Auto Camp with The Lays

It’s a fact: our family is not the pitch-your-tent-camping type. But we did get outside and go camping, or as some might call it, glamping. We traveled to Northern California and stayed at Auto Camp in the Russian River, where we had access to an airstream trailer and tent.

It was time for the Lay family to have some “away” time from our everyday agendas. As the mom of two boys, I see them climb, jump, and run around all day. I am not much of a camper and “roughing it” isn’t really my style, but I don’t want my preferences to stop them from being able to get out and do all the rugged things they try to do inside our home.

We packed up the car and headed to Auto Camp, a camping-style get away with luxury airstream campers.

Airstreams are a type of travel trailer dating back to the 1930s that have a distinctive curved style and shiny exterior. Auto Camp has plenty of them and we were on our way to the Russian River to camp out in simplified luxury.

Once we got there, I thought the boys would all want to hunker down in the tent (which we also rented), but instead they immediately wanted to climb aboard the airstream and join us inside. Their excitement was delightful. Throughout our trip, we swam in the river, walked through the woods, and roasted marshmallows over the fire. Every activity was family-friendly, and easy for those who aren’t planners but still want to play outdoors.

Auto Camp makes it easy for every kind, and level, of camper to have a memorable vacation. It was like staying at a resort, but we were outdoors. Even as self-proclaimed “not outdoorsy” people, we never once felt uncomfortable in our surroundings.

See below for a sample itinerary for when you’re planning your own trip:

• Afternoon hike at Armstrong Redwood State Reserve

• Swim at the Local River (Johnson's Beach)

• Have lunch in Guerneville town

• Make a fire and roast nighttime s’mores

• Indulge in a tasting flight at Korbel Champagne Cellars (adults only!)

• Explore the Guerneville Bridge

This experience was a wonderful way to see my rascals play outside without restraint. If you are looking for a trip that allows parents to enjoy themselves as much as the kids in a fun and safe outdoors environment, I would highly recommend this vacation.

By Ngoc Nguyen Lay, Head Rascal. Mother of two rascals, ages 3 and 5 during trip. Photos by Jessica Collins.

Travel on Hello Rascals

Traveling with your kids can feel both completely overwhelming and extremely exciting. Hello Rascal Kids Travel will share our best tips and tricks for families of all sizes, whether you are planning international travel or a local staycation.

You will find on TRAVEL:

1. Travel tips with kids

2. Travel guide for different cities

3. Places to stay

4. Things to do

5. Best vacation spots with kids

We hope these ideas will make travel less stressful and more delightful.

Welcome to Hello Rascal Kids

At Hello Rascal Kids, we know every member of the family is unique and that no two families are alike. With this in mind, we have created our core beliefs that drive everything you will see on this site.

1. We believe in encouraging kids to be kids. Our focus is on ways to play, create, travel, eat, read, and celebrate.

2. We are an online community built to inspire kids and parents of all ages. We strive to provide activities, projects, conversations, and more that are as diverse and unique as the families who visit us.

3. We embrace the rascal in each child, knowing that what makes families unique is the diversity within each member. Not every item on our site will be for every person, but every person will be able to find some items that they can love together.

4. We will share our family’s journey but also share others’ as well. Our mission is to curate stories and ideas from many viewpoints, and the best way to do that is to encourage other voices to contribute to our community here.

5. We are an uplifting space, led first by our own attitudes. We will conduct this site and those who speak here with the same expectation. We know life and parenthood is not always happy, simple, or fun, but we want you to rely on us to help you remember, create, and celebrate uplifting moments with your own family.

6. We know you’re raising little humans - we are too! You’re working hard on life, your career, your family - and we want you to succeed. To help, we will surround you with a community of creative, interesting, thoughtful, and fun loving people who appreciate daily reminders that you (and everyone around you) are doing their best. There are all sorts of ways to parent your children, and that’s why you visit Hello Rascal Kids.

You’re doing better than you think. No, really, you are. Hello Rascals is here to help you remember that. So read on friends!

See below for a glimpse of what you can discover in each carefully curated section of Hello Rascal Kids

You will find in CELEBRATE:

1. Parties featuring real kids and families

2. Creative ideas for your next celebration

3. New trends in parties

4. Party entertainment for kids

5. Holiday and seasonal party ideas (Halloween, Valentines, etc)

You will find in PLAY:

1. Places to explore as a family

2. Products that promotes learn and play

3. Playrooms

4. Toy reviews

5. Kid-based events that you can participate in together

You will find in CREATE:

1. DIY projects

2. School project ideas

3. Creative play

4. Kids’ crafts

5. Resources for parents to foster creativity within their kids

You will find on EAT:

1. Recipes

2. Places to Eat

3. Snack Options

4. Food product review

5. Food festivals and events

You will find on TRAVEL:

1. Travel tips with kids

2. Travel guide for different cities

3. Places to stay

4. Things to do

5. Best vacation spots with kids

You will find in READ:

1. Latest children’s book news

2. Book reviews from kids and parents

3. Bookstore tours and lists

4. Reading list roundups

5. Public library tours and tips