Well, we are off to sunny California for a little family vacation. Given that we live on the East coast, it's not exactly a short trip...a five-plus hour flight to be exact. While my girls really are good travelers, they tend to get bored the minute we set foot on the plane. And it's not long before we hear the inevitable, whiny questions like, "When will we beeeeeeee there?" and "How much loooooonger?". Fun times. So, over the years I have learned a few tricks to help make our trips a bit more enjoyable. One of them is called the "Surprise Bags"...
The Surprise Bags are, well, bags...filled with surprises. And, yes, they are flat-out bribery. :-) Here's how it works: A few weeks before we travel, I start collecting little toys, games, and treats that I think the kids would like.
I hit places like the book store, the dollar store, Five Below, and Target (of course!).
When I've gathered all my supplies, I simply wrap them up in cute little treat bags (the adorable polka dot ones are from Target). I typically pair an activity or toy with a snack or two.
Sometimes the snacks are slightly healthy (how cute are these "Lilly Pulitzer Animal Crackers!)...
And sometimes they're not...
The kids love the surprise bags and they keep them busy and happy for hours! How many bags I make totally depends on the length of our trip. I try to make one for about each hour of the flight or car ride (although with younger kids, you might want to give them a bag more frequently). I also make separate bags for each child - that way I can gear the contents to the specific age and interests of each child.
Now, there are several rules associated with the Surprise Bags. For example, to receive a bag there has to be good behavior and there can be no nagging about when the next bag will be offered. This isn't usually a problem because the kids are so excited and motivated to get another bag that they tend to be on their very best behavior.
Here are just a few of my favorite toy and activity ideas: Art supplies like a pad of paper, water colors, brushes, and crayons...
Scrapbook supplies like a mini album, fun stickers, pretty paper flowers, and a glue stick...
Beading supplies...
Current fad favorites like Silly Bands and Japanese erasers...
And classic books and paper dolls...
I have daughters, so my choices are obviously a bit "girly", but I hope you get the idea...
Well, I'll be back soon...with lots of fabulous things to share!
XOXO
Jessica
When my son was about 3 years old, I bought him a pair of dollar store binoculars for a 16 hour car trip - those alone kept him occupied for most of the trip! He kept looking at the trees with them trying to find squirrels!
Posted by: Daisy | July 14, 2010 at 08:27 PM
Sweet Jessica
You are the COOLEST mom ever. Your girls are sooooo lucky. I entertained our 3 kids, now adults with the same idea.
Your blog is nothing short of pretty little things for sure.
Have a FAB time. Enjoy every moment.
Love Claudie
xoxoxo
Posted by: claudie | July 14, 2010 at 08:39 PM
Love the photos! I'd take that flight.
Posted by: Meri Cherry | July 15, 2010 at 12:27 AM
So cute! My kids would love this!! You are so clever.
Posted by: Jessica at Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping! | July 15, 2010 at 02:53 AM
Now do you do adult treat bags because if they're anything like these I'd love to travel with you!
I'm off to Florida next year with my 10 year old cousin so I definitely think I will be putting some treat bags together for oue 8 hour flight.
Victoria x
Posted by: Victoria | July 15, 2010 at 05:27 AM
What great ideas!
Have a fun trip. And thanks
for sharing your idea. I wonder if
it would work for husbands?
Posted by: jennifer | July 15, 2010 at 09:13 AM
If I buy my own ticket can I come along on your next trip? {FYI- I am not a creepy stalker :)} Your surprise bags are so much fun. Going to so steal/barrow your idea on our next trip. Much better then the "Box-O-Fun.
Posted by: Judi Storm | July 15, 2010 at 09:44 AM
Jessica Jessica...
Yes, I too want to travel with you. No adult treat-bribe-bag needed for me, I love everything you got for your girls!
I hope your girls know how much you love and adore them.
Myke from Texas
Posted by: Myke Holt | July 15, 2010 at 01:17 PM
thank you SO MUCH for this great idea! my son cedric (9 years) will get this year for 6 hours in a train, to his omi and opi, alone! i`ll make him a little surprise bag for each hour!
merci!!!
and lovely greetings from germany ;)
sylvie
Posted by: sylvie | July 15, 2010 at 03:35 PM
even crayons from cath kidston?! i want a surprise bag. i won't whine ... i promise, i promise, i promise. ;)
have a safe & happy trip!
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | July 15, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Great idea. I think I will put together something like that for my granddaughter for our trip to the beach.
hope you all have a great trip.
Posted by: Renee | July 16, 2010 at 01:15 AM
Wow! I want a surprise bag too! Love those Lilly Pulitzer animal crackers :) Your photos make everything look so appealing. Have a fun trip!
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 16, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Um, can I go on vacation with you? I want a super cute surprise bag lol! Love them. And I'm sure your girls do, too. :) As do the other passengers on the plane! I'll never forget a flight home from Miami at midnight where a little girl screamed the whole way and her father just screamed back at her. It was dreadful and the father ended up in a fight with another passenger over it! The poor little girl was just bored. Anyway, I babble. Great idea!
Posted by: rebecca | July 16, 2010 at 01:25 PM
I am addicted to your blog! I run the girls' program at our church, and they have YOU to thank for a few of their favoritest events since your blogs inspired me!
Thanks for sharing, and not keeping these WONDERFUL pretty things all to yourself!!
Posted by: Sarah | July 16, 2010 at 02:19 PM
Such gorgeous photos! have a good flight x
Posted by: Torie Jayne | July 16, 2010 at 07:25 PM
Those animal crackers are to die for! Too cute!
m ^..^
Posted by: m | July 17, 2010 at 08:07 PM
I think I would like to be on that trip too! Lovely ideas. :)
Posted by: Liz | July 19, 2010 at 02:33 AM
You have the cutest, pretty ideas ever! OMG!!!
Posted by: Karyl | July 19, 2010 at 01:52 PM
LOVE this!! i do this with my daughter, but i just put everything in one bag for her to go through. but i REALLY like the idea of separate bags and spacing them apart and using them to reward good behavior! i am going to do this from now on! :) i love all the goodies! collecting them is the best part! :)
Posted by: nicole austin | July 20, 2010 at 02:45 AM
I love your blog! You take the most amazing pictures....
jen
http://blankwhiteframes.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jen Smith | July 22, 2010 at 09:59 PM
Just wanted to know where you got the animal crackers, they would be perfect for my friend's daughter's one year birthday party. the theme is "summer giraffe". Thank you!
Posted by: TLC | July 23, 2010 at 03:43 AM
you are a genius:)
Posted by: Hautka | July 24, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Are those crayons in a tin from Target? Pls. say yes!
Posted by: M Schrock | July 26, 2010 at 03:40 PM
what a lovely and beautiful idea! i'd love one of these at my age, i'm eighteen! hehe. this is a truly sweet idea, i shall definately be using this when i'm older and hopefully have a child.
love, jazzabelle. x
Posted by: Jazmine | July 27, 2010 at 03:43 PM
Hi Jessica, what a wonderful idea. I will definitely be testing this out on our next trip. Wishes from Australia, Tamara :)
Posted by: Tamara@atreasuredpast | July 29, 2010 at 02:30 AM
When I was little, my mom would pack "treat bags" for my sister and I when we'd fly from London to Los Angeles to visit my grandma. I have the best memories of those bags, and they worked like a charm!
Posted by: Crystel | August 01, 2010 at 09:56 AM
I just found your blog, and I love it!!!!! I was wanting to know where you found the Lilly Pulitzer animal crackers? I live in Tulsa, Ok. and I have looked every where. I can't find them!!!!! Thank you so much for your time and, your wonderful blog!! Earlene
Posted by: Earlene LaBass | August 10, 2010 at 01:45 PM
omg! love your idea! will try to do that for my kids and myself as well! :-) love your ideas!
Posted by: jennifer collie | March 31, 2011 at 12:45 PM