Car Travel Games

So I just found a wonderful website about traveling by car with children. I will link to them at the bottom of the post but I am going to share some of the idea's they have that I really like and can't wait to use when my daughter gets older.

• Give your child(ren) a daily allowance. Tell them that it is for snacks, souveniors, etc. Let them know that when they have spent it all that that is it. You can help teach them how to budget their money this way.
• Let your child(ren) have a map. This way you can show them how far you have come and how much farther you have to go. You can let them mark it up with crayons.(check out more under this topic at the site if you have a child who can read, it has a WONDERFUL idea in it).
• The License Plate Game. For older kids you can play this game. You go and print out a map of the US and as you see a plate from a state you color that state in with Crayons.
• Virtual Hide & Seek. Imagine somewhere in your house that you want to hide and have everyone else try to guess. You can be any size so you could even hide in your silverware drawer or in your toilet.
• Counting Cows. Count cows as you pass them, but be fast if you go by a field full of them. If you pass by a cemetery you lose all of your cows, but only if someone from the opposing team yells your "your cows are buried!" Check out this idea on the site for more information about it.
• Scavenger Hunt. Make up a list of things for your child(ren) to find while driving. You can make the list ahead of time and adjust it for your scenery.
• Treasure Bottle. Use a large soda bottle or a large clean peanut butter jar. Fill it no more than 2/3 full with uncooked rice or birdseed. Then put in about 20-25 small objects (safety pin, plastic bugs, button, M&M, nut, bolt, paper clip, penny, bead, piece of macaroni, tiny lego, and other misc. toy pieces or stuff that is probably rolling around in your kitchen junk drawer.) Keep a count of the items and write down the number of items on the outside of the bottle. Put the lid on tight (super-glue it if necessary). Let the kids take turns rolling the bottle around in their hands until they find them all. Kids of all ages love this game. You can make more than one treasure bottle so kids don't have to take turns - put different items in different bottles.(yes I did copy and past this one due to the fact that I didn't want to try to explain it in my own words.)

Here are some idea's for Traveling for with a baby:

• Bubbles. Bring some bubbles in a non-spill container and when someone else is driving you can blow bubbles to keep baby happy.
• Play Classical Music. Classical music can be very calming and keep your baby calm during your trip.
• Peek-a-boo.
• This little piggy.
• Baby Music/Mother's Heart beat on CD.
• Car Seat Links(Toys)
• Baby Mirror.
• Puppets.

You can find these and even MORE idea's at www.momsminivan.com...it is a great site!