Utah Valley Pediatrics strives to keep parents up to date on the latest health topics and advisories. Our newsletter covers medicine changes and news, pediatric news, seasonal and age specific topics and what's new at Utah Valley Pediatrics.
Archives
Summer 2010
Vol. 4 Issue 2
Pediatric News
Does My Baby Need a Vitamin D Supplement?
Seasonal and Age Specific
What to Do For Insect Stings or Bites
Protect Your Children from Skin Damage
Exercise for Kids Is All Fun and Games
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Katie Jenkins
HR Manager
801-373-8930
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Road Trip!
Article at a Glance
• A good attitude and lots of activities can make your next car trip a wonderful experience for the whole family.
• Games, journaling, singing, and audio books are great ways to keep your kids busy.
While there is no doubt that a DVD player can be a lifesaver on a road trip, hopefully that isn't all you have planned for your next long drive. Road trips are wonderful opportunities to have fun, learn, and bond as a family. Plus, on a long trip, you’ll want more than a DVD player to keep your kids entertained the entire time.
Fun, memorable road trips are made up of a little bit of preparation and a lot of optimism. Keeping a good attitude isn't always easy, but a bad mood can bring down the whole car. Let your kids know that they all have a responsibility to make the trip enjoyable. Designate a window seat off to the side where kids can sit if they need to burn off some steam. Stopping to get out of the car and stretch your legs can also be a big mood lifter.
When preparing for a road trip, it is a good idea to have some activities and treats planned for the car. Here are a few time-tested ideas.
Games
Games are a great way to keep everybody entertained. Card games are a good choice because they don't take up a lot of room, but a lot of the popular board games also come in travel editions. Short on funds? Pick up a few magnetic versions of games like tic-tac-toe and checkers at your local dollar store. Road trip classics like 20 Questions, I Spy, or the License Plate Game not only bring back good memories, but they are perfect for the car because don't need any game pieces or preparation. Spelling bees and trivia contests not only entertain, but also teach.
If you want to spice things up, hold a game marathon! Family members can build up points and earn special treats or privileges throughout the trip.
Recording Memories
Kids love collecting treasures and jotting down memories. Buy your kids a journal that they can use to write down memories and collect things like tickets stubs and mementos. Inexpensive disposable or digital cameras can entertain kids for hours as they take pictures of the sites. Printing out a travel map to include in their journal helps kids keep track of where they have been and how much farther they have to go. Help your kids record their memories to get them involved and interested in the trip.
Get Loud
While there are plenty of moments when a couple of games of "See Who Can Be the Quietest" are priceless, road trips are also a good excuse to get loud and goofy with the family. Singing together can actually be a lot of fun. Depending on how old your kids are and your preferences, you can sing along to a mix CD of family favorites or sing classics like Old MacDonald or B-I-N-G-O a cappella.
Team storytelling can also generate lots of laughs and goofiness. Have somebody start out with the first line of a story and then take turns building off the story. To make things really interesting, suggest that the lines rhyme or take turns out of order.
Audio Books
A good audio book can make a trip fly by. You can buy one or check one out from your local library. If you don't have problems with carsickness, you can also take turns reading out loud. If you have younger kids, try the read-along books where your children can listen while they follow along with the story.
For more information:
Road Trip Survival Guide: Don't leave home without our kid-friendly tips (Baby Center)
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