How to entertain children in the car
“Mom, when are we arriving?”: How many times have we heard this sentence repeated by our children? Countless! Car journeys - whether short or long - can be a real torment, not only for the little ones, but also and above all for us adults.
How to entertain children in the car, the basic rule
First of all, it is better to avoid trips that are too long. It is therefore preferable to plan breaks every two hours or so. This can make it easier to travel by car when the little ones are on board. In the case of summer trips, those of more than 4-500 kilometers, it is better to stop and sleep and break the journey in two.
Children in the car, in front: can it be done?
Boredom isn't necessarily an enemy
Most pedagogues recommend letting children get bored without intervening, to teach them to manage this state of mind. Maybe for a short stretch of the journey it is possible, in order to give the little one the opportunity to invent something for himself, and thus stimulate his imagination. However, we realize that in the case of long journeys this solution is undoubtedly easier said than done. So it is necessary to find different ideas, also depending on the character and aptitudes of the individual, on how to entertain children in the car.
Toy at hand and not on the floor
Always keep a toy close at hand. Perhaps tied to the seat with a cord, so that it does not fall and does not have to be picked up several times, creating dangerous situations and unnecessary distractions for those behind the wheel. Not to mention the risk that, once it gets dirty following the fall, it can be put in the mouth by the child.
Toys for the exclusive use of the car
Get a toy that is for the exclusive use of the car. That is, that it remains there - in the passenger compartment - and that the child is perfectly aware that it will only be found once he gets on board. This will entice the child to get into the car, at the thought of being able to play with it, and it will also be a not too inflated fun.
Board games
You can also invent a whole series of games to involve, not only the little ones, but the whole family. “Count the red cars”; "Whoever sees a yellow car first wins" ... not to mention the fact that the plates offer a lot of stimuli to practice the calculation, in case your children are already of school age!
Analog and digital remedies
To always keep in mind, the stories, the tales, the classic sound tales, today easily usable through the most common music apps. Also useful, but without exaggerating, are tablets, books, papers and colored pencils. Materials to avoid if, on the other hand, the child suffers from car sickness. In this case, let's not forget to invite him to look out the window. Observing the outside world that passes quickly under his eyes can, among other things, provide an opportunity for a chat or reflection.
The Montessori bag
Finally, we would like to point out a great classic: the Montessori games bag. You can create an ad hoc one for car travel, in which to insert small objects that can be useful for entertaining children in the car: from toy cars to small soft toys, without forgetting, perhaps, even a magic blackboard. In short: here you can really indulge yourself. Just use your imagination, also satisfying our children's tastes and preferences.
Never on an empty stomach!
Remember that hunger brings restlessness and bad mood.So, plan some stops to refresh yourself, without forgetting to always have something edible on board for the children. Pre-cut fruit, crackers, or small portions of vegetables.
Last but not least
And when we have exhausted all the resources, let's remember that there is still one last way out of the crying or screaming of the bored child: he could fall asleep! Let's try to talk to him in a calm voice, to make him listen to relaxing music, to give him a caress: he could let himself go ... maybe this won't be entertainment, but the journey will certainly be better for us!
Children even bored but never untied!
What, however, should never be forgotten is that any trip must take place in the name of safety and, the only possible way, is to strictly comply with the rules of article 172 of the Highway Code, which indicates the obligation to always carry children, in a car, with approved restraint systems, based on weight and height. Failure to use these devices - and we at Mamme in Auto will never tire of repeating it - can cause very serious consequences. Find all the rules and regulations on child seats, in our dedicated video, here, on the Mamme in Auto page.
