How to occupy the kids on a long road trip

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How to occupy the kids on a long road trip

_{Started by Sheri , author of Kidsumers} _{2/20/2012 7:38:12 AM}

When our family goes camping, we like to visit new places and they are usually at least a couple of hours away...and sometimes a lot more than that! With three young children in the vehicle, we have had to come up with some creative ways to keep them entertained on the road.

Highway Bingo - make your own bingo cards with pictures of things the kids will see on the trip, like a barn, an airplane, a horse, etc and make sure the kids are enjoying the scenery while playing bingo.
I Spy - it's an old favourite, but one my kids really enjoy.
Play the alphabet game - work with the kids to find something that starts with each letter of the alphabet, in order.
Pipe Cleaners - challenge the kids to create fun shapes or cute creations with colourful pipe cleaners.
Snacks! Food always makes my kids happy, so we bring a variety of healthy snacks and drinks.

What are your favorite car games?

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Reply by Dani

_{2/20/2012 8:23:23 AM}

I love the pipe cleaner idea...I will have to try that! We play the games you mentioned above as well as "guess the color of the next car." Obviously this works better in a rural area where you aren't in busy traffic, but everyone guesses what the color of the next car that we meet will be. It keeps the kids occupied for many miles. :)

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Reply by Dan

_{author of Dad Does} _{2/20/2012 8:42:57 AM}

Snacks - kids tend to be quiet when their mouths are full of food :)

I have a 7 and 10 year old - they have come up with a whole series of complicated license plate games. One involves trying to find a license plate from a state that does not border the state we are currently driving in. That part is fine, but then I think you flick the sibling once you find a plate. Eventually this creates trouble...so we pass them back more snacks!

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Reply by Laurie

_{author of Guessing all the Way} _{2/20/2012 10:31:20 AM}

We have never tried the pipe cleaner game or Bingo. I will definitely add those to our list. Last year we drove to Yellowstone and it was 11 hours. Our kids were 2 and 4, so we had to keep them occupied for a while. They are like their mommy and don't sleep much in the car.

Thanks for the great ideas:)

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Reply by The Happy Housewife

_{author of The Happy Housewife} _{2/21/2012 7:34:52 AM}

Have you seen the WikkiStix. They are similar to pipe cleaners and very fun for a car ride.

I also do the snack thing and books on tape. They are great for keeping the kids interested on a trip.

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Reply by Karen

_{author of FabGrandma} _{2/21/2012 10:05:17 AM}

My days of traveling with my kids are long over, but I remember what it was like trying to keep the three of them occupied. WE used to take the cards from Trivial Pursuit, and have it be just a question and answer game. Everyone in the car enjoyed it.

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Reply by Quirky Momma

_{author of quirkymomma.com} _{2/21/2012 10:27:48 AM}

We take a cross country trip once a year with the kids - we are in the car for 26 hours one way, only to get back in the car and do it all over again on the way home.

Here are my tips (some of them) for keeping my 4 preschoolers and toddlers occupied on a long road trip (and me sane). My favorite tip is the bucket pulley system. Seriously, I would not survive without it!

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Reply by Karen

_{author of FabGrandma} _{2/24/2012 2:43:42 PM}

You should patent that! It is one of the best inventions I have ever seen! think of the possibilities.....

“

Quirky Momma said ...
We take a cross country trip once a year with the kids - we are in the car for 26 hours one way, only to get back in the car and do it all over again on the way home.

Here are my tips (some of them) for keeping my 4 preschoolers and toddlers occupied on a long road trip (and me sane). My favorite tip is the bucket pulley system. Seriously, I would not survive without it!

”

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