On our last visit to my in-laws in Pittsburgh, my mother-in-law suggested that we take our boys to Idlewild, an amusement park 50 miles away in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. I settled into the car with great trepidation (as thoughts of cheesy signage, loud music, and neon plastic danced around in my head), and I grew even more worried as the drive stretched to two hours and the skies grew black. Just as we pulled in, though, the sun broke through, and I was delighted to see that we were nestled in the cool woods. I felt like I was entering a national park, not an amusement park.

In short, Idlewild was wonderful, and perfect for my son Alex, who is almost 4. He and his cousin, who's 7, took off through a three-story-high wooden obstacle course, and then we caught a train to the area with the rides for the younger kiddies. Because of the sporadic rain, the lines were short, and the two tikes ran from one adorable, old-school ride to another: a mini Ferris wheel, boats that went around in a little pond, race cars that wove through a thicket of tall trees, a trolley through Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, airplanes, motorcycles, you name it (even my younger son Ben, who is 21 months, got on a few).
 
The area was so contained, and the rides so safe (just slow enough for us relax; just fast enough for them to get a thrill) that we could keep a little distance as they made their circuit, and both adults and little ones reveled in the freedom. The day flew by. At the end, we counted and realized that Alex had gone on 21 rides, including the enormous adult Ferris wheel, which he loved (my husband looked green when he got off). The only one Alex didn’t get to do was the older-kid bumper cars. He was a few inches shy of the cutoff height, and as we drove away at seven p.m. (right before he conked out until the next morning!), he kept insisting that next time, he would be big enough.

Whenever I go back to L.A., my hometown, I am always in search of spots that are family-friendly, but also have an adult aesthetic (and menu), where we can take advantage of some much-needed sunshine after a long East Coast winter. The Brentwood Country Mart was my usual haunt (chicken baskets and fries. Mmmm...). Now it’s Gjelina for wood-burning-oven pizzas, delicious organic small plates and salads, and a nice wine list. Best of all, they have a lounge-y outdoor space where your kid can get up and walk around a bit or sink into a comfy sofa (excellent for squirmy toddlers). It’s got a great rustic-chic vibe, filled with great reclaimed wood floors and vintage industrial chairs. While you are waiting for your food to come, take a stroll with the little ones down the street—there is almost always somebody playing the guitar. 1429 Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, (310) 450-1429.

While in Nashville interviewing a family for an upcoming Cookie story, I had a few hours left over to scope out the city. The couple told me to forget the Grand Ole Opry—hit Hatch Show Print instead. One of the oldest letterpress printmakers in the country (it was founded in the late 1800s), Hatch has created beautiful and quirky concert posters over the years. The current shop, which looks like it's been around since the 1800s (it hasn't), is filled to the rafters with inky letters and posters. When business is quiet, the staff will give kids a tour of the operation—and the prints, many of which are less than $20, make great souvenirs.

If you can't make it to Nashville, Hatch sells prints online, too.

Every once in a while you find that perfect experience that helps everyone, young and old, connect with a place. On our recent trip to Ireland, it was the Falconry at Ashford Castle that delighted our whole group!  We had 16 family members (ranging from 1 to 70 years of age!!), so finding activities that kept both the whole spectrum of relatives engaged was challenging.  With a castle as a backdrop, though--plus gorgeous wooded grounds, thoughtful instruction, and stunning birds--this experience was a home run!
 
From the moment that you drive up to the Ashford Castle, you know you’re in a special place.  Dating back to 1228, the castle overlooks a beautiful lake, making it a perfect setting for the sport of kings. Initially, I was concerned that it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring the little ones (ages 1 and 4 years), but it worked out wonderfully.

Visit Ciao Bambino for more on Ashford Castle and Nancy's other family trips.

Yolanda Edwards, Travel & Lifestyle Editor

If you have a trip planned out west, check out this food blog which has a really helpful kid friendly restaurant section...she also links to a lot of other L.A. Sites, that will help you in mapping out your trip.

Nancy Solomon, Ciao Bambino

Just like sticking pins into a map, Boston dropped life-sized, red pins at twelve popular tourist sights. With this "Visit the Pin" marketing campaign, the city happened to create a fun scavenger hunt activity.  Have fun with the kids trying to track down these giant markers. Then, combining the latest and greatest of technology, you can text the pin and it will send back information about the surrounding area.  The pins are located at The Boston Common, Boston's City Hall Plaza, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston's Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, Christopher Columbus Park, Copley Square, Franklin Park Zoo, and Roslindale Village.

Nancy Solomon Ciao Bambino

Bring history to life with an afternoon at gladiator school in Rome.  Located off the Appian Way, Nero and his crew provide an entertaining education on the life of a gladiator- with padded swords of course!  Everyone gets tunics and then off to training, which includes the sand bag gauntlet followed by some fun sword skills.  The kids in our group ranged from ages 3 to 12, and all of them loved this activity.  Combine this with a tour of the Colosseum and everyone will appreciate some early Roman culture. 

Sarah Engler, Associate Editor

Greenville's ingenious "Mice on Main" has combines three irresistable-to-kids elements: cute little mice, a scavenger hunt, and Goodnight, Moon. Pick up the clues at most hotels or the Visitor Center (on Main Street), and you can sightsee while the kids hunt for the nine little bronze sculptures--the same number that are pictured in the classic bedtime story. Start the game with Marvin (above), who is perched on the edge of the fountain outside the Hyatt.