Are We There Yet?

The first long journey that I remember was when I was 4 years old. It was a rickety 48 hour coach journey through Iran. A clever auntie knew it would probably be a nightmare for my parents travelling with 2 children under 3 and gave my sister an I a tote bag each filled with surprises! We were allowed to open take out one treat per hour, unwrap it and play with it. 36 years later and i can still remember the excitement of wondering what is next and that journey was a painless one for my parents. The coach floor was covered in crayons and puzzle pieces and glittery paper by the end, but we were two happy little girls.

If you have the time, you might like to prepare a similar tote bag filled with treats and surprises and give children the feeling that it is Christmas all over again. Pop items that are relevant to the age of the children. Older children will prefer magazines, Sukudo and more complicated puzzles

Here are some ideas for your Surprise Bags - if you can wrap them up, it will be even more fun. You could even wrap up things that children already have, rather than spend the extra money.

wax crayons and paper
pocket puzzle books
mini games
snacks - small packet of sweets or raisins/fruit/crisps or vegetable crisps/carton of juice
pocket money and party bags toys
3D glasses
comic book/magazine
a CD of favourite songs
a story book CD
jokes and 'forfeits'


Depending on the length of your journey, you can set the alarm to go off either every 30 mins or 60 mins. This is a great way to bring in drinks and snacks breaks. You could also include games such as 'I spy', alphabet number plates where children start at A and find a number plate beginning with A and then B and C ect. (Bear in mind that there are no i and Z and very few Q number plates - so my husband says ;-) Another great game is the memory game. One person starts with I went on holiday and I packed an Apple. The next person says I went on holiday and I packed an Apple and a Ball. The next person says I went on holiday and I packed an Apple, a Ball and a Coat. Go through the alphabet or until someone forgets the items.

Relaxing during the Journey

Many parents are now using Relax Kids CDs, to entertain children in the car. After some fun of unwrapping and playing with presents, why not introduce quiet times or nap times, where everyone is quiet and listens to a short or longer relaxation. Hopefully, the children may sleep for a while, waking up refreshed to open their next toy. I would recommend Nature CD to prepare the children for their summer holiday in the sun, or Quiet Spaces. Shining Stars has some songs and stories on which breaks up the meditations. Alternatively if the children love fairytales then it has to be either the Princesses CD or Superheroes CD.

Relax Kids Travel Pack
You may be interested in our new Relax Kids Travel Pack. Children can listen to the CD while moulding shapes with some aromatherapy Doh. The Doh is called ARE WE THERE YET? and helps calm a nervous stomach and alleviates the feelings of boredom and sickness. The aromatherapy oils help relieve travel restlessness.

Travel Sickness
If your child feel a little queazy, you could try a mint, a wedge of fresh lemon or a drop of peppermint oil on a tissue. I personally find that if I press my left inner wrist with my right thumb, it settles my stomach. Place your childs thumb along their wrist and measure 3 thumbs up and press this point - it is up the forearm about 4 inches away from the inner wrist.