A magical (and delicious) experience the kids are still talking about During our trip to Pigeon Forge, one experience stood out above the rest — the Stampede . In fact, it ended up being Sister’s favorite activity of the entire trip , with the pig race pushing it straight into first place. 🐷💨 We attended the 11:00 AM show and arrived around 10:03 AM , having purchased our tickets online in advance. That timing worked well, but there are a few things I’d absolutely do again

Last updated: January 24, 2026 Middle School Reader (Tween Years) Big Brother didn’t stop at chapter books—manga and anime are a huge part of his reading journey during his tween years. These are the manga series that really stood out to him, whether they were his introduction to manga or stories he still enjoys revisiting. Disclosure: All links on this page are affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to make a purchas

Last updated: April 22, 2026 Middle School Reader (Tween Years) Before the Book List (A quick note from Mama Bird) Big Brother loves to read and can almost always be found with a book in hand. It doesn’t matter if it’s a physical book, his Kindle, or a manga—if there’s a spare moment, he’s reading. I do try to stay on top of what he’s reading and preview/review series when I can, but he reads faster than I can keep up. Everything on this list is something he has already read

Last updated: January 24, 2026 Middle School Reader (Tween Years) Big Brother loves to read and can almost always be found with a book in hand. It doesn’t matter if it’s a physical book, his Kindle, or a manga—if there’s a spare moment, he’s reading. Below are some of his favorite book series from his middle school years (or, as I like to call them, the tween years ). Every recommendation listed here is a series he has actually read and enjoyed—no half-finished books, no forc

While exploring Pigeon Forge, we decided to give Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que a try after seeing it advertised as having award-winning BBQ and ribs . With how busy Pigeon Forge can get, we arrived close to opening just in case crowds were an issue. As it turns out—we didn’t need to worry at all. When we arrived, the restaurant was nearly empty. We spotted one other family at the salad bar, but we had an entire section to ourselves, which made for a relaxed and comfortable start t

A 50s-Themed Breakfast the Bird Family Is Still Talking About Birds of a Feather kicked off one of our mornings in Pigeon Forge with breakfast at Sunliner Diner , and let me just say—we’re still talking about it. This ended up being our top breakfast pick out of all the places we tried on this trip. From the moment we walked in, the theming completely won us over. The classic 1950s vibe is strong here, right down to the décor, the music, and even the menus—which are designe

Birds of a Feather had a great time visiting Arcade City at The Island in Pigeon Forge, TN . 🎮✨ It was a fun stop during our trip and a great place to let the little Birds burn off some energy while chasing tickets and prizes. If you’re curious what the inside of Arcade City looks like, be sure to check out our YouTube walkthrough , where we take you through the games, prize area, and overall vibe of the space:👉 https://youtu.be/geKqMpihPwA 🎟️ Games We Loved One of the bi

During our recent trip to Pigeon Forge, we decided to finally check out the Titanic Museum — a perfect choice since Little Bird had fallen deep into a Titanic phase thanks to YouTube. When your kid becomes obsessed with a historical event, you seize the moment. We arrived around 9:45 AM, and here’s your first tip: If you didn’t preorder your tickets, you’ll need to stop by the ice cream shop next door to pick them up. It’s a quirky setup, but it works. Inside the museum, no v

As I’m in the midst of packing for our upcoming mountain cabin trip, I have to remind myself to take time to pack for Mama Bird , too. It’s so easy to put 100% of my focus into making sure the family has everything they need that I can sometimes become an afterthought. So today, I’m sharing the key items I always make sure to pack for myself —the little comforts that help me actually relax and enjoy the trip. Pillow (with a colorful pillowcase) There is nothing like having yo

Last updated: January 14, 2026 Hi everyone, it’s Mama Bird here! 🐦 Today I wanted to share how I keep my Little Birds entertained when we go out to eat. Waiting for food can feel like an eternity for kids, and I definitely want to avoid chaos at the table. I’ll be honest—sometimes tablets make an appearance right after we order, and then get put away once the meals arrive. That works just fine for the occasional meal out. But since we eat out fairly often, I like having a sm

We’re heading out on a six-hour car ride to the mountains, and with three Little Birds in the backseat , preparation is key. The goal is to make the drive as smooth (and meltdown-free) as possible, which means having plenty on hand to keep everyone comfortable and entertained. 🍎 Snacks Snacks are always vital on a road trip. I packed more than I normally would since we can also use them as snacks for the first few days at the cabin. I try to sneak in some healthier options l

Hello friends, it’s Mama Bird here! I wanted to take a moment to share what I’ll be packing for our upcoming Mountain Cabin Adventure! While our cabin comes stocked with linens and a small “starter pack” of essentials—things like paper towels, trash bags, and toilet paper—you never truly know what that starter pack includes. Over the years, I’ve learned it’s easier (and less stressful) to bring a few basics with us, especially when traveling with the Little Birds. Here’s wha

Hello friends, it’s Mama Bird here! I wanted to share a little bit about our Thanksgiving week in the Outer Banks. If you ever get the chance to visit in late November, we highly recommend it. The crowds are low, the pace is peaceful, and most places are still open. In fact, many spots closed for the season right after we left —perfect timing! Unfortunately, I can’t recommend the house we stayed in this time, but the views were absolutely stunning . Even with the hiccups, wa