Visiting relatives during the Christmas holiday? If you're making a road trip, make plans now to keep the kids entertained along the way. If your vehicle is equipped with a DVD player, you might stock up on some family favorites before you leave. But if it isn't, or you want something a little more fun and interactive, we've got 10 great ideas on how you can pass the time on family road trips.
1. The Alphabet Game. Pick a topic – animals, for
instance – Start with A, and let each person in turn name an animal
that begins with a letter of the alphabet. To make things more
challenging, ask each person to recite all the animals that have been
named so far, as they go along. When you reach Z, begin again with a
different topic.
2. The License Plate Game. See how many different
state license plates you can spot on your trip. Keep a list of your
sightings or before your trip, print out a map of the U.S., and check
off each state when you see a vehicle with that plate.
3. Picture it. Give each child an inexpensive
disposable camera, and allow them to take photos of anything of
interest they see along the way. After the trip, have the photos
developed and let each child create their own homemade storybook about
their travels.
4. Aluminum foil art. Take along a roll of aluminum
foil and let your kids use it to craft their own creations. They might
try making jewelry, animal sculptures, hats, cars… the possibilities
are as endless as their imaginations!
5. Travel bingo and other games. Pick up a set of
travel bingo boards at the local dollar store… the ones with the little
red windows that slide across each square as the letters and numbers
are called. Or look for other travel games with magnetic pieces that
won't get lost.
6. Counting games. Assign each member of the family
something specific to count along your route. Think cows, fire trucks,
trains, police cars, horses, American flags, etc. Tally up each
person's score at every rest stop to see who has the most points.
7. The Drawing Game. Pass around a piece of paper,
and let everyone add one line until it forms a picture. When the
picture is complete, let the kids color it in.
8. 20 Questions. In this classic game, Player 1
thinks of an object; then the other players, in turn, ask one question
at a time to try and guess what it is. But the limit is 20 questions.
If they haven't guessed by then, Player 1 wins!
9. Travel totes. This one takes a little advance
planning, but it's worth it! Pick up an inexpensive tote bag for each
child and fill it with books, crayons, coloring books, a note pad,
their favorite portable snacks and treats, and a favorite toy. Each
child having their own bag will eliminate back seat battles over whose
turn it is to use the crayons next!
10. Roadside attractions and tacky tourist traps.
Factor in a little fun along the road by stopping at one offbeat spot:
a quirky souvenir stand; a local advertising oddity like a gigantic
chicken statue, an unusual roadside museum, or maybe even a diner in
the shape of a hot dog. Even a quick pit stop in a fun spot can refresh
and revive everyone, and inspire lively conversation for the rest of
the trip.
What are some of your family's favorite road trip activities? Share them with us below.
{Thanks to iMOM for the great article}
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