Making the Children Comfotable - Page 2

**Crafty Amanda** · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2002, 05:12 AM

There are lots of great things you can take in the car for the kids. Snacks, hand held games, cards, like someone else mentioned: Magna Doodle, crayons and coloring books, etc, etc.

MY tip is not to give them their crayons etc right away. Let them ride for a while first! I've found that if I give my kids things to do too soon they get bored with all their stuff, totally defeating the purpose!

marygoround · #12 (**permalink**) 02-28-2002, 03:48 AM

We let each child bring a pillow and small fleece cover.

The best travel toy I've found (for hours of play) is a big pack of multi colored pipe cleaners.

I like to pack snacks in film canisters and every 60 to 100 miles we'll toss them out for a break.

2 wk. long spring break trips south call for colored chalk. They use on the sidewalks, driveways, and even poolside at the hotel.

On a trip to Canada we got a small tv with video player. It was great! The following year we got 3 headphones and a 3-way spliter - it was better!

Personal cd/cassette players with headphones. Music and books on tape are good.

I love crafts, so art supplies are good: colored pencils, glue sticks, construction paper, blunt scissors, maze books etc.

Shawn · #13 (**permalink**) 02-28-2002, 03:52 AM

Wow, I love the film canister idea and tossing it back to them.. how cool!

Pipe cleaners, never thought of that, great idea, thanks.

marygoround · #14 (**permalink**) 02-28-2002, 04:11 AM

When flying with a child I stuffed a fanny pack with all the small sized entertainment.
A teeny bottle of bubbles, tiny sized pla-doh,film canisters of m&m,and one goldfish crackers, sm. colored pencils, dover sticker book, stencil book, pad of paper, sm. colored post it notes, blunt scissors, glue stick, 1" music box button, ring pop sucker, gum, mini legos, tiny etch a scetch,etc. :p

marygoround · #15 (**permalink**) 02-28-2002, 04:16 AM

I bring along a pack of long lasting chewy candy like tootsie rolls and bit o honey.

Then when dad and I need a quiet break we run a contest. " See who can be quiet the longest"
This has been successful up to 15 min. or so!
Then we toss out tootsie rolls. Usually everyone gets one and the winner gets an extra.

If the requests for more come too frequently, we attach a mile marker or pit stop counter to them.

Shawn · #16 (**permalink**) 02-28-2002, 04:21 AM

LOL, That who can keep quiet the longest thing just does not cut the mustard here..

My husband and daughter can't shut up! LOL