Screen-Free Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained in the Car

Childcare Centre Toowoomba

1. Scavenger Hunt Bingo

Draw up a grid of 16 squares and fill each one with something for your child to find. They can be as specific as ‘a copy of Charlotte's Web’ or as vague ‘something blue’. The beauty of scavenger hunt bingo is they don’t necessarily collect it, they can just find it and mark it off. This game is perfect for those long car trips this Christmas Holidays. (The Hub, 13 May)

2. Colouring In

Colouring in is a calming and enriching activity that helps improve fine motor skills and creativity. It is always a good idea to keep a colouring book and some pencils handy in the car for when you need to occupy your kids on the go.

3. Family Portraits

If you have a budding artist in your family, why not encourage them to draw a fridge-worthy family portrait? Make sure to include any pets too. Perhaps they can even draw portraits of extended family and the people they are missing. you can then put these pictures on the wall or send them to friends and family to remind them that you’re thinking of them. Family portraits are a great way to keep your kids thinking about their loved-ones, whilst keeping them entertained for longer periods of time. (The Hub, 13 May)

4. 'I-Spy'

There are many games you can play in the car, but one of the most simple and entertaining is 'I-Spy'. For younger kids, 'I-Spy' can be played with colours. For example, it begins with someone choosing something they see and saying "I spy with my little eye, something the colour of red (or whatever colour the chosen object is)" and then everyone else in the car proceeds to try and guess what they have spied. For older kids, this game can be played by giving the starting letter of an object (I spy with my little eye, something beginning with -") to make it a little bit more challenging.

5. Be Bored

Sometimes society makes parents feel like we need to keep our kids entertained every waking minute. It’s ok for them to have nothing to do. It’s ok to let their growing mind rest. (The Hub, 13 May)