Activities to Keep the Kids Busy on a Road Trip

We took a trip to the beach this summer... 11 hours each way.  Long trips with preschoolers can be challenging, especially when one just finished potty training.

I tried to be prepared for this trip.  In addition to the Leapsters and DVD players, we brought along some new activities this year.

Magnet box

This is just a metal bin from IKEA that we repurposed for the road trip.  This is awesome because it both holds the magnets and provides a surface to play on.

Felt boards

I put this one together the night before.  I just took some foam board and hot glued a large piece of felt to it. 

Voila!  Instant letter fun.  Each child got his or her own to limit fighting.

Crayon apron

This can be worn while in the car so the child has easy access to her crayons the entire trip!  Just be sure you don't tie the knot in the back, where it might get uncomfortable.  If you're interested in reading the tutorial on how to make it, click click here.

Each kid got his/her own basket that we kept on the floor of the minivan.  It was easy to keep things separated and organized that way, and it allowed me to have easy access to reach items they wanted to play with.  It was still a long trip, but being prepared helped!

So, have you been anywhere fun this summer?  Tell me about your road trip tips in the comments!

Blessings,

Jamie


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Thankful Chain Christmas Garland

We started this "Christmas thankful chain" on Thanksgiving day

We each came up with a few things we were thankful for and wrote them on a link.  We try to add a few each day.

I love looking at some of the things the kids have come up with ... a few of my favorites are "babydolls", "Star Wars toys" and "hot chocolate".

I enjoy adding to this everyday  throughout the season... I'm hoping it will swoop all the way around the room by the New Year!

I'm finding this to be a really nice reminder of all the things we are thankful for... especially in a season that can cause kids to dwell on "what I want".  So many people ask our kids the question, "what do you want for Christmas?" throughout the month of December; it's nearly unavoidable they will think about it more often than the rest of the year.  We'll see if this helps.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  It's a week past Thanksgiving, but I'd love to hear what you are most thankful for in the comments!

Blessings,
Jamie

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This post is linked here:  Today's Creative Blog Blue Cricket Design Kurtz Corner Mommy by Day Crafter by Night Cherished Bliss Lines Across My Face Southern Lovely Bear Rabbit Bear French Country Cottage Craft Junkie Too DIY Home Sweet Home Saved by Love Domestically Speaking Funky Junk Interiors Homemaker on a Dime Eisy Morgan The Answer is Chocolate Making the World Cuter Craft-O-Maniac lolly jane 504 Main I Heart Naptime Singing Three Little Birds mad in crafts House of Hepworths Somewhat Simple Chic on a Shoestring Keeping it Simple Be Different Act Normal Sew Can Do Sew Chatty Pinkapotamus The Girl Creative Flamingo Toes Tatertots and Jello Sisters of the Wild West Reasons to Skip the Housework Giggles Glitz and Glam Tip JunkieThe Trendy Treehouse Ladybug Blessings Night Owl Crafting Tea Rose Home My Girlish Whims Allie Makes Gluesticks Thrifty 101 Momnivores Dilemma A Little Knick Knack Miss Mustard Seed Freckled Laundry kojo designs A vision to remember Primitive and Proper 733 Rook no 17 Home Stories A to Z
Naptime Crafters Whipperberry delightful order

Sidewalk Painting

I know by now you've seen these paints all over blogland, but we had so much fun today I just had to share

The kids painted their feet as much as the sidewalk

All you need to make the sidewalk paint is 1 part cornstarch

+ 1 part water

 

mix it up and add a few drops of food coloring

now you get to paint!

Girlie started scooping and pouring it on the sidewalk

little artists!

We will be doing this again and again throughout the summer.  So easy and lots of fun.  The kids' hands were a little stained from the food coloring, but I'm sure they'll be better in a couple days.

Hope you're having a fun summer so far!

Blessings,

Jamie
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