Is it crazy that sometimes I enjoy planning for road trips as much as the actual road trip? I feel like it is my motherly challenge to keep my boys entertained & force them to love not only the family trip but the drive as well. So much so that when they grow up and get married that they still want to go with us sometimes. I know I am a little ahead of myself since they are only 4 & 2 but time flies & it is never to early to plan!! Even though Scotty thinks I am crazy.
Entertainment
Car Bucks? Yes Please!!!
They can be earned by being kind, content & happy.
3 car bucks = a treat
These nifty Target Dollar spot felt buckets that are hanging by yarn from their handles are where they store their hard earned car bucks. They constantly knew how many car bucks they had and how many more they needed to get 3, yes I snuck a Math lesson in there.
Their treats ranged from Halloween Bingo
Halloween scratch tablets
Traveling Coloring Books and Tracing letters tablets
These lap trays were so handy!
Car Rule: Only Educational videos (except on long road trips)
The boys chose 5 non-educational videos from the library to watch on the trip. Why 5 I do not know because they only wanted to watch 2 over & over, to say the least Scotty & I can sing the theme song to both The Avengers cartoon and Lion King.
Kase loves Scavenger hunts & the car scavenger hunt was no different. (Actually it was Bingo but we turned it into a scavenger hunt)
Are We There Yet?
I never heard this question, instead I heard "can I pull one off","can I pull one off""can I pull one off""can I pull one off?"
But it was a fun gauge at how long we had to go. Each hour we pulled a number letting them know how many hours left. Hours don't register to them so for Knox it was 4 umi-zoomie cartoons & for Kase it was 4 more Batman's.
Snacks
My kids are major snackers!! 2 lunch boxes loaded with different snacks to choose from made my kids content & they snacked as they pleased. I always try to stick some fun snacks in that they might not get often. Note to self: pack Scotty snacks next time he is as bad as the boys.
Scenery
The drive to Wisconsin was very scenic. The changing of the trees (insert Science lesson), & the coolest old barns.
When there is nothing else left to do, they always find a way to entertain themselves.
Like shoving their feet through the head rest and kicking me in the head. Which was probably the thing Knox enjoyed the most after all my planning.
So after me twisting, pulling, reaching , & getting car sick from my rear up in the air trying to pick up things they dropped. I would say these are a few things that worked 4 us.
Beautiful pictures and scenary! Very creative ideas for car trips. We have a long car trip coming up soon so I have pinned this post to go back to for inspiration and ideas. I am your newest GFC and Instagram follower! Thank you for linking up this week to my Enchanted Thursdays Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, the journey truly is the adventure isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Following ya now from the GFC hop. We're riding the wave of life at localsugarhawaii.com and I'd love for you to join us, AND... today we're hosting a team lead link up so please do come join us and grow, grow, grow with other sweet bloggers and creative souls.
xo,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com
When you think about it -- trying to keep 3-4 kids entertained in a 5X8 box for 10 hours is really a crazy concept. I think you did well. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous pics, found you via a rural Journal. I´m new in this picture linkin things...bad at technics but really exited;)
ReplyDeleteAll the best and please, you´re welcome on my side of the world if you feel so.
Lots of great ideas! We're going on a road trip from CO to CA in a little less than 3 weeks and I'm so excited to try to keep my little guy busy! I love planning things for him to do. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get the lap trays?
what a great idea with those cards!!!
ReplyDeleteand wow for the scenery! what a beautiful shots!
You are so creative! What great strategies to survive and thrive on a long trip! I see you teach first grade, I did last year but moved onto 3rd this year, such a big but fun change!
ReplyDeleteCar bucks are such a clever idea!! And your scenery pictures - WOW! GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you linked up again on Friday,
Beth =-)
Such a fun idea and your photography is beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout! Hope to see you back tonight!
ReplyDelete-Trish
great ideas. Thanks for sharing at Your Sunday Best.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas and great pictures! The "hours left to go" cards are especially clever. Thanks for sharing at Sweet Saturday, hope to see you there again soon :)
ReplyDelete