:: Spring Break, summer vacation, or a trip to see grandma? No matter where the trip takes your grandkids, these Grumble-Crushing Activity Bags are the perfect way to make the ride/flight a bit more bearable.
What are grumble-crushing snack bags?
They’re a simple way to help your adult kids avoid the all-too-familiar (and exhausting) “Are we there yet?” hitting them in the back of the head as they travel. Illustrated directions prompt you to prepare a one or a dozen activity bags for your grandkids to keep your grandkids busy on their way to their destination. There are three types of activities to choose from: Seat Activities, Seat Activities with Snacks, and Rest Stop Activities to get your little darlings moving! Each activity has a printable tag with directions and a corresponding Bible verse.
How does it work?
As your grandkids travel, their parent(s) get to decide on a certain amount of time – 30 minutes, 3 hours…whatever seems appropriate for the distance of their trip and the number of bags you’ve prepared. They will set an alarm for the time they choose and when the alarm goes off, it’s time to open an Activity Bag. But wait! Each time they grumble or complain, BEFORE the timer goes off, the timer gets reset. Yikes!
STEP ONE: Plan & Shop
Look through the bag ideas to determine how many bags you will make and which activities you will include. You may also come up with some awesome ideas of your own! Next, use the Supplies List included in the free download to make your shopping list.
STEP TWO: Print
Now that you have all the supplies for the activities you chose, it’s time to print the corresponding Bag Tags. Blank tags are included in case you have some of your own ideas. They are designed with color, but black and white is just fine! Simply download the free file at the end of this post and print the tags you need.
STEP THREE: Decorate (optional)
Spice up the outside of each bag with some decorations and then add each child’s name. If you live nearby and have the time, let your grandkids decorate their own bags ahead of time: color, paint, stickers, or anything non-messy. Have mercy on your adult kids by avoiding glitter! Trust me.
STEP FOUR: Stuff & Tie
Put the supplies for each activity in a bag and fold the top down. Cut the tags apart and then punch a hole in the top of each one, as well in the top of each bag. Next, use ribbon or yarn to tie each tag to its corresponding bag. Though it takes a bit longer than tape or glue, this assures that the tags stay attached and are visible to parents so they can choose accordingly.
STEP FIVE: Deliver!
Put all of the bags inside a larger gift bag or box – something that won’t take up too much space in the car, will keep the bags together, and can be easily thrown away or used to store bag contents after opening. Drop everything off the day before, along with a copy of the “Grumble-Crushing Activities Directions.” Tell your grandkids that it’s a surprise for travel-time AND that their parents are in charge of when they get to open each one.
KRISTI is the author of the Before books and coloring books for children and the Your Soul To Keep one-year prayer book for parents of adults. She writes to inspire parents and grandparents to shine the joy of Jesus into the lives of their families and to laugh without fear of the future (Proverbs 31:25). She and her husband Tim live in Iowa where they love doing life with their sons and daughters-in-law, six grandbabies, and two very spoiled dogs.