“Are we there yet?” The words every parent dreads to hear from the back seat of the family car. Labor Day road trips are about the journey as much as the destination, so when the tires are pumped up and the route mapped out, toss these tricks and treats into the bag.
If you’re like most parents, you will avoid a never-ending sing-along to “99 Bottles of Beer” at all costs. Whether you’ve got a rowdy toddler or a teenager, there is an interactive option that will entertain for hours. Educational smartphone apps not only keep budding brains busy, they fill them with facts and teach problem solving, too. And if your kids don’t get dizzy reading in cars, download a few age-appropriate books to take them on a journey within a journey.
Staring at brightly-lit screens can tire out even the brightest of eyes, so pack a few old-school essentials such as flash cards and trivia games. Nowadays, there is a travel version of every toy, from magnetic puzzles to checkers to bingo. When it comes to arts and crafts, get a little creative. A sketchbook and colored pencils can inspire a masterpiece, or at the very least, a competitive game of Hangman or Tic-Tac-Toe.
Gear is almost as important as gadgets. If motivating your kids to pack is like asking them to eat their vegetables, spring for a travel bag in their favorite colors or featuring their favorite characters. Encourage them to visualize the adventure to help think about what they’d need to bring.
Remember, food tames the most savage beast so pick out a cooler that will hold all the refreshments to last you between rest stops. Here’s a tip: avoid sugary snacks that can turn your back seat into a Bouncy Castle. Prepackaged tidbits, from crackers to fruit to carrots, are safe bets. And accidents do happen, so be sure to have sanitizing wipes on hand.
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Finally, for the grown-ups, upgrade the GPS, charge the cell phone, and change the batteries in the video camera before you even put the car in drive. Safe travels!
