Kids? Cars? Definitely Movies.
We all cherish time with our little ones. It seems that with each day they absorb more and more from their surroundings, showing off their newly acquired “wisdom” with amazing displays a la “monkey-see, monkey-do.” And as much as we love our children, time spent in the tight confines of the family car or SUV can often be more of a sentence than pleasure.
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How to keep the kiddies entertained without unwanted games of “she’s on my side!” is the challenge when on the road. Savvy moms know how to prepare for the road by packing “kid-kits” for onboard frolics. There are three things to think about when you prep your own road kit-kit: Comfort, entertainment and snacks.
We all want to think that any extra time with our kids is a chance to use “info-tainment” techniques. During a long road trip you simply cannot maintain your sanity that long by playing eye-spy or the license plate game. Without a doubt, you should play some sort of guessing or educational game along the way, but there comes a time when even the most angelic mom needs to listen to some soft music or talk radio while the little ones are entertained by the warm glow of a TV screen and a DVD.
Start by packing a e-tablet or other mobile device and load it up with kid-friendly gaming apps and flash cards. There are many art and children’s game applications available for just such occasions. In addition, the kid-kit needs to have a few of your kids favorite DVD’s. You can’t go wrong with classics like “Finding Nemo” and “Shrek.” When you and the little one get tired of talking and guessing games, pop in a DVD and let them snuggle in the back seat as they take in the movie.
This brings up the comfort portion of the kid-kit. Pack comfy blankets, pillows and one or two of the their favorite stuffed animals. When the time for the DVD is right, find a rest stop, give everyone a potty break, then tuck the little ones into their seats with safety belts and their blankets and pillows. Let them hold and keep their stuffed friends in their laps for an added sense of security.
When it comes to traveling snacks, avoid sugary juices and soft drinks. Dilute juice so it tastes good to them, but is not the “high-octane” sugary versions. Carrot sticks and celery with peanut butter provides the needed crunch break along with something sweet and creamy that’s actually good for them. Pack in small baggies so they have individual movie-time snacks that don’t require sharing. Note: While kids love crackers and grahams, they can create a sticky mess in your backseat.
Having a few toys on hand is always a good idea. If you have more than one child on the trip, try to pack toys that are easily shared without ending up in backseat annexation disputes. Avoid building blocks or any toy with lots of small pieces as bumps and the car’s movement makes keeping them together difficult. Plus, there’s a good chance pieces will be lost in your car forever, likes socks in the clothes dryer.
With a good kid-kit packed into the family car, road trips can become a smooth, entertaining adventure for you and the little ones.
