In the past 6 years, we've done A LOT of traveling with 2 kids in tow. Road trips to Utah & back, SoCal & back, Portland, Bremerton, Seattle.....LOTS of time in the car. Through it all, I've learned a thing or two-thank goodness!
This year I racked my brain to come up with SOMETHING to keep the two beasts content while strapped down in close quarters for 11 hours straight :)
Here was the plan:
2 drawstring travel bags=$1 each at Walmart
And contents to fill it such as:
A puzzle and cookie sheet=Dollar Store $2
Found some magnet tape in the craft box, and enlisted the help of Dadda (while watching his sports flick on the tv) to stick some to the back of each puzzle piece. GENIUS people.
Some fun travel games printed out & laminated. $1 each.
Throw in a couple dry erase crayons (since dry erase markers are the DEVIL to get out of clothes....)
Add a few new toys to suck them in.....$10
I like Crayola Model Magic instead of Play-doh because it doesn't get gooey. Hot Play-doh gets sticky, and sticky Play-doh in the car could equal NO BUENO! The Crayola ColorWonder-well, that's a no brainer! I am POSITIVE a mom invented that stuff :) lol
Each kiddo gets their own goodies in the bag=a possibility for less fighting.
Various snack items=about $5
Some magna doodles from the Dollar Store = $1 each
A fan favorite =House Building Kits! $1
1 Cookie Sheet, and 1 Tupperware filled with Mini Marshmallows & toothpicks (which can be dyed different colors and totally adds to the fun) They build and build fun structures, no mess, super cheap and you can throw it out at the next stop. BRILLIANT!
The families favorite homemade treats. Ours are Chex mix & Ranger Cookies.....
Don't forget to throw in the Leapsters & extra batteries for each unit.
We have 2 iPads, so we loaded them with kid movies we rented from the library. They came in VERY handy and it was FREE
Since it is Independence Day soon-I found this fun free printable and made each of the kids an activity book. Another hit. Don't forget the kiddie scissors and glue sticks.
Bought this gem at Fred Meyer-it's called a "Backseat Activity Center"=$30
....we call it the TRAVEL WITH KIDS NECESSITY! I loaded the pockets with their leapsters, headphones & a Search n Find book on each side and the center with some of the travel toys listed above-each toy had their names written on them in the hopes for no arguments. Plus I had hopes that the console itself would serve as a barrier from the "he's touching me...."garbage :)
Guess what?
It worked!
Last but not least-trip clips. The cost to make=about $1
Each child gets 2 clips. Which means 2 chances to turn their behavior around. If they can keep at least 1 trip clip up, they get a treat at the next stop....like a soda at McDonalds or a candy bar at the gas station. Worked like a charm. We didn't even have to use them on the ride home. Just the mention of trip clips was all it took!
The price of all these travel tools=
PRICELESS :)
