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Getting in a car and exploring new locations can be more relaxing for parents if kids have something to do when traveling gets a bit boring for them. Parents can prepare for this situation by gathering together items and surprising them with some fun and games!
Parents know the time. It’s after the umpteenth time they have asked, ‘Are we there yet?’ or when on every turn in the road a parent hears, ‘He touched me’ or just before the parent knows the question of ‘I’m bored. Is there anything to do?’ is going to be asked. Any of these times will make the giving of a basket full of travel games and other small items the perfect time for the surprise.
Although called a ‘gift basket’, the entertaining collection doesn’t have to be placed in a ‘basket.’ A small backpack or tote can be used. This container is then re-used over and over and keeps the objects all together.
Kids will love going through the bag and discovering the new nifty things gathered. All can be inexpensively obtained. Suggestions can be snacks, candies, word games, coloring book and crayons/colored pencils, brain teaser puzzles, magazines, and so one. Most important of all for a games gift basket is the games, though.
Other than a new deck or two of standard playing cards, there are many travel sized games to choose from. The commonly played board games at home like, Connect Four, Yahtzee, Trouble, or Sorry can be found especially made for being played in the car. The car is actually the best time for these games to be played. At home, other games can be enjoyed.
Some games are created just for trips, like Scavenger Hunt or License Plate Game.
Scavenger Hunt includes 54 cards which encourage kids to locate various objects while travelling in the car. It is a perfect game for getting the kids to look out the windows and enjoy the scenery. The game also has kids use other senses. They need to listen for certain sounds or feel a bump from a pothole. It is great for the whole gang to play.
The License Plate Game by Melissa and Doug provides an easy to flip method to keep track of all license plates seen. No pieces to be lost which makes this ideal! Children will enjoy looking for the state names as cars pass by. They will learn where those states are located on the map by then marking it on the board. Wonderful game to teach but yet excitingly fun. Depending on the length of the trip, a parent could offer a ‘small prize’ once 10, 15, 20, and so on are found. This keeps kids busy and gives incentive for them to keep looking.
Other games, like Zigity or Forbidden Island, make fantastic games to take along. Both are kept securely in tin boxes so nothing can get damaged. Although, not made for playing in a car, if a rainy day or just some down time arises during the vacation, they are excellent family games to have on hand.
Travelling with games will make a trip go more smoothly. It is true, time flies when having fun. A lengthy trip will no longer be frowned upon. The frowns will be turned upside down.
Play a game today!
