I myself am taking a long car trip this summer. Really really long. So long that I want to change the topic now. I am stocking up now on activities, new books, workbooks and more to help stave off boredom without just turning on a DVD. Oh, I’ll be bringing some of those too, but I try to reserve those for nighttime driving or complete meltdowns.
One product from Peter Pauper Press that I am beyond impressed with is the Safari Adventure Mega MagnaForms – Magnetic Play Set (There’s also a Princess set). Now this is a perfect car or airplane activity. I have several criteria for such activities, and this fits them all: It’s portable and self-contained (with a nice sturdy pouch to hold the pieces), it has several different activities within the one set, and it’s easy enough for my child to use on his own.
Some of the activities include a junior picture sudoko (reusable, because it uses the magnets), several different play scenes to use the magnets on, tic-tac-toe, pattern completion, and several other games. You can see see some of the different two-page spreads at the Peter Pauper site. It’s perfect for ages four and up.
The Scratch & Sketch books from Peter Pauper Press are wonderful to have on hand when the summertime “I’m bored’s” come to your house.
They are also a great gift idea (I personally love it when my children receive disposable activities), and there are Scratch & Sketch books for any sort of interest: from fine art, to princesses, to dinosaurs, to superheros. The way that the pages are structured make it equally attractive to my five-year-old and my ten-year-old.
A word of warning: it is messy. Some of you who value cleanliness over quiet entertainment might not get this set anywhere near your car, and that’s okay. I myself put a high emphasis on self-entertainment when we are in the car. If you don’t mind black shavings in your car, or if you want to have a newspaper underneath, they are a nice self-contained car activity set. This would not be an everyday car toy, but it will definitely be coming along in my little bag of tricks this summer (Did I mention that we are taking a long, long car trip?).
We have a Scratch and Sketch book of your choice for one winner (U.S. or Canada). Check out all the different subjects offered over at Peter Pauper Press, and leave a comment saying which book interests you most.
Find out what other books and activities are up for grabs at the Summer Fun Giveaway main page. We will announce all the winners on June 11.
I think this sounds like fun! We’d love one!
I know a child who would love the ANCIENT EGYPT SCRATCH & SKETCH.
JDSG
visionquest2020 (at) msn (dot) com
Pirates or Knights would keep the boys busy for hours. Either of these would be perfect. Thank you
My 14yo would love the Dragons and Mythical creatures book. My personal favorite would be the Flower Fairies.
Totally want the Wild Safari one for our ZOO TRIPS!
I would love to have the Fashion Show Scratch and Sketch book for my daughter.
My son would love the Under the Sea or the Dinosaur scratch and sketch! These are perfect to strengthen his pencil grip for OT (handwriting).
My kids love these! The Fine Art one is my favorite.
My 10-year old loves these! She had one tucked under her arm constantly until she finished it all!
The Pirate Scratch and Sketch would be a big hit in our family.
Flower fairies! 🙂 I’ve never seen these before but they look fun!
Oh my daughter would love the Fashion Show book (she has the Fairy book already) and my son would love the Batman book!
I know a special someone who would like a Princess set. Put my name in the hat!
The SCRATCH AND SKETCH BUTTERFLIES AND FRIENDS would be great for my step-daughter. Thanks.
These are cool. We like the America book. Thanks.
gahome2mom at gmail dot com
We’d like Flower Fairies.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I like the Sand Art Book!
Either the Knights or the Pirates would be perfect for my kiddo.
So neat. Princesses or fairies would be perfect.
My girls would love this!
My daughter would love the Flower Fairies Scratch and Sketch!!
Batman
I love the Jurassic & Beyond Scratch and Sketch book. My son would love it as well. He loves all things dinosaurs!
The SCRATCH AND SKETCH DINO DUDES sounds really cool.
The princess bella book looks really cute!
I like the WILD SAFARI SCRATCH AND SKETCH.
Thanks
I’d love to win an ANCIENT EGYPT SCRATCH & SKETCH for my Egypt-obsessed daughter!
I know my son would love the Knights book; this looks like so much fun!
I’d love to win!
My daughter would love the Ancient Egypt!
The SPOOKY SCRATCH & SKETCH sounds great to me!
My son would love this book. He really loves pirates, so I would choose the Pirates scratch and sketch book.
Thanks so much.
pirates would be great for my grandson
I would go for the pirates or the knights.
My seven year old would love the Pirates. Thanks for sharing~
I’ve seen these and thought they looked like a wonderful idea! Would love to give one to my daughter.
The Wizard of Oz! That is so sweet. Did you know that the story started as a story a father would tell his kids, then the neighbor kids wanted to hear it too and it took off from there. One day the kids asked what the place was called – Dad looked over at his file cabinet and one of the drawers was labeled “O to Z” and that is how the word OZ came to be
looks fun
The flower fairies would be the best for my daughter.
looks great for my artist nephew
The Brainiac’s Bug Book looks neat.
I like the brainiac’s gross out book!
How cool!
These look like so much fun-I don’t mind messy! I think my grandson would like the Sppoky Scratch and Sketch.
smchester at gmail dot com
These are a super idea. The Rainforst looks super for my clan
Our favorite would have to be Batman Scratch and Sketch!
I have to choose just one? Okay the page is bookmarked cause if I win one mom’s gonna have to buy more. Oh is she gonna love me LOL. My granddaughter would LOVE the Fashion Show.
The Rainforest looks VERY cool! Thanks for the chance.
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I like the RAIN FOREST SCRATCH AND SKETCH for my kids.
Thank you for the chance
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