Whether you are taking turns with neighbors shuttling kids to school or you have a car full of kids that you are dropping off and picking up at afterschool activities and sports, being part of a carpool can get hectic. But with busy schedules comes the need for a carpool. So here are a few tips to keep your car and everyone’s gear organized while they are in the car. Grab yourself another cup of coffee and get going because you are going to rock this carpool duty!

Organize the gear- Grab a few hooks with suction cups on the back and attach these to the car windows. I’ve always had luck finding these hooks at the dollar store. Place the hooks low on the window so the driver’s view is not obstructed and have kids can hang their bookbags on the hooks. This way, they can keep their bags off the floor. This hack is perfect for a little extra room, especially if kids are carrying multiple backs or the weather outside is wet and messy. Now the kids’ bags will stay dry and clean and your car won’t be a mess.

Always be on time- You’ll never be late for your carpool duty with this hack. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you when you need to leave each day. Don’t set the alarm when you have to be at the location but when you have to leave the house. Even if you are busy or distracted, when the alarm on the phone goes off, you know it’s time to leave. Now you won’t be late or rushed for pickup.

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It’s time for your summer vacation! But before you leave for an adventure with your family, you need to download a few apps that will keep your trip smooth sailing. From getting tips on where to stay and eat to having quick access to backup plans if your trip changes, check out these helpful summer travel apps.

Tunity- Now this is a cool app. By using Tunity at the airport, you can scan the muted TVs around you, and then streaming audio to your phone. This would be a great app to use at the gym too.

Service- While you hope you won’t have to use this app, it really is handy to have on your phone. If you’re your flight is canceled or delayed, Service will automatically search compensation from the airline. This will save you time and the frustration of finding the info. Service will also monitor any hotels you are staying in and will help you rebook if the price on your room drops.

Winnie- Parents are going to love this app! Winnie gives parents tips on family-friendly restaurants, shops, parks, playgrounds, and activities. This app will even tell you where to find the nearest changing station. This is a must have for parents traveling with their little ones.

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The weather this time of year is beautiful and weekend adventures await you and your family. But before you head out the door, you’ll want to make sure you have a car kit put together so you can hit the road prepared.

For the kit, start with a plastic container that has a lid that easily snaps on and off. This will help keep all of your supplies organized and in one place.

Then fill your kit with items like:

A change of clothes for everyone in the family – You never know when you’ll need a new outfit for your kids and a lot of the times, if your kids are messy, you are too. So be sure to have something in the kit for the adults as well. The easiest way to store the outfits in the containers without taking up too much space is to roll the outfits like a burrito. So skip the folding and go for rolling.

Sunscreen and Bug Spray- For those unplanned summer moments that you want to always be prepared, be sure to toss a bottle of sunscreen and bug spray into the kit.

Reusable tote bags- Because you never know when you’ll need a extra bag to carry around new found

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Having a freshly cleaned car always feels amazing but if you are a busy mom, then you know that a clean car doesn’t stay that way for very long. So before the mess in your car gets out of hand, here are a few car cleaning hacks to help you stay ahead of the mess.

· In a pinch, baby wipes are great for wiping down dashboard, leather seats, the console, and car seats

· A small amount of Vaseline or olive oil can add shine to your dashboard.

· Silicone cupcake liner are the perfect size to be placed into your cup holders. This way the cupcake liner will catch all the spills, crumbs, and messes and will make cleanup a breeze.

· Dusty car vents are no match for a few swipes with a small paint or sponge brush. Use a dry brush or dip the brush in a vinegar and water solution for a quick dusting.

· Get your kids toys, books, and gear off the ground and organized an over-the-door shoe organizer. Just attach it to the back of the seat and fill the pouches with your child’s belongings.

 

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When the temperature heats up outside, you probably crank up the AC in your car. It usually only takes a few minutes for the temperature in your car to quickly cool down, but if you have kids in car seats, infant seats, or booster seats, they can still be hot an uncomfortable. So to make sure everyone stays cool and feels cool in the car, here are a few easy ways to keep the temperature down in your car on a hot summer day.

1. Start with a cooler car and car seats. From using sunshades in the windows to attaching reflective covers to the car seats, you can start with much cooler car. With just a few accessories and extra planning you can keep the temperature in your car down from the minute the sun heats up.

2. Cool the entire car as quickly as possible by rolling down all the windows and turning on the AC to high. After a few minutes, roll the windows up and turn on the recirculated air on. This should have your car and the carseat cooled in just a few minutes.

3. Let older kids have cooling toys or soft fans, spray bottles, or even cold packs to keep themselves cool and to cool down their seats. Having cooling toys, will not only entertain your kids in the car on a hot day but they will feel cooler longer and enjoy the car ride.

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So you have a vacation planned and you’ve already covered the travel, hotel, and picked out a few fabulous restaurants and places you want to visit. However, one thing you may not have planned for is not having Wi-Fi in certain locations. So instead of searching for places that have Wi-Fi or hunting down a hotspot, you just need a few great apps that don’t require Wi-Fi. Before you leave, check out these six apps that are perfect for travel but won’t have you wasting time searching for a Wi-Fi signal..

1. Tripit- With this app, you can manage your itinerary with or without a data connection. Also, you never have to worry that you are missing any travel updates or info because Trpit will monitor your email for travel bookings and updates. You can also manually forward confirmations. The app will sync with the latest updates whenever it has an Internet connection.

2. Google Maps- Great for getting directions when you are driving or walking. This is super helpful when you are in a unfamiliar place.

3. Netflix- Be sure to download a few shows and movies before your trip so you can enjoy a little screen time without Wi-Fi.

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If you can’t start your day without a delicious cup of coffee-or three or four delicious cups of coffee, then you know the struggle is real when it comes to taking your cup of Joe in the car. From spills and messes to your coffee never staying hot enough, sometimes taking your coffee to-go can be a real pain relief med. But if you need coffee to get your day going then you just need a few extra accessories to make sipping your coffee in the car a little easier.

1. Ello Cole Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug- This is a vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug that is perfect for road trips and your daily commute. This mug will keep hot drinks hot for up to five hours, and cold drinks cold for up to 10 hours. So you can enjoy every last drop of your drink.

2. Coffee Joulies- If you make a hot cup of coffee right before you leave the house and you find that it is either way too hot to drink or you waited too long and now your coffee is cold, this handy coffee invention could be exactly what you need. Coffee Joulies are little beans have a material inside the steel shell. So when your coffee is hot, the material inside the beans begins to melt as soon as it hits hot coffee. This helps to quickly cool your coffee temperature that is perfect for drinking. So no more burning your mouth. Then once your coffee reaches the perfect temperature, the liquid interior begins to solidify. This keeps the temperature stable so you can sip and enjoy a perfect cup of coffee for your entire commute.

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Summer is the perfect time to have a little extra fun in the sun with your kids. But if you only have a day for that summer fun, don’t fret because there are so many adventures you can have with your family in the DC metro area. From DC to MD to VA and even PA, you can quickly get to so many fun locations that your family will enjoy. You can enjoy theme parks, water fun, a little history, and lots of great food all over the DC metro area this summer. Here are 35 family friendly day trip options to inspire your summer fun planning.

1. Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA

2. Sandy Point State Park

3. U.S. Botanic Garden

4. Virginia Safari Park

5. Skyline Drive at Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park

6. Bayside Break at North Beach, MD

7. B&O Railroad Museum

8. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in West Virginia

9. Urban Pirates at National Harbor and Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake in Annapolis.

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It can be a real bummer for you and your kids when you figure out their favorite apps need Wi-Fi to work. Those apps are great at home but not so great in your car. So if you are traveling with your kids this summer, you’ll want to download a few new apps that when the Wi-Fi quits—the fun doesn’t. Whether it’s on a tablet or a phone, from fun and silly to brushing up on their letters and ABCs, here’s 45 kid friendly apps that don’t need Wi-Fi.

 

1. Netflix—just be sure you download shows and movie while you have Wifi
2. Kids Listen Podcasts for Kids
3. Toca Boca—we love all of Toca Boca’s apps!
4. Busy Shapes
5. Daniel Tiger—Great for younger kids
6. Endless ABC- Perfect for early readers
7. Endless 123
8. Minecraft
9. Fiete Math
10. Sago Mini Games
11. Dr. Panda
12. Transformers rescue bots: hero adventures
13. Gardenscapes

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