Kid-Tested Tips

Advice from the pros on making family travel safe and fun.

We asked readers, experts and staff members for their favorite road-tested, kid-specific travel tips. The results arrived in various forms, and relate in only one important way: All are things that every parent with a yen to roam ought to know.

Amusement Parks

For a change of pace, and a relief from the long lines and hot concrete of King's Dominion and Six Flags, we've taken our kids to the vintage amusement parks of Pennsylvania: woodsy Idlewild with its storybook village (www.idlewild.com), the old-fashioned fun house and water slide of Williams Grove (www.williamsgrovepark.com) and DelGrosso's, near the historic railroad mecca of Altoona (www.delgrossos.com/dap.html). Not only are these parks cheaper and less crowded, but parking is usually free and you can bring in your own picnics (although the food sold there is cheaper than that served at the corporate theme parks). You can also find some vintage rides that you can't at Busch Gardens.

Other vintage Pennsylvania parks include Kennywood in Pittsburgh (www.kennywood.com), Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster (www.dutchwonderland.com) and Knoebels, northwest of Harrisburg (www.knoebels.com).

Lori Murray Sampson

Garrett Park, Md.

Health

Allergy sufferers can prepare by finding local allergy forecasts at www.allergyactionplan.com.

Noelle Hull

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Helmets and pads aren't always offered with bike and skating rentals, so call ahead and, if necessary, pack your own.

Council on Family Health