🌍 The Kid Explorer Club with Jed

Tag: travel

  • Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas

    We are only a third of the way into the month of October, but I am surprisingly already thinking about the holidays. Because it takes a long time for things to get to Nigeria, we will start ordering presents later this month. I think my mom is already planning! Presents are always fun to receive, and their super special to give, too. Since I do have a blog about travel, I thought I’d share a list of fun travel and exploring related presents.

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    First, shout out to all the friends I have made in Nigeria! For all the kids reading this, this post is mostly for the adults in your life who will be helping Santa out with extra Christmas shopping. But that does not mean that this blog is not kid-friendly. If you see something you want, go and tell your parents to check it out! And make sure to let Santa know you need some cool adventure and travel themed gear this year.

    ItemDescriptionLinkNotes
    History and culture bookFury of the Vikings, Dominic Sandbrook
    https://amzn.to/4pVxgbQ     		I love this author so much! I’ve read most of his kids’ books, and I think you will really enjoy the blend of history, culture, and storytelling!
    History and culture bookCleopatra, Dominic Sandbrook
    https://amzn.to/4oiVcV7     		See above
    History and culture bookThe Six Wives of Henry VIII, Dominic Sandbrook
    https://amzn.to/3ICGcCo
    See above
    Travel and Geography bookMapshttps://amzn.to/48ktvXfThis is one of our family’s most beloved books! We’ve spent so much time looking through the maps. The graphics are awesome and there is so much culture and info on each page.
    Travel and Geography bookSmithsonian History of the World Map by Maphttps://amzn.to/46XiRDhI want this book! Each map has so much history included. I’m look drooling looking at this on Amazon!
    Culture and education bookWhat is a Refugee?https://amzn.to/4nNaBgzThis is a GREAT book! My parents spent over a decade working with refugees and asylum seekers. It’s very important to know what and who is a refugee and how we can show love and support.
    Culture and education bookThis is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the Worldhttps://amzn.to/3KJKHLVAnother awesome book our family loves. It looks at different kids growing up all over the world and what their normal days and lives look like. You’ll learn so much!
    Activity Book on TravelTravel Activity Book: Creative Travel-Themed Activity Book For Kids Ages 6-12 With Maps, Crosswords, And Fill-In Puzzleshttps://amzn.to/48o1RIXThis is a fun activity book to work on while traveling! It will help keep you entertained in the car or during a long layover.
    Travel JournalThe Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids: Awesome Activities for Your Adventures https://amzn.to/4oimhI1This journal is a great way to think about your trip and adventures and keep track of memories and experiences.
    Travel Coloring BookWonders of the World Coloring Bookhttps://amzn.to/48oE1N3Super cool coloring book for big kids. There’s history and full-color drawings that show what the wonders actually looked like. And then there’s color pages so you can add your own special touch.
    Lego ArchitectureParishttps://amzn.to/3KQuZP7Have it and love it! Legos meets travel, my dream!
    Lego ArchitectureLondonhttps://amzn.to/3KQuZP7See above
    Lego ArchitectureThe Great Pyramid of Gizahttps://amzn.to/3J4PMxRSee above (but this one is harder than the others and super, super cool. You might need an adult to help you out).
    DuploDuplo Airport Building Toyshttps://amzn.to/3J1Ib3bA great duplo set for younger kids getting used to travel and a flight.
    Magnetic Travel ToyMagna-Tiles MicroMags Travel Sethttps://amzn.to/4356kfWI’ve played with magna-tiles since I was one year old, and I still love them. My mom says they’re the best toys ever made. So why not grab a small version for the car, plane, or train? I definitely need a set!
    GameGuess in 10 Countries of the Worldhttps://amzn.to/432tpzWThis is one of my family’s favorite games! We play it all the time. We take it traveling with us, and my mom packs it in the suitcase whenever we move and are waiting for our boxes for months and months. We don’t get tired of it.
    GameGuess in 10 Cities Around the Worldhttps://amzn.to/4ni2MytSee above
    GameTicket to Ride First Journey (Europe)https://amzn.to/4ni2MytA great game! This is the kids’ version of Ticket to Ride. It’s a great way to learn where cities and countries in Europe are.
    GameTicket to Ride (adult version)https://amzn.to/4mZYWd1This adult version is fun in and of itself, but you can also use it with many different expansion kits (Iberia! Netherlands! Japan!) 
    Travel Water BottleKINTO Water Bottle, 10.1 fl oz (300 ml)https://amzn.to/471kik2My mom loves these bottles for travel. They are small and light so they aren’t too heavy to carry.
    Fidget ToysTransformable Fidget Spinners https://amzn.to/4ha91D0Fun little toy to pack for any trip.
    Fidget ToysFidget Spinner and Popperhttps://amzn.to/4h4f387Mom said these would be a great stocking stuffer! 
    Travel ToyWikki Stix! The best travel toy for all kids. https://amzn.to/4h8EWUeApparently these sticks are how my parents survived traveling with four toddlers and a baby. But they look pretty cool for almost-11-year-olds, too!
    Map for Young KidsWorld Map for Kids Age 2+https://amzn.to/42C9VCaThis is a great world map for little kids to learn their continents and get a starting idea of locations around the world.
    Map Laminated World Maphttps://amzn.to/4h51mWfThis is a standard world map. I want one for my room! You can always put thumbtacks in the places you’ve visited, lived, or want to go to!
    Interactive GlobeLeapFrog Magic Adventures Globehttps://amzn.to/470ewznMy grandparents got this for me when I was very young, and I still use it all the time! 
    GlobeWorld Globe https://amzn.to/4nMbMwJA standard glove that every home should have. It’s a great decoration and also educational and practical.
    Language Flash CardsPhotographic Learning Flash Cards — can be used in any language!https://amzn.to/47j7O8PMy family has used these cards to help us with Arabic, Dutch, French, and other languages because they’re just pictures. You can use them with any language to test and practice your vocab.
    World Flags Flash CardsZastic! 245 World Flags Flashcards https://amzn.to/46USJdLMy siblings and I love playing flag games, drawing flags, and everything related to flags. This is a great set to help you learn what flags from all over the world look like.
    CookbookCooking Class Global Feast!: 44 Recipes That Celebrate the World’s Cultures https://amzn.to/3IHwuyCI think you don’t get a good sense of a culture unless you have a chance to taste it! This book will introduce you to so many cool foods and teach you how to make them at home. Great for all the travelers and little chefs out there!
    CameraInstant Print Digital Camerahttps://amzn.to/3KO4A4pThis camera is super fun because it prints pictures immediately. It’s like a polaroid but more for kids.
    CameraDigital Camerahttps://amzn.to/4nU32ofHere’s a great digital camera that isn’t too expensive. Travel and adventures are a great time to learn how to take pictures and keep your memories.
    Magnifying GlassMagnifying Glasshttps://amzn.to/4nU32ofEvery explorer needs magnifying glasses. Bugs, rocks, sand, leaves. And you can take them on the plane or train.
    CompassCompass on a string https://amzn.to/3IEnla5Compasses are really fun! My mom Says this is another great stocking stuffer!
    Figurine ToysAround the World Figurines (like the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Giza Pyramids!)https://amzn.to/42vBEV1I have these awesome figurines. I highly recommend.
    Figurine ToysWorld Landmarks Figurines (like the Great Wall of China, Easter Island heads, and the Sphinx!)https://amzn.to/46KKQHzAnother fun figurine set with landmarks I haven’t seen in other sets.
    BooksRefugee, by Alan Gratzhttps://amzn.to/4pYMJI9My parents got me this book and I love it. It is a great read for elementary and middle school students.
    BooksRefugee, by Alan Gratz Graphic Novelhttps://amzn.to/4nKZxR7I just saw this graphic novel version of the book I listed above and I immediately want it! I’m adding it to my Christmas list!
    Fidget ToysRechargeable Game cubehttps://amzn.to/473daUvThis is a fun fidget game and toy that’s a little more high tech than normal fidget toys.
    Game BookMad Libshttps://amzn.to/47jMkbWThese are the best things ever! The world’s greatest word game. My family loves MadLibs and we have many different versions. You can do them while traveling, at the hotel room, waiting in line to go into a museum. They’re so fun and make you laugh really hard!

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    Tell me something about your travel style or adventures!

  • Halloween Tales From Around the World

    Get ready for spooky houses, zombies, ghouls, ghosts, and candy! Halloween is in 3 weeks, and it’s time to get into the spirit! One of the coolest things about living around the world is realizing that every country and culture has their own traditions and norms for different holidays, life events, and seasons of the year. So, let’s look at some cool, spooky stories from Nigeria, Mexico, The Netherlands, and Japan! Get ready for some awesome folktales that are just in time for Halloween!

    *Just a quick note. Some of these stories are a bit scary. I don’t usually write about things like this. Make sure you check with your parents before you read about scary things like ghosts. And remember it’s always brave to walk away from anything that makes you feel uncomfortable! I won’t take it personally! :-)

    Madam Koi Koi

    Madam Koi Koi is a Nigerian urban legend featuring a ghost who haunts dormitories, hallways and toilets in boarding schools at night. In day schools, she haunts toilets and students who come to school too early or leave school late. She usually is seen wearing a pair of red heels or wearing a single heel. She is one of the most popular boarding school ghosts in Nigeria.

    In Nigeria, she was a very beautiful stylish teacher at a secondary school. Her shoes always made the sound “Koi Koi”. She was very nasty to students, though, and was eventually fired when she slapped a female student and injured her ear. (Yikes!) While she was going back home, she got into an accident and died. Before she died, she promised that she would have her revenge on the school and its students.

    The horror series The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi on Netflix is loosely based on the urban legend. There is also a horror movie, Ms. Kanyin, on Prime video. It is based on Ms. Kanyin turning into Madam Koi Koi and taking revenge on students. I’m not allowed to watch horror movies, and I don’t really want to. I’m just adding these here to show how popular this story is!

    La Llorona

    La Llorona, which translates to “The Weeping Woman,” is a famous ghost story rooted in Hispanic American folklore, with its deepest origins in Mexico.

    A common version of the legend tells of a beautiful woman named María who marries a wealthy man. They have two children, but the husband eventually becomes unfaithful and leaves María for another woman of a higher social status. In a fit of grief and anger, María drowns her own children in a river to hurt her unfaithful husband. (Bigger yikes!)

    Upon realizing her actions, María takes her own life, drowning herself in the same river. When her soul tries to enter Heaven, she is turned away and told she cannot rest until she finds her children. She is cursed to wander Earth, crying “¡Ay, mis hijos!” (“Oh, my children”) as she searches for them for eternity. Not what I call a happy ending!

    The Flying Dutchman

    The Flying Dutchman is a famous ancient maritime tale of The Netherlands (“maritime” has to do with the sea). The story is believed to be based on real events, but has been mixed with supernatural elements.

    According to legend, it was a ship captained by a man sentenced to wander eternally due to a deal with the devil. All various versions of the legend agree that the ship and its crew are trapped in a state of lasting punishment on the world’s oceans. (Let’s hope they like fish!)

    The appearance of the Flying Dutchman is described as sinister. Many sightings claim that the ship appears in the middle of violent storms, sailing against the wind, which has led to belief that its sighting is a sign of marine disasters (think shipwrecks).

    This legendary figure of the ghost ship doomed for forever is a basis for the popular “Pirates of The Caribbean” film saga (also not old enough to watch yet). It’s also seen influencing the popular cartoon Peter Pan (which I’ve watched lots of times and totally recommend).

    Yotsuya Kaidan

    Yotsuya Kaidan is the most changed Japanese ghost story. the details of Yotsuya Kaidan have shifted over time, leaving little similarities to the original Kabuki Play.

    Yotsuya Kaidan is the story of Oiwa, a woman betrayed by her husband Tamiya lemon, who poisons here to marry rich Oume for her money. Oiwa dies an awful death, curses her husband, and returns as a revengeful ghost to torment and eventually cause the deaths of lemon and those that caused her murder. (Looks like she wasn’t in a forgiving mood when she died!)

    The legend, originally a Kabuki play from 1825, is considered one of Japan’s most exquisite ghost stories.

    Legends and folktales evolve over time but they’re still fun to research and read! I’ve celebrated Halloween in many countries, most recently The Netherlands. And I’m about to have my first go in Nigeria. Most of my personal Halloween experiences are shaped by my parents’ American traditions and the fact that I’ve usually gone to American or international schools. So, trick or treating, trunk or treating, and fall festivals are the traditions I know best. And of course, I’m always in costume! Here’s a sneak peek at this year’s look! (And click here if you are inspired and want to match me!)

    Thanks for reading! I hope you come back soon for more. And if you want to take a deeper dive into the Halloween traditions I wrote about, see the list below of the websites I used to get my info. It’s not a perfect works cited page, but I’m only 10 (for three more weeks)! 

    🌍 The Kids Explorer Club With Jed

    Wikipedia

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yotsuya_Kaidan

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_Koi_Koi

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llorona

    Other websites

    https://nauticalchannel.com/new/the-flying-dutchman

  • My Summer Top 3: Fun, Sun, and WOW

    It’s been 70 days since I have last written to you. I’m really sorry that it’s taken so long, so to make it up to everyone I am going to fill you in on my top three things I have done in each of my summer locations: Washington State, Washington D.C., and Nigeria (where I am now).

    Washington State = Camp Fun

    I’ve already talked about Spokane, where my mom grew up and I spend a lot of my U.S. time. My top highlight in Washington state was that I went to my first overnight camp. It was really fun! It was called Camp Reed and is run by the YMCA of the Inland Northwest. The YMCA is a kid friendly organization that offers a lot of kids’ programs, like camps, daycare or summer school. I had to get so much stuff ready for my week of overnight camp! My mom helped me gather all the supplies. I needed to get a sleeping bag, my special sunscreen (I’m allergic to a lot of other brands), a pillow, toothbrush and holder and toothpaste, bug spray, shampoo and conditioner, and much more! One of my favorite things about camp was that it was on a lake, and we got to play in it all the time. We also had a fun carnival where you played games to get beans and then exchange the beans at an auction for fun prizes or activities for your cabin. Our cabin used our beans to buy breakfast in bed! It was really fun. The cooks came into our cabin and served us, like the ultimate V.I.P treatment! On the same night as the carnival, we had an all-camp dance. Also, we held a Summer Olympics. Our cabin joined with another cabin to be team Brazil! I really recommend going to overnight camp if you have the opportunity. But for younger readers, you could do a “mini camp” where you only spend one or two nights at camp! And of course, there are always lots of day camps in most cities that could offer similar activities and experiences.

    District of Columbia = Baseball and Cotton Candy

    After Spokane, my family spent a few weeks in Washington D.C. for my dad’s job. I love being in our nation’s capital! The most fun I had in DC was probably when we went to the Nationals vs. Padres baseball game. I was really excited just to watch the game and cheer all the fun chants and songs, but I was super surprised when we walked through the ticket gate and the stadium workers were handing out free Nationals jerseys! We were attending on a family fun day, so the stadium also gave us a free kid’s meal. (All the parents say “Woohoo!”) The game was really intense, and it looked like thought the Padres were going to cook the Nationals. But surprisingly we were wrong and the Nationals had an amazing comeback and won the game! At the game, we also got to hang out with our really good friends that we met years ago while living in Egypt. It was really exciting because it was my first major league baseball game! And I might have enjoyed some really yummy cotton candy! The only down side I could share about the game is that the baseball jerseys (which are actually cut more like basketball jerseys) are all XXL (extra-extra-large)! Ha! But they were free, and I still wore it proudly. My final takeaway that blew my mind was that some people in the stadium had a whole suite to themselves! They sat in fancy boxes and ate buffets of food. Wowzers!

    Nigeria = New Adventures

    At the end of my summer, just three weeks ago, our family made our move to Nigeria! And here’s the deal. I haven’t been to a lot of places in Nigeria before, and I haven’t had much time to explore yet. So, this summary will be pretty quick. Like many people in the country, I am living on a small housing compound. For security reasons, whenever I mention it, I will call it “Jed compound.” It has a couple playgrounds, a small pool, and plenty of green space to play and explore with other kids who live here. I do have to mention that the power goes about six to eight times a day! Yikes. But I am starting to really like Nigeria; there are a lot of kind people and I love the areas I’ve seen. Because it’s rainy season right now, everything is very green and colorful. It feels really peaceful even though the city is busy and there are police and military all over the streets. I also really enjoy my new international school! I’ve made a lot friends, my teachers are great, and we have an awesome bunny nursery where we can hold lots of adorable bunnies and help take care of them. Lastly, one of the best things about Nigeria is the food! We hired a chef who comes to our home a couple days a week and cooks for our family. My mom loves to cook, but we don’t have a car right now and we aren’t allowed to take any form of public transportation. So, it makes getting groceries really hard. Our chef will go to the store, get ingredients for meals, wash all the produce properly (we have to wash them in bleach here!), and then make yummy treats our whole family loves. And it’s very affordable in Nigeria and helps give someone good work. For the future, I am really interested in Nigeran history. I hope to learn more and report back soon!

    Please leave comments about your summer, too! Did you go anywhere new? Or maybe you had a family gathering or did something that’s a family tradition every summer. I’d love to hear about it!

    Lastly, I have a big announcement! I am in the process of launching a YouTube vlog! It will be connected to my Kid Explorer Club (this blog). Check back in soon for the link to my channel!

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    Comments

    7 responses to “My Summer Top 3: Fun, Sun, and WOW”

    1. Ana Laffoon Avatar
      Ana Laffoon

      I love adventuring with you! And it was a busy, full, and fun summer. Here’s to a year of excitement and discovery!

      Like

      Reply
    2. John Doe Avatar
      John Doe

      Thanks, Jed, for sharing about your time in the States and your move to Nigeria!

      Like

      Reply
    3. Joe Valinsky Avatar
      Joe Valinsky

      I love this

      Like

      Reply
    4. fuzzyparadise2f1d54fbd1 Avatar
      fuzzyparadise2f1d54fbd1

      Jed, I love reading about your life in Nigeria! Living in a compound I’m sure it’s way different than cycling around in Wassenaar, but you will cherish these memories for ever! Also i’m kind of jealous that you get to hold bunnies on a daily basis!

      Like

      Reply
      1. fuzzyparadise2f1d54fbd1 Avatar
        fuzzyparadise2f1d54fbd1

        it’s your Greek teacher by the way, I don’t know where the “fuzzyparadise” came from!

        Like

        Reply
        1. Jed Avatar
          Jed

          Hahaha I think it a security think and privacy thing.

          Like

      2. Jed Avatar
        Jed

        Its so nice to here from you, thank you for still reading my blog it means a lot. Plus, baby bunnies were just born and there so cute.

        Like

        Reply

    Tell me something about your travel style or adventures!

  • Jed’s Dutch Survival Guide

    How to Explore, Eat, and Bike Like a Pro Kid in the Netherlands

    Hi, it’s Jed again! I’ve lived an amazing two years in the Netherlands, and I’m going to miss it a lot. I might not be a Netherlands expert, but I’ve learned a lot about this amazing country and want to share it with you. This guide will help kids prepare for a great visit! And it will help me remember what I learned so that if I forget I can just look back at my blog. Please read and enjoy!

    Getting Around Like a Local

    Before my bike got packed up for our move, I spent my last few months biking to school. There are many Dutch biking tips that I learned over the years. Did you know the Netherlands is considered the world’s most bike-friendly country in the world? And that there are around three times more bikes than people?? Let’s just say that if a Dutch person wants to teach you something about biking, you should listen! But the number one lesson I’ve learned is this: helmets are a MUST. The Netherlands is very safe with biking because they have bike lanes on most streets. But there are still accidents, and you want to be as safe and prepared as possible if this happens. I wear a helmet like this. Without a helmet you have a much bigger risk of getting seriously injured if you got hit by a car, motorcycle, tram, train, etc.

    Other tips are to look for the reddish-brown bike lanes that are on most of the busy streets in the Netherlands. Don’t ride on the sidewalks if you don’t see a bike lane; it’s better to stay to the right side of the street. Cars are used to bikers and they will respect you on the road. Lastly, when you come to an intersection, you will often see a line of triangles painted on the bike path. If the triangles point toward you and look like a set of shark teeth, you need to yield to the bikers and road in front of you. But if the triangles are facing away from you and look like short arrows, you have the right of way and cars or bikes coming from other directions need to yield to you. This is very important to know in the Netherlands!

    Dutch Weather Warnings

    When I think of weather in the Netherlands, one main word comes to mind: RAIN. Because it is located along the North Sea, the weather can be grey, rainy, and cold all year long. And even if you think it’s going to be sunny, do not usually trust the weather forecast. You should always be ready for a surprise rain (or hail or sleet or something cold and wet, but not usually snow)! To prepare for this, I usually wear layers like a hoodie with a T-shirt under it so I can take off the top layers if there is a weather change and I get some surprise sun. Another thing is that I wear light, sporty pants that are good in every kind of weather and dry pretty quickly. On top of that, I have sneakers, a rain jacket, rain boots, and an umbrella if it looks super rainy and I need to walk outside for a while (one of my main chores is walking my dog Theo every day).

    If it’s especially windy and rainy but you still want to go to your favorite Dutch park, the biggest playground in Europe (Linnaeushof ), or your favorite neighborhood theme park (like Duinrell), then you can slip these rain pants over your normal pants! Big lesson here is always be prepared for rain, even when the forcast says warm and sunny!

    Family fun at our neighborhood amusement park, Duinrell! We got lucky this time and had sunshine!

    Food You Have to Try

    Mom and I in Leiden with fresh stroopwafels on a drizzly day.

    There are a lot of fun, yummy foods in the Netherlands. Some of my favorites are Stroopwafels, appleflappen, poffertjes and Hagenslaag. You can make all of them using this recipe book. There are some weird but tasty Dutch foods though, like pickled raw herring (fish), frikandel (a type of sausage that became famous after World War II), and kapsalon (you should google this; but think shawarma meat and French fries and gouda cheese!).  Another snack that they are famous for is black Licorice. They even have a salted version that lots of people like. But take my word for it: DO NOT TRY THE BITTERBALLEN! Some people like them, but to me it tastes like fried mush. I won’t say anything stronger than this because this blog is for kids.

    My mom and I will mostly miss the warm, freshly made Stroopwafels. Once my family was at a Christmas market inside a long, winding cave in Valkenburg. We started to smell the most wonderful scent as we walked down the walking path and got close to the end. We were so happy to find a fresh Stroopwafel stand! We bought Stroopwafels, and when we came out of the cave, we saw snow! This was the only big, real snow we saw in two years in the Netherlands. We ate warm Stroopwafels in the snow to heat us up after visiting a Christmas market. It was basically paradise.

    Best Kid Spots

    My siblings and me playing in the Meijendel dunes.

    If you are visiting the Netherlands and you’re hoping to visit the beach, playground, forest and eat some delicious big Dutch pancakes, then I got good news for you. You should go to Meijendel. You can do all of these things and more, like horse riding and visiting a small nature museum. It’s located in Wassenaar, and my parents really like this beach because there are no shops and not a lot of people. You actually have to walk or bike through the dunes to get to the beach. It is gorgeous, and you can spend hours playing in the dunes and enjoying the North Sea. After you’ve worked up your appetite running on the beach, wandering through the forest, and maybe playing a bit at the natural playground called Monkey-Bos (they have a fun zipline!), you can fill your belly at this pancake house.

    Me and my good friend Jake at the pancake house!

    There are so many cool mueums for kids all around the country. And lots of famous parks and activities in Amsterdam and The Hauge. But some hidden gems in Wassenaar where we live are first, Beach Wassenarslag by Meijendel, then Museum Voorlinden, the beautiful Wassenaar town center, and finally the Meijendel nature reserve (Duinreservaat Meijendel-Kievietsduin). In general, if you’re exploring in the Netherlands, here are some tips for finding the best places:

    1. Look for tons of bikes parked by one area
    2. Look for a big forest or nature reserve with TREES
    3. Hear kids playing around and laughing.

    Words That Helped Me

    Dutch and English are the official languages in the Netherlands. Almost everyone speaks at least basic English, so it’s pretty easy to get around. However, Dutch is the heart language of the country. And Dutch is also a hard language. So, it’s good to know some basic words like “hello” (Hallo), and “good morning” (Goodemorgeng = khoo-duh-MOR-ghun). Then some everyday sentences like “May I have the menu please?” (Mag ik alstublieft een menu? = mak ikh AHL-stu-bleeft uhn muh-NEW?) and “thank you so much” (ontzettend bedankt = ont-SET-uhnd buh-DANKT). Finally, “You are so welcome” (Je bent zo welkom = yuh bent zoh VEL-kom). Learning Dutch took me a long time. Even now I am not fluent in Dutch, but I think I could survive a day in a non-English, only-Dutch community. The easiest word for me personally is “Hello” (Hallo) because, well, it is just a change of a vowel! If you are looking for a bit more help before your trip, you could get a book like this. Succes!( suk-SES means “good luck!”)

    Final Tips from a Semi-Pro

    Looking back on my last two years, I think that the Netherlands is a very easy place to live and visit. But if I could tell my old self something important about the Netherlands before I moved there, I would tell myself to learn more Dutch more quickly because it’s a very hard language and it goes a really long way when you use it with Dutch people. But even without the language, the Netherlands is a very easy place to live and explore.

    Well, goodbye Netherlands! I will love you forever and remember you fondly. I know I have a lot of exciting places to see and adventures ahead, but the Netherlands will stay close to me forever for so many reasons. I hope you visit it and love it as much as I do! And please leave a comment below if you have visited the Netherlands and have anything to say or add about the things mentioned in this post!

    🌍 The Kids Explorer Club With Jed

    My siblings and me in Haarlem this spring.

    Tell me something about your travel style or adventures!

  • Suitcases, Sandwiches, and See-You-Laters!

    What it feels like to say goodbye (again) when you’re a kid who moves a lot!

    1. The Top Slice: Saying Goodbye

    Hey, Jed here again! And guess what? I’m writing to you from an empty house! I’ve lived in the kingdom by the sea, The Netherlands, for two years now, and I am going to leave at the end of this month. I move a lot, so moving is used to me and I have to get used to it. I am going to miss a lot of things though, including my friends, teacher (Mrs. Mattson), my favorite Dutch snacks like stroopwafels or hagelslag, and my favorite places that make the Netherlands “home,” including my school, house, park and Luciano’s ice cream shop. But when you’re a Diplo-kid, you know that moving is just part of life even when it’s hard and sad. From my experience, it’s helpful to have a goodbye party so you get a chance to hug and play with the people you love, and to do fun and special activities like a final bike ride to school or a climb up your favorite backyard tree. When you’re doing it for the final time, remember to tell yourself that’s the last time you’ll do it so you can really remember it and keep it in your heart.

    2. The Filling: The In-Between Days

    Before you pack your house up, it’s a good idea to imagine what it will look like when it’s empty. Let me tell you, it’s going to look very weird and unfamiliar! During the pack-out, or my fun nickname for it “The Great Pack,” you might feel a lot of emotions. You will probably feel smushed together like a sandwich.  A very emotional sandwich that feels big things like: excitement, sadness, nervousness, boredom, happiness, etc. Like my mom says, “You can feel more than one thing at the same time.” And that’s definitely true when you are saying goodbye to your home and friends. To make you feel not so nervous and emotional you can start a family tradition. For example, my family asks our friends to write notes to us at our goodbye party and then we pack the notes deep into our suitcases without reading them. Once we get to our next destination, we read the kind, heartfelt notes. Some of our friends write down funny memories, too. That’s great for a laugh at a time when you might be feeling a little scared or unsure or your new home. By the way, my new home is going to be Abuja, Nigeria. I think it’s going to be very different from the Netherlands!

    So what do all those feelings add up to? A moving sandwich, of course! Here’s a recipe to guide our way!

    Jed’s Famous Moving Sandwich Recipe

    Warning: may cause feelings. Best served with hugs and snacks (like the ones we talked about in my first blog post).

    Ingredients:

    • 2 slices of “See-You-Later” bread (preferably toasted with love)
    • 3 tablespoons of excitement for new adventures
    • 1 overflowing scoop of goodbye tears (I hate to say it, but it’s bound to happen)
    • A pinch of nervous butterflies
    • 4 memories you don’t want to forget (folded gently)
    • 1 crumpled packing list you lost but found again
    • A sprinkle of “I’ll miss you” messages
    • Optional: melted chocolate to remind you that sweet things still happen

    Instructions:

    1. Start with a slice of goodbye—this part might feel heavy.
    2. Layer in the feelings: stack your excitement, nerves, and memories any way you want.
    3. Add a generous helping of hugs, favorite songs, and one inside joke from your old home.
    4. Top with your second slice—hello, new place! Press down gently. Wrap in kindness, pack with courage, and take a big bite.

    Serving tip: Best eaten with your favorite people (even if it’s over video call).

    3. The Bottom Slice: What’s Next

    You always need to look forward to what is coming next. I am going to spend my summer in the USA before we move to Nigeria. Of course, I am looking forward to things like the Maple Bacon Duck Donut or the famous Cosco hotdog. Not only that, but I’m also excited about seeing my cousins and making new friends at Summer Camp. Also, of course a shopping spree at Target and Trader Joe’s. Other than summer in the States, I’m really excited about Nigeria. My new school, teacher, friends, community, house, etc. But there is a lot that I don’t know yet, like what my neighborhood will look like, when our shipping container will arrive, and who my new best friend will be. Lots of mysteries to be revealed. I guess you could say, “The sandwich of goodbye is messy, but it’s also full of flavor.” I don’t know exactly what’s in the next sandwich… but I’m hungry for it (just hold the pickles)! Yummmm.

    Thank you for reading! I’ll have more content up soon. Please come back!  And check out the new coloring pages on the Badges and Games page!

    🌍 The Kids Explorer Club With Jed

  • Tastes of the World: 2 Awesome Recipes I Tried and Loved!

    Welcome to the ultimate food face-off: Maqluba vs. Pannukakku!
    One is a giant, upside-down tower of rice, chicken, and veggies from the Middle East. The other is a sweet, puffy pancake from Finland that’s basically a giant sweet cloud you can eat.
    I’ve cooked both, I’ve tasted both… and now it’s time to share the two recipes every Kid Explorer needs to try!

    Let’s start with the savory superstar…

    My dad and mom lived in Bethlehem for a few years for work. While they were there, they learned to make lots of yummy dishes. Maqluba (pronounced “mock-LOO-bah”) is one of our all-time favorites. Besides Palestine, it’s also famous in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and other countries in the Middle East. And each family has their own spin on the recipe, sometimes using different veggies like fried cauliflower or carrots (which you could try, too, if you like better than what you see below).

    In some Middle Eastern families, flipping the Maqluba at the table is a big event—everyone gathers around to watch and cheer as the cook flips the whole pot upside-down without spilling a grain of rice!

    🍚 Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice Dish)

    Ingredients:

    • 2 cups rice (soaked in water for 30 mins, then drained)
    • 1 medium eggplant (sliced)
    • 1 medium potato (sliced)
    • 1 onion (sliced)
    • 2 cups cooked chicken or beef (shredded or chunks)
    • 4 cups chicken broth
    • 2 tsp ground allspice
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Olive oil for frying
    • Sliced, RAW tomatoes for bottom of the pan (optional)

    Steps:

    1. Fry the eggplant, potato, and onion slices in olive oil until lightly golden.
    2. In a big pot, layer the fried veggies on the bottom.
    3. Add the chicken or beef on top of the veggies.
    4. Spread the soaked rice evenly over the meat.
    5. Sprinkle allspice, salt, and pepper over the rice.
    6. Pour the chicken broth over everything.
    7. Cover and cook on low heat for about 45 minutes until the rice is tender.
    8. Place a large serving dish over the pot and carefully flip the whole thing upside down—this makes the Maqluba!

    *Pro tip: my mom says that her friends in Jordan and Bethlehem line the bottom of the pot with sliced, raw tomatoes. Cover the entire bottom surface, then add the fried veggies, meat, and everything else. The tomatoes create a barrier between the heat and the veggies and keeps the dish from burning or sticking to the pan when you flip it upside-down.

    Serving Tip:
    Top with chopped parsley and a a side of plain yogurt (you kind of swirl this into the rice as you take bites). My mom toasts almonds or pine nuts in a little oil on the stove to sprinkle on top. It’s delicious!

    Now for the sweet champion! This is one of our family’s favorite new-ish holiday breakfast traditions. It started when I was 7-years-old. I brought this international cookbook home from my school library (Cairo American College) and found this fun treat. We all loved it so much, we have it with our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter breakfasts.

    In Finland, Pannukakku is often served for special breakfasts or even as a dessert. Some families pass down their own secret versions of the recipe for generations!

    🥞 Pannukakku (Finnish Oven Pancake)

    Ingredients:

    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1.5 cups milk
    • 1/3 cup sugar
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 4 tbsp butter (melted)
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
    2. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla (if using).
    3. Gradually add the flour and mix until smooth.
    4. Pour melted butter into a 9×13 inch baking dish, tilting the pan so the butter coats the bottom. (You can also put cold or room temperature butter into the pan and slide it into the oven so it melts while you mix up the other ingredients. Either way.)
    5. Pour the batter into the buttered dish.
    6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
    7. Serve hot with syrup, powdered sugar, or berries.

    Which recipe will you try first? Let me know in the comments and earn your Junior Chef badge!

    If you want to do more recipes like this then get some books on amazon like this, this or even this!

    Thank you for reading! I’ll have more content up soon. Please come back!  

    🌍 The Kids Explorer Club With Jed