If you’re looking for a way to better connect with your kids, consider the many ways your car can bring you together. Along with transportation, cars can be excellent opportunities to teach kids lessons they can carry through life, as well as happy memories they can share with their children in turn. Pull the car out of the garage and get ready to have fun and several wonderful family moments. Here’s a variety of ways how cars can connect you with your kids.
Take Them on Trips
For getting out and having one on one time with your progeny, nothing beats a road trip. Not only does the time on the road allow for great conversations, travelling games, and lots of delicious road food meals together, but it’s also truly an experience you can all share and enjoy. Find a central destination like the Grand Canyon or Washington, DC, and plot a trip, looking for sites and sights of interest to everyone. Work together to prepare the car for the trip, pack, and plan the snack options and entertainment for the ride. When the day comes to hit the road, it will truly feel like a family trip.
Wash the Car
Washing the car is one of the few vehicular activities any age can enjoy. Appoint duties according to age group. Little ones will have a blast wetting down and rinsing the car with the garden hose and can even man a sponge while washing the car’s exterior. Tweens can be trusted to wash the exterior and parts of the interior and can be the official vacuum operators for the entire car-washing operation. Teenagers, of course, can learn the importance of detailing and treating specific parts like tires, car seat covers, floor mats, dashboards, and the like with special solutions and tools for getting that deep-down clean. With proper supervision, you can save on a car wash while having a silly and fun time with the children.
Teach Basic Maintenance
Every generation should learn the basics of car maintenance. Little ones will love a look under the hood, where you can point out the different parts of the engine and their functions. Do it when the engine is turned off and cool in case little fingers accidentally touch a hot part. Your teens might be fascinated by the steps to take during minor jobs like changing the oil, removing and replacing filters, filling up the wipe fluid tank, and more. If you have the time, explain the importance of tires and keeping them inflated and show how to change one.
Learning To Drive
Restrict this one to teenagers with driver’s permits! When considering how cars can connect you with your kids, don’t forget this timeless interaction between parent and child. Taking your child on periodic test drives to sharpen their skills, remind them about road safety, and make them feel more confident in their abilities is a rite of passage for you both. Just remember to keep your cool!