The long weekend is upon us and families around the country are packing up — with a lot of excitement and just a little, well, anxiety. After all, traveling with kids can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating. “Are we there yet? More snacks please? Potty break!!”
For long car rides, stocking up on games and activities to bide the time can become a parent’s survival kit. We all feel way better when we’re armed with distractions for our kids that are also learning resources. So Homer’s experts have prepared a cheat sheet to help make traveling with kids enjoyable and educational!
1. Create a portable magnetic play station for coloring
Grab a cookie sheet, some magnets, crayons, and paper for your child to have a working space for drawing and creating. Bonus points for also snagging magnetic letters (extra learning reinforcement).
2. Listen to Homer’s audio-stories as a family
Read some of the Funny Stories in the StoryTime section of the Homer app. Memorable stories such as “The Three Little Pigs” or “Goldilocks” can spark conversation with young children about new twists on old tales. Encourage them to create a new ending for these classic tales using the portable magnetic play station you’ve supplied.
3. Color, Read, and Play the Homer Thanksgiving Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Get in the Thanksgiving Spirit and print out this Sight Word Tic-Tac-Toe Game and Story to reinforce learning while having fun.
4. Play the Animal Memory Game
One person names an animal. Then each person, in order, has to name that animal plus add on another animal name that starts with the last letter of the previous name. Everyone has to keep going until it gets to someone who can’t remember all of the animal names that were mentioned.
5. Laugh Out Loud Using Alliteration
Make up a story using as many words that start with the same letter. Go around the group and see who can come up with the funniest story that includes (mostly) the letter chosen.
We hope this helps you as you forge forward on your next adventure. What other games have kept your kids entertained while traveling?
