July 14, 2009

If you find yourself spending more and more time in the car, try preparing a few portable school activities ahead of time to take with you.  It’ll make the travel time more fun for everyone, and you can squeeze a little more learning into the day.

Here are some ideas we’ve done:

• Books on CD from the local library
• Listen to Story of the World CDs - this series tells history in a chronological order and in a story format that my kids love to listen to.
• Try out Brain Quest Card Games if you haven’t before.  They fit easily in your hand, have fun questions geared toward grade levels, and cover many topic areas.
• Keep a box of story and/or picture books in the car.  Have older kids read the stories out loud to the rest of the family.  If you keep an exciting chapter book only for the car, the kids will look forward to car trips to hear the next part of the story.
• Use fact card sets to teach, quiz, and play question games with, like this selection of Brighter Child Fact Cards.
• Print up a map for the older kids, or get a Kids’ Road Atlas to help teach navigation.

We also like having an activity book or two to keep in the car:

- Best Travel Activity Book Ever (Backseat Books)

- Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games and Activities
 

- Are We There Yet (Backseat Books)
 

Do you have a schooling, parenting, or household tip to share with us?  We can all use new ideas!  Please share in the comment section.

Posted under Homeschool Curriculum, Tuesday Tips