6 hours in the car with kids...

[funkychunkymonkey]

Help me make it through! Im looking for some cheap or free ideas of games and things for them to do. our main problem is that there are five of us (two pooh sized people) cramming into one car. Each child will have a play tray (simlar to this, except smaller and from micheals http://image.ec21.com/image/sxj727/oimg_GC01311726_CA01326801/Wooden_Trays.jpg) so they will have there "own" space (and not be driving each other nuts). I have one of those travling magnetic games for them to play so far.

 

[nmmom95]

Travel bingo! I got it in the dollar section at Target, but you could easily make your own. You have to find things like an out-of state license plate, a billboard, a gas station, etc. My kids love it!

 

[ms_missy66]

Portable DVD player. It's a Godsend. We only use ours on long trips, so there's no begging for it to be on during trips to the grocery store, but seriously, we couldn't travel without it!

 

[justinjenn]

Our car trips always run about 12 hours with a 5 year old.. He loves his videos in the car (so does his mommy), his coloring and misc small toys. Makes for a painless trip. I usually pack a small bag of goodies for him, a few snacks, fruit, water, juice, surprise items that he can only open as we are travelling.
We also break out the "new" or new to him movies or just favorites.. Just don't forget the headphones Good luck!!!
Jenn

 

[emtmom0104]

we are packing portable games, like the nintendo ds and leapsters, travel aqua doodles, coloring pages and crayons, portable dvd player, our TAG readers. Hope this helps! Our trip is 15.5 hours.

 

[Tricia's mom]

Okat try this... You need to pack beverages anyway so why not MAKE ICE CREAM !!! Just look up the recipe online (you can do it while camping too) The kids and keep shaking and passing back the cans til the cream is made then grab some spoons and Eat.. Okay now that will take all of 15 minutes whats next ???

How about asking the same questions that you see on the theme parks community thread.

 

[lorisnuts]

Oh the license plate game is so much fun.

Just tell the kids whoever finds Alaska or Hawaii automatically wins. this will keep them busy for a while.

 

[Amyhoff]

We are bringing the DVD player. That is a must for us. I'm also bringing her aqua-doodle, some little people animals and I went to the dollar store today and bought some cute items. I got a chalk board, some markers and a sketch pad, some lacing beads and a few other small activity items. I'll give her one of the new toys when she starts to get tired of watching tv.

 

[shellytc]

Plan to take a lunch break...outside!! picnic style. pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches, fruits, etc. and bring some good play outside toys, like a ball hula hoop, jump ropes, whatever (even running races). have everyone eat, run around, get the willies out.. then back in the car with a nice video.... SNOOZE time!! if you don't like the video in the car, have a good soothing cd with you...

Shelly

 

[OhioAriel]

We have done many road trips with DS4 - longest being 15 hours or so. We always pack stickers, paper, markers and crayons. We also pack a few "special" snacks - things he really likes but doesn't get to have all the time. We bring cd's that he likes and we have sing-alongs. We also play a lot of "I spy" as well pointing out all the different signs we see. I like "Travel Bingo" and "The License Plate Game" although we haven't played as he is still a little young for anything structured. We have a portable DVD player but it is only used when it's dark out.
I also make sure to bring a new toy for him for when he's had enough - it's something new to distract him with.
Good luck with the Road Trip!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Plan to take a lunch break...outside!! picnic style. pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches, fruits, etc. and bring some good play outside toys, like a ball hula hoop, jump ropes, whatever (even running races). have everyone eat, run around, get the willies out.. then back in the car with a nice video.... SNOOZE time!! if you don't like the video in the car, have a good soothing cd with you...

Shelly

We have a child with a tiny bladder along, We stop every hour or so. Oddly enough on the wasy to macanaw there is at least 8 or 9 waysides that have beaches (THANK GOODNESS). Im hoping I can convince the rest of the clan that leaving at 4 am is a good idea. THe kids and I can stay up all night while ma and auntie sleep. That way the drivers sleep, the kids dont, and then they sleep in the car. Im the map reader so I dont get that option but I can go two days without sleep.

 

[AmandaLee]

my parents live about 8 hours away from us (through nothing but tiny towns and trees), so my son (5) has become used to long trips....we pack the portable DVD player (usually buy a few new DVD's for the trip); snacks/drinks; crayons, pencils and pads of paper; small toys (usually take a dollartree run beforehand) and then I let him pack a small bag (lunch bag size) of things he needs for the trip. He takes his pillow, blanket and usually sleeps and watches movies for most of the trip. we usually leave very early am so we toss him in the car with jammies and we drive on through. Occasionally we will drive through the night (I work evenings so we will leave when I get done with work and am wide awake)