Keep children occupied during long trips this Festive Season

The happiness and joy associated with the Festive Season can quickly turn unpleasant when travelling with children confined to a vehicle cabin.
Nothing derails a family trip faster than bored children. It is believed that most people have the experience of their parents threatening them as children to be left on the side of the road if they do not behave and parents’ flexibility should never be questioned when they are able to make a 180º turn in the front seat to address issues between siblings on the back seat.
But nowadays there are a myriad ways and especially new technology available on the market to keep children occupied, that long journeys can be as pleasant and easy as a trip around the block.
The internet provide ample ideas on how to keep children occupied and to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
Electronic entertainment
Tablets, laptops and cell phones can be used to download plenty of educational and just-for-fun games, movies, episodes of favourite shows and music before leaving home. An old-fashioned portable DVD player also will do and if your car isn’t equipped with a video player, you can buy a basic one without leaving a hole in your wallet.
If you relax limits on screen time, make sure children know what to expect while on the road. It’s tempting to hand a tablet or phone to a cranky young passenger, but try to avoid offering your child a device as a way to manage boredom or fussiness.
Audiobooks has also become very popular among youngsters as well as adults. Children can follow a more complex story line while listening to family favourites such as Harry Potter. Audiobooks can also be downloaded to single devices for every child to listen to his favourite.
Even though it might not be your favourite tune, load the CD player with music of you children’s choice.
Creative activities
Magnetised letters, numbers and shapes and a metal cookie sheet can provide long hours of fun for younger children while sticker and activity books are also a great idea as toddlers can be creative without using pens on the upholstery.
Instant film cameras can be endless fun as children can take silly pictures of themselves or capture photos for their road trip notebook. Models from Polaroid and Fujifilm spit out small instant photos and are lots of fun. A trip notebook is a great way to capture memories of your family’s road trip. Your child can draw, place stickers en route, and add instant photos to pages. You can help by adding a few notes about the trip at the end of the day.
Other ideas and advice
No matter how much entertainment available, it is always a good idea to get out and stretch your legs especially at a quirky roadside attraction.
Although most drivers prefer directions from the GPS, take a map or two with and play a game of map spotting. Other old school games using the model or colour of passing vehicles remain popular on keeping children busy.

Story: RC Myburgh
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