Suitcase? Check. Directions? Got 'em. Antsy preschooler? Yep, got that one, too!
Kay is not one of those kids who can quietly gaze at the clouds as we drive along. She likes to move and sitting in a car for more than 10 minutes is probably her idea of punishment. But we have found some ideas that work, even for her, and some other mom bloggers have added their suggestions as well.
Things to do...
Magnets. Can't play magnets in the car, you say? Well, did you know that cookie sheets are magnetic. It's as if they were made for travel busy trays. Add some magnets to the back of craft sticks, pom poms, puzzle pieces, tangrams, or use store-bought magnets (people, scenes and animals are great for pretend play!) and let your child's imagination go wild.
I-spy bag or bottle - easy to make, these will take up at least 10 minutes. (Hey, we take what we can get!)
Gel stickers make great window art from the backseat. (Or, if you're feeling daring, you can give the kids chalk markers to write on the windows!)
I-spy bag or bottle - easy to make, these will take up at least 10 minutes. (Hey, we take what we can get!)
Gel stickers make great window art from the backseat. (Or, if you're feeling daring, you can give the kids chalk markers to write on the windows!)
Give them a mirror to make faces into. You'll be surprised how long that can entertain toddlers and preschoolers! When that gets boring, pass over a few dry-erase markers to write on it with.
Have a creative streak? Check out some of these portable travel kits that your kids will love! (They'll be asking for them when you get back home too!)
These storytelling cubes from Frog in a Pocket are a great idea, for a road trip or anytime, really.
Have a creative streak? Check out some of these portable travel kits that your kids will love! (They'll be asking for them when you get back home too!)
These storytelling cubes from Frog in a Pocket are a great idea, for a road trip or anytime, really.
A dry erase board can offer endless opportunities for drawing, writing, and then erasing it and doing it all over again. (Don't like the marker stains? Use any washable marker instead!)
We made up a travel binder with drawing prompts, letters to trace, and blank paper for free-drawing.
Stickers - especially ones that they can make scenes or stories with. Would be a great addition to the travel binder.
Mini felt board - these are actually really easy to make and will keep kids busy for awhile, especially if it's a new idea to them or they haven't played with one in awhile!
We made up a travel binder with drawing prompts, letters to trace, and blank paper for free-drawing.
Stickers - especially ones that they can make scenes or stories with. Would be a great addition to the travel binder.
Mini felt board - these are actually really easy to make and will keep kids busy for awhile, especially if it's a new idea to them or they haven't played with one in awhile!
Wikki Stix (affiliate link) - these things are awesome! And being non-messy makes them perfect for the car.
Tablets/DVDs - Yes, too much screen time isn't good for kids. But desperate times... I like to bring the tablet for when we're really in need of a bit of quiet time or Kay starts to get really antsy.
Katie from Pick Any Two suggests buying some small (cheap) toys (like sticker books, coloring books, figurines, etc.) and wrapping them up. Then when they start to get restless they can pick one "gift" from the bag to open and use. (Dollar stores are a great place to get things to wrap!)
Katie from Pick Any Two suggests buying some small (cheap) toys (like sticker books, coloring books, figurines, etc.) and wrapping them up. Then when they start to get restless they can pick one "gift" from the bag to open and use. (Dollar stores are a great place to get things to wrap!)
Keep in mind...
Snacks - Nothing makes kids crankier than hunger. Keep serving-sized bags of snacks and drinks in an accessible spot - you'll need them!
You can also make up a baggie with pipe cleaners and a cereal like Cheerios for kids to make bracelets with. Making them is half the fun (eating them is the other half, of course!)
MamaSmiles suggests bringing a pillow, blanket and one comfort item per child. This is great especially on long trips, or if you're hoping they'll sleep for at least some of the drive (and I know I always hope for that!)
Don't forget a little potty...for those emergency situations. Preschoolers haven't been potty-trained long enough to be able to "hold it" for long stretches. (BP Photo Art)
When possible, make frequent stops. Get out, run around, walk around a store, do jumping jacks - anything to get rid of some of the pent-up energy from sitting for so long. (Psst...good for the grown-ups too!)
You can also make up a baggie with pipe cleaners and a cereal like Cheerios for kids to make bracelets with. Making them is half the fun (eating them is the other half, of course!)
MamaSmiles suggests bringing a pillow, blanket and one comfort item per child. This is great especially on long trips, or if you're hoping they'll sleep for at least some of the drive (and I know I always hope for that!)
Don't forget a little potty...for those emergency situations. Preschoolers haven't been potty-trained long enough to be able to "hold it" for long stretches. (BP Photo Art)
When possible, make frequent stops. Get out, run around, walk around a store, do jumping jacks - anything to get rid of some of the pent-up energy from sitting for so long. (Psst...good for the grown-ups too!)
What's Up Fagans? has some great travel ideas, including easy games that are just right for in the car. As she says, "Really, with young kids, you can just point out object you pass, play games where you look for certain colored cars/trucks, stick your hands up in the air when you go over bridges, hold your breath past graveyards, and any number of made-up on-the-spot silly games. Kids are great in that a challenge or something silly can easily entertain them." She recommends the car alphabet game, or such classics as I spy or 20 questions.
BP Photo Art has an *amazing* collection of road trip games and activities you'll want to keep handy.
BP Photo Art has an *amazing* collection of road trip games and activities you'll want to keep handy.
Also check out the new book, On-the-Go Fun for Kids! (affiliate link) which is filled with easy travel games that require few or no materials to play.
Looking for even more? Count of Kids Activities Blog to have a bonanza of idea!
What is your best tip for surviving a road trip with preschoolers?
