Sanity Saver (weensie alert)

Have you ever had the experience of coming home from a family trip daydreaming about a vacation? I've quickly learned that traveling with toddlers is not a "vacation" for the mamas and papas, it's a change of scenery. Well, summer is right around the corner and that means travel for many families- eek!

If you are planning a trip with young children it's important, no essential, to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Arts & craft materials are always a big hit (personally, I always have crayons & playdough stashed in my diaper bag even when we're home in the hood). New toys and books are great too. But on longer trips, sometimes you need to take things up a notch. This simple beading project is just the trick!

All you need are some pipe cleaners and some basic craft beads like these. You could use shoe laces or a sturdy string, but the stiffness of the pipe cleaners is what makes this weensie perfect for your lil' eensies. Give them a small cupful of beads (emphasis on small, as it's bound to spill a few times) and a pipe cleaner with one tip bent to keep the beads in place. Show them how to thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner, sit back and relax! The best part your kiddo's improving their fine motor skills as they create.

This should keep 'em busy and still (a feat for many toddlers) long enough to enjoy a cold one. I swear, I've seen this activity work it's charm on the squirmiest guy I know (in fact his smarty pants mom is the one who gave me the idea). Cheers!

P.S. For more toddler travel tips check this and this out.