10 Activities to Save the Family Trip

And a funny tongue twister for dessert

Only one toy, the Button Yo-Yo has to be prepared in advance. Take advantage any opportunity to discuss the trip with the kids, and use these activities to emotionally prepare the kids for the trip.

Here are 10 simply taught games, appropriate for back seat drivers who would otherwise drive you crazy, and for when-are-we-gonna-get-there passengers. These games will enhance their hand to eye coordination, and allow you to concentrate on the road ahead.

The Smoking Guns

This takes a minute to teach, and a-round-trip drive to master. That's the beauty of it.

One hand forms a fist with the thumb outside.

The other hand clenches the thumb and extends the index finger, with all other fingers closed.

All at once you switch.

I suggest you try this sober at first. After you get out of the car, and are safely at your destination, you may try it after a few drinks. See how you do then. This is fun for the whole family.

Knees-Nose-Shoulder

1. Place both hands on the lap. 2.The right hand reaches for the nose, and the left one goes for the shoulder. 3.The two hands return to the lap, then, 4. The left hand goes for the nose, and the right tries to reach the shoulder.

It sounds easier than it is, but that's the idea.

For a photo example of this, go to Picable.com in the People/Kids category.

The Brain Mix-Up

Part One:

1. Cross one hand over the other, palm to palm with thumbs down.
2. Place the palms of your hand together
3. Interlace your fingers together.
4. Pull both hands inwards toward your body, holding them together and below your head so you can look at your fingers from above.

Part Two:

If you are alone in the back seat, look at your fingers and decide which one you want to try to pick up. If you are with another person, have them point to the finger they want you to pick up. If they physically touch it, your brain will be able to locate the finger is, so don't be a wimp, tell them to point only. Without the touch, you will have to practice to be able to easily locate and raise the finger. This is because you crossed you hands twice, and your brain has to get used to the change.

This is a good activity to do when you stop for a stretch.

Arm Coordination:

1. Reach for the sky.
2. One arm goes down, the other extends to the side.
3. The arm that went down now goes up again, while the arm that was extended goes down.
4. The arm that was up goes down, while the arm that was down returns to it's extended position.
5. The arm that was down goes up, and the arm that was extended too, goes up.

Inside the car the kids can practice with their hands only. Tell them that they are penguins, and they can't spread their wings too wide.

For a photo example of this, go to Picable.com in the People/Kids category.

Paper Plate from a Flat Piece of Paper: (The Frame)

1. Fold two sides of a paper into the center.
2. Fold both sides of the internal fold out to the edges on both sides.
3. After folding those sides out close them again.
4. On the folded edges, fold four triangles on each corner making sure that they are folded straight on the lines. These are the supporting beams of the frame once it's opened.
5. Cover those triangles with the two rectangles. 6.This is the last step: While holding down the two rectangles with your spare fingers, grab the corners of one side of the folded page, push your thumbs into the corners of the paper while holding on to the triangles at the edge. Pull up and out. Like magic, the paper will pop up. Now you have to strengthen the sides, and make folds on the corners and the base of the plate. Repeat this process on the other side.

With this skill you can host a party without buying polluting plastic plates, make picture frames for gifts or memorabilia, and decorate the insides with artwork. If you want to make a box with a lid, all you do is repeat the process, but make the first folds a bit less tight.

Examples

Paper Cup from a Flat Piece of Paper: (The Fish)

1. Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise.
2. Fold the two sides of the page into the center to create two triangles. This should look like a rocket.
3. Pull up and then push the center of each triangle to create two cones.
4. Turn the page over, then fold the two protruding triangles over.
5. Fold the bottom of the page up over the folded triangles. Turn over and do the same thing on the other side.
6. Put your longest finger in the point of the big cone, open and fold the whole thing in half.
7. The fins of the fish are now folded over. This can be decorated with shiny materials and made into a mobile a magnate can be glued on one side and decorate your refrigerator door. You can stick it on a car window to create a paper aquarium; the fish will be appreciated from both sides.