Summer means it's time for a break from the daily routine. Whether that means travelling or enjoying a "stay-cation", we all deserve it. This year, I am driving 18 hours to spend a couple weeks with family. You read that right, 18 hours with my 6 and 2 year old, in a sedan. (Let's just say that not all ROCKSTARS are comfortable jet-setting!)
Being the list-maker, planner, ROCKSTAR that I am; I have scoured the internet looking for fun ways to keep my children entertained (and my sanity in tact)! Not the normal : DVD player, crayons, hand-held game system, or MP3 player. Afterall, if the trip is longer than an hour, my car is usually packed with any combination of these. I wanted something new (at least, new to me...)
I learned a few tricks that I think will work and have some hits of my own that I will share. I also came across some wonderful sites:
Before you go: Prepare your kids for the length of trip. Let them know you will be travelling during the night. Talk about some of the things they will see and the games you will play. Let them pick out some of their favorite things. I have a bag for each of my kids and they are limited to what they can fit in the bag. Remind them about safety and strangers.
Here are some of the fun games I'm going to try:
1. Colorforms. Kids can create pictures on their side windows. Amazon offers several sets, including a road trip one that looks really cute. The price ranges from $3-$10.
2. Travel Bingo. Momsminivan.com offers a couple free printables. Or, make your own using the spreadsheet program on your computer. Just make your columns, insert clip-art of the items you want to find and print it out. (Just remember: each player's card must vary slightly, otherwise, everyone in your car will hit "BINGO" at the same time!) Laminate the cards and pack some dry erase markers, so the cards can be re-used.
3. Brown Bag Puppets. I like this because, it has many uses. The bags can be folded flat for storage and are cheap. Your child can decorate the bag, create a story, and make as many as they want! In a pinch, the bag can be used if your child gets carsick, for a trash sack, and they are completely recycleable.
4. Word Play. Have your child write down words that they see (on billboards, semi-trucks, signs, etc.) Once they get a certain amount, have your child write/ recite a story using all the words.
5. Scavenger Hunt. Create a list before you leave of items you think you will see along your journey. If you have an older child, challenge them to get a photo of each item. Whoever completes their list first wins!
6. Give them a map. I found a great one from Rand McNally that lists fun things to do along the way, too. I'm a huge supporter of taking quality stops with my kids while on a long trip, so this helps both of us!
7. Treasure Bottle. You will have to do some planning for this one. Use a bottle with a lid (i.e. 2 liter bottle or water bottle) Fill it 2/3 with rice. Add small treasures from your house (legos, paper clips, pennies, bolts, Polly Pocket stuff, Barbie shoes, etc.) Keep count and a list of the items you place in the bottle. Secure the lid (I suggest using duct tape. I don't know about you, but I'm not up for cleaning cups of rice from my car.) The child rolls the bottle around until they have located all of the items in the bottle.
8. Blow Bubbles. Yep. Take a small bottle of bubbles and have your co-pilot blow bubbles back to your kids, so they can pop them. Get creative and see if you can blow bubbles using your A/C vent. If you're up to it, get a couple of those "no-spill" (aka it'll slow it, but my kid ALWAYS finds a way to spill) bubble containers and let your kids have at it.
9. Lid Battleship. It's inevitable that you will stop at a drive thru the way to your destination. Have the players punch rootbeer, diet, cola, other. The players take turns guessing someone's "battleship". The last person with their "battleship" undiscovered wins. Pop them back up and play again!
10. Secret Prizes. What fun are games without prizes? Head to your local dollar store and pick up a variety of toys. Don't tell your kiddos. Wrap them up and hide them in your glove box and present the winner of each game with a new trinket. Or, place them in a dark bag and let the winner choose; but, no peeking!
Don't forget the fail-safe games we used to play as kids, like: I spy, Racecar, Guess Who, the License Plate game, and the various alphabet word/name games. It's also good to pack a pillow, favorite toy, stickers, and some books. If you are able, purchase a couple of new books or check some out at your local library, so they are fresh and exciting for your child. My girls can spend hours playing with magnetic story books.
Be prepared. I always have:
- Disinfectant wipes and papertowels: Readily available
- Windex and extra paper towels: In the trunk.
- Bottled water: Several years ago my oldest child got car sick and I happened to have bottled water in the truck to refill the cooler. It was warm because it had been in the trunk for several hundred miles in the southern heat. My child received a nice, warm bath on the side of the road and was good as new.
- A bag for trash. Keeping your vehicle as orderly and clean as possilbe WILL help. I usually use some old grocery bags or retail bags. You can also designate a side pocket, just line it with a bag or some paper towel to make clean up easier.
First Aid Kit
Emergency Roadside Kit
Blanket and Pillow
As a mother, I learned quickly to never travel anywhere without snacks, and a roadtrip is definitely no exception. The quality of your snacks should not suffer because you are on vacation. (Don't get me wrong, I am certainly more forgiving with my children, but you don't have to sacrifice everything!) Ironically, I recieved my monthly Health magazine that had a very good article entitled "Road Trip! Eat Healthy-Anywhere!" It listed some of the best (and next best) items you can purchase at the gas station, rest stop, fast food, diner, or pizza/mexican/sandwich chain. It also gave some helpful hints to packing your snacks. Here's a summary:
In the cooler: water, baby carrots, high-fiber, low-cal fruits (think grapes, apples, blueberries), low fat cheese sticks, single-serving hummus, and drinkable yogurt.
Outside the cooler: bananas, trial mix (make your own), granola bars, 100-cal packs of crackers (so, you aren't downing the entire bag of cheese-it's while concentrating on your driving!), and single serve boxes of cereal (grab some from the hotel breakfast).
There are healthy options to satisfy both your sweet and crunch cravings. Also, try not to pack anything requiring utensils or a lot of napkins (hence the drinkable yogurt). This only adds to the list of things to remember and let's face it...your car's square footage seems to decrease with every mile during a road trip.
I would suggest packing snacks in single-serve baggies. You can pass it back to your kids easily and you aren't left wondering where you are going to store that jumbo size bag. It also helps with portion control. Remember, you can always restock your cooler. If you have room, you may consider keeping a larger cooler in the back to replenish a smaller cooler in the passenger compartment.
If you are planning on staying at a hotel, there will be either a microwave in your room or you are sure to find one in the lobby. Pack a couple bags of popcorn, some easy-mac for the kids, or a low-sodium soup to help cut costs. These will be more filling and healthier than a fatty candy bar, bag of chips, or sugary soda from the snack machine. Especially, if you are rolling into the hotel at an odd hour.
TRAVELLING TRAIL MIX
• Dried fruit: raisins, dried apricots, date nuggets, banana chips, apple chips, dried papaya, dried cranberries, dried cherries.
• Nuts and seeds: peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios, cashews
• Sweet: M&Ms, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, carob chips, dried coconut, gummy bears
• Salty: Pretzels, sesame sticks, oriental rice crackers, salty "party mix" cereal, rye disks,
• Cereals: Any breakfast cereal, granola.
-Mix equal portions of desired ingredients and store in an air tight container or storage bag.
I hope you all have safe and happy travels! ROCK ON!
Posts
I know...this is my second post on S'mores; but, in my defense, it is campfire season. I'll keep this short and sweet...very sweet. I found these ROCKSTAR marshmallows while shopping for things to take on our road trip and I HAD to buy them! They are huge! Each marshmallow is about twice the size of your normal marshmallow.... Hello, ROCKSTAR! 
