We are headed on a road trip! Spring break is just around the corner and the Brehm bus is movin’ on down the road to tackle more of our “50 states” goal.
What’s our 50-state goal? To visit and experience alll 50 states in the U S of A before Harrison, currently 4-years-old, graduates high school. We are currently sitting at 16 states knocked off for our complete Fab 5. What better time than spring break to knock off some more?
The thing about this goal? It sorta needs driving. Sure, you can fly to Florida and knock out your Florida experience but why not enjoy the adventure of it all?
So. Spring Break destination 2018 includes:
St Louis, Missouri
Memphis, Tennessee
Gulf Shores, Alabama
New Orleans, Louisiana
Little Rock, Arkansas
and mayyyyybe a stop in Mississippi
It’s a ton of fun traveling from town to town with the boys. But it also requires a fair amount of planning for the car ride to keep it fresh, interesting, and not simply an excuse to zone out in front of a screen for 17 hours straight.
So I decided to partner with Fat Brain Toys {because I love them. And they are local to Omaha!} and curate a list for you {and me}, with 10 Toys and Activities for Your Family Road Trip.
I searched on-line, in-store, and worked with the Fat Brain toy gurus to compile this list. All opinions and choices are mine! All products are theirs and are available on-line or in-store at Fat Brain Toys.
In light of my children’s obsession with fidget spinners, the minute I saw these, I thought they’d not only be great for each of the boys’ ages but I also love that they can stick them on the window {they have a suction cup bottom!}, take them into restaurants, fidget with them… and the material they are made of seems to be a breeze to de-germ
Ohhhhh wiki stix, how we adore you! Wax bendable stix that can create shapes, people, cars… whatever the mind can dream up. My boys have always enjoyed playing with these and the travel case with the extra inspiration-booklet is perfect for being on the road.
When one of the Fat Brain masterminds suggested this for the car because of its ability to roll up compactly after play, I thought, “Oh girl, you be crazy! Giving my kid a piano for the car ride — he would LOVE it. The rest of us would need ear plugs after 12 minutes.” But GUESS WHAT? This piano has a headphone jack! Say what?! Yes. They have thought of everything. I immediately knew that my 6-year-old would be in love!
One of the biggest things I look for in our travel activities is that they are practical for car-use in that they can be contained. This is huge for practicality but also for mama’s sanity. The crankity included 40 challenges with building gear puzzles AND it has a flat surface + a storage bag. Win/ Win/Win. I know my 9-year-old will think this is legit.
Love love love anything by Highlights. Even moreso, love things that are interactive but age appropriate for my busy 4-year-old. This kit includes puzzles and the interactive “pencil.” And, a compact travel box.
Ah, Brain Quest! A car activity that has stood the test of time. I selected this deck because of the subject matter: 1,100 questions and answers all about America. Perfect for the family of road warriors. It’s an activity we can ALL do together, that the two olders can read, and it comes in a handy-dandy deck for easy use.
If you follow me on Facebook, you know how much, particularly my 4-year-old, loves to write on EVERYTHING. These crayons had me at “windows.” You can use these for paper but also for windows! I am excited to let the boys use their creativity to decorate their space (and don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of Wet Ones for easy clean-up!). I also love that these have an easy carrying case so I can pop them in my bag when we go inside to eat or sleep to make sure we don’t have any melty messes.
Highlights riddles and jokes 4-pack books
My boys love books. They also love jokes. Riddles. Knock Knocks. This 4-pack of everything from side-splitting knock knocks to rib-tickling riddles will have them in giggle fits as they read them aloud and have us guessing right along.
License plate bingo
Ohhhhhh yes! My kids LOVE keeping track of the plates we pass along the way as we make our way through different areas of the US. While I could easily create something similar, for 2.95, each person in the family will have their own personal playing space. May the best man {or mama} win! These are available in-store.
I have some very active boys who need to get their energy out in any way possible. For those moments when they are fidgety, specifically once the sun has gone down but they can’t quite fall asleep, I love this Brain Food. Like silly putty, it gives them something to manipulate with their hands, calm them down, AND how much fun will they have seeing if it really glows in the dark?!
And that brings us to 10!
Other things in our travel packs will include iPads, movies, Crayola colored pencils and markers {all color max and WASHABLE} + paper/activity books, books. books. books. and a ball or frisbee for leg stretching stops.
Hopefully my bag of tricks will keep the boys busy for a bit and of course, they can also just do what mama and daddy do and look out the window and enjoy the ride!
What are your must-haves on your long family adventures {besides snacks, snacks, and more snacks:)}?
Happy travels-
Ashli
