how can i keep my little brother out of my hair for our drive to FL

[belle_of_the_ball]

I've got 10 days to figure out how to keep my 9yo brother out of my hair for 3 days. I figure I'd ask here b/c parents probably know how to keep their kids from killing each other when they drive long distance. We'll be driving in a '99 murcury sable (a sudan). My little brother has the attention span of a fly...probably shorter when it comes to car rides...so far we have:
-electronic chess
-gameboy and games
-cd player
but i know we're going to need more! I've only got 10 days and then im done escaping to my friends house when he gets annoying.....he likes wordsearches but the printable activities thread wouldnt leat me print . I NEED HELP!!

 

[powellrj]

if you can, see if you can round up an extra $100 for a portable DVD player. Its a life saver. He can put the headphones on and watch movies all the way there and back. We got my DD a teen teck one for christmas and its great!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

we have portable dvd (bought it for x-mas) but the life of the batery isnt very good..you get one move then you've got to charge it...funny thing its not compadable w/ a car charger!

 

[all4fun]

You should be able to buy a car charger adaptor for it. Check out Walmart in the electronics area or Radio Shack. Just make sure you know what kind of jack it has. I would just take the DVD player to the store that way you can compare.
I did a quick seach and found this one just as an example of what you want to look for: Car power and charger adaptor for portable DVD players
hth!

 

[cslittle999]

Try some of the games here http://www.momsminivan.com/.

 

[crazymomof4]

How about a new game for his gameboy?
I know my boys will play and play and play a new game, until they "beat it".
A new one would hold his interest longer than the games he already has.
You don't have to spend a fortune either. Places like Gamestop sell used games for cheap!

Does he like to read or even just look at pictures? Get a few library books that may hold his interest. If he likes sports, get him one about his favorite...football, baseball, etc. Or maybe cars or guitars, whatever he likes. Just be responsible with them bc. you will need to return them in good condition.

You can get lots of activity books that would have mazes and word searches in them at most dollar stores.

Ask your mom if it's OK to pack a "goodie bag" with his favorite snacks in it. Eating should keep him occupied for at least part of the way. Stay away from really salty stuff, though. That will make him thirsty and if he drinks a lot he'll have to pee a lot and that means more stops.

Best wishes. I can sympathize. I had a little brother too and every year we took a 12 hour drive to Ontario. Remember, we didn't have gameboys or portable cd players back then!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

yeaaaaa game stop..hes been telling me about that maybe he could use some new ones...

 

[Jomrog]

My DD9 recommends that you feed him a turkey sandwich so it will make him sleepy & he will take a nice long nap.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Get him a PSP or have your parents buy a portable DVD player. Bring books for you to read, mags and puzzles.

 

[dtsaos]

You can't! that's what little brothers do! But I guess you could always try bribery...

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

You can't! that's what little brothers do! But I guess you could always try bribery...

hahahahaha! very funny! But i do like all the ideas that ppl have given me...I've gotten a few car games, puzzles, books on CD,game boy games, and turkey! Thanks for all the help...and yes, i did bring a 5 dollar bill


looks like were good lo go!

 

[bswolffie]

you should do what my mom did for our trip...get a huge bag for him with like a bunch of games n stuff to keep him occupied...my mom put coloring books, deck a cards,disposable camera,stickers,crayons,candy,food---n all that actually worked for a day lol and i have 3 brothers and 1 sister all younger then me(im the oldest) and they are all in gradeschool..give the bag a whirl

 

[tazleiten12]

we have portable dvd (bought it for x-mas) but the life of the batery isnt very good..you get one move then you've got to charge it...funny thing its not compadable w/ a car charger!

You can get a convertor for the car, you plug it in your cigarette lighter, and it will have an outlet, so you can plug the DVD player in, just like you were at home. You could get one at Walmart, pretty cheap. Also i keep my 9 year old son busy, with paper and colored pencils, gameboy, books, card games, snacks, and a pillow and blanket to go to sleep! (That's the best time for me! )

 

[RenaissanceChef]

Or you could do what my Dad did to me....Strap him to the Roof!
Just Kiddin!!!!

 

[Yellow_Stitch]

Strap him to the roof?? That's cruel!
No, better still is a pet carrier. Make sure you get his weight and have the proper size, most likely Labrador. Just throw a peanut butter and jelly sandwich into it and when he dives in to get it, slam the door!

Just kidding, a little.

 

[scanmom]

I don't know how old you are, but maybe you could try spending some time talking and playing with him. I don't mean the WHOLE way, but you would be surprised at how far a little attention would get you. My DS is 5 yrs younger than his next oldest sibling. He is 11 and the older kids really complain about him, even when he just wants to talk to them, or play a game. If you play with him some, he will be less likely to "bug" you for the rest of the time. Try playing a card game with him. Or a "car" game. He will be happier, and so will you. And you may just find that you even enjoy spending some time with him. and you may see that even a little brother can be a fun friend!

 

[mom2cookies]

along with all the other stuff ppl have suggested i have 1 more idea. Since he probably bothers you for attention, strike a bargain with him. If he plays with the stuff and not bother you (read: lets you do your own stuff) then you will play with him ( like a travel game or road game)for a set amount of time (1/2 hour? ) every 2 or 3 hours. That way, you get to bond a bit (make mom & dad happy), he gets the attention he wants (probably gets bored w/ his own co. at times too) and you don't have to feel any guilt about telling him to leave you alone when it isn't "play" time. Also, staring at a computer screen for 99 hours ISN'T good for anyone! I have a 9 yr old son , who doesn't like to sit still either, as well as a 11,12,& 14 yr old daughters. We are driving down for the 3rd time. So we have lots of experience. btw, we haven't yet taken a gameboy or tv or anything of that sort. So, it's possible.

have a great trip and don't bother with the little things.

 

[estherhead]

We do all of the above with our kids (with the exception of the roof and dog carrier, and perhaps the turkey!) But I also recommend talking with your parents about THEM entertaining him for awhile. We play games as a family for a little while. I'm the adult and my attention span for little games is short (perhaps shorter than his) but I force myself and it always turns out to be a blast. We play Zip. When you see a group of animals you say "Zip cows!) The first person to yell gets the point. Birds don't count. Passing a cemetary makes that side of the car lose all their points. Or "Who am I" where you pick a person to be and everyone asks you yes or no questions to figure out who you are. We play the "Disney" version. You have to be someone from a Disney movie. Or the ABC game where you say "I went to the grocery store and bought apples, bananas, carrots, etc." Go around the car and each person must repeat the whole thing and add a word with the next letter.

I have a ton more. If your parents are willing...

 

[Darcy]

we have portable dvd (bought it for x-mas) but the life of the batery isnt very good..you get one move then you've got to charge it...funny thing its not compadable w/ a ...car charger!

You can a device that plugs into the lighter and gives you regular plug ins

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

well, we are leaving today and I've taken these ideas and rolled them into the car. Which when i started this i said i had a 99 sabel. Well last night we got a new car!!! (talk about cutting it close) A 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca...It rides awesome.....I'll post how it was on the trip report boards when i get back...See you all Aug 1!!!!!!