I just traveled from Tenn to Colorado with a 6 yr old dd... I was prepared! The first thing with traveling I would recommend would be a plug into-lighter fridge, it cost about $89 but it is well worth it and it can be used within a home as well. The one from Igloo is the best...nothing stops the complaining like a cool drink, yogurt/ pudding, I even had milk in there! It saved money because I didn't have to buy anything on the road, we had cereal and milk for breakfast, cream cheese and bagel, sandwiches, drinks, everything... and with plastic disposable bowls, spoons and plates from the dollar store, we were set!
As far as entertainment of kids went, Well, I bought a big basket and filled it with her own books and dolls, other toys, and coloring books/crayons. I didn't buy anything new, just recycled what she already had. She bought one doll with her own money. I even had more toys hidden under the seat. I had my daughter's favorite blanket and pillow so she could stretch out. I had a portable t.v. that could be plugged into the lighter, but believe it or not we never used it. We kept the radio going as much as possible and we talked. It helped also I think that we traveled with our cat in a cat carrier and she was amused with her at times. Between my daughter sleeping, eating and playing, I don't think we had any problems with asking how far, how long. We stopped at hotels at night and rested up. I think making it comfortable for my dd, like her own little 'room' within the car made it easier for her to accept the long hours of travel.
We do some of those things too! Got a tv/vcr combo to plug into the lighter and each kid picks a movie from the library to watch. Don't have the plug in cooler but do travel with a med size reg. cooler to fill with food etc. We freeze water bottles to keep the other food cold then when they thaw we can drink them. Most of our trips aren't more than 6-8 hours so it works better that way for us.
Have some travel games: yahtzee, guess who, license plate game etc. that even dd 3yo can "play".
Got an idea from a friend that I'm going to try in a couple weeks. Wrap several small things ranging from toys to food each in tin foil. Can be stuff you already have or new. This way kids never know what they are getting. Every 30 miles, 30 min or whatever (you decide) they reach into the goody suprise bag and get something else. Have them try to guess what it is before opening. Can save up the foil to make animals, bracelets etc. if they want too. Kids can count mile markers or keep a watch on the clock to see when they get the next goody. I bought small non-refrig. lunchables (on sale) and plan to wrap them up as a special treat too!
We're planning a roadtrip over Christmas Break with three kids 12-14 years old. The first day of the trip, we are giving them each a new CD player with headset and rechargeable batteries!
We have lots of other fun stuff planned for the trip, like books on tape, movies, snacks, games, cards, etc. but with kids this age, I think this will be the biggest hit (even with us parents).
Books on tape are a lot of fun, but so is just reading with your kids in the car, if you can find a book that everyone will enjoy (Harry Potter, maybe?)
Having snacks available is good for young and old, and so is taking lots of breaks. If you don't rush you can see a lot of interesting things and you'll all feel less tired when you get to where you're going.
Isn't it great to get to relive those books through your kids? And so much better than just watching the movies. It's more interactive just listening to the story.
Location: living where the air is pure in the mountains
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Haley's grandmom
When our daughter was young I would make up a box of different things to entertain her, but, she was never allowed to see what I put in until we were on the road. I wouold put in small treats of crackers, gum, m and m's etc. Plus different small games ,crayons ,pencils pens, paper, coloring books, tapes and games that she and I would play together while her father was driving. She always looked forward to our trips cause she never knew what was going to be in those boxes. She is the mother of one now and says that she is going ot do the same thing with her daughter.
Friends of ours bought each of their girls a portable dvd player with cordless headfones. Smart move on their part. they are stocking up on batteries and dvd's for a trip to Orlando.
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