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Here is another thrifty tip for traveling with kids from 2009 from my old parenting blog. Parts of this post are outdated but there are nuggets of gold that you might be able to use.

Summer means family road trip time!  I thought it would be a good  to refresh my memory and give readers some ideas for cheap travel entertainment ideas for the road.  Some of my personal travel entertainment ideas:

  • Make the children listen to an 80’s music mix. While traveling through certain parts of the country.  It’s a great way to get the kids to straighten up and behave and they can entertain themselves by making fun of mom! Two birds with one stone, if you will.
  • Portable DVD player OR iTunes movies. In the words of my 11-year-old, DUH. This is mandatory for traveling with tween and teen kids. God created portable DVD players for parents on road trips.
  • Silly Putty. This is an oldie but goody. My kids are way too cool to act excited about Silly Putty when they are at home. Get ’em in a car for 10 hours—-it’s a different story. It’s fun to see the girls have fun with such a simple toy.

Here are some tips for some mamas that are way cooler than me for family entertainment on the road:
Kim Orlando on TravelingMom likes to watch family vacation movies on Webbie, and take Webbie on the family road trips.

Being Frugal is one of my favorite blogs and has a great post called  Tightward Tuesday: Travel Entertainment for Kids that is stocked with great ideas! Be sure to check out the post, but here’s a preview:

Looking for License Plates. Give each child a notepad before you start the trip.  Have them see how many different state license plates they can find on the road.
Audio Books. I stopped by the library yesterday and checked out a few books on CD.  On our trips we’ll be listening to Henry Huggins, How to Eat Fried Worms, and Felicity.

Do you have any cheap entertainment ideas? Bring ’em on!

Family Travel: How to Entertain Kids on Road Trip

entertain-kids-road-trip
Some people turn their noses up about Ikea furniture. But I believe Ikea slipcover sofas and chairs are the Holy Grail of furniture. I’m not a picky person. I don’t need luxury labels or the latest trends to feel good about my purchase. But I’ll admit, I am particular when it comes to furniture. It needs to be comfortable, stylish, and durable. And it needs to be affordable. For years, I scoured stores and online retailers, looking for the perfect sofa. And then one day, I found it: the Ikea slipcovered sofa. With its clean lines, cozy cushions, and wide range of fabrics and colors, the Ikea slipcover sofa is everything I could ever want in a piece of furniture—and more. Here’s why I’m such a fan.

Benefits of Slipcovers

Slipcovers are like blankets for your furniture. They protect your upholstery from spills, stains, and pet hair while also disguising any wear and tear that has occurred over time. And because slipcovers are removable and machine-washable, they’re easy to care for—a must for me since I have two young kids and a shedding dog. Bonus: Slipcovers can also give your furniture a whole new look without having to buy new pieces. Simply choose a slipcover in a different color or pattern, and voila!—you’ve got a brand-new piece of furniture. But most slipcover sofas and chairs are hellishly expensive! That’s why I love the Ikea collection of fabric slipcover sofas and chairs.

Ikea’s Slipcovered Sofas and Chairs: A Cut Above the Rest

Ikea’s slipcovered sofas and chairs are well-made and stylish, but what really sets them apart is their price point. You can find an Ikea slipcover sofa starting at a $500 price point—a fraction of the cost of comparable sofas from other retailers. Ikea’s wide range of fabrics and colors, it’s easy to find a slipcover sofa or chair that fits both your style and budget. I love the classic design of Ikea’s Uppland Sofa with a white slipcover. If you’re on the hunt for an affordable, stylish sofa or chair, look no further than Ikea’s slipcovered sofas and chairs. With their clean lines, cozy cushions, and wide range of fabrics and colors, these pieces are sure to fit any style—and budget. So what are you waiting for? Head to your nearest Ikea store (or website) today!

My Ikea Sofas & Chairs

And the two dogs who keep my slipcover furniture dirty