Angie
Fletcher, Human Development Specialist,
University Outreach & Extension
All of us have heard the familiar phrase,
"Are we there yet?" from children
who are bored from sitting for what they
perceive as an endless amount of time in
a vehicle, or are so excited about their
destination they just can't wait!
Parents often overlook travel time as an
opportunity to interact with their child(ren).
What better opportunity to spend some quality
time? For most, it is a question of ideas
for what to do with their children during
drive time. Following is a list of suggested
activities for traveling with children.
(These activities should only be done with
the adult not responsible for driving.)
* Bubbles: Keep some bubbles in a non-spill
container in the car, and blow some for
baby (even the other children like this!)
when someone else is doing the driving.
This calms a baby right down. Tiny bubble
containers sold for weddings are fun too.
* Read a good picture book: Even very young
babies will respond to a good book. You
don't have to read the entire story (especially
if you yourself are prone to car sickness)
simply hearing your voice as you point to
objects in the pictures in the book will
occupy the time.
* Play classical music: Studies have indicated
that classical music may boost baby's intelligence.
* Peek-a-boo: This classic game is perfect
for the car.
* This Little Piggy: As long as you're
stuck in the car, might as well kick your
shoes off!
* Where is your nose?: An older baby can
practice learning all the parts of the body.
Ask them to show you where they are starting
with their nose. Then help them find their
head, mouth, cheek, ear, chin, hand, foot,
tummy, etc.
* Surprise packages: Prepare ahead with
paper bags of items to be given out every
25, 50 or 75 miles-marked on a map with
the location, it takes a little bit of prep
to do this but it really helps young children.
In each bag put a wrapped item-usually a
small toy. Then in some of the surprise
packages you can add juice or a snack, stickers
and a piece of paper, or something pertaining
to the trip you can talk about.
* Aluminum foil modeling: Give everyone
a sheet of aluminum foil. Have them mold
it into anything they want: animal shapes,
balls, jewelry, crowns, etc.
* Pipe cleaners: Pack a new bag of multi
colored pipe cleaners and let their imaginations
run wild!
* Cookie sheet magnet board: Use an old
cookie sheet and a collection of ABC magnets.
Children can work on putting the letters
in order or identify beginning sounds.
* Name the clouds: What do they look like?
Find as many different shapes as you can.
* Tell Jokes: Take turns telling silly
jokes. |
