Toddlers: The Wait Is The Hardest Part

Passing time is tough for anyone. Make it go by quickly with these creative activities.

Vacations are fun ways for anyone to learn about new places and cultures. However, getting to your destination -- whether it be by car or plane -- can sometimes be tedious and boring, especially for the little ones. To keep your grandchildren interested in the trip and to help you pass the time in the car or the wait at the airport, invent your own games and challenges. Help your grandchild create a photo album with pictures of him and his favorite toy at each of your vacation stops or challenge his observation skills by identifying things outside the car window or at the airport by letter or color. Here are a few ideas:

Me and My Buddy Vacation Memories
Your grandchild can create his own special memory scrapbook from a family vacation or a special trip. Before the trip begins, have your little one pick one favorite toy or stuffed animal that will serve as his or her buddy on the journey. Using either a digital camera (preferred because you can easily delete bad photos) or an inexpensive 35mm camera, let your grandchild set up a photo opportunity at stops throughout the journey. If the child is very young, take a photo of him with his vacation buddy along the way. Grandchildren, typically ages 4 and older, can use a camera to take their own photos. Let him take several on his own (it's okay if he takes photos at unusual angles or extremely close up), and then be sure to capture a shot featuring him and his buddy at each stop. Once you get home, set aside time to assemble a scrapbook together. The keepsake will serve as a lasting memory of fun times.

Letter Hunt
Pass time in an airport by having an alphabet search with your grandchild. Can your little one find something that begins with the letter "A"? Even better, take turns so that everyone finds one thing starting with a letter and then all progress to the next letter. For very young children, help them with the game by sounding out the letter and offering suggestions of things you see that start with that letter. This is a great way to begin teaching alphabet sounds.

Cookie-Sheet Magnets
For some quiet and simple entertainment, pick up a batch of inexpensive alphabet and shape magnets (usually available at dollar stores) for your next road trip. Place the magnets on a metal cookie sheet for your grandchild to move and rearrange. To keep things organized, bring along a resealable bag to hold the extra pieces.