hello lovely child

8 Awesome Unplugged Activities For Your Next Road Trip

by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
530 wds

For all the ways technology streamlines our lives and widens the possibilities for news and connection, sometimes it leaves families vulnerable. With so much constant entertainment and stimulation from sources “out there,” it’s important as parents to be intentional about providing our kids opportunities to slow down, laugh together, and OMG, I’m just gonna say it: DAYDREAM.

Vacations and road trips are an ideal time to also vacation (at least for periods of time) from electronics and plugged-in distractions. But does the thought of temporarily ditching iPods and Disney DVDs terrify you? Relax. Luckily there are plenty of healthy creative unplugged activities (you may have developed amnesia forbout!) to keep kids engaged and happy during long drives with the family.

I hope you’ll consider these suggestions to create lasting memories before you even reach your destination and to connect or re-connect with the ones you cherish most.

1. Old school games with string. Supplies required: string. Your kids will think you’re a rockstar if you teach them to make “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Kitty Whiskers,” or “Cup and Saucer.” Introduce them to “Cat’s Cradle” and bask in the beauty of unplugged quiet nirvana.

2. Foil in love! Remember when shiny, reflective aluminum foil was magical to you as a kid? Give your artsy imaginative kids a cheap roll and watch them save the world. They can transform themselves into superheroes, creating masks and “power bracelets.” My sons could always be counted on to make swords, and girls often love constructing tiaras, jewelry, and headbands. It’s fun to sculpt foil into cool animals too—with no cleanup!

3. Bend it, baby. A pack of inexpensive pipe cleaners and a nail clipper will keep fidgety kids happy for long stretches of travel time. They can bend the fuzzy sticks or wrap them around pencils to form cheerful colorful creatures. The best part? When they’re satisfied with their figures, they can play imaginative games with them for more stimulating fun.

4. Cootie Catcher. Remember these things? You pick a color, then a number, and then you get to read your fortune. You only have to demonstrate for your kids once how to do this before they’ll master countless variations and stay busy for hours!

5. States and plates. Before you leave, print out a map of the U.S. so the kids can color in the states as they see license plates. They can even record the time and date they saw it.

6. It’s in the cards. Card games are especially nice for traveling because a deck is easy to transport, and there are tons of games to play. Crazy Eights and Old Maid are two possible kid pleasers.

7. Remote hide-and-seek. This imaginary guessing game is a hoot! Pick a place inside your house to hide—and here’s the fun part—it can be any size at all! A sock drawer, the dishwasher, the medicine cabinet…everybody asks questions until they narrow it down and find you.

8. Random roadside revelry. Go to the website www.roadsideamerica.com to find quirky, eccentric, touristy, places to visit. The kids will remember these nutty detours with you forever.

And they may not even miss the Wii.

Michele Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling. Her blogs are at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

10 Tips to Save Your Sanity
by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
765 wds

Even the best family summer trips can leave parents exhausted and in need of a vacation upon return. Fuel costs, highway construction, delayed flights, and airport security can rack up the stress. But trips with the kids help everyone reconnect.

With twenty years of experience as a travel journalist, Eileen Ogintz of TakingTheKids.com writes “The chance to share something new together—something you’d never see or do at home—is what makes those indelible family vacation memories that last forever.”

So how can we travel without pulling a Griswold?




1. PLAN as a clan! Kids love to be included in the trip planning so find simple tasks such as searching online for things to do in the towns you’ll visit or choosing DVDs and books to bring along.

2. PEP talk. To keep everyone feeling secure (especially if flying for the first time) break down the details. Talk about how the airports can be crowded and the way security checks work. For younger children, consider sharing a picture book such as Airport by Byron Barton.

3. PACK like a rockstar. Ogintz’s site has great tips for smarter packing:

 Reach for a scarf instead of an additional outfit.
 Lay out everything you’d like to take then choose half of those pieces.
 Pack only shirts matching more than one thing.
 Consider going completely “carry on” to avoid fees.
 Use space bags, “Pack-it Cubes,” or Ziploc plastic bags.
 Don’t pack clothes they hate.
 Pack a change of clothes in a carry-on for in-flight accidents.
 Remember laundry can be done in a hotel sink.

Sane on the Plane

4. Spy before you fly. Ogintz says be sure to read the fine print on your airline’s website before heading out the door since they all have different fees and rules. Don’t forget to pack crayons and little games to entertain them as well as a DVD player if you have one. If you’ll be traveling with a car seat, bring it on the plane so your child will be both safe and comfortable.

5. Anti-freak plan. These realistic tips from Paula Shelton, creator of FlyingWithKids.com will keep your anxiety in check while in the air with kids:

• Pack lipstick and a compact mirror. If you’re having a bad time, take two minutes to apply lipstick and give yourself a pep talk in the mirror.

• Take advantage of fast track security checks if you’re traveling with an infant.

• Be prepared to lose stuff, and don’t freak out when you do.

• Treat any time to relax as a bonus.

• Keep smiling at your kids.

• Ignore rude people—only you can know the right way to handle your child.

Prevent Woes On the Road

6. Safety first. Ogintz says get the car checked out before you leave to avoid flats, and since automobile crashes are the leading killer of kids, make sure your children have the proper restraints for their age and size. Kids weighing 40-80 pounds should use a booster seat as this will reduce the risk of serious injury by 59 percent. Make sure your phone is charged, and plan to leave at a time you won’t hit morning or rush hour traffic. Depart when you are well rested and if possible, when the kids will sleep most of the way.

7. Consider a rental. Renting a fuel efficient vehicle and driving to your destination is often more economical than flying. Ogintz recommends fuelcostcalculator.com to calculate the cost of a road trip.

8. Think comfy. Bring DVDs, treats, books, and toys to entertain them. Books on tape are great, and kids can be encouraged to “unplug” for periods of time so you can talk. Older kids can help navigate with a GPS or maps.

Peaceful Getaways

9. Pace yourself. Whether you fly or drive, upon arrival plan to chill for awhile so kids can adjust. If your vacation activities keep you active, consider eating dinner early to save on wait times and to prevent exhausted kid melt-downs in the restaurant. Have plenty of healthy snacks (Cheerios, string cheese, bananas) and water on hand for your hungry kids who may not like the food where you dine.

10. Forget trying to save the world. It’s always tempting to over-schedule with so many exciting things for the family to do and see while away. Instead, together decide on one big outing each day so that the kids don’t become over-stimulated and sleep deprived. Your vacation should include plenty of downtime where everyone is together restfully and peacefully.

Michele Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling. Her blogs are hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

Resources:

Barton, Byron. Airport. Harper Collins, 1987.
Ogintz, Eileen. www.TakingTheKids.com
Shelton, Paula. www.FlyingWithKids.com