Many parents are giving into their children and installing TV sets in the back of their car's headrests. If you'd like to turn an ordinary trip into a moment of family togetherness, consider playing games with your kids in the car rather than letting them zone out in front of the TV. Maybe you will find yourself enjoying car trips more, too. The best car games are interactive road games, so children can keep an eye on their surroundings and remember their travels.
Significance
Car activities for kids range from coloring, shouting out the names of animals to singing along to music. Depending on the age of the children in the car, you will have to cater your activities to their ages and interests. Even children who are too young to talk will have a fun time drawing pictures of what they see on the road and sharing their pictures with family when the trip is over. Remember that no matter how young your child is, he can still have fun in the car.
Function
The most important aspect of a children's car game, besides having fun, is to keep the child engaged and quiet. Scavenger hunts are a great way for children to stay engaged in the trip while learning to work together. You and your children can make a list of things you think you'll see, or even things you'd like to see on the road while traveling. Plan out the list before the trip and hand one to each child. Have your children to put a check next to each item they see. Whoever has the most items checked at the end of the trip is the winner.
Games for Babies
Car games for babies include blowing bubbles, playing with puppets and placing a mirror on the child's car seat. These small activities will keep your baby excited and happy throughout the trip. If your baby gets fussy, blow a few bubbles toward her. The baby will be preoccupied with the bubbles and distracted from the car trip. Play fun music for your baby while you are taking a long trip, so she can focus on listening to the music rather than focusing on how cramped it is in the car seat.
Games for Toddlers
Toddlers love hands-on games, so hide a few fun and crafty items like pipe cleaners, tinfoil, paper plates and pom-pom balls in a bag in the front seat. Every hour or so, take a new item out for your child to play with. Not only will he be engaged with the items, he'll also behave so the new toy will be available. Purchase window decals and let your children use them to play on the back passenger windows. However, do not allow your child to use Colorforms on the back windshield.
Games for Older Children
Cat's cradle, card games and travel games like Travel Scrabble or checkers can be fun distractions for older children. Teach your children to read a map at an early age so they can participate in the travel. Your child will have the most fun if she feels involved, so ask her to pick a route to take on the trip. Go off the beaten path and drive down "his street" for a few miles to admire the great route she has chosen. If older children feel unengaged in the trip, give them some loose change from the car and allow them to buy a snack or toy at the next stop.
