What to Get My 16 Year Old for Her Road Trip

Hi A.,

I've been on a few mission trips when I was younger. First, she won't need as much self entertainment as you might think. As someone said...it's a bus full of teenagers! There will be all sorts of things going on.... silly games, silly songs... you name it.

For those times when she does want to just chill by herself... maybe a book, or sudoku, or crosswords. Ask her. What does she like? Does she even like to read while traveling.

Don't fret over this too much. But, a camera is a MUST!

I would bring books and handheld games like solitary etc.. also cards and a journal to keep track of her trip.

How awesome for your daughter! Have you been on any missions trips yourself? The last one I went on kept us far to busy to worry about having anything with us to keep us occupied. :) The fellowship that she will have with her peers will shape her life for a wonderful future!

Don't worry about this one. Let God handle it.

S.

Puzzles or Word Seaches...Sudoku, or Mad Libs...those are always fun with a good of people...You can even find mini versions of games at Walmart or Meijer that are designed for the car....Magazines and/or books too :o) Oh, and cards if they will have the room to play them safely!

A lot of people have touched on things to occupy her time so I'll mention just a few things for comfort during the long ride. Use a backpack to put all of her things in one managable location with easy access. Maybe some granola bars or cereal bars, a pack of gum, snack size bags of almonds, or other things she enjoys for munching, a bottle of water or sports drink that keeps without being refrigerated. Possibly a lightweight throw/lap blanket that rolls up (Walmart has them for like $4-they are compact and portable)and a travel size pillow for napping. If she is going to be gone for a while, it might be a nice surprise for her to find a couple snapshots of folks from home in her bag :-) Best Wishes!

Make sure she has a camera, as she will want to look back on this experience with her friends. Maybe crossword puzzles, word search or sudoku.

Having been on several mission trips when I was in high school, I can agree with everyone else who says she won't need much! We took cards, books, board games, etc. and that occupied our time. When we weren't doing those things we were napping or playing some of those car games everyone has played as a kid.

Try googleing "car ride games" or something like that and see if you can find anything new to come up with.

Hi, a deck of cards is always handy, that way you can be sociable too. Sounds like a fun trip :-) J. - mom to Mark 17 and Vanessa 10½

One thing not mentioned that I would send with her....a journal. Let her document her wonderful experience. It will be a wonderful memory trigger and treasure for her!

What A GREAT MOMMY!! A. Rocks!! Yippee!
Get some trivia cards!! and Naturally the Application Study Bible!!! ITS AMAZINGGGG!!!!
GOD BLess Her Heart! You raised a GOOD EGG!!
BLESSINGS for your family!
A.!!

Go Green! Shop American, Save $$! Work at Home with Out Selling!

How about a really good book? I know this is kind of old-fashioned these days but I can lose hours to a good book. And they are free at the library! Or how about a knitting or crochet project? Again, I know it sounds old-fashioned but knitting was quite popular a few years ago Good luck!

What about "The book of Questions" - thought provoking questions she can use as conversation starters with her friends. They may have newer, teenager ones.

I'd go to a book store and get a good read. A digital camera would be nice too so that she can take pictures of her trip.

MC

Hi, A.

Don't worry about buying a bunch of "to do" stuff. Her time will be occupied with the other teens from her church. A cool teen magazine, maybe the card game Phase Ten, some snacks ... that's more than enough. Remember, the adult sponsors or chapperones will also come prepared. She is part of a team and the only "alone time" she has will be when she's sleeping. As a teen I traveled with church groups by train, 36 hours to Amherst, Nova Scotia; to Boston; New York City, Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, ... never bored. Probably they are not allowing iPods, etc. because they want the young people to interact with each other.

I know this will be a wonderful experience for your daughter.

A.

It's a bus full of teenagers! They're going to find something to do. :) It is awfully nice of you to want to make the trip pleasant for her! I'd make a care package of hard candies (they don't melt in heat like chocolates) enough to share, mad libs (with pens) and one of the 101 questions books (it's a book with tons of useless questions to ask your friends, for example coke or pepsi, debates will follow). It doesn't have to be much just enough to keep them exciting and talking. Good luck!!
J.
P.S. Enjoy your quiet empty nest!

Hi. Audio books are awesome! Some people get motion sickness reading in the car (like me - LOL)!! I like to listen to books on tapes or cd's and libraries have them! I hope your daughter has a wonderful trip!

She's 16. Why are you packing for her?? It two years you do realize she will be a legal adult. Let her grow up and pack for herself. I don't pack for my 10 year old.

we always had a great Battleship game going. You can make them on your own graph paper. it's a great 2 person game. if you want details, email me.

Books that fit her age group, Stormie Omaritian who wrote "Power of a Praying Wife" also has "Power of a Praying Teen" that I purchased for my newphew. Also, magazines on teen stuff/fashion/singers & entertainers may be good. A comfortable traveling pillow too. I find it hard to believe that they won't allow these kids to take music with them. That would be a huge bummer for me too! Traveling isn't traveling without good music! But it's probably because of the cost of those things. They also have great handheld games like Sudoku, Wheel of Fortune, Yahtzee, Hangman, Simon, Connect Four and so forth. Those usually run from $8-$15. I hope she can take those with her and she has a safe and wonderful trip.

Best of Luck,

A

Hi A., How about coloring books and crayons? Even this age will enjoy them when they are bored! They can even rip out pages to share. You can also buy packages of colored floss used for cross-stiching at the dollar stores that they can make friendship braclets with. Nail polish and files, for manicers. Google ways of braiding hair, and copy the directions. Hope they have fun.