Old fashioned travel games for the car
Ok you can gives the children the ipad – a movie to watch, or a game to play on it – but maybe that would be good interspersed with a few good old fashioned games requiring no technology and bit of family communication.
Keeping bored kids busy when you are in the car
Long car journeys can be very stressful for everyone in the family. 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.
Ditch the technology
Car Journeys – a few simple games to be played which need no props.
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.
Play the “Yes No” Game. Everyone asks a question and the person who is IT can not use the words Yes or No.
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.
Travel games 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 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. Quizz books are also an ideal item for the Hanging About Bag too.
- Play Hangman
- Reading Books / Comics
- Noughts and Crosses.
Instead of the kids watching a DVD why not listen to a story instead that way it becomes a community activity that you are all participating in.
The trick is to find something that you will enjoy listening to. Things like Roald Dahl stories have wide appeal for small children, teenagers and adults of all ages.
Travel games – buy the mini travel versions of traditional board games.
The following is a good investment: Are We There Yet? Travel Game
Have a picnic. Rather than eating at expensive service stations, pack a simple picnic that the family can eat while you are on the way.
It goes without saying that the driver should not be too involved with the games or eating!
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
