Hi, everyone -
The son of a good friend of mine is turning 6. His family is about to go on a long road trip that will probably take about 18 hours each way. While I'm good friends with the mom, I haven't seen the boy as often as we used to now that both our sons are in (different) schools, so I don't have a good sense of what he's really into lately. When I asked his mom for present ideas, she said to get him something that would occupy him for their long ride. I think I'm just tired, but I can't think of what type of present that would be. This boy is really into science type stuff, dinosaurs, etc. He's a very bright, inquisitive child. I don't think he's into any particular character world, like superheroes or Star Wars. Not really into Legos or video games. His interests are so different from my son's that it's hard for me to think what he would like. Any ideas? I'm looking to spend anywhere between $30-$50.
Thanks!
Thanks for the great ideas, everyone!
One of these: http://www.amazon.com/Star-Kids-Snack-Play-Travel/dp/B000...
And one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-23205-Backseat-Organizer-B...
Put some cool stuff in there.
I did several long trips with little ones and know that much of the headache is "Moooom! I dropped my _______!" Having things in reach is nice.
We travel all the time and have since our kids were young. I always have sketch pads for my kids. I love the smaller ones. You can check with his mom but my kids love audio books. If the parents don't want to listen (although a lot of them are very entertaining for adults as well) maybe a parent can put it on their iPod. Maybe a snap together model of some kind?
Blessings!
L.
I looked at youngexplorers.com and found the Perplexus Maze Game. It is a see-through globe-shaped toy with a maze with a ball inside.
Otherwise, with the destination in mind, find a chapter book or non-fiction book of the location and accompanying toy, like Encyclopedia Brown and a magnifying glass.
See what you can find online about travel car games. Although those are free, figure out what could help, like a sheet with all 50 licenses to check off when found, or an extra map and a highlighter so he can mark where they go, or a drawing book and colored pencils for a more elaborate version of I-Spy.
I can't wait for summer vacation!
One suggestion would be to make him a scavenger hunt sheet for his ride. What I mean is things he can look for out the window and check off as they are driving along, maybe include some wild things and put a point value to it so that he can tally his points when they arrive.
It is possible that this could be too messy for the car,
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4400832
but not if you provide a cool desk to collect all the pieces. My daughter bought one of these and had a blast "digging out" all the rocks. You could include a book that explains different types of rock etc.
What about those "Hidden Picture" worksheet? Those can be lots of fun and take time to find all the pictures
http://www.highlightsteachers.com/teachers-toolbox/hidden...
Maybe a bingo dotter and some letters mazes
http://totschool.shannons.org/do-a-dot-letter-mazes/
Or maybe some practice sewing / lacing projects
http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2011/05/colander-se...
Good Luck
Science books would be a great idea. Get him a level-appropriate guide about dinosaurs, biology, astronomy, the area he is travelling to?
Omg my kids have perplexis and love it but No way could I take the sound of that little metal ball clinking on the plastic during a road trip.
The melissa and doug liscence plate game is cute a boardthat u flip each states plate over as u see it on the passing cars. It teaches the states and capitals.
There are magnet story playsets. I'm thinking of a thomas the tank one. Almost like a flannel board.
Luggage. That sounds fancy but a new back pack might be neat. You could fill it w a blank note book and new markers or pens for doodling.
My mil found dot to dot books that go to the thousands or maybe kiddie sudoko.
A wallet w souveniour money.
If the are headed to beach a new beach towel and small shovel or something.
A basket of snacks for in the car. A lapdesk. A seatbelt cushie.hehe window markers.
You could wrap up small things so he has something to open at reststops.
Google Melissa and Doug travel games. Check out the license plate one.
Both of my older children, ages 5 and 6, both have the fisher price ixl. They're designed to look like a gameboy type of thing but the games are all learning games, ranging from things like math, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, but featuring characters like Thomas the Tank Engine. I know all the different Nick Jr. and even the Disney Jr, Disney characters, are all featured in games. There are games for every subject. The ixl itself comes with "app" type of things already installed. There is coloring, music, learning to write, learning to read, fun little race type games (almost like a donkey kong level), even a camera. Plenty to keep him busy on that long trip. I love mine because it keeps the kids busy when we go to doctors appointments, or even when i just need them settled and quiet long enough to put the baby down for a nap. This is my suggestion.
Updated
Both of my older children, ages 5 and 6, both have the fisher price ixl. They're designed to look like a gameboy type of thing but the games are all learning games, ranging from things like math, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, but featuring characters like Thomas the Tank Engine. I know all the different Nick Jr. and even the Disney Jr, Disney characters, are all featured in games. There are games for every subject. The ixl itself comes with "app" type of things already installed. There is coloring, music, learning to write, learning to read, fun little race type games (almost like a donkey kong level), even a camera. Plenty to keep him busy on that long trip. I love mine because it keeps the kids busy when we go to doctors appointments, or even when i just need them settled and quiet long enough to put the baby down for a nap. This is my suggestion.
