When I was young, I loved to hear the words, "We're going on a drive". I didn't care where! Anywhere was always good! Exciting! Different! It was a time to have mum and dad all to myself. Now I am older, the thought of a road trip is still exciting. Here is a world "on tap", away from home and work problems. It is a time for space and seeing the world in a different way, seeing the children in a different way! It is a time to share and talk about experiences together!

Don't believe a word of it! The theory sounds good, but the reality is, the road trip with two adults and two children squished in your average size car can be a nightmare. Dad can't stand loud voices. It disturbs his driving concentration. Mum is the tireless peacemaker. Deep and meaningfuls breed arguments with nowhere to escape. And the children wriggle and squirm out of their seatbelts interspersed with an alternating chorus of "I wanna", "I'm bored" and "Are we there yet!" The road trip can easily slip from exciting dream to nightmare.

There is just one survival antidote. Play games! Communicate, interact with games! Give the mind a reason to look out the window! Give rewards!

Here are a few suggestions:

Young Children- (Encourage older children to help them!)

• 1. Memory games- keep the mind thoroughly occupied. Children love outsmarting the adults on this one. It is good for their self-esteem. Try the alphabet game. "I'm going on a trip and I'm taking an Atlas". The next player has to remember "Atlas", say the phrase again and then add a trip related word for B. Continue through the alphabet.
• 2. Tally games- Take a tally of types of vehicles on the road. This is great for counting skills. To add further interest to the game, predict what vehicle will be seen the most before the trip starts.
• 3. Puzzles- Think of a person, known to the family and just say their initials. Everyone has to guess who it is. Using the letters from particular passing car registration plates, say a sentence. The first words in the sentence must start with letters from the rego.
• 4. Provide pocket games for silent times, hopefully.
• 5. Bring their favourite pillow or blanket. This is essential for comfort when they become tired and irritable.

Older Children

• 1. Take turns saying a line from a movie, TV show or song and everyone has to guess where it's from.
• 2. Provide pen and paper games such as join the dots or tic tac toe. Pages for these games are printable from http://www.momsminivan.com/.
• 3. Provide electronic games allowing 2 or more players.
• 4. Encourage a travel diary. Record weird things seen along the way. Include time and date.
• 5. Encourage older children to lead the younger ones in singing songs; even make up crazy songs.

General Suggestions

• 1. Everyone brings 2-3 tapes or CD's of their favourite music. Ensure everyone gets a turn at hearing their music. Sometimes, an adult may just happen to like a teenager's choice of music! It does happen! This would be a great talking point between teenager and parent!
• 2. On long trips, try team competition. This is great when there is a huge age gap between children. Teams have a map of the whole country with states marked. Watch passing car numberplates. Record at least 3 numberplates for as many states as possible. Teams may even embark on a scavenger hunt. Prepare a list of items to be found. Consider common items, such as a letterbox with the number 2 in its number, and some odd ones such as a platypus walking at the side of the road. Each find must be verified by mum or dad before recording.
• 3. The neverending story can be an all round crowd pleaser. Begin a storyline which must be continued in turn. Add a twist to it. Identify 2 words that can't be said. "Um" and "well" are good ones! Points are scored for each story without these words. No points gained if they are said. This activity can be a team effort for the larger family.
• 4. Consider giving everyone a role to play on trips. Mum may be the official navigator, who has to record each time she gets a wrong turn. The youngest child could be the official artist of the weird and wonderful. An older child could be the official recorder of funny comments made by the family.

And don't forget, winners are grinners. Take small rewards.

Individual activities and team activities, music for the whole family and comfort props for the littlies ensure the time spent travelling in the car with the whole family is a pleasurable experience. It is a subtle way the family can connect and inter-relate with a common purpose. On a road trip, minimise potential family friction and foster family communication with the fun of games!