparation is the key to a successful hike.  Many of the same equipment decisions that you make for your own adventures can be applied to outfitting your children.

Think Food – Think Fun:

Pack your kids favorite snacks.  Desirable food will help encourage your kids to eat and stay energized.  Pack more food than you think you will need.

Try out your food and your stove at home before your trip. Make sure you can cook food the kids will enjoy. When preparing your food, think compact, lightweight, and filling. Bring items that are easy to prepare or ready to eat.

Select foods that just need a little bit of water to prepare. Plan for two pounds of food per person per day. Eliminate bulky packaging; condense food into plastic bags. Pack an extra day’s worth of food.

Depending where you go, remember to bring a food bag and rope to hang 10 feet up in a tree so the bears can’t get to it.

Learn First Aid and be prepared for trail emergencies:

Carry a first-aid kit, and brush up on child first aid and CPR. Learn about the dangers of hypothermia, and monitor children for signs. Pack all of your child’s medication.

Know the location of the nearest medical facility for you and the children.

Learn how to use a compass and map or GPS. Learn how to make a quick shelter to help keep you warm and dry. Keep matches and lighters dry and in a safe place. Know how to start a fire to keep warm.  If you do get lost, make yourself as visible as possible. Place a bright item (e.g. item of clothing or gear) in the open. Make distress signals and make noise. If you brought a cell phone, check periodically to see if it works. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member.

Keep the journey fun:

The driving priority with children is to make sure they have fun.  Let them lead the way and tell you what they want to do.  Whatever animal or rock your young child takes interest in, stop and explore with him or her. Talk to your child about what you’re seeing.  Label the animals, rocks, trees, and flowers. Tone down your mileage goals to the comfort level of your child.

Engage older children with trip planning, animals, local history, or anything that applies to what they are learning in school.

Teach your children good backcountry ethics.  Kids can learn to pack out trash, take nothing from the woods but memories and pictures, and proper backcountry toileting at a young age.

We’ve all been there. It’s late. Everyone’s tired. Everyone is cranky. And that is the night you pick the restaurant that takes 30 minutes to get drinks and bread to the table. We’re normally all about not taking screens on vacation. But, sometimes, well it’s just an emergency. Sherry Segal and Wendy Wiseman have been there too, and they’re experts on quality apps for kids. Their app company, Kiboomu, helps kids learn with music. We asked them to give us their top 10 picks for preventing restaurant meltdowns.

Kids and restaurants can be a scary combination for parents. Especially when it’s in a foreign place, and after hours of sightseeing and possible jet lag. Parents used to have get really creative to keep the calm, but, now parents can enjoy their meal knowing they have a new tool at their disposal – apps for kids on the iPhone (or Droid). It’s the perfect distraction to entertain kids and avoid meltdowns. Here are our ten 10 apps for successful family meals while traveling.

#1: Angry Birds
Kids can’t get enough of these Angry Birds. It’s just too much bird flinging fun as you launch the angry birds towards fortresses built by the greedy pigs who have stolen their eggs. After you solve all the original puzzles, check out Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio.

$0.99 on iPhone — Free on Android

#2: Doodle Buddy
Kids draw all sorts of doodles in many different colors, lines, shapes and backgrounds. But, perhaps the best part is you can take pictures of people and then the kids can draw on them. There’s also a version for the iPad, and the sounds are fun for kids. Good for kids of all ages!

Free on iPhone and Android

#3: Cut The Rope
The universal objective of kids everywhere — how to get to the candy? In this app, kids help get the candy to Om Nom, the adorable monster, in this highly innovative and addictive puzzle game. Same age range as Angry Birds. We think this is every bit as addictive as Angry Birds!

$0.99 on iPhone — not available for Android

#4: Giraffe’s Matching Zoo
Kids match a bunch of super cute animals as fast as they can. After every two matches, the treasure chest opens to reveal the fun button. Press the fun button and you get a surprise. The surprises build anticipation and they happen often enough to keep little players engaged. No menus or options, just play the game.

Free on iPhone — $0.99 on Android

#5: Toddler Sing & Learn
Kids learn words, letters, numbers, colors and shapes, body parts, food and more with super voice-overs and 10 sing along songs, 10 puzzles and 10 coloring pictures! The sing-a-longs are perfect for restaurants that need extra incentive to move a family’s food out faster. Definitely more geared for the toddler set.

$1.99 on iPhone — not available for Android

#6: Tasty Planet
Kids control a tiny blob that eats everything in its path that is smaller than it. The more it eats, the bigger it gets! The obvious object is to eat everything smaller and successively eat the bigger objects — kids seem to really enjoy eating dogs and houses and trees and other ginormous objects. Fun for the middle school crowd.

$0.99 on iPhone — not available for Android

#7: Highlights Hidden Pictures
Remember Highlights magazine from when you were a kid? One of the best parts was the hidden pictures. Each of eight illustrations has over 100 hidden objects. Use clues and hints to make the objects easier to find for the younger set. Kids put their eyes to work as they try and locate hidden objects in these well-illustrated scenes.

$1.99 on iPhone — not available for Android

#8: Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Kids learn a variety of preschool skills as they work through puzzles and learning games with the help of a monkey tutor. And, they are rewarded with animated stickers after each game! Along with the usual colors and matching and counting, we like the spot the difference game that teaches preschoolers to pick out something that’s different from the rest.

$.0.99 on iPhone — $1.99 on Android

#9: Jelly Doodle
Kids create their very own gelatin dessert! There are over 70 molds to choose from and kids can add colors and other delicious ingredients to the concoction. Move the phone to pour, and you don’t have to fill the mold to pop out a creation. (Try making half of a penguin — pretty cute!) Once the jelly is ready, kids can bounce it around their jiggly creation.

$0.99 on iPhone — not available for Android

#10: Balloonimals
Kids make the balloons inflate by blowing into the phone’s microphone. And, when they shake the iPhone, their balloons twist into the shape of an animal! Pet the animal to see it do tricks, and yes, eventually pop. The only downside is that your phone can get a little wet. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

$1.99 on iPhone — not available for Android

A road trip can offer its own particular brand of difficulties for families traveling with babies and those on the cusp of toddler-hood. Babies require their own diaper bags, clean bottles, food, and entertainment. Our editors are always keeping an eye out for products that will make our trips easier. Here are a few that have crossed our desk recently that we think you might appreciate as well:

DiaperBuds
If you are heading out on a road trip, the likelihood is that you have not just a fully loaded diaper bag, but also a bin with extra diapers and wipes. But part of the fun of road-tripping is getting away from the car. It’s the little side trip that might take 15 minutes, or a couple hours, that make it an adventure. In those situations it’s not always convenient to strap on the fully loaded diaper bag. DiaperBuds is a unique option for just those situations. They are full-sized diapers that have been vacuum-packed to fit in a purse or pocket. We were really impressed by how small these diapers can get. They come in sizes 2–5, from 8–30 count. And the price wasn’t far off from a pack of Pampers: just $17.99 for a 24-pack of size 5 diapers. You can try ‘em out for just $1/diaper on their site.

texthook
Strollers these days come loaded with conveniences comparable to those of a mid-sized sedan. You can get strollers with one or two cup holders, a compartment for your keys, hooks for a diaper bag or purse, and trunks to stash coats, etc. One thing I haven’t seen, however, is a place to mount your smart phone. The texthook fills that gap. Attached to the handle of your stroller, it positions your iPhone (or other device) so that it is convenient for texting, emailing, or surfing your apps. The retail price for these is $25.99. You can find it at retail outlets like Buy Buy Baby, or online.

Toy Bungee
If you have a toddler you know the restaurant routine: The kid squawks, you hand him a sippy cup, he takes a drink and tosses at the feet of the people dining next to you. Then there’s more squawking, and, after a moment in which you should have thought better of the idea, you hand the boy the cup again and off it flies coming to a skidding halt under the foot of a passing server who might just be carrying a tray of 20 entrées for table #7. We’ve tried a couple solutions for this. (Duct tape seemed a good idea for awhile, but it drew more attention than the fussy kid.) Recently we tried something new: Toy Bungee. So far it’s worked out great. No more playing catch with Fisher-Price Click-n-Laugh Camera. No more dolling out huge tips to show our sincere gratitude to a server who bent over 12 times to pick up a bottle. Of course, fussiness is still an issue, but it’s less work for us. You can find the Toy Bungee on Amazon or through the NiNi Baby website for $8.95.

Sonny & Reed Teething Necklace
Few things make a new parent more miserable than a teething baby. Enclose yourself in a small space for hours on the road, and you may be the ones sneaking baby Tylenol. This Sony & Reed Teething Necklace, intended to be worn as bling, is stylish and easy to pack (just put it on and hit the road). We like the fact that it’s made in the USA from FDA approved material, BPA free, phthalate free, PVC free, and lead free. The beads are solid with nubs on one side to gently massage baby’s sore gums or to give them something to play with. Available in different colors, and as a bracelet, prices range from $18.50 – $29.50.

Ring Rattle, Dandelion Earth Friendly Goods
Inspired by circles including the wheel and the planet earth, the Ring Rattle by Dandelion Earth Friendly Goods gives babies a toy for back-seat driving right from the car seat. Made from organic cotton fibers, the ring is filled with soft corn fibers and is machine washable. From our own personal experience, babies love tactile “touch and teeth tags” and anything that makes noise. A 5 inch donut shape, the rattle comes with an “I Spy” hole in the middle for no extra charge ($10.99).

EcoSpoon, EcoTensil
Made from renewable paperboard, EcoSpoons are environmentally and diaper-bag friendly. Much less bulky than plastic spoons, EcoSpoons can be tucked in your glove box or purse pocket for snacking on-the-go. Guilty of pilfering fast-food utensils on many a road trip, we much prefer a stash of these recyclable and compostable utensils away from home. Obviously, when possible, the most environmental option is to re-use utensils when you can. That said, lightweight and stackable, the EcoSpoon does help maximize packing space on camping and cramped road trips. To help preserve their longevity, keep the spoons away from moisture and the elements.

Steri-bottle
In keeping with the theme of “stuff you recycle after use” we’d like to mention Steri-bottle. When we road trip, one of the biggest hassles is keeping bottles clean. Gas station bathrooms are hardly hygenic, and even when we find a clean bathroom (in our hotel, perhaps) carrying soap and a bottle brush on a trip is almost sure to create a terrible mess in your luggage. That’s where Steri-bottle becomes a lifesaver. Designed for one-use, the bottles are clean out of the package and can be recycled when you’re done. Easy-squeezy. Bottles come with medium- or fast-flow nipples. You can find them in packs of five and ten at retailers like Babies R Us and CVS, and online at Amazon.com.

Road trip season is just around the corner! We asked the experts at GetJar, the world’s largest open apps store, to give us their picks for road trip apps this year. Here’s what they recommend. What road trip apps don’t you leave home without?

Trip Journal – Rated by Google as the #1 Travel Application.  Trip Journal is the ultimate trip tracking, recording, documenting and sharing solution that is currently available for Android powered smart phones. Features include: Track your traveling route, Record waypoints, photos and notes, Trip Statistics, Google Maps, KMZ Export, Picasa, Flickr, Faceboo Export, Unique design and UI effects.

Weather Underground – Provides weather information for worldwide locations, including current conditions, hourly forecasts, radar and satellite maps.

HotelPal – Browse & book from over 100,000 hotels worldwide. Live rate availability, full-screen photos and secure, in-app booking make hotel reservations a breeze. It’s the easiest way to reserve hotels for last-minute plans, canceled flights and more. No hotel booking fees. Search for hotels by city, state or zip, access full-screen hotel photos, availability and rates are live. You can also book directly from the app using the Travelocity Partner Network.

GPSed - A location-based service for trip tracking from mobile. In real time tracks are traced on Google maps and stored in an online archive. With a simple geotagging feature it is possible to pin photos to a map precisely at a place they were taken.

TMileage – Using pencil and a slip of paper to keep track of your gas mileage, expenses, oil checks, …? With this application you will only need your mobile phone. Included is a gas mileage log that includes a comprehensive summary, mileage statistics and graphical history. The app can also send the mileage and trip logs to your computer by email.

WHERE – Use this app to discover great nearby places, get personalized recommendations on where to go next, save and share your favorite places, and find exclusive deals from local businesses!

Locago - A map/local search app with directions and gps support. Browse business listings and traffic info, Wikipedia articles, geotagged images, weather forecasts, touristic webcams on a map in your phone. And you can create new layers with your content, just like making map mashups on the web but for mobile phones.

Pageonce Travel - We know how hard traveling is, there’s so much to think about: booking a hotel, packing all the necessities, renting a car…the list goes on! Well, we can’t pack for you, but we can help with the rest!  Pageonce Travel might not be able to get you through security faster, but we can help make sure you’re at the right terminal, by sending you live flight status updates, providing one-page itineraries and alerts when your travel details change.

Last September, my youngest son and I participated in the Amelia Island Geocaching Challenge on Amelia Island, Florida. Only a few months into geocaching at that point, we’ve come a long way. While we’ve had the opportunity to review both the Groundspeak iPhone application and the Geomate.jr GPS devices, let’s just say we needed a little nudge in the technology front.

Toting enough cables, batteries, and chargers to stock a Radio Shack, I returned to a different part of Florida with some girlfriends last week (the Beaches of Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island, to be exact). One of our many goals for the weekend to stay active and try something new. So we hooked up with Jory Pearson at Florida Paddlesports, a popular kayaking and water sports outfitter in the area.

Embarking on a guided tour of the Great Calusa Blueway, a 190-mile paddling route of the 233 square miles of inland waters in Lee County, we tossed two GPS devices into a drybag (an Earthmate PN-40 by DeLorme and an eTrex Venture HC by Garmin) and set off. The trail itself is mapped by GPS using paddling markers to mark the course. To geocache by GPS, we uploaded several different coordinates only accessible by kayak. Testing the accuracy of the iPhone with the GPS devices, below is a video documentary of our adventure.

Navigating the kayak trail with an experienced guide, like Jory from Florida Paddlesports, was key to the overall success of the day. If venturing out on the water with your family, make sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, water, and snacks. Even in warm weather, wear a hat and loose (protective, quick drying) clothing. Make sure you check the weather and know the times of both low and high tide. In addition to wearing a life jacket, make sure you are carrying a safety whistle and share your intended route with someone not on the water with you.

Earthmate PN-40 by DeLorme

Described as a GPS for serious outdoor adventures, the Earthmate PN-40 lived up to the promise. Requiring GPS topo maps for different regions of the country, I “discovered” you have to download one region and update another when you travel to different parts of the country (this lesson learned the hard way in California last month). Maps can only be installed on a PC, but I was able to download geocache coordinates from both my PC and Mac laptop. That said, navigating through the Earthmate PN-40 interface is straightforward from the get go. Geocaches are listed by default as the cache name over the GC code (something I, personally, appreciate). One of my geocaching friends hinted that the Earthmate PN-40 makes geocaching a bit too easy (on this competitive advantage, I would hands-down recommend this unit in the backwoods or a challenge event).

eTrex Venture HC by Garmin

Despite the fact that the Owner’s Manual for the Garmin eTrex Venture HC does not mention geocaching in the index (brief instructions on page 14, FYI), a person can easily “press and hold” their way through the user interface (once you learn how to navigate through the screens, the eTrex Venture HC is quite straightforward, actually). Unlike the Earthmate PN-40, the eTrex Venture HC does not require the installing and uninstalling of regional maps. However, in order to geocache with the eTrex Venture HC, you do need a PC to upload and install the Trip & Waypoint Manager CD. Displaying geocaching codes in order of proximity (and, when found, moving them to a new menu), it’s  easy to understand why I see so many Garmin GPS devices in the field.

Happy with the side-by-side field performance of both the Earthmate PN-40 and the eTrex Venture HC, check out the GPS devices in action. TFTC!

Geomate.jr

Geocaching less than a year, our family is still what most serious geocachers would consider novices. It’s not that we’re lazy, we just have young kids and prefer the “Level 1″ caches in both difficulty and terrain. For now, we stick to easy finds and larger containers full of plastic bugs, shiny rocks, and the occasional temporary tattoo.

Until recently, our total investment in geocaching has been the $9.99 Groundspeak Geocaching iPhone application. For the most part, AT&T cell overage has been reliable and a combination of geo-stealth and the “cloverleaf” search technique (The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Geocaching, Second Edition, Page 87) has given us 32 finds. The ability to log entries, drop trackables, upload photos, and search for geocaches on-the-fly is my idea of Twenty-First Century real-time geocaching.

Determined to be an expert on the sport, I decided to hide a cache of my own. So, I coughed up another $30 and upgraded to the premium membership on Geocaching.com, ordered some “official” materials, and set out in the cold and the snow with iPhone compass in hand.

Sparing everyone two-days worth of hindsight and frostbite, I learned this valuable lesson: While the iPhone is fine for finding easy caches, it’s an unreliable method of recording accurate coordinates if you’re hiding a cache of your own. I needed an entry-level GPS—something easy-to-use, durable enough to be dropped by kids, and at a low price point. We started with the Geomate.jr by Geocache GPS (currently retailing for $69.95 on L.L. Bean.com).

When the package arrived, I felt new sense of confidence at this promise from the product packaging, “So simple that even an adult can use it.” Yes! Designed to be used without any pre-configuration, data entry, or internet connection, you literally insert two AAA batteries, push the power button, and throw it out the front door into the snow (or, in a warmer climate, stand outside and watch the unit collect satellite data).

With a renewed sense of purpose and better self-confidence, I set out to re-hide four geocaches. Not only did I have more accurate results with the Geomate.jr, I was better able to determine nearby geocaches (standing in the same location, the iPhone determined the nearest geocache to be 472 feet away while the Geomate.jr honed that number in to 213 feet). Overall, I was able to find existing geocaches within 6 feet, where I typically average anywhere between 40 and 150 feet on the iPhone (even in thick deciduous coverage with hibernating critters all around).

Pre-loaded with 250,000 geocaches, the Geomate.jr is unable to display multi-caches and unlisted caches (new ones like mine). In one instance, I hid a new container only to later find it was within 400 feet of an existing multi-cache not detected in the field. However, according to the user manual, raw coordinates can be entered into the Geomate.jr (this function not personally tested by yours truly).  That said, an update kit is  available ($24.95 on L.L.Bean.com) for the Geomate.jr; offering you the ability to upload the unit with new geocaches and remove inactive ones on geocaching.com. At the push of a button on the front panel, you can also digitally record finds without the need to schlep a notebook and pencil into the woods.

Personally, I’m looking forward to combining the accuracy of the Geomate.jr and the convenience of the Groundspeak Geocaching iPhone application for an enhanced geocaching experience. And at a combined grand total of $109.94, I’ve managed to spend less than the cost of an advanced GPS device. Some day we’ll hike deeper into the mountains, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Depending on where you live, you might not be thinking about camping around the holidays. When the snow gets about knee high, our family tends to wimp out on spending a night outdoors. But if you have a camper in the family, this means you’re missing out on a gold mine of ideas. Here’s a short list of some great gear for your family camping adventures. Some of it’s for kids; some for adults. Our only guideline was to find great gifts that would fit in a jumbo holiday sock.

Handy Nighttime Beacons

First introduced to guide hunters back to their blinds in the dark without spooking the game, campers have begun to find numerous uses for TimbukTek’s FireBUGS. These small LED lights are light sensitive and turn themselves on when it gets dark. Leave one near the entrance to your camp and you will be able to follow it back from a midnight run to the outhouse. Better yet, leave a trail of lights to a nearby field and go out stargazing at night without being blinded for 20+ minutes by the glare of flashlights and lanterns. A pack of six (five green and one red) come with 12 batteries. They can be stuck in a tree by an attached pin, or clipped to a branch by an alligator clip. ($24)

Keeping It Light (get it? light?)

Kids like camping gear as much as mom and dad. Get the younger ones excited with their own camping light. The LEGO Head Lamp is a fun option, and because it’s hands-free they’ll spend more time watching where they’re going and less time trying to shine a flashlight in their brother’s eyes. The LED bulb is located in the bottom of the LEGO guy’s foot and can be directed up and down (the leg moves, you see). Made by Play Visions, if you visit their site you will also find a LEGO hand-cranked flashlight and a regular battery-powered flashlight (they call it a “torch”). (Under $15)

Perfect Gift for the Gearhead

When I was a kid, one of the greatest Christmas presents was a Swiss Army Knife, and because I inevitably lost every one, I received several over the years. Times have changed. The Swiss Army Knife is still a classic, but campers these days are have found a replacement in the Leatherman tool. In fact, the Leatherman I keep in my pack today is nearly 20 years old and looks quite dated next to the new Leatherman Skeletool. Lighter and more ergonomic than the original, the blade on the Skeletool can be opened without un-butterflying the entire tool. It may not come with a spoon and plastic toothpick, and it may be a bit pricier than most of the items on this list, but this one will be the classic people remember 30 years from now. (Around $50)

How Do You Improve on a Stick?

Tired of trying to cram cold hot dogs on the end of a stick? Wish you didn’t have to wait for someone to whittle a point thin enough for your fragile marshmallows? Or even worse, have you had enough of long roasting forks that don’t quite fit in any of your camping bins?  In keeping with the theme (that is, gifts small enough to fit in a stocking), I submit for your consideration one of the handiest little camp cooking tools you’ll find—Grandpa’s Fireforks. I can almost guarantee that the look you’ll get when they pull these out of the sock won’t be the ones you record for the scrapbook. Instead, their expressions will likely say, “Huh? You gave me wire?” But clip these wires on the end of any stick and you have an instant roasting fork. Dainty enough for making s’mores and sturdy enough to roast a fish, the Fireforks weigh next to nothing and can go anywhere.  The company that makes these also sells a unique Spork—the only one I’ve seen that has both a complete fork and spoon, plus a cutting edge. (Under $5)

Oh No!  Socks?

Giving people socks for Christmas gets a bad rap. Frankly, I wish I received SmartWool socks every year (eh-hem, hint?). For people who love the outdoors, there are few socks as comfortable. SmartWool socks have an elasticized arch and no obtrusive seam at the toe. The company offers whole lines for different activities. I prefer the light hiking for day-to-day, but in colder weather the medium weight hiking sock does the trick. These socks are such a treat, that when we travel we will often use our “fun money” to buy a couple pair. ($25+)

Help Them Get Their Bearings

GPS receivers are all the rage these days. And while they may be great for geocaching, the experts all say that when you’re on the trail GPS is useless unless you know the basics of orienteering. And there’s no better way to get a handle on backwoods navigation than learning to use a compass. Personally, I like a compass a mirrored compass—it’s a little easier to line up with landmarks, and the cover protects the compass when it’s bouncing around in your pack. The Brunton 15TDCL is a nice choice, but there are others out there. These are sold online through the Brunton site or REI.

A good compass is a tool, and good tools should be used. Most states have somewhat active orienteering communities. A little like geocaching, orienteering competitions pit teams and individuals against each other in a race to navigate over unfamiliar terrain with just a map, a compass, and a list of bearings to guide them. This is a great activity to do with kids. Teaches them solid skills and gets the whole family outside. And just think, it can all start with a stocking on Christmas morning. ($40+)

A Holiday with all the Bells & Whistles

There’s a lot to be said for having a whistle in your pack when heading into the great outdoors. Small, light-weight, and easy to tuck into a knapsack, a good whistle can pack a wallop. In situations that call for you to be loud, really loud (scaring away a bear or signaling a distant search party), there’s no better tool. And they’ve proven handy in numerous travel situations as well. (For three unexpected uses see Jodi Ettenberg’s post, My Safety Whistle: Worth its Weight in Gold, on LegalNomads.com.)

You can find Fox 40 safety whistles at many outdoor retailers. REI sells them online. Unlike the whistles used for sports (remember those shiny nickel-plated brass numbers with the pea in the chamber?), Fox 40 safety whistles are “pea-less.” That means they work when wet. Cheap as far as gifts go, this might be the one that proves invaluable. (Around $5)

Dining in Style

Titanium sporks are nice when you’re ultralight backpacking, but when car camping as a family you can afford to carry a few luxuries. To-Go Ware’s RePEaT Utensil Sets are made from bamboo. (The carrier is made of recycled plastic.) This green alternative to disposable plastic flatware was designed to last. A carabiner on the back keeps the utensils handy. Also a nice way to class up a picnic, or whenever you’re eating on the run. (Under $13)

Go Ahead and Sleep In—This Coffee Almost Makes Itself

Not everyone likes a cup of coffee in the morning when camping, but those who do like it hot and they like it early. Save time with Starbucks VIA Coffee. The brewmeisters at Starbucks worked on this for years. This isn’t Maxwell House or Sanka (though they do have a decaffeinated option). This stuff is the real deal—and all you have to do is boil some water and pour it in. There are no grounds to clean up, no pot to wash. Just rinse your cups and you’re good to go.  Starbucks instant comes in single-serve packets. The shop offers different flavors, including seasonal blends. (About $1/cup)

A Little Prep for Summer

For some folks the prospect of taking the kids to the mall is overwhelming—so the thought of pitching a tent at a campground for a weekend outdoors is enough to send them screaming. Some families don’t have a tradition of camping to draw on to guide their experience; others went camping all the time, but because their parents did all the work, they missed out on some of the nuts and bolts? Whatever the story, Goldie Gendler Silverman has written the perfect guide for parents: Camping with Kids (Wilderness Press). The book touts itself as “the complete guide to car, tent, and RV camping,” and Silverman has packed it full of good advice, from planning what to make for dinner to packing the days with unforgettable activities. ($13)

Recently presented with the opportunity to review the Kodak Play Sport camera, we tossed it in our suitcase for a wild and wet weekend in The Wisconsin Dells. A video camera capable of taking full 1080 pixel high definition shots, the Kodak Play Sport is waterproof to 3 meters (basically the bottom of the deep end). The camera has electronic image stabilization for those of us too lazy to drag around a tripod. Switching over to regular picture mode, the camera also takes 5 mega pixel stills.

A somewhat unsettling feeling to take a camera into the pool with you, concerned people will stare and eventually ask questions like “Is that your phone?” and “Are you taking movies under water? Cool!” Toting the camera into and out of the hot tub, down the water slide, and through the lazy river, not a leak was to be had. It’s even durable enough to drop on the deck or in the sand (this is the reason we needed the Kodak Play Sport in the first place—as it turns out, zoom lens motors do NOT like the beach…at all). And before you know it, you’ll have about five minutes worth of water slide footage, complete with dark tunnel and screams.

Kodak offers some video tips, like shooting more footage than you’ll need and making sure you are in a well-light area, packing extra memory cards, and varying your shots (wide, zoom, off-center). Try different perspectives; if you have kids, get down on their level. Portable, lightweight, and durable, the Kodak Play Sport is a great beginner to intermediate video camera. I gladly let my younger kids put the electronic image stabilization to the test. Not my first choice for stills (but I prefer a larger viewing screen), we do have some fun shots from under the water and places most people wouldn’t dare go with any kind of expensive technology. Oh, yeah, the Kodak Play Sport is budget friendly too: MSRP $149.99.

With that, here’s our aquatic video compilation of all three indoor water parks at Wilderness Waterpark Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

It’s summer! That crazy time that strikes fear into the heart of even the most organized parent. Keeping track of all the appointments, activities, camps, trips, entertaining and family fun that gets jammed into that 8-10 week window can be exhausting. The remedy? How about a really good, non-techie easy to use database? One you can set up fast, simple to use, and available for updates from home and on the go.  Something that’s compatible with with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Bento is a personal database from FileMaker that’s designed for family use. It comes loaded with 35 templates for managing contacts, diet logs, vacation schedule, event plans, recipes, and more. Road Trips for Families was offered the opportunity to see for ourselves. So…we found a tech-savvy dad and asked him to try Bento for the summer. Here’s his review:

Bento App for iPhone, reviewed by Milwaukee Dad, Dave Ruocco

Being an at-home dad of two young boys, I am always on the lookout for a way to organize our hectic schedule, ensuring everyone gets where they need to be. Daily grind aside, the family vacation is the next biggest scheduling challenge in our family.

This is where Bento for the iPhone comes in handy. A self-described personal database app; at $4.99 it’s not expensive, but for an app, not cheap either. For starters, Bento is a well-designed, versatile program that functioned flawlessly. I spent a month trying to integrate Bento into my daily routine. I was initially drawn to two features; scheduling and To-Do lists.

The To-Do list was initially impressive, but soon proved to be better fantasy than reality. Yes, I could make To-Do lists to my heart’s content on a very nice template, but for a parent on the move, I don’t need to know when I bought milk, just that I actually bought the milk. The repeated deleting of each completed item (or logging that it was done) soon became tedious. A simple list with a strike through would be nicer.

The scheduler worked far better as a global organizer. Once I got used to opening the Bento app each time I wanted to see contacts, photos, and calendars, the beauty of this app became more apparent. For example, if you want to see greater detail about who is going to be at the play date or visiting with Grandma at the same time, Bento provides an easy solution. Add the event to the calendar then just add each person from the contacts list (much like a subgroup in your contacts list) and viola! Now when you open that event, you can see a list of everyone (with their pertinent info, like who has food allergies or does not play well with your kids).

Keeper of the bills in our house, I am usually tasked to figure out if the next trip to Disney is going to happen before the kids are “too old.” If you have the time, Bento is a real asset—it will track your bills, airfare, hotel, auto etc. You can even set up a Disney Vacation project and add each expense, in an excel-like spreadsheet to track the costs by category. The Bento app also functions wonderfully as a “PIN vault,” storing all those travel miles and web logins in one convenient place.

By now you’d think I was a raving Bento fan, yet that is not the case. The fact is I am too spoiled by so many other apps that build what I need out of the box to spend the time to do it myself. My time is precious; I want to spend it on other things than data entry, so the To-Do list was too much and the scheduler was not quite beneficial enough for my needs. The true deal breaker though was the lack of an alarm function! This wonderful app is unable to tie into iCals alarm feature (due to Apple’s restrictions on its use, not Bento’s, according to their website). So if you are someone who needs an audio reminder, you have to first rely on iCal, then check your Bento database.

For me the bottom line is this: if you have the time and only want a single broad-based app that can be made to fit multiple roles, I recommend Bento. If, however, free time is scarce and you can’t function without audio warnings, then you may be better served elsewhere.

Dave Ruocco is a stay at home dad of two young boys who keep him constantly challenged and entertained. He stays busy by practicing law and running an advanced motorcycle rider training company called Total Rider Tech. Among his many hobbies are martial arts, motorcycling, and computers. Dave also has a passion for teaching.

The suitcases are packed, itineraries printed, crayons sharpened…our big adventure begins bright and early tomorrow morning. Some of my “friends” have been sending incessant emails with subject lines like “Are we there yet?” and “How many more minutes?” Who needs enemies, right?

In a state of panic, I sent out a distress call to the high-tech parents at Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers who share best practices on making and marketing mobile apps. Behold! A collection of road-trip friendly iPhone apps designed to engage kids, break up fights, and give parents a moment alone with their thoughts (most, if not all, are educational to boot). Officially downloaded and synched to the trusty iPhone, here they are in no particular order:

Road Trip Bingo

Road Trip Bingo

Does it feel as if your trip is never going to end? Play Road Trip Bingo and start enjoying your car or bus ride! Start up the app, shake to create a bingo card and then begin watching for road signs, vehicles, animals, scenery, and more. When you get 5 in a row, you win!

Perfect for keeping the kids occupied in the car during that long weekend drive or just day to day errand-running, Road Trip Bingo features: over 40 items to find, fun shaking action to create your own personal bingo card, and cute characters to congratulate each and every “bingo”! We’ve already been playing this at home and I can see why it’s one of the most popular travel apps on iTunes.

Tales2Go

Tales2Go

Confession: We’ve been enjoying Tales2Go for a couple of weeks now. Perfect for kids 3 to 11, the Tales2Go library has over 1200 stories (including best sellers like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, popular favorites such as Encyclopedia Brown, and classics along the line of Alice in Wonderland).

Read patiently by soothing voices, pack some ear buds and let your kid listen, learn, and look out the window. Tales2Go is free for 30 days and then offered on a subscription basis. Much less expensive than buying the book or paying library late fees, the app is convenient and like your own personal bookmobile (Anyone else remember those?).

Bug Builder

Bug Builder

Bug Builder is a portable drawing and building game for toddler artists. Children choose a shape for their bug, decorate their shape then build their bug by tapping it. The bug shape begins to transform with each tap until it hatches and comes to life onscreen. Each new bug is completely different. Bug Builder is a whimsical and fun coloring activity that’s full of surprises!

Let me just say that my kids LOVE this app. They played it nonstop on a 4th of July power road trip. Our three-year-old and four-year-old actually worked together (!) on selecting shapes and colors and shrieking over and over at the bugs they created (With 187 screen snap images of their artwork, Bug Builder was a hit in our minivan).

Dragon Checkers

Dragon Checkers

Inspired by the artwork of the StoryBoy book app, All About Dragons, Dragon Checkers is a themed twist on the traditional board game, complete with dragon checker pieces and dragon roars. The game features interesting facts about each dragon character (eight characters to choose from), the ability to play in one-player or two-player mode, and the option to undo a wrong move.

My Little Suitcase

My Little Suitcase

A new trend in family vacation planning is iPhone travel apps, or virtual travel guide books. Authored by area gurus, travel apps offer an in-depth look at a particular region or vacation destination. Apps are more content rich and interactive than traditional guide books, and bring the itinerary planning right along in the car with you.

If you have kids and are on a cross-country journey this summer, consider downloading one of these seven family-friendly iPhone apps available through Sutro Media and iTunes. If you’re looking for free activities in downtown DC, there’s an app for that. Museums in Milwaukee. There’s an app for that. Teen adventures in Phoenix. You guessed it. Travel app. Embrace the trend and the new technology.

DC Essential Family
author Alistair Wearmouth

As one of the nation-’s best-loved family destinations, Washington, DC, needs no introduction — the monuments, memorials, museums, and more keep kids and parents coming back year after year. Sutro Media’s DC Essential Family iPhone app is your guide to the iconic, but also the idiosyncratic, with 125 kid-centric recommendations for everything from the best times to visit the Washington Monument to hidden restaurants where locals eat with their brood. It’s written by local writer and editor Alistair Wearmouth.

Beyond the world-famous D.C. attractions, though, the DC Essential Family app brings you out-of-town ideas for getting out and active, including area campgrounds, hikes, swimming holes, as well as useful stuff like local kiddie spray parks. As writer Steve Jermanok said on his blog, ActiveTravels.com, recently, “Since Alistair has a love of the outdoors, many of the sights have an active component, like places to bring the kids to bike, paddle, and stroll in parks. Cost is a measly $1.99.” Pack this app in your glove compartment for your next road trip to Washington, D.C., and you’ll not only know what to do in D.C. over the weekend but have a menu of ideas for places to hit to or from the nation’s capital this summer.

Milwaukee Loves Kids
author Julie Henning

Milwaukee, the “big city on the lake,” may not be the most popular tourist destination. Yet. Psssstttt….it’s the best-kept secret in the continental US! Not only is Milwaukee one of the safest big cities in the entire country, it’s clean, green, and not-mean. Milwaukee residents are some of the friendliest, most helpful, genuinely earnest people on earth and they are proud of their city.

Options for Milwaukee family-friendly fun are as wide as they are deep in Milwaukee Loves Kids. Entries for sports-lovers, foodies, and even nifty, thrifty fun have been included along with nature centers, indoor-gyms, and water parks. Milwaukee is a four-season city, and the application was created with year-round activities in mind. The visually-rich application includes also over 500 photos and insider tips and suggestions that exceed a combined 27 pages of author-generated text. At 99 cents, Milwaukee Loves Kids it’s never out of print and it costs less than a kid’s meal. (And upgrades are free for life…sorry, no fries!)

Family-Friendly Phoenix
author Teresa Bitler

It can take almost an hour and a half to drive from the east side of the Phoenix metropolitan area to the west side. Family-Friendly Phoenix breaks the Valley into manageable chunks and details the cool and fun things to do in that particular area. Planning to visit an iconic Phoenix destination, like the Heard Museum, but not sure if the kids will enjoy it? This app focuses on the kid-friendly activities at local attractions, with a special emphasis on hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits. You’ll also find the best the Valley has to offer families in terms of museums, parks, culture and history. Here during the summer? Don’t worry! There’s a section devoted to beat-the-heat activities.

Family-Friendly San Francisco
author Michele Bigley

San Francisco may have the rep as being an adult focused city, but my app proves that wrong. From tips to riding cable cars without the wait to fun local secrets (like block-long slides, family nights at restaurants, and even city hikes) Family-Friendly San Francisco is a great resource of traveling families. If your kiddo has a diaper blow out, you can search for the closest bathroom with a changing table; or if you need to nurse a babe, there is a selection of places to nurse quietly. Throw in top attractions like Golden Gate Park and the Exploratorium and you begin to realize why so many families choose to make San Francisco home.

Napa and Sonoma with Kids
author Michele Bigley

Most parents leave the kids at home when they sample wine. But any mom or dad who likes their kids and wine will appreciate the chance to tour Napa and Sonoma Counties with Napa and Sonoma with Kids. Napa and Sonoma are way more than wine and this app gives you the tools to entertain the entire family. Here you will find everything from swimming holes to hiking trails, restaurants with kid areas (and even ones especially for kids) and festivals. And then for mom and dad, there are plenty of wineries that you can take the kids to (some even have fun stuff for kids to do).

Vancouver Family Fun
author Heather Lochner

Heading to the Pacific Northwest this summer? Then don’t forget your passport. Make a trip and head across the border to Vancouver, British Columbia. With the help of the iPhone Application, Vancouver Family Fun, you will know what sites are worth visiting when you reach this breathtakingly beautiful city. From Stanley Park to Ambleside Beach and from Harrison Hot Springs to Bowen Island; the information is at your fingertips. All you need is your iPhone and a sense of adventure. Take the trip of a lifetime and enjoy your visit.

Madison Loves Kids
author Julie Henning

The second largest city in Wisconsin, Madison is home to 231,916 of the nicest people in the world. Continually ranked as one of the safest, cleanest, and most economically-sound places to live, Madison is full of culture and charm. Built on an isthmus between two lakes, to be in Madison is to be surrounded by water and trees; no wonder people are happy. Home to the University of Wisconsin (go Badgers!) and the world-class University hospital system, Madison is a cultured and educated city. Families raising children in Madison appreciate the diversity of their city, venturing into the bustling downtown as much as they journey into the country.

Options for Madison family-friendly fun are as wide as they are deep in Madison Loves Kids. Entries for sports-lovers, foodies, and even nifty, thrifty fun have been included along with nature centers, indoor-gyms, and museums. Madison is a four-season city, and the application was created with year-round activities in mind. The visually-rich application includes also over 500 photos and insider tips and suggestions that exceed a combined 28 pages of author-generated text. At 99 cents, Madison Loves Kids it’s never out of print and it costs less than a kid’s meal. (And upgrades are free for life…sorry, no fries!)

About Sutro Media

Sutro Media is a new kind of app publishing company; one that bridges the gap between traditional print media and new media outlets. Quite simply, Sutro Media is amassing the world’s largest collection of indie travel writing voices and offering them a home on our exciting and versatile mobile platform.  Sutro Media guides have been created from the ground up. The company hasn’t simply taken a print guide and slapped it onto an app skin. Sutro authors write original content with users in mind.

Our road tripping family gets asked all the time for suggestions on destinations, attractions and restaurants. And, honestly, it can be hard to remember details about each road trip. Family Rambling has solved that with their handy Travel Journal. Just $15, the journal is just the right size to fit into a purse or backpack and has a page for each date, weather and destination notes as well as where you stayed and your favorite restaurant or food. Whether you use this to scrapbook later or just to keep for recommendations or memories, we love the idea. We’re going to catalog our giant six-week Great American Road Trip this summer. Ask us anything when we get back. We’ll have it at the turn of a page.

Back in the day, parents handed fussy toddlers their keys, a teething toy or maybe a rattle. Now, we hand over the iPhone. The most common question asked by parents who look for travel advice isn’t about what highway to travel or even about kid-friendly luggage. It’s about iPhone apps. So, we decided to do some research and let our fingers do the downloading as we tried out some of the top contenders and a few more obscure apps. Here are our recommendations for the apps worth downloading. Let the happy road trips begin!

Disney’s Fairies Fly
$4.99
Gets high marks from parents for being easy enough for younger kids but interesting enough for parents. The $4.99 price tag says Disney, but apparently Pixie Hollow is worth the hefty price tag. The graphics are worthy of the Disney name, where the goal is to learn to fly like a fairy and then soar thru various obstacles. Like all memory-intensive apps, some users report problems with crashing.

ABC’s
Free
This app is free because it’s ad sponsored, so user beware. But, if you need a quick distraction and don’t want to make an investment, this might be worth it. It’s beyond simple, you press a key and move thru the alphabet. Toddlers will find it fun to push the button and see what happens, older kids might be interested in reciting the alphabet.

Virtual Zippo Lighter
Free
Whether you’re secretly reliving your Bon Jovi concert days or just keeping your kids occupied in the car, the app is very cool. It’s been downloaded over 3 million times, and averages about 100,00 downloads per week. Doesn’t that make you feel popular? The app is eearily accurate, with a flame that always points up and very realistic clicking noises.

Wheels on the Bus
$.99
Imagine an interactive book for toddlers, using the iPhone as the medium. Five languages are included and you can record your own voice and learn about musical instruments while keeping a toddler entertained easily. Parents give the app high marks and this is consistently one of the top downloaded apps in iTunes. Your child can even create a duet with one of the narrators. There are quite a few options for customizing the flow of the app, so kids don’t tire of it after just a few minutes.

Teach Me: Kindergarten
$.99
Teaches sight words, addition, subtraction and spelling to Kindergarten-aged children. Parents select the subjects, difficulty levels or even choose specific questions then review performance to track how your child is learning. Kids earn coins for every three correct answers which can then be used to buy stickers to place in fun sticker scenes that can be exported as wallpaper or emailed to family and friends.

Balloonimals
$1.99
Inflate the balloon by blowing into the microphone (iPod Touch users can touch the screen), then give the phone a shake to construct an animal. Each shake gives your animal a bit more detail. When your animal is fully formed, he’s ready to play (you tap the screen to get him to do various tricks). The animals cycle randomly and when you’re done playing you can blow the animal up until it pops, and create another.

Bugdom 2
$3.99
You’re Skip, tracking down the Bully Bee that stole his backpack. Expect action adventure of the preschool variety. The premise is familiar: you want to keep from being exterminated, squashed, or canned while making friends and beating the bad guys. Very few controls make this easy to learn — you tilt the phone to move and a harder tilt makes Skip move faster. The graphics are awesome but Skip can be hard to control. For a long road trip this would be a great buy.

Toddler Teasers
$1.99
A series of about a dozen simple themes, all focused on teaching colors, letters, animals or something similar to toddlers. You can purchase a topic individually or buy a bundle of several together. Virtual stickers act as rewards. Spoken words ask the child to pick out the correct shape or letter and then give positive reinforcement for the correct answer. An incorrect answer causes that option to disappear from the screen. All in all, it’s so simple that you might not be tempted, but for the two year-old set, it’s pure gold.

Peekaboo Barn
$1.99
Inside the barn, play peekaboo by tapping on the doors, guess who the animal is by the sound they make and get excited by who pops out. Animal names in both English and Spanish. Another simple is better concept, start with English (or Spanish) and then advance to the other language once you have mastered whatever is primarly spoken at home. Fantastic for younger kids, the app is simple to use and doesn’t require supervision — perfect for the back seat.

Wordex
$.99
See a real world photograph of an object and then drag letter tiles to properly spell the name of the object. You can’t spell a word wrong, and for a more advance form of play, choose to hide any number of letters. The app is available in about 10 languages, so it’s perfect for the family that travels. There’s no score, so kids can play cooperatively in the back seat. Three and four letter words are available, so children as young as three or four can probaby enjoy the app easily.