Car Games

When you're on a 12 hour car drive (that takes 13 1/2 hours), you get bored. You get tired of listening to music and run out of interesting things to talk about.

At about the 9 hour point of our drive, we'd hit the wall and Mr. Bean and I started playing our new game: Name movies that __________.

Name movies that have a cornfield chase scene.
Joyride
X-Files: Fight the Future
Signs
North By Northwest

Name movies that take place largely in a hotel.
Joyride
Vacancy
Identity
Psycho
Home Alone 2

Name movies where the car won't start.
Joyride
Vacancy
Back to the Future (1)
Final Destination
The Glass House

We did several more categories than this, but the first 3 categories all had Joyride in them which was pretty funny to us. Can you add more movies to any of these categories?

Road Trip

Our bucket-o-fun is packed, our bags are packed and the car is gassed up.

We are leaving this morning for Nashville to attend a wedding but spending the long weekend with my parents in Huntsville, Alabama! String Bean helped pack our bags last night and brought us clothing as well as her library books and homemade paper plate noise makers.

While you are at work, waiting for your husband to return from work or just going crazy because of your children be thankful you are not on a 12 hour road trip.

Tips for Road Trips

I'm so clever. My title rhymes.

I asked some of our Twitter moms (and dads) this question, "What tips do you have for traveling on long road trips with young kids?" Here were some of their responses. I hope they help you as you drive "over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house" this season! We leave on Saturday for a 12 hour drive...should be fun!

frecklesthemom: I say pack your patience, stop as often as you need and take lots of stuff to help pass the time. We also bring a lot of music. And what would a long road trip be without fun games, like Ispy, Punch Buggie...? I pepper the music with some family friendly classics that Mom and Dad like, that way I don't go crazy along the way!

jenleereeves: Many, many DVDs and really good snack cups. My favorite, Snack Trap.

TwinToddlersDad: Make sure they are fed, and start right before their nap time so they can fall asleep in the car. Always works with our twins.

GRIPCOMMPR: Here are some travel tips for special needs families.

musingsfromme: DVDs, kids song tapes, mom sits in back with kids for part of ride to read to them/pass them items, lap desks for car seat.

nicroames: frequent stops, travel at night (they sleep)

MaiaKG: "road trip bingo" for route ...maybe 4 younger, use 'treasure hunt' i spy? how many x animal? how many sleeping?

SarahSingforhim: I love this "I Spy" Bag. They have to look for hidden items. Keeps them busy, and older ones like it, too. My dad used to give us beef jerky on long trips. We had to chew it so much, we would talk less! Ha! Sneaky.

craftymamaof4: I buy lunch boxes when the back-to-school stuff goes on sale, and fill with games, puzzles, treats, books and really special toys.

careywillems: magnets in a cookie sheet to hold paper. Sheet will keep crayons from rolling everywhere. White contact paper & dry erase markers.

copperbrickroad: we have the dvd player. Lil Einsteins works wonders. That and snacks.

peace_: Find out ahead of time where playgrounds you can stop at are and allow extra time so you can stop for play breaks.

brendacarus: Leave at bedtime & drive through the night. Need 2+ adults and a nap before or after, but we always do long drives(>10 hrs) like this!