"WHILE I'M AWAY" TRIP BOOK [ ages : adults and kids 3 and up ] Related Activities How long is four days? Is 10 days forever? These are the things your child might be wondering when you're away on a trip and they're at home. But, this trip book, filled with surprises and a page for each day you're gone, makes the time fly by for your kids. WHAT YOU NEED An inexpensive scrap book with blank pages (about 8-1/2-inches x 11-inches or any size is fine) Colored marker pens Magazines and/or internet images Safety Scissors Cellophane tape or glue stick Fun treats like NESTL� WONDERBALL, WONKA NERDS, LIBBY'S JUICY JUICE, NESTL� NESQUIK Syrup Inexpensive toys HOW TO DO IT Make up a page for each day you will be gone on your trip. Counting the pages helps kids understand that after "5 pages," you'll be home. Look through magazines or on the internet to find images representative of where you will be while you're away. Arrange for the babysitter or relative caring for your child to read one page each day. Morning or bedtime is best. On each page you are creating, briefly explain where you will be and what you will be doing. Add a special message or mystery clue that leads to a special treat. Write in the present tense. For instance, if you are driving on the first day, find a picture of a car on a road. Briefly explain that day's activity. "Today we're driving on a big highway. We are hungry, so we're going to stop for a strawberry sundae. There's a brand new bottle of NESQUIK Strawberry Syrup in the pantry so you can have a sundae too! Perhaps the second day you arrive at your destination. You might write: "Hi Kids, today we're in San Francisco. We went across a big bridge! We're sending you sweet strawberry hugs and grape big kisses!" To make everyday exciting, attach a box of candy to some pages (like Strawberry Grape NERDS), or direct the kids to look for a surprise that is hidden somewhere�maybe a WONDERBALL under the bed. Or, let them know that Grandma is going to make them an ice cream treat with their favorite NESQUIK Syrup. Just be creative! FOLLOW-UP FUN When you get home, talk about what you saw and did on your trip. Use the opportunity to talk about how many hours there are in a day, or days in a week. Have your kids write a story about what they did while you were away. All activities should be parent supervised. Parents, please make sure that the tools and items needed for a project are appropriate for your child.