It’s summer and you are bound to take some trips this summer that involve a long car drive. (Or at least to the kids it’s a long drive!) Of course they can be entertained with their ipads and phones but there are some screen free options that are just as good. They have the added benefit of encouraging interactions and fun family memories which is probably part of why you are going on the trip in the first place!
SING SONGS
This could mean belting out current pop songs or singing nursery rhymes like the Wheels on the Bus. But when done together, it’s fun, helps the miles slide by, and singing to good songs is what a road trip is all about! (Blow their minds and try singing the Alphabet song BACKWARDS starting with Z but using the same normal tune.)
PLAY WORD GAMES
This is entertaining, challenging and, do I dare say it when it’s summer vacation,…. Educational.
- I Love My Love - to play this game everyone gets a turn to describe their “love” and does whatever letter of the alphabet is next.
Player #1: I love my love with an A because she is so Adorable. Her name is Abigail and she eats Asparagus. She lives in Alabama. Her favorite color is Aqua and her favorite animal is an Anteater.
Player #2: I love my love with a B because he is so Brilliant. His name is Bobby and he eats Broccoli…….
- Game Inspired by Scategories
If you’ve ever played Scategories, you will see this is a simplified version of that game. To play one person chooses an interesting category. This can really be anything but some kid friendly ideas are
- Things That Are Round/Sticky/Can Fly
- Animals That Live in the Ocean/Forest/Jungle
- Things That Go in the Fridge/Garage/Camper
With the category selected, everyone gets a turn to say something that falls into that category. (Example - Things That Are Round: tires, soccer balls, cherry tomatoes, buttons, the moon, pearls…) Keep giving everyone turns in order until someone can’t think of an idea that meets the category description. That means they are out. If there are many players, keep going and eliminating people until there's a winner. If it's just 2 or 3 of you, then select a new category and begin anew.
SCAVENGER HUNTS
Kids usually really like hunts, be they for eggs in the spring or any of the ideas below.
- There’s the classic Alphabet Game. As you travel, see who can find a printed letter of the alphabet on a sign or license plate, in alphabetical order, and get to the letter Z first!
- License Plates - Sometimes, if you are on a long drive across states, you can ask your children to look for out of state license plates and have someone keep track of the ones that have been seen. By the time you get back home, who spotted the most? Maybe they deserve a prize for being so observant!
- DIY Scavenger List - This involves a little work before the trip to put it together but it’s a good trick to pull out of your glove compartment once everyone has settled into the drive. Before the trip occurs, make a list, chart, or print out of things the kids can look for as you are traveling. It can be one piece of paper for each kid or be a team effort. You can also cut the paper into pieces and staple them together to make a little “book”. List things like Train,, Helicopter, Purple Car, Deer, Fire Truck, Yellow Flowers, Tow Truck, McDonalds…
If you know that there will be certain specific sights along the way, include them (for example, by Palm Springs there is a big fake dinosaur and there are the big wind farm pinwheels). For younger children, do pictures and choose easy to spot things, for older kids who can read, use words and you can make the items on the list more difficult to spot. They now have their own personal scavenger list and can have the satisfaction of checking things off as the trip progresses. A treat for when all items are found is often a good idea.
TALK!!!
In a world where we are so often in our own little worlds, rooms, and spaces, the art of conversation can be overlooked. But car rides can sometimes be the perfect space to practice the skill of friendly conversations. Here are some conversation starters
- Have your children think about a “best” book they read and have them tell you the story. Then, ask questions. Who, what, where, why, when. Maybe you remember a favorite book from your childhood you can describe to them.
- Older kids can discuss a news event they read about or heard about. Have them share their reaction, thoughts, and ask questions.
- Make up a story together.
- Have everyone in the car describe a happy or fun memory they have.
- If they could go back in time, when and where would everyone go? Why?
- Something from this past school year that they are proud of doing or learning.
These conversations while you are all together in the car with your family help you learn more about your children and how they process information. It gives you an opportunity to help them understand literature, events, even life. Try it!
May your family trip be a safe and enjoyable one!
This article was crafted for you by your MacaroniKID publisher working with Dr. J who has a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Arizona. The inspiration is to help YOU become the best parent you can be!
