Fun on the Run!: 324 Instant Family Activities

by Cynthia L. Copeland

It's instant fun. Activities to do in minutes. Super-quick games to roll out at a moment's notice. Filling a need that every parent of young children has, 324 Anytime, Anywhere Activities! for Kids is a perfect antidote to those "booooring" car rides, endless waits in the doctor's office, restaurant fidgetiness, and assorted child-unfriendly chores. And you don't need to bring along any special props.

Several years ago, Cynthia Copeland shared the wisdom of her three children in Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me , which has 356,000 copies in print. Now she's written a parents' survival guide for those times when kids seem more at wit's end than wise. In the car? Try Red Car, Blue Car, Old Car, New Car; How Far, How Fast?; Raindrop Race; or I Heard It!, where the first one to hear the secret word on the radio wins. While waiting for the pediatrician, try Sock' Em, Cents of Hearing, or Body Double--draw the outline of your child lying on the examination table paper, then let him or her fill it in. Stuck at the bus stop? Gather the kids to play Simon Does, Knot Happening, or Blind Man Walking. There are mind benders, story-telling games (including It Was a Dark and Stormy Night)--in all, hundreds of ways guaranteed to engage their imagination and lift their spirits. Not to mention yours.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Xin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many game ideas in here, some are variation of common games like Simmon says, and some other ones I never thought about. Towards the end it also has a shorter chapter on games to play with babies. Reading through feels warm, because i have played some of these games as a child before. I think this is a good tool book to keep in the baby bag. Some of the games my wife and I will probably practice play (such as car games) so we get good at using them on the spot when we need it. One word of caution though, a parent shouldn’t rely on entertainment all the time everywhere, because i think there is also value to teach children how to deal boredom.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my absolute favorite little books! I keep it in the diaper bag or my purse. It has saved us many times...in the doctor's office, waiting for a table, or while on a long drive...a must have for moms on the go!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, fun activities, but geared toward a much older audience than my toddler.