Preschool Games for Bus Rides
Children of preschool age notoriously have a difficult time in long car rides. We've all heard, "Are we there yet?" While handheld game devices and in-car DVD systems help to keep children entertained, they're expensive and don't provide the same level of activity and interaction that games do. There are games designed for car rides available in stores; there are also many games you can make and play that have little or no cost.
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Mystery Writing
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One simple game can be played endlessly with no winners or losers and with two or more players. One round can last as little as a few seconds; multiple rounds can last the entire ride. Help preschoolers cement their learning of the alphabet by drawing "mystery" letters on the palm of their hand with your finger. Don't let them look as you're writing, for an extra challenge. See if they can tell what letter you're "drawing." If letters are too easy, move on to short words, pausing in between each letter.
Draw a Map
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Bring colored pencils, crayons (markers are also an option, but will stain car upholstery), paper and a flat surface for your child to draw on. Instruct him at the beginning of the ride that he is to make a map of your trip. Show him maps for inspiration or let him completely use his own imagination. Encourage him to draw things he sees on the trip, such as animals, buildings and signs.
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License Plate Game
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This game is a classic, but it can be difficult to keep track of the states you've seen in your head, and there is a more fun way to keep track than simply writing them down. The premise of the game is to point out license plates from different states. Keep your child interested in the game by printing out a simple map of the United States and coloring in each state as you see its license plate. Keep the map throughout multiple car trips and have an ongoing game of it.
Virtual Hide and Seek
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This is a variation on the "21 questions" game. Tell your child to imagine a place inside the house and "hide" there. This is especially fun when you point out that you can "virtually hide anywhere," like in the cookie jar or sugar bowl. Ask the child a series of questions to try and determine where she is hiding.
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References
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- Photo Credit little preschooler image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.com
