| Make the time fly with these classic
car games, which are still just as much fun as when
you were a kid! Each can be adapted for children as
young as preschool age, and can evolve into more complex
variations as your kids grow older.
I Spy
Choose someone to be the spy. That person looks around
and chooses an object in the car (or airplane or restaurant)
that everyone can see. Then the spy says, "I spy
with my little eye something that is . . .," and
finishes the sentence with some information about the
object. For example, with a blue mitten, the spy would
end it with "the colour blue."
Everyone takes turns guessing what it is. The spy can
also add additional clues. For the mitten, he could
add "something that keeps you warm" or "something
that rhymes with kitten," etc.
Number Plate Soup
Each passenger tries to spell his name by finding the
letters in passing car registration plates, in the correct
order. Older children can spell other words as well.
To pass even more time, try to find every letter of
the alphabet in order. You can stick to number plates,
or you can include advertising hoardings and road signs
as well.
You can also adapt this with numbers. Each child should
try to find their age on a number plate. For a four
year old, they should find 4 four times. A 5-year-old
would find 5 five times.
Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items each passenger should try to find
along the way. Examples include gas station, light pole,
toll booth, restaurant, exit, stop sign, traffic light,
truck, VW Beetle, and so on. For older children, write
the words and have them check them off with a pencil
as they find them. For younger children, try to draw
pictures for them and be sure to tell them what they're
looking for!
20 Questions
You can start first so that your children get the hang
of how it works. Think of something and tell your child
the general category. The classic categories are Animal,
Mineral, and Vegetable. For younger children, you can
include categories such as "People You Know,"
"TV Shows," "Games," in addition
to the classic categories!
Players ask yes or no questions and try to determine
the answer within 20 guesses.
Memory Games
These are great games for all ages. The first person
says, "I'm packing a suitcase, and I'm going to
bring…" and lists the first item. The second
person repeats, "I'm packing a suitcase and I'm
going to bring…" and lists his own item and
then adds the first item. Each person adds a new item
and repeats all previous ones.
For older kids, try packing items in alphabetical order.
The first person packs an apple, the second one packs
a ball and an apple, and so on.
By Karen Baicker
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