There are several ways to deal with – er, I mean, enjoy – a family road trip. Keeping children entertained in the car is so important, because the incessant whines of “I’m bored,” “Are we there yet?” and “She’s touching my side of the seat!” make long car rides intolerable. Some of us prefer to plug the kids into portable DVDs and enjoy the ensuing peace and quiet. Some pass small toys back to eager hands, only to have them dropped into some inaccessible corner of the car floor. Some of us play Punch Bug, or other versions of I Spy. And some of us try to promote a little family bonding through conversation. That’s where Kids Topics To Go comes in.
Kids Topics To Go is basically a portable conversation starter; 40 questions come in a plastic case. I tested it out this past weekend, with the help of 6- and 9-year olds. They immediately opened it and decided to “play” by each reading a question to the other. Some questions they liked were “Would you rather see a movie, a parade, or a magic show,” “What makes you feel better when you feel sick” (listening in, I was hoping for “Mommy” as the answer, but they agreed that ice cream trumps all) “What would you love to invent,” and “Who is the funniest person you know?”
There are no inappropriate question here, the only caveat being that to fully participate, a child should be able to read at a first- or second-grade level. There is a version for teens as well, and several non-travel versions called Table Topics, with 135 question cards. I really enjoyed driving quietly, while my kids talked to each other in the back. It’s a card game with no winners or losers, a way for siblings to share their experiences, and a useful way to pass time during family road trips.
Best of all is the price – only $9.
