Art-Themed Birthday Parties

Being creative and exploring the arts is a great way for kids to develop new skills and talents while having fun doing so. Break away from the same old birthday party themes and go for an art-themed party for your kid’s next birthday. The kids will have a blast doing something new and will have their very own creation to take home once the party’s over! Check out these three fun artsy ideas…
Painting Class

A painting class birthday party is great for almost any age since the level of difficulty can be geared toward the group. There are many businesses which cater to such parties, or you can host one yourself. The party/class leader will supply easels and paper to each child along with a variety brushes and non-toxic paint sets. It’s a good idea to have a main theme, a set-up to use as a model to base the painting off of, or the kids can paint whatever comes to mind. I suggest a theme that the birthday boy or girl picks, such as the circus, pets or music. Play some inspiring background tunes as the kids paint away. A clever goodie bag gift for a painting party is a frame for the kids to display their art or some colorful hooks to hang it up at home. Another giveaway idea is a set of watercolor paints and brushes so the kids can continue their painting fun when they get home.

Jewelry or Safety Box Decorating

Kids love to have their own special hideaway for their prized possessions. A box decorating party is a unique way for the kids to personalize jewelry boxes or special boxes for small toys, special mementos, and other things kids like to keep safely stowed away. Each child can get a small wooden box which comes with a small lock and key for keeping whatever they put inside safe and sound. Seat the kids around a few small tables and on each, place out dishes of shiny rhinestones, colored buttons, bows, small metal letters and other small trinkets the kids can glue to their boxes after they paint or stain the wood and it dries. Be sure to use non-toxic paints and glue for the party for safety. Give each kid a special keychain for their box key as a party takeaway. Their special creation will be treasured for a long time to come and will always remind them of your child’s special birthday party.

Sneaker Art

Before a sneaker art party, find out the size of each attendee’s foot and purchase low-priced canvas sneakers in their size. Give the kids a variety of puffy paints, sparkly markers, colorful laces and sequins and rhinestones to clue onto the sneakers. The kids can decorate their pair however they like and can even write their names on their sneakers. You can even suggest the parents collect the shoes their kid wears to the party so each child can head home proudly in their new sneaker creations. Hand out extra laces and spiffy socks as goody bag gifts. The kids will run home in original style and will look forward to showing off their new kicks at school or camp!

Note: This type of party can be done with canvas baseball caps or T-Shirts too.

Is your kid a little artist in the making? Have you tried an art-themed birthday party? What did you choose to do with the kids? See more ideas like these at All My Children.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Day Trips in Your Own Hometown

A little time away with the family is important for your relationships and to show the kids what the world has to offer. Fancy vacations and long getaways are not necessary to have a fun time with your loved ones. You can take a simple day trip in your own community, making the most of what your town or nearby bigger city has going on. Here are four ideas for spending time with family on a day trip excursion. They are all great ways to give your kids an appreciation of culture, learning and they’ll see there’s more to fun than video games and television!

Bookstore Reading

Many local bookstores have reading groups for kids where the author comes to the store to make an appearance and reads their book aloud to young fans. What a nice way to incorporate the joy of reading into an educational and memorable day! Oftentimes, the author will sign autographs and take photos with the kids. Check out the events calendar at your local bookstores and libraries for upcoming appearances. Your kids will be even more eager to read when they get to meet the author and other book-loving families at the bookstore! Finish the day at the bookstore coffee shop for some hot cocoa and snacks.

Museum

There are many museums geared towards children or with special kid-friendly exhibits. A day at the museum is like a little getaway into a world of new findings and interesting things to learn about. Kids love “touch” museums where you are allowed to feel the exhibits and get hands-on with the pieces and sculptures. Art museums often have kids’ sections where the art is actually made by kids. See if there are any classes your kids can attend to create a masterpiece themselves! Natural history museums are always a hit with dinosaur bones, wild animal exhibits and pre-historic men and women. The kids will be having such a blast, they won’t even realize how much knowledge they’re absorbing!

Cooking Class

Kids love to participate in cooking and baking, and with a kids’ cooking class, they can do just that. Lots of community centers, religious institutions and cooking schools hold classes just for kids based on age and kitchen experience. Kids can learn to bake pies, create pasta specialties, broil a roasted chicken and decorate chocolate candies. Who knows what your mini-chef will learn to cook? Cooking and baking teach mathematics (for recipe amounts), patience, teamwork and nutrition. The bonus? A delicious treat to taste test at the end of the day. What a great mini-vacation as a day in the life of a chef!

Botanical Garden

Explore the beauty of nature with a day trip to a botanical garden. The kids will love seeing all the varieties of plants and flowers and will learn all about how they grow and where they thrive. It’s amazing to see little faces light up when they smell all the glorious scents and see flowers and plants they have never seen before from every country. A trip to a botanical garden is not only fun, but it gives kids an appreciation of the world around us and the care it takes to handle delicate plants and flowers. You may even have a future florist on your hands!

Have you taken a fun day trip with the kids? Where’d you go? We would love to hear more kid-friendly ideas. Read more info like this at All My Children Daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Breakfast and Snack Smoothies the Whole Family Will Love

Smoothies are a great way to start the day or to enjoy as a mid-day or evening snack. They are so easy to prepare and can help teach kids about the importance of adding fruit and other healthy ingredients into our diets and how to carefully chop and dice foods if they are old enough to do so. Working with kids in the kitchen is also a creative way to teach them about teamwork and patience. Plus, you’ll wind up with a tasty drink that makes the time together all the better. Check out these 4 smoothie ideas you won’t be able to resist!

Berry Protein Power Smoothie

We could all use more fruit in our diets with their array of important vitamins, fiber and nutrients, and protein keeps our bellies full and muscles powered up. As you make this smoothie, you can teach your kids which vitamins are in the fruits and why it’s important to eat an array of colors of the rainbow. A berry smoothie is a favorite and is very simple to whip up. Make 2 servings by combining 1 cup of blueberries, 1 cup of raspberries (both can be either fresh or frozen), 1 medium banana cut into small slices, ½ cup of milk, skim milk, soy milk, or almond milk, 1 cup of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt, and 4-5 ice cubes in a blender. Blend until the consistency is thick, but smooth. Pour into tall glasses and you’re ready to sip away!

Nut Butter Chocolate Smoothie

Note: If you or your child is allergic to peanuts, do not use peanut butter for this recipe. You can use sunflower butter, almond butter, soy butter, or another nut butter which your family enjoys. Teach your kids that nut butters can be a good source of protein for their growing bodies. For this yummy recipe which will also make 2 servings, combine 4 tablespoons of nut butter, 1 cup of any type of milk, 3 tablespoons of sweetened cocoa powder, 1 sliced up medium banana, 4-5 ice cubes, and 1/8 cup of chocolate syrup in a blender and blend until thick and smooth. Pour it up and enjoy!

Cinnamon Apple Pie Smoothie

There’s nothing like that homey feeling of apples and cinnamon, and now you can get that sensation in a cool smoothie. Make 2 servings of this mouth-watering and healthy drink with the kids. Take 2 apples and peel and dice them. Let the kids peel the apples if they are old enough. In a blender, combine the diced apples, 1 cup of soy milk (or another type of milk if you do not use soy), 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, ½ cup applesauce, 4-5 ice cubes, and 4 crushed honey graham crackers. Blend until smooth and frothy. You’ll wonder why you haven’t been drinking your apple pie all along!

Creamsicle Smoothie

We all love that childhood favorite creamsicle ice pop, but you can make your own healthier version in the form of a smoothie. Be sure to teach the kids about the importance of the vitamin C in the oranges you’ll use in this recipe. To make 2 servings, combine 1 large peeled orange, all seeds removed and sectioned, ½ cup orange juice, one sliced banana, 1 cup whole milk (or another type of milk if you prefer not to use whole), 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and 4-5 ice cubes in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy and enjoy this citrus pleaser!

Have you created a delicious smoothie with the kids? What is your favorite kind? For more info like this, visit All My Children Daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Decorate T-Shirts with the Kids

Kids love to create their own works of art, but how cool would it be if they could wear it too? Now they can when you decorate T-shirts with the kids. Let their personal style shine through right on their very own clothing. Here are four ideas for making T-shirts the kids will want to wear all the time. Use inexpensive shirts like Hanes or plain white or light-colored T-shirts that you’ve had for a while. Stretch the shirt over a large board, part of a cardboard box, or ironing board so the surface is smooth and flat as you decorate. Let’s go!

Rockstar T-Shirts

Your child will feel like a star in his own rockin’ T-shirt! You can use special markers or pens created for fabric which you can find at any craft store. You can help stencil or make outlines of stars, microphones and music notes. If your child has a favorite singer or band, you can write their name across the shirt, as well as a lyric or two from a favorite song. Use the pens and markers to color in the designs. Once that is dry, which should not take too long, you can use a fabric glue to outline the stars and apply fabric glitter or sequins to really make the shirt have that rock and roll edge. The kids will love this unique shirt and everyone will wonder where you got it. Rock on!

Sport-T

Get sporty on a T-shirt! It’s easy to create balls used in various sports and design with your kid’s favorite team’s colors or his star player. A sports-themed T-shirt would look great designed with puffy paints which are sold at any craft store. Make large circles to become soccer balls in black and white, tennis balls in a light green, or make oblong oval brown footballs. The kids can make any sort of designs all over the sleeves and empty spaces in the team’s colors and even put their favorite player’s team name or number on the back of the shirt once the front is dry. What a fun way to support the home team and cheer on the game!

Big Sister or Brother T-Shirt

Is your son or daughter about to be a big sibling, or is he or she already? We’ve all seen the “I’m a Big Sister (or Brother)” T-shirts, but wouldn’t it be great for your child to make his own? You can stencil out the words, “I’m a Big Brother” and your child can use fabric markers or puffy paint to go over the words in his favorite shades. You can draw stick figures of a big sibling with a new baby to decorate as well. Let your child decorate with all his favorite things that he plans to share with his new sibling, such as favorite toys, the family pet, and plenty of hearts and xoxo’s!

Chef T-Shirt

Is your kiddo a little chef in training? Why not make a special T-shirt to designate him the mini-chef of the household? It can even be worn while helping in the kitchen in lieu of an apron. You can decorate with simple designs like forks and spoons, fruits and veggies, and some of his favorite dishes. Write something cute like, “Kiss the Chef” across the top. Use puffy paint to line the shapes and fill in with colored fabric markers. He’ll love helping out in the kitchen when he’s got his special chef T-shirt to wear. Bon apetit!

What would you like to design a T-shirt with? Have you tried any of these ideas? Share with us, we’d love to hear what you have created. For more fun ideas like this, visit All My Children Daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Make Your Own Pizza Night Recipes

Who doesn’t love pizza? It’s fun to order a pie or go out for a slice, but what about making your own? The kids will love helping out in the kitchen and concocting their own tasty recipes. You don’t even have to be a master at making dough. You can use sliced English Muffins, pita rounds, puff pastry or even thick toasted bread. Pizza night will never be the same again!

Four Cheese Gooey Delight

Mmmmm… cheese! Cheese lovers, rejoice. This four cheese recipe can be altered to suit your taste and favorite cheese combos. You can even swap in low-fat cheeses for a less fattening option, but remember, a little cheese goes a long way, especially for little mouths. You can use tomato sauce if you like, but on the four cheese blend, I like to leave off the sauce so the cheesy flavors shine. Your best bet for melting is to use shredded or finely sliced cheese. Go for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and ricotta for an all-white pizza. Or make it a “Tex-Mex” with cheddar, peppered cheese, nacho cheese sauce, and American. This one would taste great with a dollop of salsa on top. Any combo you like can be arranged on the bread type of your choosing and heated in the oven or toaster oven until the cheese melts and the pizza looks golden brown.

Very Veggie

If you can’t get your kids to eat their vegetables, they sure will love them when they’re on top of a pizza they made themselves. Top the bread of your choice with a thin layer of tomato sauce. You can even blend pureed veggies into the sauce to make this veggie pizza even more nutritious. Dice up some green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, and other veggies you and the kids would like to try and arrange them on top of the sauce. Sprinkle on some shredded mozzarella and add some Parmesan if you’re looking for a bolder flavor. Again, heat in the oven or toaster oven until golden brown and you’ve got a healthy pizza the kids will devour. Veggies are back on the menu!

Sweet as Pie

While pizza is usually a savory dish, who said you can’t make a sweeter version? This sweet pizza is great for breakfast or an after-school snack. I like to use an English Muffin for the sweet pizzas, but you can use whatever type of bread you like best. Mini cinnamon raisin bagels would make for a delicious base too. Top each side with your favorite jelly or jam, or spread a thin layer of honey over each slice. Top that with a thin layer of ricotta or cream cheese. Thinly slice some strawberries, bananas, peaches, or other favorite fruits (I don’t recommend citrus fruits for this recipe) and lay them over the cheese. Pop into the oven or toaster oven until golden brown. Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar or brown sugar right before serving. Sounds pretty sweet to me!

BBQ Chicken Pizzas

Is your mouth already watering? I like to use a thick, crusty bread for this recipe to hold the weight of the chicken, but feel free to use whatever you like the best. Top your bread with BBQ sauce, thinly sliced tomatoes and red peppers, sautéed onions, and pre-cooked, shredded chicken tossed in BBQ sauce. Top the chicken with a dash of parsley, black pepper and some crushed garlic. Pop the pizza in the oven or toaster oven until fully heated and golden brown. This pizza would go well with a side of cole slaw or corn-on-the-cob to make for a full meal.

With all these tasty pizza options you can make at home, you can lose the number to your local pizzeria today! Do you make your own pizza? What’s your favorite recipe?

Read more articles like this at All My Children Daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Dry Pasta Art Ideas

Pasta is a tasty Italian food staple, but dry pasta can be used for some creative arts and crafts projects too. Kids love the fun they can have with the variety of different shapes and textures. They can make beautiful art with the pasta you already have sitting at the back of your cupboard. Try out these fun dry pasta art ideas the next time the kids are looking for something new to do. Use cheap brands as not to waste the more pricey pastas you may want to save for a meal. Remember, this pasta is not to be consumed, it’s for art only.

Hairdos

Take a sheet of sturdy paper, cardboard, or poster board and draw a large face on it. Or, your child can draw the face herself. Color in as usual, but leave off the hair. That’s where the dry pasta comes to play. Use non-toxic glue to create the basic outline of the way the hair will look. For long hair, use sticks of dry spaghetti and pat gently onto the glue lines. Make bangs by breaking the spaghetti into smaller lengths. For curly hair, try fusilli pasta for a bouncy look. You can even create eyebrows and mustaches with smaller pasta shapes like macaroni or fine bits of angel hair pasta. Let the glue and pasta dry completely and your child will have a fun pasta hairdo creation!

Necklaces

It’s very easy to make dry pasta necklaces and you can even beads for some added flair. Simply give your child a piece of sturdy yarn or thick string and tie a very large knot at one end, big enough so the pasta won’t slide off the string. Necklaces work best with pasta shapes such as rigatoni, ziti, penne, or even macaroni. Experiment with varying shapes and sizes for a unique look. If you have some colorful beads, the kids can alternate between the pasta and beads. This idea also works well to create bracelets and headpieces. Once all the pasta and beads are on the string, tie up both ends securely and the kids can slip the necklace over their heads. When they aren’t wearing the necklace, hang them on a hook in their bedroom as a handmade art piece!

Rainbows with Dyed Pasta

You can actually dye dry pasta into a rainbow of different colors! It’s easy to do. Simply place about 1/8 cup of rubbing alcohol with a few drops of food coloring into a zip seal bag. Add the dry pasta, shake it up, and let it sit for a few hours. Once the color sets in, your child can create colorful artwork with the pasta. She can glue the pasta to a piece sturdy paper in the shape of a rainbow or a field of vibrant flowers. You can stick to a theme, like Valentine’s Day by using only red dye and creating Cupid’s arrows and heart shapes. Create a field of grass with green dyed spaghetti broken into small blade-length pieces. The kids will love the rich hues and endless pasta-bilities!

Glittering Snowflakes

Bring the joy of a winter wonderland indoors as a work of art. Simply roll dry pasta in glue and dip and roll in blue and silver glitter. Once dry, glue the pasta onto sturdy paper in star shaped designs to become glittering snowflakes! The kids can draw snowmen and other winter backgrounds on the paper before applying the dry pasta. You can also use glittered pasta for necklaces with a little “bling” to them!

Have you and the kids ever made dry pasta art? What did you create?

For more fun activities like this, visit All My Children Daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Quick and Easy Before-School Breakfast Ideas

A wholesome breakfast is an important way to start your child’s day off positively. With the morning rush, there’s usually not much time to prepare something that will take too long to make, but you can still prep a morning meal your child will absolutely love. No boring toast or cereal here. Check out these quick and easy breakfast ideas everyone will be excited to wake up for!

Quick Microwave “Omelets”

There’s no need to use the stove to make a tasty egg dish. You can pop a quick egg recipe into a non-stick or oil-sprayed microwave-safe container and have an omelet-type dish in minutes. Simply whisk 2 eggs (or use 3 egg whites for a yolk-free recipe) with a dash of milk, chopped veggies (any kind will do, but we love broccoli and mushrooms), and some cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and combine all ingredients. Pour into your microwave-safe dish (go for a round shape no larger than 6-7 inches in diameter) and heat for about 2 minutes, or until set. Your child can eat as is or with a roll, bagel, or English muffin. Egg-cellent!

Quirky Quick Oats

Those single-serving oatmeal packs are perfectly fine, but why not take them up a notch by getting creative. Heat up the packet as directed, but add your own fixins for more flavor and texture. Try some mixed nuts, dried berries, brown sugar, and raisins for a belly-filling option. Or, you can stir in some jam and peanut butter for a fun take on a PB&J. If your kid is a chocolate fanatic, add a few chocolate chips and diced bananas. The possibilities are endless and are quick to heat up on a frantic morning. Make your own oatmeal concoction!

Pizza for Breakfast

Pizza for breakfast? Sure! Pizza can be a nutritious meal and the kids will go wild when they hear they’re getting their favorite meal first thing! Take an English muffin split in 2 or a small pita or flatbread. Top with thinly sliced tomatoes, low-fat shredded cheese and diced vegies. Pop into the toaster oven until golden brown and you’ve got a delicious breakfast. You can experiment with different toppings like ricotta cheese, turkey sausage, or even pineapple. The kids are going to love this!

Fruit and Yogurt Wraps

Fresh fruit and high-protein Greek yogurt make for a sweet and healthful breakfast. Take a whole wheat or plain soft tortilla and spread a thin layer of plain or vanilla thick Greek yogurt all over one side. Line the middle with sliced strawberries, bananas, kiwis, and other fruits your child loves to eat. If your kid likes cinnamon, sprinkle some onto the fruit. Fold over the sides of the tortilla and roll into a tight wrap. Slice in half, and you’ve got a hand-held breakfast that your child can even take on the go. That’s a wrap!

What are your quick breakfast ideas? We’d love to try something new too! For more like this, visit All My Children’s blog.

By: Melissa A. Kay

DIY Printables

With so much focus on video games and other electronics, basic coloring seems like a thing of the past. Bring it back! Imagine how much your kids will love coloring when you’ve created the pages especially for them! Try these 4 printables ideas that you can create on your computer, print them out, and give to your kids for hours of DIY coloring fun!

Your Child’s First Initial

If you’ve got Word on your computer, this is a breeze. Pick a favorite font and type in your child’s first initial in the middle of the page and make it a very large size. Print out the page and encourage your child to draw her favorite things that begin with that letter. For example, if your child’s name is Clara, print the sheet with a huge “C” in the middle and she can draw cupcakes, candles, cats and cookies! This personal printable can be redone all the time with new drawings. Your kids will love their special initial even more than before.

Sunny Days

Find a photo online of a beautiful nature backdrop with flourishing flowers, tall trees, and a sunny sky. Print it out and your child can create any scene she desires. She can draw your family having a picnic, birds and animals enjoying the blessings of nature, or houses and cars. Watch as her imagination runs wild with a basic background to start with. Your child will be able to create a new scene every time you print a fresh sheet. See how she progresses as she explores new ideas.

Certificate of Accomplishment

Print out a blank award certificate and let your kid fill it in with something she’s done well that week. Perhaps she got an A+ on an exam, did all her chores without you asking, or taught her little brother to tie his shoes. Let her show off her pride and glory. She can also draw stars and other symbols of a great job on her certificate. She’ll look forward to hanging her “award” on the fridge for all to marvel at!

Smiley Face

Look online for a basic smiley face image or emoji. Enlarge it as much as you can and print out the page. Your child can make it look like any face she’s in the mood to create. She can make a birthday face by drawing a hat, balloons and confetti. Or, perhaps she can create a pirate, complete with an eye patch and bandana. If she loves clowns, that would make for a fun and colorful smiley face with a big red nose and a curly mop of hair. With the endless options, a simple smiley face can become anyone your child can imagine!
Do you have some fun DIY printable ideas? Share your thoughts with the community. For more fun ideas like these, visit All My Children today!

By: Melissa A. Kay

Easy At-Home Exercise Routines

Sometimes it isn’t possible to join or get to the gym. Being a parent takes up almost all of your time, if not every moment, but it’s important to take care of your body, even if it’s for just a few minutes per day. You’ll look and feel better and be a positive role model for your children and family. These easy exercises that you can do right at home will be a breeze to incorporate into your daily routine. So let’s get going!

Stair Step Lunges

You can define your glutes, thighs and calves while keeping an eye on the kids. Hey, you can even have dinner in the oven or a load of laundry going while you perfect this easy exercise. Simply use the bottom step of your staircase and place one foot on the ground and the other on that first step. Bend at the knee until the thigh is parallel to the floor and squeeze the muscles on the way down and back up to a straight-leg position. Do 10 reps, then switch legs. Do 3 sets of these each day. Once it becomes too easy, hold dumbbells in each hand to add weight to the exercise. You’ll see a toned butt and legs in no time!

Jump Rope

Jumping rope isn’t just for kids. It’s an excellent cardiovascular exercise that works all the major muscle groups. Find a space in your home where the full rotation of the jump rope won’t bang into anything; perhaps the basement or garage. You can also do this outside in nice weather. Try to jump for 5 minutes straight and add time every time you jump. It’s harder to complete that amount of time than you think, but easy to get into the groove and do the jumping itself. Play some upbeat, motivating tunes to get your heart pumping! Let the kids try too if they are old enough.

Crunches

We all want those washboard abs, but sit-ups can be a pain, literally. You don’t need to do a full sit-up in order to work those abdominal muscles. You can do crunches and reach those abs. Believe me, they’re under there! Lie with your back to the floor with your knees bent and feet on the ground and you’re your arms crossed across the chest or hands behind the head. Lift the head until your torso is at a 45 degree angle to the floor then slowly lower back down. Do as many reps you are able to do. You can also target different areas of the abs by lifting the legs straight out or up in the air. Keep at it and you will soon notice a change in muscle definition… AB-solutely!

Modified Push-Ups

Push-ups are great for the triceps and chest muscles. Some of us cannot do a full push-up though, and that’s OK. Modified push-ups are a great way to work your way up to a full push-up and build those muscles very well. In a modified push-up, lie face down on the ground put your body in a position where the knees are on the ground and feet are up. Push yourself up and down by lifting and lowering the upper body just like you would in a normal push-up. The leg position eases up some of the weight and allows you to do more repetitions. Do as many as you can and aim to increase the number each day. Your muscles will become more defined and you will surely feel stronger!

Do you have any at-home exercises that have worked for you? Share your tips with us! For more info like this, check out more articles at All My Children.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Road Trip Car Games

A long trip in the car can make kids a bit stir-crazy. As fun as going on a trip will be, getting there can be part of the entertainment too. Try these 5 car games you can play with the kids that will keep them busy without the use of iPads and video games. They may even bring you back to your childhood!

20 Questions

This game is super-easy and can keep the kids entertained for a long time, especially if you take turns. One kid will think of a person, place or thing and the others must ask questions which require a “yes” or “no” answer in order to figure out what the other kid is thinking of. The goal is to guess by the time you reach 20 questions about the person, place or thing. Parents can join in too. It’ll be interesting to hear what the kids come up with and how they use their thinking skills.

License Plate Game

Keep the kids occupied as they spend time looking out the window for cars. It’s better for kids 7 and up who can discern between the license plates. Here’s how it goes: Give each kid a paper with each U.S. state listed out. When they see a license plate on a car from that state they check it off the list. The goal is to check off all 50 states, but at the end of the trip, the kid who found the most states wins! If your kids are younger, you can play the game by asking them to spot car colors rather than license plates.

Picnic Game

This game is tons of fun and is great for helping kids work on their memory skills. Start with the first child and have her start with the letter A. She’ll say, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples.” The next kid must remember her item, along with a new item starting with the letter B. So, he’ll say, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples and bagels.” The game goes on as such and gets harder as the list grows. See if they can make it all the way to Z!

Scavenger Hunt

Kids love to play scavenger hunt in the backyard, but you can also try it from the car on a long road trip. Make a list of things the kids will be sure to spot out the window while on the road such as schools, gardens, restaurants, parks, and more. The kids will check off the item on the list once they spot something. This is sure to keep the kids busy for as long as you want, based on how long you make the list. Offer a small prize when they complete the hunt, such as a treat at a rest stop or a small toy.

Karaoke

The whole family can have a blast singing all your favorite tunes. You can get a tape of background music, Karaoke-style, or use your iPod to download backing tracks to everyone’s favorite songs. Sing along in the car for hours of self-made entertainment. The kids will feel like they’re the next Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber!

What do you do to keep the kids busy on road trips? Read more information like this on the All My Children site.

By: Melissa A. Kay