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}

Here's my lil' girl Mady who absolutely loves her PAD Oversized Zebra Blanket. This blanket is amazing and so soft, she falls asleep with it instantly. We’re also HUGE fans of your bibs! Thanks for making bedtime a pleasant time!! ~Mady, Springville, UT 

If your baby loves Patricia Ann Designs, we'd love to hear from you. Click here to submit your Baby Face!

More fun Zebra print items by Patricia Ann Designs.

Zebra Moses Basket with Hot Pink Trim

Zebra Reversible Bib with Turquoise Trim

40% off Pink & Tangerine Hibiscus Collection! Online at www.PatriciaAnnDesigns.com and in the Patricia Ann Designs Boutique Showroom in Lake Forest, CA.

Hi friends and family!! It's coupon time again! Thank you so much for your patronage! We appreciate you and your referrals so very much! We hope you are enjoying your summer and have someone special to shop for! Please use the coupon code 'TANGERINE' so you can save 40% off ANY of the items from our Pink & Tangerine Hibiscus Collection through August 31, 2009. And YES....this DOES Include Indulgence Blankets and Custom Car Seat Covers! Your wish is our command!

I know, I know...it's only July, but I came across this Homemade Holiday Gift article and I thought that it really could apply year round. I would love to receive a homemade jar of cookie mix as a housewarming gift or birthday gift. It also make a great teacher appreciation gift for when our kiddos go back to school next month! And, of course, I love that my kid's can help!

Makes: 1 mix in a jar; about 3 dozen cookies
Prep: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brownulated sugar
3/4 cup swirled chocolate chips 

Directions:
1. Have ready a clean 1-quart reusable plastic or glass canister.
2. In a medium-size bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Spoon 1 cup of the flour mixture into a second bowl and add cocoa powder and cinnamon. Whisk to mix thoroughly.
3. Begin packing jar for gift: Spoon about half the flour mixture into bottom of jar. Use a small spice jar to lightly compress. Spoon in half the cocoa mixture; compress. Spoon in remaining flour mixture and cocoa mixture, compressing each layer.
4. Top second cocoa layer with granulated sugar and brownulated sugar, compressing each slightly. Pour chips over sugar and seal jar.
5. Write baking instructions on a tag (or print out); secure to jar with ribbon. Baking Instructions: In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) melted and cooled unsalted butter with 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in contents of jar. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 13 to 14 minutes. Cool on sheets for 1 minute; transfer to rack. Note: Brownulated sugar can be found in your grocery store's baking section.

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At Two Flowers One Bear we bring children’s imaginations to life with them wearing hats, jackets and booties in their favorite animal silhouettes.  Whether it be Puppy, Kitty, Bear or Bunny ears, they are sure to have fun.  You’ll love how cute they look, too!

Our stroller/car seat blankets have openings under the “belly button” flap which work effectively with 3 and 5 point harness systems to keep blankets where they belong:  on children’s laps.  And our uniquely tapered shape keeps blankets off of strollers’ wheels.  A true "Security" Blanket!

We also offer our blanket, hat, and booties in sets. They are packaged to look like stuffed animals. The perfect gift…  for any occasion. Our cozy, comfy clothes and accessories come in a choice of plush machine-washable fabrics; quality made in the USA.

For more information on Two Flowers One Bear click here

ZOOCCHINI is a growing lifestyle brand that offers quality products, competitively priced, all with our signature designs. Look for our new 5 piece melamine dinner sets and our 3' x 5' vibrant area rugs which make the perfect addition to playrooms, bedrooms... any room!. And of course our ZOOCCHINI friends are perfect companions for little ones. From our adorable plush animals in decorative buckets to our roomy and super soft hooded towels. We offer several styles to choose from, all with friendly faces and great quality!

For more information on ZOOCCHINI click here

Beautiful things handmade for your lil princess. Our unique designs will have her in the spotlight. Dress your lil princess from head to toe with our collection of original designs.

We have put a new twist on the traditional tutu, with the creation of our signature tutu petticoat skirts and ruffle skirts. Complete the look with a halter top and a cute pair of lil rufflies. Turn heads with our line of chic boutique dresses. All our designs can be made is size newborn up to size 8.

If you don't see it, but can dream, then we can create it! We deliver perfection in all our designs and will work with you to create your custom creation.

For more information on Lil' White Rose click here

Baby U R Precious (BURP) is a family owned and operated company that specializes in organic bamboo velour baby products. They offer “Bamboo-Licious” products like reversible baby and toddler bibs, hooded toddler and baby towels, washcloths and blankies. All products are certified organic bamboo velour and are made in Orange County, CA. BURP gives back to the community by donating 10% of each purchase to Casa Teresa an organization that takes in homeless pregnant women in Orange, CA.

 

For more information on Baby U R Precious click here

San Francisco's ABC Morning Show, "The View from the Bay" featured Patricia Ann Designs' Giraffe Indulgence Blanket on their segment "Celebrity Fashion Trends for Kids." Gwen Stefani, Heidi Klum, Denise Richards, Jerry O'Connell and many other celebrities have been seen around town with their children and their Patricia Ann Designs products.