Our trip to the Dinosaur Museum in Rapid City was more of a toddler-led sprint through prehistoric chaos than a calm tour. From mirror maze mishaps to a sand-filled fossil dig, it was equal parts hilarious and exhausting, but also full of hidden chances to practice patience, problem-solving, and impulse control. Turns out, dinosaurs make pretty great teachers for little life skills.

If you’re anywhere near Rapid City, SD, Reptile Gardens is one of those stops you have to make. It’s got everything: giant tortoises, sassy prairie dogs, birds, and enough snakes to star in an Indiana Jones movie. I’ve been twice now, and let me tell you, this place is not one of those “been there once, you’ve seen it all” attractions. Nope. I loved it as much the second time, and the kids? They thought they’d found paradise…reptile-style.

Pool day=fun, cousins, Goldfish, and a tractor toy meltdown. Play builds skills, but leaving is the hardest splash of all.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step straight into the pages of your favorite childhood stories…but with the added bonus of sipping your favorite source of caffeine while your kids run wild, let me introduce you to Storybook Island in Rapid City, SD. I also share some tools for helping your kids regulate their emotions on your trip and wagon accessories that are helpful for our family and might be helpful for yours.

CHOO CHOO—ALL ABOARD THE TODDLER EXPRESS! We thought we were going to a cute little children’s museum for a quick energy-burn session. We ended up discovering a full-blown toddler paradise…and accidentally launching our 2-year-old’s career in railway management. As a mom and counselor, I went into Wise Wonders Children’s Museum in Billings, MT prepared for everything, but I was not prepared for how amazing this place is.