Traveling with kids in the car can be a parents worst nightmare. Especially if the journey is long. Don't worry! Help is at hand.

The secrect to maintaining harmony with children is to make them an integral part of what is happening. Children are most responsive when they feel involved and important. If they are unable to be directly involved in what is occuring then the next best alternative is to keep them occupied.

Since children are supposed to be strapped in the back seat of the car, it can be tricky to involve them with the driving side of things. However keeping them occupied takes only a little time, thought and preparation. The level of preparation is dependent on the child/ren and the journey's distance or traveling time. Short trips to the shop will not take as much preparation as a road trip to see Aunty Em three states away!

There are numerous car games available to purchase, though they can be hard to find at times and may be pricey. Here are a few free alternatives that can provide hours of entertainment and peaceful car rides. Certain ideas are not suitable for all ages however with a bit of creativity and imagination they are easily adaptable to suit even the most fickle.

A personal favorite for car journeys is "I-Spy". Simple, accessory free, can be played by children as young as 3 (with assistance), everyone participates at the same time, increases observation skills and helps the time pass quickly. For those not familiar with the game it is very easy to learn. After selecting what it is that you spy say "I spy with my little eye something beginning with ..." Insert the first letter of the word for the object you have selected, r for road, c for car or whatever it is you have spied. Everyone else in the car then tries to guess what it is you have spied. Who ever guesses correctly then gets a turn at spying.

The beauty of this game is that it is very adaptable. For young children you could I spy a color rather than a letter. For example "I spy with my little eye something blue" The answer could be the sky. The most important thing to remember is that you are playing with children and more often than not if it is to hard they tire of it quickly. If younger children are playing a small description might also need to be included to get them started. With older children you may decide that spying is not necessary and think of words of them to guess. Meanings and letter length can be given as clues.

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