I am trying to come up with gift ideas for my niece and nephew to open in the car as they enter a new state; they are moving from Ohio to Colorado and aren't particularly happy about it. They will be leaving from Ohio, then through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and into Colorado. For example, as they enter Colorado, I thought of rock candy, a rock climbing book for kids and I have some Colorado crossword puzzles and word finds that I pulled off the state website. For the other states, I am kind of at a loss other than corn pops or some other corn-themed food. :) My nephew is 11 and my niece is 9. Any thoughts?? Thanks so much!
Indiana - Indy 500 (something with a race car theme); Home of University of Notre Dame all kinds of great things oter than corn
Illinois - Land of Lincoln (could do something really cool with pennies)
Nebraska - Beef State
Cornhusker State
Tree Planter's State
That is super cute! I like the Lincoln ideas for Illinois for sure, lots to do there! Nebraska is more of the corn state for sure, Cornhuskers and all, so you could do Corn Nuts (snack) and maybe some popcorn, maybe the good flavored stuff! I would look up the state websites as someone else suggested and get ideas from their state flowers, crops, etc. The idea of printing off word finds and crosswords is great too! You're a fabulous Auntie! ;) Hope they enjoy their new home!
I don't really have any ideas. I just want to say that you are so sweet to be doing this. 11 and 9 are tough ages to be uprooting and moving from friends, school, etc.
They are blessed with a very thoughtful aunt.
well ohio is the buckeye state so maybe a buckeye for good luck. (don't have a clue what to tell you about indiana lol. But Illinois is the land of lincoln so maybe a roll of pennies, again a blank on iowa nebraska is the corn huskers your thoughts on corn pops is good. and colorado is
What a great idea! I can't think of anything specific, but maybe look up the states and their state flowers, nicknames, etc and it may help come up with some ideas. Here is a website that has the info for Illinois and a second one with facts about the state. Maybe they will help with inspiration. It does say the world largest's cookie and cracker factory is there if you are looking for a snack for each state. You might be able to come up with a scavenger hunt for them to do as they drive too, certain things they may have to see in more than one state or in a particular state as they drive.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/illinois/
http://www.50states.com/facts/illinois.htm
Good luck and have fun. I hope once they get there they will be happy and enjoy their new state, I know it is hard leaving friends and what you know behind.
Illinois is the Land of Lincoln. you could do something with pennies or $5 dollar bills.
KIX is a corn cereal, maybe the little boxes.
A deck of cards with something that shows the state.
Chicago Bears or Cubs pencils, or Indiana Colts, or Denver Broncos or all three NFL teams, is there one from OH you could put one in each states' gift box. Bengals?
Maybe find music from the particular state, like a Chicago CD. John Denver for CO.
I love this idea.
What a wonderful idea! That's such a hard age to be moving so far away, and I think it's great that you're helping out.
One of the things that came to mind for me for Indiana was basketball (think the movie "Hoosiers"). Maybe one of those tiny Nerf basketballs that comes with the hoop?
I love everyone elses's ideas as well.
For Illinois, maybe something to do with Abe Lincoln. Maybe something to do with the Quad Cities for Iowa.
Just a few facts to play with...
Moline, Illinois, which is on the IA/IL border off of I80, is the headquarters for John Deere tractors. Wrigley gum started in Chicago. Des Plaines, IL is the home of the first McDonalds.
Indiana has Indy cars, basketball, Santa Claus, Indiana which I thought received the most letters for St. Nick.
Iowa was the home of John Wayne and Ashton Kutcher....don't know how that will translate.
Indiana ia awesome as a neighbor to us you should know that (haha j/k) I am not sure about gifts but I can give you some indiana facts that might help....ummm indiana is the boyhood home of lincoln, it is the home of john cooger mellancamp, and the worlds largest rocking chair(big john) the Indy 500 racetrack, ummm batesville in where I grew up is the casket capital of the world,(ok not a great gift idea but true) and metamore IN has been on the history chanel because of their old mill, and greensburg in has a historic tree that grows of the roof of the courthouse, our highest point is a corn field.
Im familiar with Indiana (I grew up there). We're big on sports (esp. football and basketball). The Colts is our football team and the Pacers is basketball. We also have some beautiful state parks (Eagle Creek, Turkey Run) they may drive by. They say "there's more than corn in Indiana" but you'll be hard pressed to find it! :)
This is a great idea! It's ironic (for me) because a few years ago, my husband and I picked up from Cincinnati area and moved to Colorado! We have since come back to the area (actually SE Indiana) but loved it in CO! We made the round trip drive two times so 1200 miles four seperate times. Indiana is great for corn ideas and wind turbines. I don't know much about Illinois. However, Iowa is home to the U.S.'s largest truck stop. So maybe matchbox trucks? Nebraska (no offense to those that live there & love it) BOOOOOOOOOOORING!!!!!!! Unless you want to give the gift of a tornado I would give something to occupy the brain. Nebraska will take up almost half of the trip alone. It's FLAT, STRAIGHT and MIND-NUMBING! So maybe books that take place in Nebraska that they can read. Books on CD are great for long travels. You have great ideas already for Colorado. It's a beautiful state & I miss it very much. :) Enjoy buying the trinkets! Maybe get them each a disposable camera so they can take their own pictures along the way...
**Adding on: I almost forgot about the Mississippi River! They will cross it from Illinois to Iowa. US's largest river...
