Must have items for kids

[stefplus3]

What are your must have items for your kids when traveling? We're driving from Massachusetts to Florida (over 3 days, we're not crazy enough to go right thru, lol). I've picked up a bunch of little stuff to do in the car but I feel like I'm forgetting things. I did find some awsome etch e sketch sets that come with the screen thing and a bunch of overlay games so that will be fun for the boys. Our kids are 12, 8 and 2. I've also recently bought a TON of new dvd's for the car. Ideas?

 

[AmyBWV99]

I'm sure your 2 year old has a car seat and those trays you can get from www.onestepahead.com for the car seat are awesome. It enables the youngers kids to snack, color, and play in their seat w/o someone trying to balance holding things all the time. We've driven our 2 yo twice 19 hours of driving over 2 days the first being the longest and in the first day allowed for 2-45 minute stops which seemed to work out well. Not long enough to get him thinking we were staying but long enough to brun off some steam, usually stopping aorund meal times. That way he could eat, run, load up, nap, play in the car w/o being too fussy. DVD's are a blessing too we'd hold out as long as possible but eventually they'd be coming out.

 

[bzzymom]

DVD's a good for awhile, and then the kids want to do something. I bought a disney "old witch" set of cards a few years ago at WDW and we take it on car rides. DS is almost 10 and DD is 3. They can both play it. I also have magna doodle, and view master. DD loves stickers so I buy her cheap stickers and let her put them on plain paper.

 

[tink_about_it]

We have a large van with a DVD player. We also drive the bulk through the night so they and sleep like while we You could also teach them car games to play together....http://www.activitiesforkids.com/travel/travel_games.htm and http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/mental_games/car_games.htm

 

[MNdisneymom]

...So the two year old doesn't feel left out....

How about an aquadoodle drawing toy? (Target usually has them--the smaller travel ones or the bigger ones that come with some sort of shape stamper tools.) They're really cool, not messy at all--You fill the pen with water, but it works on the mat and doesn't get everything else wet.

Also, if the bigger kids are going to be playing any hand held games...Does the little one have either a little touch leap pad or my first leap pad? Not sure how close to 3 he (or she?) is--my DS got the my first LP a couple of months before he turned 3. There is a really good Cars one for that, too.

Hope this helps....And I can commiserate about driving out of MA...I drove from MA (where my son was born) to MN (where we live now) when he was 3 months old. My, was he miserable by the second day. (You wouldn't think a tiny infant could get that crabby, would you?!?)

Have a good trip!

 

[seawitch0313]

My parents, brother and SIL, and me and the kids did a 12 hour car ride to Myrtle beach a few years back and the kids were fabulous! Other than the incessant 'How long till we get there, do your fingers!' (hold fingers up)
The dvd player was a big help and kept them occupied the most. DS 1 had his gameboy as well and DS2 colored. Neither slept a wink hardly.

Our plane ride to WDW will be much shorter in comparison, but quite different. I'm hoping gameboys and some activitiy books will be all they need for that....

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

We have always driven to FL from PA (not quite as far as you!) I purchase inexpensive puzzle books, reading books, DVDs/CDs (we have a used CD/DVD store in our area), sticker books, crayons, etc and wrap them up. Each 100 miles, the kids get another gift. This helps spread out the fun and decreases the time when we do stop for gas and potty! The kids want to get back in the car and get moving so they get another gift!! I also print out a map of the US and have the kids color the states we travel through and the license plates we see. Good geography skills!

 

[macmahony]

Okay, laugh all you want, but these are things we never leave with when we travel long car distances with my three girls (who are almost 6, 5 and 3). We bring post it notes, scotch tape, and bubble wrap! They have a ball with those three things alone (and a pen), they will spend hours sending each other notes, and popping bubbles!
Have fun! We love to drive!
Heidi

 

[PollyannaMom]

to bring -
balloons for the rest stops (take up hardly any space)
snacks!
books on tape (or CD) from the library
small figurines
a bag of pipe cleaners to twist into letters, creatures, etc.

for games -
try to find the letters of the alphabet in order - on signs, L-plates, etc.

take a blank map and color in each state as you reach it

each passenger picks a different color car, then see who finds the most (or how many running totals the non-driving adult can keep up with as the kids shout out the colors )

"pink toads" - ask any question, the next person has to answer with "pink toads" (or whatever silly phrase you have chosen), then they ask, etc. - first one to laugh loses

the Disney name game - name a Disney character or movie, next player has to name another, starting with the last letter of the previous one, etc.

 

[stefplus3]

thanks everyone!! great ideas

and MNdisneymom...I believe you that your infant was cranky...when DD (now 2) was 10 months we drove to NY and were in terrible traffic that turned a 4 1/2 hr ride into almost 8 and she was SOOOO CRANKY!!! I was seriously ready to walk the rest of the way with her. It was terrible!

 

[blessedby3]

I love the Color Wonder products. Only the color wonder markers will "color" the pages. The markers wont get on anything else. My DD has always loved markers, but they are too messy for the car. They also have the "magic marker" type books for older kids with games and puzzles.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

a pillow

maybe some bubbles for the 2 year old at rest stops

 

[squirrel]

I found a drinking cup with a straw filled with art projects at Michael's (Craft Store-not sure if it's in the USA). It is for ages 3+ and it requires no glue or tape! It was only $1.50. There were at least 4 different projects-each in a different colored cup.

The one I bought has 2 foam puppets, 3 coloring sheets with 4 crayons and stickers and a notebook.