So many creative ideas - I love them! On our longer trips (5+ hours) I will sometimes bring our time-timer to help give our kids (ages 7, 5, and 18 mon) something to look forward to since they don't all quite understand the concept of time yet. For example I will set it for 20 minutes and say "everyone look at their own book for 20 minutes and then we can listen to Disney music." Then when the timer beeps we can switch to the next activity. Or "In 45 minutes we can all have a Hershey's kiss!" Nothing like fun snacks and treats to help make a long road trip more enjoyable! Our kids have also LOVED listening to the Tiny Theologians Podcast (geared towards preschool-early elementary) which is an adventure story about the attributes of God. Thanks again for sharing so many great ideas!
Foster is admittedly a bad road tripper ... but he's also not quite two yet :) So far, our best tricks (other than music and kid podcasts) include playing with a fidget cube (this one: https://a.co/d/iiw4SLl) and looking at books we've made on Google Photos. He currently has three -- two with pictures of him and various family members, one with pictures of him and various dogs (ha!), and they keep him entertained for quite a while! These are super simple to make if you have a Google Photos account. We get the softcover ones, which are about $15, and I usually wait for a free shipping/promo code deal before buying. The price is a little high for the softcover quality, IMO, but he adores them.
Rule 1 with littles: NEVER STOP THE CAR!! I type that laughing as we learned that lesson while getting gas with 5 hrs left to go. My kids (4) love it when an adult is in the back and reads/ passes out snacks etc. Leaving early has helped us! I also recommend Wimmelbooks―Cars and Things That Go https://a.co/d/iMvNViz
Low expectations, always!! Has your family watched Mitchells vs The Machines? It’s about a family roadtrip and its such a good movie!
No, but adding it to the list now!
So many creative ideas - I love them! On our longer trips (5+ hours) I will sometimes bring our time-timer to help give our kids (ages 7, 5, and 18 mon) something to look forward to since they don't all quite understand the concept of time yet. For example I will set it for 20 minutes and say "everyone look at their own book for 20 minutes and then we can listen to Disney music." Then when the timer beeps we can switch to the next activity. Or "In 45 minutes we can all have a Hershey's kiss!" Nothing like fun snacks and treats to help make a long road trip more enjoyable! Our kids have also LOVED listening to the Tiny Theologians Podcast (geared towards preschool-early elementary) which is an adventure story about the attributes of God. Thanks again for sharing so many great ideas!
Such good ideas! And I have heard wonderful things about the Tiny Theologians podcast - time to check it out!
Love this and as an adult with motion sickness I appreciate that you addressed that.
Another amazing podcast to add to your list is Reading Bug Adventure. Your kids are perfect ages for it!
And author Jarrett Lerner has so many amazing free printables and learn to draw pages. https://jarrettlerner.com/activities/
Foster is admittedly a bad road tripper ... but he's also not quite two yet :) So far, our best tricks (other than music and kid podcasts) include playing with a fidget cube (this one: https://a.co/d/iiw4SLl) and looking at books we've made on Google Photos. He currently has three -- two with pictures of him and various family members, one with pictures of him and various dogs (ha!), and they keep him entertained for quite a while! These are super simple to make if you have a Google Photos account. We get the softcover ones, which are about $15, and I usually wait for a free shipping/promo code deal before buying. The price is a little high for the softcover quality, IMO, but he adores them.
Love this tip, friend!
Rule 1 with littles: NEVER STOP THE CAR!! I type that laughing as we learned that lesson while getting gas with 5 hrs left to go. My kids (4) love it when an adult is in the back and reads/ passes out snacks etc. Leaving early has helped us! I also recommend Wimmelbooks―Cars and Things That Go https://a.co/d/iMvNViz
Lots to look at and discuss.
Also...we travel with the kid toilet!
Yes!! Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go is a big favorite over here!