Fun On The Road Have fun while you’re driving!

 

 

You see it in the movies: families taking fun trips in the car. Everyone is happy, and they all sing songs and play fun games.

 

If this isn’t the way road trips go in your family, maybe you need to get a little more creative!

 

 

How about these ideas?

 

 

• Bring a cooler packed with healthy snacks: yogurt, apples and grapes, low-fat string cheese, water, pretzels and carrot sticks.

• Pack a bag or box of car supplies. This might include paper, pencils crayons and glue stick, depending on your family’s activities.

• Color Tag Bingo: photocopy a simple map of the United States and give a copy to each passenger.

• As you spot license plates from various states, color that state on the map.

• Before the trip, create your own snack mix and fill small plastic bags with it. You might include whole grain or baked crackers, peanuts, dried banana chips, chocolate chips, dried cranberries or raisins and various types of cereal.

• Take a break: if you see a rest area, park or playground, consider stopping to run off some steam.

• Pack a roll of cheap aluminum foil. Pass out sheets of it and see what everyone comes up with! It’s better than modeling clay, and can be used to make jewelry, action figures, hats and more!

• Count something. Decide what you’ll be looking for: blue mini vans, cows or road construction projects. Everyone calls out what they see when they see it.

• Drawing boards: Etch-a-Sketch, Magna-Doodle and a pad of paper are all excellent ways to pass the time.

• Pack a metal or plastic tray (or cookie sheet). They make great lap desks and keep small items from falling down the seat cushion.

 

Need more ideas? Visit MomsMiniVan.com for car games and WeJustGotBack.com, a family travel planning site. Sesame Street Parents also has great travel ideas at SesameWorkshop.com.