“Qhen do we get there?». Avoiding the boredom and tantrums of children in the car while traveling is one of the impossible tasks for most parents.
Children in the car, how to entertain them?
Let’s start with some “stolen” advice from the book Suitcase for four (DeAgostini) by Lisa Ruschetti, to be released on May 30th. Owner of the Manyways travel agency, mother of Stella and Sole, sul Instagram profile @stella_in_valigia she tells how she managed to combine her love for her little girls with that for travel.
1. Linus’ blanket
Both when traveling by car and in hand luggage if traveling by plane, Lisa recommends first of all bringing the “Blanket of Linus”, that is, that particular puppet or toy to which every child is attached and of which it seems he cannot make at least.
2. Old fashioned games (no games)
But that’s not all: it is also useful to always carry some objects to help children pass the time and calm down. Is there a smartphone? «It would be better to find something to stimulate our little one’s creativity without distracting him from the “material” world that surrounds him».
From “Whoever sees a yellow car first wins” to “Count the red cars” to calculating games with car license plates. Depending on the age of the child, there is something for all tastes (Here a series of ideas from the portal How much is missing). «They are the so-called “old-fashioned” games, which do not involve the use of objects and toys».
3. Music: playlists and songs to sing along
A must have an ad hoc playlist for the trip, but it can also be fun to play games with the songs you love. (For example, singing each one a word, to see who is wrong).
4. Paper and crayons or magic board
«The simplest thing you can think of is also the easiest and lightest to carry: a notepad with paper and some colored pencils or crayons. We may even prefer one to paper and pencils magic slate», suggests Lisa. Materials to clearly avoid if the child suffers from motion sickness.
5. Fairy tales and storytellers: devices, apps & Co.
Very useful storiestold by parents but also by storytelling sound devices (from Fairywith figurines embodying beloved stories, a Lunii, the factory of stories). But there are also various apps and ad hoc podcasts that offer stories to listen to, without putting the tablet in the hands of the children.
6. The Montessori bag for the children in the car
Alternatives? «Playing cards, soft booklets or with pictures (perhaps one of the bedtime ones he is most fond of, and which could also come in handy during the holiday), wooden games: the important thing is that they are not made up of pieces too small, they can fall under the seats,” suggests Lisa.
They can all be tucked into the classic “Montessori toy bag”. A bag in which to insert small objects useful for entertaining children in the car: from toy cars to small soft toys, without forgetting, perhaps, even the magic blackboard.
6. Exclusive games for travel
It can be useful to leave a couple of toys in the car so that the child is aware of finding them only once they are in the car. This, to begin with, will entice him to get into the car. And the games in question, used only while traveling, will not be too inflated in his eyes.
7. The toy-saving cord
The extra tip is to tie the game to the seat with a cord, so that it does not fall and must not be picked up several times, creating dangerous situations and unnecessary distractions for those behind the wheel. Not to mention the risk of it being put in the child’s mouth after falling to the ground.
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED