Welcome to the September 2012 Natural Living Blog Carnival: Kids in the Car
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Natural Living Blog Carnival hosted by Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project through the Green Moms Network. This month our members have written posts about kids in the car.
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Being raised a Navy Brat, we did a lot of traveling…. by car. Now that we live almost 1,000 miles away from my parents, my kiddos and I still do a lot of traveling….by car.
The trip to my parents is 14+ hours, depending on traffic. I do not like to stop and “waste time” when we have such a long way to go. This requires having plenty of things for the kiddos to do, and food prepared ahead of time.
The day before we head out is spent packing, cooking, and picking up the house. I do not want to come home to a mess after a long trip.
THE FOOD
Breakfast on the road typically involved homemade muffins, a banana or apple, and a cup of milk.
Lunch consists of a sandwich or lunchable, and fruit snacks or granola bar.
Snacks typically are fruit, homemade cookies, or trail mix, etc.
Dinner on the road is typically from a local restaurant, as I am exhausted from driving and just want to collapse! LOL!
THE FUN
Each kiddo brings along one backpack, pillow, blanket and stuffed friend or doll. Inside each backpack you will find; books, coloring books, action figures, Barbie’s, magnetic activity sets, felt play sets, drawing pads, pencils, crayons, and anything else they can fit in!
My son (9 yrs) loves to add his Bop It and Perplex to his road trip stash!
My daughter (7 yrs) loves her paper dolls, diary and drawing supplies as traveling goodies!
We have a DVD player in our van, but I limit them to 1 movie each on the trip (2 each way total). If we encounter a lot of traffic, then it can be a life saver, should the trip be lengthened.
Trips can be great for family time, while you’re crossing the miles! Engage everyone by playing the ABC game (find each letter and come up with a word that begins with it), I SPY, License Plate Search, and so much more!
Sing a Longs and read alouds are something all members of the family can enjoy and participate in!
Trekking across the country can be loads of fun! Plan ahead and it will make your trip easier and more enjoyable!
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Visit Happy Mothering and The Pistachio Project to learn more about participating in next month’s Natural Living Blog Carnival!
Please take some time to enjoy the posts our other carnival participants have contributed:
I love the suggestion of bringing the diary in order to have a writing project. Also, keeping it all organized in the backpack is great. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Yes, she loves to bring that along! I call her my lil blogger in training 😉 LOL! Thanks for stoppin by!
Wow 14 hours is a long time. I am not sure I could do it. These are some good ideas on how to keep everyone busy. I also applaud you on only allowing 2 movies!
Yes, it is a long time. Now, it doesn’t seem that long though. Lol! Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
I love your suggestions for felt play sets, read alouds, and sing alongs!
They are some of the best times I’ve had with my kiddos! 🙂