Alphabet roadtrip games

Looking for some new alphabet roadtrip games? Or games to play anytime?

I’ve got a few depending on your children’s spelling levels.

Just learning letter sounds

Make your way through the alphabet looking for things which start with each letter of the alphabet.

Apple tree, brick house, car, dumptruck… you get the picture.

Each item must be able to be verified by another passenger and you  must see the object, not the written word.

(We bent the rules on X when my son pointed out red and green and said they were Xmas colors.)

Readers

Make your way through the alphabet looking for words on signs starting with each letter of the alphabet. Each word must be seen and verified by another player.

Avid Spellers

Begin with one word and spell it.

The next person must then spell a word beginning with the last letter of the previously spelled word.

This game was shared with me by Joy of FiveJs. Swing on over to her site for an example and a few variations.

What other “no equipment needed” games does your family like to play while in the car, waiting for luggage or anytime you need a distraction? Do share in the comments!

Filed under Anywhere fun | Tags: games, getting there, roadtrips | Comment (1)

FREE Lego Mini Build for August

Want some FREE Lego fun and creativity? This month’s FREE Lego mini-build is up and ready for download!

Each month Lego retail stores offer free Lego mini build events where children can visit the store, get a free Mini Build kit and have fun building and playing in the store. (And yep, it is all absolutely FREE!!)

A Mini Build is a small, building project that is still big on fun. This month kids can celebrate fun in the Florida sun with a build commemorating the new LegoLand opening near Orlando later this year.

Contact your store to find out when the mini build event is near you.

If you cannot make it in to a Lego retail store, you can still join in the fun from home.

Just download the Mini Build instructions for free. You can only download  this month’s Mini Build instructions through Tuesday, August 9. After that the instructions will archived, so get to it!

You might consider downloading the instructions, printing them, gathering the Lego bricks needed and putting it all in a small bag for a something to do on your next trip, or the next time boredom strikes.

And if you’re in Orlando before the new LegoLand opens (or even after), consider checking out my post on L.egos and Lunch in Downtown Disney.

Happy building!

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Inexpensive Vacation or Staycation Fun in 86 US Destinations

 

Planning a summer vacation does not have to mean breaking the budget.

You can plan a great summer vacation, or a staycation, right in your own hometown, and have a blast making lots of fantastic memories with your family.

Wondering just what to do?

MomsTravelTales has joined with 86 other bloggers who are sharing the best inexpensive fun in their own hometowns. Find your town, or one nearby, and start plotting your own style of summer fun.

Want to really make it feel like a vacation even though you aren’t leaving town?

Check out my Planning a Great Staycation post on Life As Mom, where I show you  how to turn a regular week at home into a relaxing or exciting vacation that feels just like a trip away from home…  without all that packing and unpacking.

This list isn’t just for STAYcations, it’s also perfect for your travels, too.

Click around and pick a new destination for this summer, next summer or anytime… with locals showing you their faves, you can’t go wrong!

A huge thank you to Toni of  The Happy Housewife and Carrie of Springs Bargains for coordinating this fantastic collaboration!

Ready for the list? Let’s go!

 

New England

Connecticut – Parenting Miracles
Boston, Massachusetts – ‎ Maven of Savin’
Manchester, New Hampshire – Common Sense with Money
Western Maine – Bubblegum and Lollipops

Mid-Atlantic

Erie, Pennsylvania – Growing Kids Ministry
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – Somewhat Crunchy
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – Family Balance Sheet
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York – Coupons, Deals and More
New Jersey – Oh! Diane

Midwest

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Indoor Garden Musings
Mansfield, Ohio – Live the Adventure
Cincinnati, Ohio – Savings Lifestyle~Cincinnati
Mount Vernon, Ohio – Living Better One Day at a Time
Dayton, Ohio – Savings Lifestyle~Dayton
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Kitchen Stewardship
Metro Detroit, Michigan – “Cents”able Momma
Oakland County, Michigan – Bargain Shopper Mom
Warren, Michigan – Saving Dollars and Sense
Grand Forks, North Dakota – Frugal Front Porch
Indianapolis, Indiana – Bargain Briana
South Bend, Indiana – Excuse The Mess
Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri – Kansas City Mamas
St. Louis, Missouri – The Pickledpigsfeet
Branson, Missouri – Getting Freedom from Debt
Springfield, Missouri – I Think I Can
Rochester, Minnesota – Everyday Notions
York, Nebraska – Heavenly Homemakers
Omaha, Nebraska – Mom Endeavors
Madison, Wisconsin – Many Little Blessings
Oshkosh, Wisconsin – A Little Bit of This and That
Chicago, Illinois – Chicagoland Homeschool Network
Champaign, Illinois – Chambanamoms
Black Hills, South Dakota – Little House on the Prairie Living

South Central

Checotah, Oklahoma – Blessed With One Income
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
Gadsden, Alabama – Aint Mimi
Dallas, Texas – Funky Faith Girl
Dallas, Texas – Grocery Shop For FREE
East Dallas, Texas – Surviving The Stores
Fort Worth, Texas – Smockity Frocks
Austin, Texas – Stetted
Houston, Texas – Moms Travel Tales
McKinney, Texas – Wisdom Begun
East Texas – The Full Pantry
Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Life in a Barn
Nashville, Tennessee – The Country Chic Cottage
Mobile, Alabama – A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Birmingham, Alabama – iGoBOGO
Brunswick & the Golden Isles, Georgia – Teri Lynne Underwood
Alpharetta, Georgia – Cuponeando
Atlanta, Georgia – See Jamie Blog
Augusta, Georgia – Hyperactive Lu
Athens, Georgia and Mississippi – Tractors and Tire Swings
Little Rock, Arkansas – It’s Real Life

South Atlantic

Ft. Bragg, North Carolina – Military Wives Saving
Charlotte, North Carolina – The Carolina Clipper
Charleston, South Carolina – The Tween & Me
Greensboro, North Carolina – Mrs. Happy Homemaker
Jacksonville, Florida – Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida – Orlando’s Best Deals
Virginia Beach, Virginia – The Singley Fam Blog
Richmond, Virginia – Daily Dwelling
Hampton Roads, Virginia – A Home Made by Kiki
Charlottesville, Virginia – How to Have it All
Blackwater Falls State Park/Davis, West Virginia – Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling
Treasure Coast, Florida – The Cardamom’s Pod
Saint Augustine, Florida – Jypsie Visions
Lake Norman, North Carolina – Stretching Pennies Saving Dollars
Washington, DC – The WiC Project
Baltimore, Maryland – The Happy Housewife

Mountain

Tucson, Arizona – Saving with Pam
Phoenix, Arizona – Mom Endeavors
Albuquerque, New Mexico – The Chou Life
Kalispell, Montana – Our Family Adventures
Salt Lake City, Utah – Just the 2 of Us
Thermopolis, Wyoming – The McDonald Family
Denver, Colorado – Denver Bargains
Colorado Springs, Colorado – Colorado Springs Bargains

Pacific

San Diego, California – Life As Mom
Yosemite National Park, California -Handbook of Nature Study
Seattle, Washington – Queen Bee Coupons & Savings
Whidbey Island, Washington – Manning the Homefront
Olympia, Washington The Coupon Savant
Portland, Oregon – Frugal Living NW
Willamette Valley, Oregon – An Oregon Cottage

Frugal Vacation Tips

Vacation or Stay-cation: Eating without Busting the Budget – Eat at Home

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

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