I can remember my days traveling in the backseat of our stationwagon. \u00a0A brother on either side of me, miles traveled and we still had miles to go. \u00a0In memory of the days I’m doing a series of “Family Travel Tip” blogs based on my time, as well as my children’s time, spent traveling via car. \u00a0Note: these tips are not based on any electronics devices.<\/p>\n
A reliable way to help pass the time is to encourage a child’s imagination. \u00a0To this end, find a rimmed metal cookie sheet or jelly-roll pan. \u00a0The one I used must be at least 50 years old but you can find newer ones at second hand stores or a brand new on at most big-box stores. \u00a0Now get a bunch of plastic letters and\/or numbers (usually sold for use on refrigerators) and\/or cut some shapes, figures, whatever, out of heavy cardboard and attach piece of magnetic tape (also available in rolls at big-box stores). \u00a0You can also use electric tap to form tic-tac-toe or checkerboard templets.<\/p>\n
I would store little pieces in either a little tie box or in a bag with a pull-string and pack the cookie sheet behind the backseat. \u00a0Also one per child helped to keep the number of arguments down. \u00a0 The cookie sheet also could double as a writing surface.<\/p>\n
I remember one day of a rather long drive, each children made up a story using the cookie sheet and put it “on” for us during lunch break. \u00a0That was definitely worthy of an ice cream treat at our next gasoline stop.<\/p>\n