How to Entertain Children on a Road Trip

Family road trips are a great and often inexpensive way to spend vacation time with your children. However, they can also be immensely aggravating for the entire family when your children start to get bored and restless. As an avid road warrior and a parent of three young children, I've been through numerous ups-and-downs while traveling by car. As a result, I've mentally developed a lot of "lessons learned" when it comes to hitting the highway. Here are a few of my tips for helping parents and kids survive - and enjoy - a great road trip.

1. Break up longer trips into small sections. If you can limit your time on the road to 5-6 hours a day, you can save yourself a lot of stress. Getting to your first stop will also give you and your children some time for play and relaxation. Many children can't sit in a car for hours on end, then go straight to bed in a strange hotel room. So try to stop before you are too tired, so that everyone call relax and have fun before bedtime.

2. If you will be stopping for the night before your final destination, pack the bare minimum for a single night in a separate bag from your main luggage. This way, there's less to carry into the hotel, and also less stuff to climb over while you're in your room. When we travel, we pack a pair of pjs and a single change of clothes for each child and minimal toiletries (their toothbrushes are important to remember!) in a duffel bag. It's much easier to deal with for a single overnight hotel stay than bringing in a large bag with our entire wardrobe for the trip.

3. If your children argue over a particular seat (or row of seats in the minivan), set up a schedule in advance so that everyone considers their time in the special seat to be equal and fair to everyone else's time. It can save a lot of arguing over who sits where after each stop you make.

4. If there is more than one adult and extra room in the back, sit with your children for at least part of the trip. They may feel that they don't get enough attention from Mom and Dad if you're both in the front seat, having a conversation that doesn't include them.

5. Stop at rest areas whenever possible, not just for a bathroom break, but also for snacks. If the weather is good, it's also a great chance to let kids stretch their legs and get rid of the restless energy from sitting all day. Bring along a soccer ball or frisbee and let them play near a picnic area for a bit. It helps stretch cramped muscles, relieve stress through recreation, and simply breaks the monotony of being in the car.

6. Cultivate a knowledge of great road trip games. Some examples are finding license plates from every state, looking for all the letters of the alphabet (in order!) on road signs, and looking for fun shapes in clouds. You can find a huge selection of car games for kids by doing a simple online search, and if you add one or two new game ideas to each trip, you'll keep the selection fresh and more exciting for your kids.

7. Make a sing-along CD of the kids' favorite songs, and have a family karaoke-style sing-along as you head down the road. Include age-appropriate CDs made for kids, but try and find some that you can enjoy too. One great line to consider is "Kidz Bop", which features remakes of well-known pop songs with children singing along. We also have made a CD of songs that our family likes to "perform" on the Band Hero video games.

8. Get each child an age-appropriate activity book and pens/pencils/crayons. Coloring books are great for toddlers, older children may like multi-game books, and teenagers often enjoy crossword puzzles or Sudoku (at least, if they're trapped in a car without a phone or game console)! With smaller children, it's a good idea to limit their time with crayons and pencils though; don't let them get so bored that they start drawing on the inside of your car!

9. Get a portable DVD player if your vehicle doesn't already have one. Bring along a few of their favorites, but also pick up a new movie from the store or the local video rental place. Try NetFlix if you travel often; you can keep your selections as long as you want, so you don't have to worry about due dates and overdue fees. You can also check out DVDs from many public libraries for free.

10. Pack low-sugar snacks to keep hunger at bay without causing a sugar rush and the inevitable crash. Small bags of baby carrots, apple slices, or air-popped porpcorn ease a rumbling tummy. Healthy snacks are also important if your children tend to snack when they are bored rather than just hungry.

Printable Word Search Puzzles for Kids

Word search puzzles are pen and paper puzzles containing a grid of letters. The player's task is to locate words hidden within this grid. Each word is in a straight line, but can be placed in any direction, horizontally (left to right, or right to left), vertically (upwards or downwards), or diagonally. Just to make the puzzle that little bit more difficult, words may overlap or intersect, and of course not every letter in the grid is actually part of a word.

Most children seem to enjoy solving word search puzzles - they're an enjoyable way to pass the time. Parents often like these puzzles too, as they can keep the kids busy, instead of getting bored, on a rainy day, or during a long plane or train journey.

It should also be remembered that while word search puzzles are mainly about fun, they can also have educational benefits too. Solving a word search puzzle requires concentration and attention to detail. Furthermore, in order to solve these puzzles, kids need to focus on the exact spelling of words.

It is possible to buy books printed with word search puzzles, however a more flexible option is for a parent or teacher to create the puzzles themselves with the help a computer and word search puzzle maker software. Simply enter a list of words, and the computer can generate a puzzle in an instant! Doing it this way has the big advantage that you can tailor the puzzle, for example choosing words based on this week's spelling list or around class project, or perhaps turning off some of the more difficult directions when creating puzzles for younger kids.

The History of Crossword Puzzles

The first book of crosswords was published in 1924. It became a best-seller and crosswords replaced mahjongg as the most popular American game. Crossword puzzle design and solving is an excellent way to sharpen focus. Regardless of whether design and or solve numerous crossword puzzles, you will learn one more way to enhance memory and creative expression. Some even say that crossword puzzles help keep Alzheimer's at bay.

Nearly all word games improve spelling, the appeal of word-games is very easy to understand. Crossword puzzles encourage logical thinking and correct spelling. Some of crossword clues are straightforward and only require a wide vocabulary. However some contain devious clues, where there is always a logical link between the clue and the solution.

Some of crossword clues are straightforward and only need a wide vocabulary. While other clues induce a probability distribution over viable targets, which must somehow be respected along with the constraints of the puzzle. However devious the clue, there is always, in a well-set crossword puzzle a logical link between the clue and the solution. At best, clues induce a probability distribution over viable targets, which must somehow be respected along with the constraints of the puzzle. Some have begun using computers to solve crosswords, while others solve crosswords using the familiar and time-honored tradition of putting pen to paper. Crosswords encourage people to use dictionaries, both specialized crossword dictionaries as well as collegiate and unabridged dictionary volumes. Some believe that the pen and pencil mode indicate a degree of confidence in solutions and problem solving. Crossword puzzlers should always remember, that just because you wrote something down, doesn't make it right.

All in all, crosswords are very inexpensive, intellectually stimulating, calls for no partner and, most importantly, helps one forget the stresses and tensions of modern living. Intellectual stimulation is sought by the very intelligent and crosswords offer a release from mental tension. Creative crosswords afford little of that intellectual excitement that a more complicated crossword does. Crossword puzzles are very popular in many countries.

IQ Measures Only Three Out Of Seven Types Of Intelligence

When we talk about intelligence, we tend to think about what system we can use to measure it. When we talk about how intelligent a person is, we may think about how high his/her IQ level is. IQ is the Intelligence Quotient of a person derived from the equation of mental age over chronological age. It is said that the higher a person's cognitive capability is, in relation to his number of years lived, the more intelligent he is.

So we tend to think that people with higher IQ are more intelligent than people with lower IQ. Ok, but if you take a group of people with perfectly functioning brains and with normal psychological makeup, are the ones with higher IQ really always considered to be more intelligent than the rest?

Answer is yes and no.

If you take higher IQ as a simple definition that so and so is more intelligent than another. Then the answer is NO.

If you take higher IQ to mean that a person has certain higher cognitive capabilities than others then the answer is Yes.

You see, IQ does not measure all of a person's intelligence. It only measures part of it. We all know that there are three faculties that an IQ test is testing a person in. There are seven types of intelligence and IQ measures only three of the seven.

Psychologist Howard Gardner identified the following distinct types of intelligence. They are listed here with respect to gifted / talented children.

1. Linguistic

Children with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.

2. Logical-Mathematical

Children with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.

3. Bodily-Kinesthetic

These kids process knowledge through bodily sensations. They are often athletic, dancers or good at crafts such as sewing or woodworking.

4. Spatial

These children think in images and pictures. They may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing, building with Leggos or daydreaming.

5. Musical

Musical children are always singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss. These kids are often discriminating listeners.

6. Interpersonal

Children who are leaders among their peers, who are good at communicating and who seem to understand others' feelings and motives possess interpersonal intelligence.

7. Intrapersonal

These children may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.

IQ test measures a person's Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical and Spatial Intelligence. The first two are left-brained and the third is right-brained. But there are still four other areas of intelligence than IQ does not measure. Areas in which people can be geniuses in as well.

We cannot use IQ alone as a basis to compare the intelligence of people with one another. In fact, some people are more intelligent than others who may have higher IQ than them! How is that so? Simply because, there is a difference between having certain enhanced cognitive capabilities and using these capabilities in combination and harmony with the rest of your mind in an integrated and holistic way.

There is a difference between using your brain in a partial way, and using it in a complete and well connected way.

Puzzles Are More Than One Thinks

Brain teasers, jigsaws, crosswords, anagrams, sudokus, riddles and math puzzles are all forms of entertainment that most people enjoy at one time or another. The history of puzzles goes back hundreds of years, and there is evidence of puzzles and riddles in just about any civilization archeologists have studied. There are riddles and puzzles in The Bible, ancient Greek myths and fables of virtually every society. Not all puzzles are as plain to recognize as a Rubik's cube or a maze, though. People will incorporate some aspect of puzzle solving into their lives every day, even if it is merely calculating the quickest route to work based on the current traffic perplexities.

Are you the kind of person that cannot walk past a picture that is hanging slightly crooked on the wall? You find you must even it up or it will nag at you every time you see it. Even if it is sorting your email into folders or stacking your compact discs, there is a degree of contentment that comes with taking something a bit disorderly and making it organized. While some areas of your life cannot help but be out of your control, there are some parts that when kept under your thumb will provide you with a measure of security and ease of mind.

Most people take advantage of their aptitude for creating orderliness in their employment. Many occupations take something from a situation that is raw or not fully utilized to something that is useful, profitable and desired by their customers or those they serve. Nearly every kind of job you could name takes something that is chaotic or less desired and makes it into something that is orderly or welcomed. A dentist fills a tooth, a contractor builds a house, and a salesman places his products in the hands of those who need and want them.

With people's innate desire to fix and improve things, perhaps it is not such a great wonder that after working all day, people will engage in some physical or mental game. Even reading a good Agatha Christie mystery and trying to figure out which character did the murder is a form of puzzle solving. Many video games incorporate puzzles of a traditional nature, and all involve some type of original puzzle solving, too. Even when we think we are relaxing we are still working in our minds to bring order to chaos.

Another thing your mind is doing when you are puzzle-solving is seeking and creating patterns. Whether you are solving a jigsaw puzzle or making up your grocery shopping list, you are seeking out an insubstantial or hidden pattern and using that knowledge to resolve the situation. Usually we think of puzzles as things like crosswords, jigsaws, connect-the-dots, anagrams, word searches, etc. All these are notable examples of recreational puzzles that have a lasting attraction.

All types of recreational puzzles can be found online for free. Most can be played within your web browser with no downloading of special software necessary. Many types of puzzles can also be found in a printable format. Next time you sit down to spend a few leisurely minutes to work on a puzzle, you can reflect that you are in good company. Imposing order on chaos through puzzles is a form of recreation that is common to all civilized peoples.

handheld electronic games

Handheld electronic games are an economical solution for many of life's "down times". While you can always go the expensive route by purchasing one of the high priced gaming systems, very few of those games can compete with some of the old standbys. Games like solitaire, chess, crossword puzzles, word search and Suduko are just a few of the reasonably priced electronic handheld games that you can purchase at game supplies and electronic boutiques, department and discount stores and even in some grocery stores.

Not only are handheld games a great choice for the kids (it practically eliminates the whining from the back seat), but adults as well. Go anywhere where there is a lot of waiting going on - the doctor's office or any motor vehicles - and you will probably see a number of adults engrossed in a rousing game of Spider Solitaire or Blip Football. I know a lot of boyfriends and husbands who enjoy going shopping with their sweetie, but who just can't "hang" as long as they can. I have seen many a man sitting outside a changing room door with a purse and shopping bags at their feet and a handheld electronic game in their hands.

The electronic handheld game itself has come a long way since the originals. Now you can get games that offer background lights. Perfect for playing at 3:00 AM when you can't sleep. Some have forgone buttons altogether and offer a touch screen or a stylus. And yet most manage to stay under $25. I recommend that you take plenty with you on any family vacation. Not only will they help pass travel time, but almost every vacation has at least one day where vacationers find themselves stuck in the hotel room because of bad weather, sickness or just plain old amusement park exhaustion.

Most of today's board games now come in a handheld electronic form. Many families have forgone the big game box with all of the messy pieces, cards and fake money and converted to electronic versions of their favorite games for family night. The rule in most families is that the loser has to pick up and put the game away. Switching to an electronic handheld version will make that dishonorable task a whole lot easier to bear!

A wonderful added benefit to playing electronic handheld games is its ability to work wonders on your stress levels. People who can get engrossed in a mind puzzle rather than get angry at an unavoidable situation have much lower blood pressure and can transcend most of whatever life throws at them.

Most handheld games run on four or less AA batteries and fit perfectly into any purse, backpack, glove compartment or bedside table drawer. They are light, compact and once you find the game that you enjoy most you will almost look forward to those waiting around times.

How Can Educational Games For Kids Really Help?

Educational games for kids are literally everywhere. They range from real-life board games to free online games. They can also be easily bought or accessed. Department stores have toy sections where you can find tons of games. While not all of them can be educational, games like scrabble and chess are not really hard to find. Popular websites like Facebook and Yahoo offer a section of games, most of which are child-friendly.

Parents can also devise their own games for their kids. Solving a simple math problem can turn into a worthwhile activity if the parents are inventive enough to add a little twist into it. It takes creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish this.

Word games are the most common. Some of the most popular kinds are Hangman, Boggle, crossword puzzles, Scribbage, and the most famous scrabble. These games allow children to learn more words. Difficult words can force them to look up the dictionary and learn the definitions in the process. Boggle, Scrabble, and Scribbage can create the competitive edge in children by letting two or more kids play against each other. While crosswords were invented to satisfy adults, simple crosswords are found in some children educational books. Parents can also make crosswords on their own or better, include their children while they are answering their favorite newspaper crosswords.

There are also card games that can help a child's learning. Flash card games are not just limited to basic mathematical operations. This type of educational games for kids can also broaden their concept on animals, geography, and sports, which is perfect for toddlers.

Educational games for kids can also be in the form of video games. These games have undergone an evolution from simple entertainment to purely educational. Some researchers had already proposed that some video and computer games be used in a classroom setting for serious learning. This is in parallel with the progress the world is making through digital technology development. Some of these games encourage strategic thinking, while some focus on direct teaching.

Educational games for kids also flood the online environment. Just one search in Google will give you thousands of options of websites that can be comprehensive, enjoyable, and helpful in learning. Websites that appear on top of the list include learninggamesforkids.com and playkidsgames.com. The former has plenty of games regarding subjects like music and the arts, health, and science. In playkidsgames.com, you can even create a classroom where you can bring the children and play an online class setting.

However, not most people agree with this system. Questions are being raised regarding the effectiveness of computers and the Internet for students. The main issue is that online contents are not regulated so without proper guidance, the Internet can be potentially harmful.

Parents and teachers should always see to it that the children are conforming to the path they should take when it comes to learning. Educational games for kids are there as supplements, but guarding the children must their utmost priority.