Question: Could you please give me some ideas about what we can do to keep our children - ages 10, 12 and 14 - busy as we drive across country in a few weeks? It is very hard on the driver when there is constant bickering coming from the back seat. - Upset Driver
Answer: Having children take an active role in planning a trip can have a very positive impact on how they behave during the trip. Plus, it can turn the trip into a very educational experience. Once you have decided on the basic route, have each child research and choose one or two sights for the family to visit.
Before the trip begins, fill a bag for each child with maps, blank maps, travel brochures, notebooks, pens and markers. Encourage your children to trace the route on the maps. You'll also want them to learn the capital and major cities of each state, as well as something about the historical sights. Point out to the children that the family is on an adventure, just like the pioneers who crossed the country. Encourage them to keep a journal in which they draw pictures or write down their observations about what they are seeing.
Children find trips far more enjoyable when they can get out of the car every two or three hours and burn off some of their energy. Have your children take turns selecting an activity for each stop. And assign a child to use his or her math and mapping skills to determine where the next stop will be.
Before the trip begins, purchase several books on tape that everyone in the family will enjoy. Listening to interesting stories can really make time fly, and so can telling stories about relatives who have lived in the different states. You will also want to play traditional car games, such as license-plate bingo. Plus, it is always a good idea to have some surprises to distribute during the trip - from games that can be played in the car to new magazines or books. The busier your children are, the more everyone will enjoy the trip.