This week, Nash takes the lead as we explore Cleveland's tastiest treasures — From over-the-top desserts like bubble waffles and shark donuts to fancy eats at Award-Winning Cordelia, and don't forget classic Italian cookies in Little Italy — this episode is packed with flavor.

We share our top picks for:

• Donuts (yes, there’s a debate)
• Ice cream spots with secret painted chameleons 🦎
• Fancy meals for foodies in training
• Kid-friendly table games to pass the time (no iPads needed!)
• A Truth or Trash game featuring Cleveland food myths 🍩
• Plus a would-you-rather involving pizza hats and donut clothes… obviously.

Cleveland might not have invented the donut, but it definitely knows how to decorate one.

🧁 Grown-up tip: Make your dinner reservations early!
🍕 Kid tip: Be ready with weird games while you wait.
💌 Listener shoutout: Hi Australia!

📍Places Mentioned

🍩 Donuts

• Brew Nuts Taylor Swift Donuts anyone?
  
  
• Stan’s Bakery (Northfield)
  
  
• Peace, Love and Little Donuts
  
  

🍨 Desserts/Ice Cream

• BATTR
  (Bubble waffles + chaos!)
• Mitchell’s Ice Cream – Ohio City & Van Aken
  
  
• Rood Food and Pie
  
  

🍝 Restaurants

• Mia Bella Restaurant – Little Italy
  
  
• Presti’s Bakery – Little Italy
  
  
• Cordelia
  (Cool chef alert!)

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

We’re in Wyoming, and it’s not just a square on the map—it’s where alpine lakes, mountain waffles, and unexpected weather compete for main character energy.

In this episode of Pack the Kids, we reflect on our time in Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole with kid commentary on everything from huckleberry obsession to hiking highs and lows. From the peaceful vibes at the Laurance Rockefeller Preserve to the literal highs at Corbet’s Cabin (waffles, anyone?), this was one for the books.

We talk about:

• Renting bear spray
• Otis' "Woud you Rather" about good eats vs better eats
• Singing ridiculous songs to get through longer hikes
• The "good" RV Park

This episode is for the families who want their kids to remember the feel of a trail under their feet, not just another day on a screen. Warning: may inspire spontaneous road trip planning.

—

📍 Places Mentioned

• Grand Teton National Park
• Jackson Hole, WY
• Jackson Drug Restaurant (Huckleberry Yummy)
• Jenny Lake
• Corbet’s Cabin (Top of the World Waffles)
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve
• Teton Village / Tram Ride / Mangy Moose Restaurant
• Alpine Valley RV Park - great bathrooms and kid approved playground. decent wifi

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

We're back in Moab, Utah with part 2!

This week, we’re still in the desert — but ditch the hiking boots. We’re eating our way through Moab, Utah and adding a brand new segment: Nash Eats! From surprisingly epic Italian food to donuts worth waking up for, the kids weigh in on their favorite eats. Plus, we visit a rock shop that's basically a museum, keep a positive attitude as Mom goes into every home store, and debate some prehistoric highways and dirt boba. Pack your appetite — and the kids!

Plus:

• 🎒 Tips on how to keep cool
• 🧠 Truth or Trash: Dinosaur Highways and Gemstone Mining
• 🧁 Food truck sprayers and donut diplomacy

📍Eats Mentioned:

Pasta Jays

Moab Food Truck Park

Doughbird Doughnuts

Stay and Do:

Moab Rock Shop

Driving Potash Road

Shopping all along Main Street

Stay at the Hyatt Place Moab

Whether you’re planning your own Moab trip or just wishing it were summer, this one’s for you. Grab some water, and Pack the Kids!

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

We took the kids to the desert… in July. In this episode, we head to Moab, Utah, to explore Arches National Park during the peak of summer heat. We’ll share what it’s like to watch the sunrise from North Window, how we kept cool with cold cave hideouts and Camelbaks, and why Sand Dune Arch might be your new favorite sandbox.

As always, Nash shares his favorite sights and hikes , Otis delivers some truly spiky Would You Rathers, and we uncover the real reason we ditched the camper van for a hotel.

Plus:

• 🎒 Our must-have desert hiking gear
• 🥾 The "Easy" Hikes when it's over 100 degrees
• 🧠 Truth or Trash: Arches, animals, and Indiana Jones

📍Places Mentioned:

Hikes we did:

Turret Arch Trail

Skyline Arch Trail

Double Arch Trail

Sand Dune Arch

Windows Loop- North Window (for the sunrise)

- Windows Primitive Trail -definitely download your "All Trails" Map (also an app) and keep it close because it's easy to go off trail.

Park Avenue Trail

Stay with a pool:

Stay at the Hyatt Place Moab

Whether you’re planning your own Moab trip or just wishing it were summer, this one’s for you. Grab some water, and Pack the Kids!

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

🎙️ Geysers, Zip Lines & Grown-Up Tips in Yellowstone

In this steamy episode, we're exploring Yellowstone's most iconic sights — Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs — plus zipping over the Montana treetops and soaking in a hot springs spa ). 🏞️🛁

As always, we’ve got:

• 🌋 Our must-see Yellowstone stops even if you're not PROFESH hikers
• 🌄 Grown-up tips and mistakes we almost made
• ❓ Truth or Trash Trivia about Yellowstone
• 🤔 Would You Rather: Geyser shower or bison roommate?

📍Places Mentioned

Mammoth Hot Spring -"looked like the moon"

Old Faithful- don't worry about getting there early, there's a huge gift shop and a timer of when to go catch the next eruption

Grand Prismatic Spring- Take the hike to your left off the main path to view it from up above (as long as you're ok with walking uphill) Strollers were tough!

Bozeman Hot Springs - The "Spa"

Gardiner and Bozeman - Cute Towns to visit

Gallatin Classic Zipline Tour- Operated by Montana Whitewater

Whether you're planning a trip or just armchair-traveling, join us for the beginning of our 2 week Van Road Trip!

🎧 Hit play, laugh with us, and Pack the Kids!

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

In this episode of Pack the Kids, we’re headed to Puerto Rico — where the beaches are wild, the rainforest is wet, and your kayak might come with a crab named Steve.

We’re talking about:

• El Yunque rainforest hikes (with rope swings, waterfalls, and MUD)
• Night kayaking in glowing LED-bottom boats under the bridge in San Juan
• Hidden beaches, big waves, and one that nearly ate us
• What we learned about bioluminescent bays — and why you probably need to book those way in advance

As always play “Truth or Trash: Puerto Rico Edition" with Otis and Nash and see if Sarah Mom can stump you

This episode is full of real talk, laugh-out-loud moments, and tropical chaos, so grab your sandals and...

Pack the kids!

📍Places Mentioned:

El Yunque Rainforest and Waterfall Guided Tour: Tour Operator Bespoke Lifestyle Management- They pick up at hotels. If you don't go with this tour, just make sure the company you go with has you wearing helmets- mostly unnecessary, but my Otis is careless with his body and I was grateful for the noggin' protection on the waterslide. *Bring Water Shoes!* They had some for sale at the parking lot, but confirm with your tour guide just in case they changed that. I wore lightweight hiking shorts and a tank- a bathing suit felt weird. The boys wore bathing suit bottoms and rash guards. *kid discounts on the trip!* They took pictures for you and uploaded them asap so you don't have to worry about your phone getting wet.

Escambron Beach (San Juan), Scuba Dogs - we didn't do a tour, we just bought snorkels for the boys.

Beach Hoppin’ in Manatí (Rent a Car) - car rented with Enterprise At Condado Plaza, San Juan, PR 00907

Mar Chiquita- "The slippery limestone one" I would encourage you to look at how beautiful this beach is in pics. It might still be worth it. There was supposed to be a small pool for the kids to play in, but I guess I didn't see it. BRING WATER SHOES, the rocks are SHARP

La Poza de las Mujeres- the hidden gem beach! Tip the guy for your car, street parking can be sus, but you are rewarded for the beach. I would say don't bring valuables just in case. Look this place up on Tik Tok for how to get to the caves, but we didn't go because of high tide and I was nervous with the kids. Use your brain skills! Bring shade and there weren't bathrooms or concessions, it's a beach in the wild 🦀

LED Kayak Night Glow Tour in Condado Lagoon - San Juan

Distritio - The outdoor Party, Shopping, Food, Zipline, Arcade w/ Aerial Obstacle Course

*friends! I signed up to be a Viator affiliate, if you book a tour through my link, I may be eligible for a reward. It's important to me that you know I get nothing for free and I've personally paid full price and went on these experiences. I will always only recommend good experiences, parents ain't got time for shenanigans .

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

Join Sarah (the mom), Nash and Otis (the kids) for short weekly episodes about Iocal and faraway adventures in hopes of growing a travel kid community that inspires each other to get out and experience!

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!

“New Orleans Eats: Beignets, Gumbo & Grits (Plus Trivia & Where to go For Family Friendly Spots)

This week, we’re talking food — and not just any food. We’re in New Orleans, where even the snacks have history. From powdered-sugar beignets to kid-approved gumbo and cheesy grits, we’re sharing 3 classic New Orleans dishes your kids might actually try — and where to find them.

Otis and Nash weigh in on what was delicious, what was “meh,” and how many beignets are too many (answer: there is no limit).

You’ll also hear:

• Family-friendly spots to grab iconic NOLA bites
• Trying new foods
• A round of Truth or Trash: New Orleans food edition

Whether you’re planning a trip to the Big Easy or just hungry for a good laugh — grab a snack and Pack the Kids!

Email us! packthekidspodcast@gmail.com

We want to hear about your adventures too and will choose a few to shout out on the show!