| Ready to take that trip to the beach, music | | | | taxes the wallet. For those who believe in video |
| festival, or some amazing getaway with only a | | | | games, this may not create any obstacles. |
| twelve hour escape route holding you back? | | | | However, if the video games tire the young eyes |
| Ready to hop in the car and drive? Now? It | | | | and books only promote car sickness, there |
| always seems easy enough, but for those with | | | | should be other alternatives close at hand. Try |
| darling offspring, any road trip usually denotes | | | | travel bingo; often toy stores have travel bingo |
| initial delays and frequent breaking along the way, | | | | games for your children, whereby they spot |
| adding hours of traveling time. | | | | something like a cow or a railroad sign out the |
| The two best solutions are: 1. Take a plane. Fares, | | | | window, and mark it on the bingo sheet. The first |
| however, continue rising in correlation with oil | | | | one to get a bingo, wins! Eliminate crayons, |
| prices, meaning that booking a flight even a | | | | markers, and any type of putty! These items |
| month in advance may prove a bit pricey. Then | | | | forebode rough times for the upholstery. Magnetic |
| there's option 2. Hone in on your night owl abilities. | | | | board games, puppets, and geographic trivia may |
| Pack a nice dinner and take off a few hours | | | | occupy most ages, but for those too old or too |
| before the kids' bedtime. Hang grocery bags from | | | | young to find pleasure in such activities, car |
| head rests and/or place a small trash can in the | | | | pastimes demand creativity. Younger children, |
| isle way of a larger vehicle. This will cut down on | | | | when awake, should have a constant supply of |
| the amount of cleanup needed after the | | | | bright, but at least partially-silent, toys. Keep the |
| culmination of the vacation. Keep crackers, fruit, | | | | young one from over stimulation by stowing |
| and other snacks available, but don't forget the | | | | most of the toys up front and rationing them. |
| hand wipes! And if night driving is in the future, be | | | | Redistribute toys as necessary at every stop. |
| sure to catch up on sleep beforehand and stock | | | | With the best of luck, this may do the trick. If |
| up on caffeinated beverages. Even if you need a | | | | the road trip is relatively short, tiring the child out |
| rest, you'll make better time than driving during | | | | beforehand should prove useful. |
| daylight hours. | | | | For the young adults in the car, board games and |
| Multi-day drive? Take it easy, plan a few key | | | | colorful toys are so last decade. Encourage |
| stops along the way. Look out for state park | | | | conversation, tidy crafts-knitting, sketching, |
| signs, local museums, or interesting landmarks. | | | | making origami's, etc.- or even provide a travel |
| Take along the tent and save on hotel fees. | | | | journal or a digital camera for outdoor shots. For |
| There's nothing better than waking to the birds | | | | those entering high school or college, keeping up |
| and strolling through the woods before another | | | | on writing techniques is a necessity, and writing |
| day on the road. The fresh air and exercise, short | | | | for fun is the simplest catalyst. Books on tape |
| lived as it may be, will revive the senses and | | | | may also be a good investment. There are |
| offer some relief to car cramps. | | | | innumerable possibilities. It's your vacation-enjoy |
| Driving during daylight hours is often unavoidable | | | | every moment. |
| and after a while the "penny for a red car" game | | | | |