Many families will head out on the interstates bound for the homes of loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday this month. While kids of yesterday were content to count passing cars, our DVD - X-Box- Internet-loving kids require a bit more to keep them occupied. But you don’t have to resort to installing a home entertainment center in your vehicle. Kids like to think and learn, to be challenged and to compete. These simple but effective car games and activities create opportunities for quality family time, learning, and just plain fun.

Toddlers/Pre-schoolers
Sing-a-long

Teach your little one your favorite kids’ songs: “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” “Old McDonald,” “Bingo” … Even if they can’t sing all the words, they can make the animal sounds and clap and do the hand motions. Folk songs are an important part of our cultural history that is being lost, so you will not only have fun with your children, but you will be preserving a little piece of history to boot. Before your trip, check out http://judyanddavid.com/cma.html for lyrics to all your favorites. If you truly cannot carry a tune, invest in a CD of kids’ folk songs and sing along.

Pre-schoolers/Early Elementary
I Spy with My Little Eye

This game can be done with colors or the alphabet, and you can control the difficulty level. In case you don’t remember … pick out an object and say: “I spy with my little eye something the color of ______” (green, blue, etc.) The kids guess what you might be seeing. If they are old enough, whoever gets it right can choose the next object. For kids learning their letters, the game can be adapted. “I spy with my little eye something that begins with ___” (S, T, M, etc.)

Elementary
Alphabet Game

Billboards may be unsightly, but they make for great learning tools. Have your child pick out the alphabet one letter at a time from the signs you pass. You made need to help with J, Q and Z, which can be few and far between. To add difficulty for older kids, limit them to letters found on license plates.

Upper Elementary/Middle Schoolers
License Plate Game

This one is great for long distant trips. Give each child a piece of paper and pencil. Write down each of the states you see on passing cars’ plates. This game can be expanded by discussing capitols, state birds, state mottos, etc. You could also ask them to locate each of the states on a map. Talk about the region the state is in and how far from your home that state is.

Sing some songs, play some games and you’ll be there before you know it.