Games For a Long Dive With Kids

Long drives are a challenge for kids. Kids want to be active, and sitting in a car for a long drive can really test their patience. One way parents can help to make the time pass more easily is by having a wide variety of games and activities in mind for the trip. After all, a driver can only listen to so many rounds of " Ninety Nine Bottles of Juice on the Wall" without trying to drown it out with some heavy metal from the car stereo.

Depending on the age level, something as simple as " I Spy" would work. One player selects an item outside the vehicle, and says " I Spy something Orange!" The rest of the players take turns trying to guess what that person has chosen.

Some children might enjoy Round Robin Storytelling. One parent starts the story, and each person adds a sentence or two. This rapidly becomes " The Adventures of Quinn and his pet Octopus in Underground Trashland After Dark." Keep a tape recorder handy!

With a little preparation, games such as Make and Model Bingo can use up several hours. Lay out a dozen Bingo sheets, and randomly fill the squares with car descriptions. For younger children, use " White Truck" and " Blue Car," and for older children, add more detail, like " Purple Ford" and " Yellow Humm-Vee." Laminate the sheets so that crayon can be erased, and toss them in the car. Since the driver can't watch their sheet, they get to watch the road and call out the vehicles to mark.

Finally, for inspiration for older children, watch a few episodes of " Whose Line is it Anyway?" and borrow some of their games. For example, two players have to make up a conversation where every phrase has to start with the next letter of the alphabet: " I would like a hamburger." " Just a moment please." " Keep the change." " Look, a flying saucer!"

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