Favorite Unplugged Travel Activities for Kids

There is nothing I love more than traveling with my crew.  Luckily for us, they travel pretty well.  From the time with were born we've been going to the lakehouse several weekends a month.  We took the kids to Michigan was Cullyn was 5 weeks old, and Jordyn went to South Padre Island at 8 months.  We drove to Florida when the kids were 1 and 2.  All this to say, our 'car bag' as accumulated over the years! :)  Above is from our road trip to Oklahoma and plane ride to Colorado last summer.  We also have Brain Quest in there, I'm not sure where is was for the photo!

BOOKS
1. The 50 States Book | We love this book & have been looking at it for years.
2. The 50 States Activity Book | Same here.  It's just a fun book to learn about the state you're heading to.
3. Books about where we're headed {usually from the library}
4. High Five/Highlights Magazines | My sister and her husband generously subscribe to this magazine for all of their nieces/nephews, so I usually hoard them when they come and save them for the car trips.  Bonus -- you can throw them away as they go through them, so you're accumulating one less thing as you go.
5. Reading Books | The kids always have a chapter book or two going, so they bring those along too.  Cullyn has no issues reading in the car, but if Jordyn has an empty tummy or if we're going through the mountains she is prone to car sickness, so we have stock in kids Dramamine.

GAMES
1. Games on the Go 
2. Monopoly Deal
3. Spot It! 
4. Table Topics 
5. Would you Rather? 
6. iSpot 
7. OldMaid 

ACTIVITIES
1. Usborne Activity Packs
2. Magnetic ABCs & 123s 
3. Wiki Sticks

2. Coloring books + colored pencils
3. Wiggle Box *A favorite for gas station fill ups

FOR LITTLES
1. Chalkboard Laptop | bonus that it's a hard surface for other things
2. Magnetic ABCs + Flashcards | on a cookie sheet
3. This for a snack box | snacks always help pass the time :)

We're preparing for an epic RV trip in a couple of weeks, so I've added this and this to the collection. 

Cullyn's 1st Fieldtrip

Cullyn took his first field trip this fall.  They went to Center Grove pumpkin patch to see the animals and chose a pumpkin.  I was lucky enough to go with them! :)

Fall Party | Pre-K

Last Friday, Jordyn had her first Fall Party and school.  They read fall books, painted a pumpkin, had a snack, and played BINGO.  We were going to play musical pumpkins {chairs} but ran out of time.  The kids all seemed to have good time and I was so happy I was able to help coordinate it.  Tip to moms going through this for the first time, if you plan the party {activities, games, snacks, prizes, etc.} you get to assign the other moms to take a station which allows you to watch your kid participate. :)

 

Preschool Christmas Program | 2015

The Friday before Christmas, Jordyn had her first preschool Christmas program.  They sang us the cutest songs and brought the parents gifts before we had a cookie reception and started their two week break.  I, sadly, forgot my phone at the lake this day, so I was unable to record them for family.  Rest assured, I took as many photos as I could ;)  The hand motions were the icing on the cake.  Four year olds are so dang adorable!

Conferences aren't until the end of January, but judging by her interaction with her class, Jordyn is my shy little rule follower.  Knowing that Cullyn is next, I'm going to soak up as much of that as I can! ;)