Happy kids equal happy parents. That goes double when you are traveling in the same vehicle together for long periods of time during a family road trip. When the kids are miserable, summer car trips can be unbearable for parents.
If you are trying to figure out ways to preserve your sanity on an upcoming road trip, then arm yourself with the following kid-friendly boredom busters:
BAKING SHEET BINGO
Pack a baking sheet in your vehicle and you will quickly see how versatile it can be on a long car trip. The baking sheet is multi-faceted. It can be used as a playing surface for LEGOs, cars, or dolls. It’s also a great table for drawing and spreading out snacks. If you have young children the baking sheet can be used for magnetic letters, numbers and shapes. Older children can use it to play travel bingo. Prepare equal size grids for several colors of cars or other objects that you typically see on a car ride and have your kids X out a square each time they spot one. The first one who completes his or her bingo sheet wins. Remember to make each bingo grid different so your kids can compete against each other.
TRAVEL TOTES
Have each child fill a medium-sized tote bag with some of his or her favorite books or toys (just don’t bring items that your son or daughter can’t live without if the toy were to get lost). Next, add a few gift-wrapped “surprises” to each bag before you leave on your trip. The gifts don’t have to be expensive items; trinkets you find at the dollar store will suffice. Note: The more layers of paper you wrap each item in, the longer it will take the child to unwrap it. You could also wrap toys that your child hasn’t played with in a while, but still likes. Even if your child has lost interest in the toy at home, he or she might have a change of heart on the road.
HIGHWAY SCAVENGER HUNT
Scavenger hunts are as fun to play in the car, as they are around the neighborhood. They just require you to be a bit more creative. Before you leave your home, prepare a list of things that can be easily spotted from your moving vehicle. By preparing multiple lists your kids can play against each other. Also, bring along a little prize or offer to buy the winner a treat at a rest stop, so kids have an incentive to stay in the game.
Here are some ideas that can get you started on your list:
*American Flag
*RVs
*Welcome signs
*McDonald’s
*Bridge
*Red vehicles
*Police cars
*Cars with dogs in the backseat
*Vehicles with stuffed animals on the dashboard
*Orange semis
*Swimming pools
*Vehicles towing boats
*Mountains
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