Are We There Yet?
Simply ‘The Best’ – Best Mom Wisdom
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Are We There Yet?
We have compiled a few clever road trip ideas to assist those planning long car trips during spring or summer vacation. Anyone up for a rousing game of Banana?
Road trip suggestions for keeping kids busy
Wendy M. from Cleveland asks
We’re going on a road-trip, about an 18 hour drive. This is the only part of vacation that I’m not looking forward to. I have 3 girls – ages 4, 6, and 8. Does anyone have good suggestions for keeping them busy & happy, and me sane? Thanks!
Jennifer R. from Hudson answers
There are great printable things on Momsminivan.com. We like to print a map of the route we’re taking and have the kids follow along. This gives them a sense of ‘are we there yet?’ without asking 25 times/minute.
We also like to print a list of the states, and keep track of all the different license plates we see.
We also play Banana. You shout out ‘banana’ whenever you see a yellow car. The first person to say it gets a point. No points for work-related vehicles. You can make-up other rules that make it more challenging.
Slug-bug is another good road trip game. (Keep points for the first person to spot a VW bug.)
Mcmama from New Baden answers
Movies – do you have a DVD player? If not, get one, rent one or borrow one!! Even better, get one for each girl!!!
Books – have each girl bring several of her own.
I-SPY – you can create a paper with different objects and have them find it (red car, blue truck, green sign, etc).
Crafts – string and cheerios or fruit loops – have them make necklaces.
I suggest stopping every hour or two for restroom and stretching break. Bring enough blankets and pillows for each girl. Make sure to bring Tylenol, bottled water, Band-Aids, extra brush and hair ties, as well as wet wipes!
Jen B. from Morrow answers
Go to a dollar store and buy little things you wouldn’t normally that can be played with in the car and dole them out every 2 hours or so.
Buy an inexpensive metal tray and smaller magnets for them, stock up on travel versions of games, print games from the computer, encourage naps…good luck!
Xoshoexo from Virginia Beach answers
Awesome solution for magnets – a cookie sheet! I will be using this on our trip this week!
Deb K. from Fishers answers
Small dry erase board and play ‘Hangman.’ This is something everyone can play, including mom & dad, and you don’t have to be in the back seat with them. Of course, the 8 year-old has to make sure what she picks is appropriate for even the 4 year-old to be able to guess.
Kim S. from Mason answers
There are lots of good suggestions for keeping kids busy and I have nothing to add on that end. What I do want to add is that we have gone on many long driving trips with our three kids, from the time they were babies (now they are 6, 10 and 12) and we have tried it all. The best thing has been traveling at night while they sleep. This, by far, has been the BEST. It’s a little hard the first day on mom and dad, especially if you are not visiting someone who can watch the kids while you take a nap, but it truly does make the drive MUCH easier.
Have another to add to the list? Please comment below to share your ‘keep busy in the car’ suggestions.
