Kitchen Table Reviews: Triptivities
These activities help tame the backseat all the way from point A to point B... and beyond.
Over the weekend my family departed on a massive summer road trip wherein we'll cover thousands of miles before we return home. It's our first big road trip—pretty exciting. And while I knew we'd probably have a blast, I'm no fool, either... I knew I'd have to pack plenty of snacks, games, books, and activities to keep everyone happy on the road. (My husband suggested duct tape in lieu of all those other things, but I convinced him to let me try keeping the kids occupied, first.)
I packed and I packed and I packed. And the last thing I did before we left was throw a copy of Triptivities into the back seat for the kids. I hadn't even had a chance to look at it, yet, myself.
My daughter promptly grabbed the book and I heard her scribbling away, back there, for quite a while. After about an hour, she passed me a page she'd ripped out, giggling all the while. The page was a parody of a doctor's note, prescribing a number of activities for the “afflicted.” Possible items to check off included a front seat, a milkshake, control of the radio, or to be taken to the nearest rollercoaster. Never one to miss an opportunity, my daughter had selected all of the choices,
Later, she gave her brother a “Clean Air Violation” certificate, citing his stinky feet.
The next day, the kids played together out of the book. There are some pencil-and-paper puzzles, suggestions for car games (things to count, various word games everyone can play together), mad-libs, jokes, even magic tricks.
I'm not sure I can say with 100% certainty that this book is the only reason for what I'm about to tell you, but it's a miracle-in-progress here on our trip, nonetheless: I have not heard the dreaded words “I'm bored” all week.
Today I asked them what they like best about Triptivities.
Son: I just really like everything about Klutz books. They're always so funny! I think “Hold Your Tongue” was my favorite, because no one ever understood what I was saying when I was talking while holding my tongue. But my fingers got sort of spitty.
Daughter: I liked “Count To Ten” because everyone can play and it's funny how it says once you get to ten you should pull over, get out, and dance around the car shouting “We can count to ten!” Then they say people will be impressed. Heh.
Me: I liked the note you passed me. That was pretty funny. And the Hush-O-Gram stickers would be awesome if either of you actually stopped talking when they were applied.
Pros: Keeps kids busy for hours. Lots of different activties. Very funny (and sometimes very punny, too).
Cons: Spitty fingers. Hush-O-Gram stickers did not keep my kids quiet. Some of the humor is a bit gross.
Although our kitchen table is currently in the camper being towed behind us, this week Triptivities gets three thumbs up from inside our car (where we are, in my son's words, “very happy campers”).
