ROAD TRIP

If you and your family are heading off on a roadtrip...here a few pointers that can help. I received them in an email yesterday.
Hope they help.
:)


Don't Let Boredom Strike!
Mom, I'm bored! Wah! No matter how old your children are, you'll likely to hear complaints about the length of the trip along with the most dreaded road trip question: "Are we there yet?" To keep boredom at bay, compile a list of games for your older kids to play in the car before you leave. If you have another adult in the car, assign one of you to be the social director while the other one drives. Here are some new and classic games to get you started!

* Kids will want to bring along every toy they have if given the option. Tell kids they can take along a certain number of toys, and then bring them out one at a time to "stretch" the fun.

Freelance writer Melinda Hershey

* For babies, think about play mats that attach to the back of the seat or travel mobiles. Get a mirror so baby can see you. Staring at the back of a car seat all day is no fun, even for infants. Pull out all the standard baby games: peek-a-boo, funny faces, "I've got your nose" and pretty much any other game you can think of.

* For toddlers, bring along picture books and other stimulating toys. Consider buying a few new books and bringing them out one at a time to keep kids occupied. Magnetic doodle pads and simple toys like dolls and cars are good choices. And because no mom wants to constantly pick up dropped toys, consider bringing along a baking tray for kids to use as a play surface.

* For older kids, try classic car games like the License Plate State Game, Categories, 20 Questions, and I Spy.

* Other Games: Bring a deck of cards to play easy games like Old Maid and Crazy Eights. Uno is also a really simple one to take up lots of time. Another good bet is to take along Mad Libs to concoct crazy stories and scenarios. You can also print off word searches, crosswords, coloring pages, and Sudoku puzzles.

Remember, road trips aren't just about the destination! With a little bit of planning and forethought, you can turn what might be a long journey full of extra costs and setbacks into a pleasant and memorable experience for your entire family.