Entertain the kids with family travel games
Long journeys whether they be by car, boat or plane can be very stressful for everyone in the family. But they do not have to be. With a little forward planning they can become quite a fun. A happy time – a good memory to look back on, rather than the beginning of a holiday or trip you would rather forget.
Family travel games for the car
- Count how many cars you can see of a certain colour, make or with a registration number beginning with a particular letter.
- Who can spot the most minis – and when they do shout Mini.
- Look for names of pubs and list how many different pub names you can find
Family travel games that need no props
Play the “Yes No” Game. Everyone asks a question and the person who is IT can not use the words Yes or No. When they do they are out and the next player has their turn.
Memory games. I packed my bag and in it I put….Each person packs an item and everyone has to recount the items back in order.
Who am I: One person thinks of a famous person and writes their name down to avoid possible cheating! All other family members have to try and guess who the person is. The questions they ask can only be answered by Yes, No or Don’t Know.
Car Journeys with props
Have a dedicated “car” or “hanging about bag” which you keep stocked and available to occupy the kids as and when it is needed.
It is always a good idea to have a pack of cards, crayons or pencils (felt tips can be too messy), colouring and puzzle books, and a pad of paper. Quiz books are also an ideal item for the Hanging About Bag too.
- Play Hangman
- Reading Books / Comics
- Noughts and Crosses.
- Listening to CD’s can be fun
- Card games
Group activities (less the driver)
Instead of the kids watching a DVD or playing a game on their iPad buy or hire a story tape that you can all listen to while you are driving along.
Roald Dahl stories appeal to adults and children – and that is what you should be aiming for. Not something that drives the adults in the car mad or the children are not going to enjoy.
See a selection here:
The Roald Dahl Audio Collection: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/James and the Giant Peach/Fantastic Mr. Fox/The Enormous Crocodile/The Magic Finger
Travel games – buy the mini travel versions of traditional board games.
The following is a good investment: Are We There Yet? Travel Game
Good travel games compendiums that you can keep in the car could be:
Disney Pixar Cars: Travel Mini Magic Drawing Board / Scribbler / Doodle / magnetic Board
Have a picnic during your journey
Have a picnic. If you are driving or before you fly or take the boat, pack a simple picnic that the family can eat along with drinks. It will save loads of money and keeps all the family busy at the same time.
It goes without saying that the driver should not be too involved with the games or eating!
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