This summer, we are moving and will have a long car ride. We will be driving 6 - 7 hours each day for two days. We've done long rides before so my kids are used to it. We have a tv in the car that helps keep them occupied but I'm looking for some other ideas.

Recently, my dd (almost 7...just 4 more days) has taken an interest in word searches. I've gone to ABCTeach.com and printed some wordsearches for her to do on the trip. I know ds (3.5 years) will want a booklet that mom has made too. I found some trace shapes (fish, apple, shapes) but need some other ideas. Any suggestions on what I can add to his booklet?

TIA

By Melissa on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:58 am:

Books on tape might be boring after t.v. but we really like them. Lexi is 5 and we have done all the Judy Blume Fudge books, Ramona and harriet the Spy. Fudge might keep both kids attention depending on your ds' attention span it is always hard for me to remember b/c Lexi has always been old for her age.

By Feona on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 08:13 am:

Coloring book pages. Easy Dot to Dot. Easy Mazes. Sticker books for both girls.

By Kaye on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 09:31 am:

We have always traveled alot by car. This summer we moved and the total car time was 19 hours. What I learned fast, the less stops the better, each time you stop it will take them 30 minutes or an hour to resettle. We don't have a TV, so we find other things to do. Each child packs a back pack, something to read, something to write with and on, then a couple of small toys. My daughter loves to play with her polly pockets, so she packs those. We also let her have a map so she can mark where we are going. Brain quests makes great question answer games, if you are up to doing them with her. And we let the kids pick most of the music. I am thankful we have similar taste and it isn't constant kid music! My 5 year old loves the MIB2 soundtrack and that is the worst!

By Colette on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 09:56 am:

We do the books on tape as well. The Harry Potter books are about 6 hours on tape - some longer, and they are very entertaining.

By Barbara on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:54 pm:

something that your son might find neat is lace pages

I took card stock printed simple coloring pages on them laminated them, punched holes along the shape and threw in some shoe strings....my kids played with these for hours! my kids were fine in the car what they needed was things to do during the breaks---I packed a basket of toys for rest stops...if my kids played hard during the break they were more than happy to rest quietly in the car!

I also strongly reccomend a magna doodle....I give these as presents all the time and have always pleased the receiver. Etch N Sketch is also fun but not as creative....

If you have one and your child takes a simple coloring book page and lays it on top he can trace it with a magnet and have instant pictures!