We’ve all been there. You’re going to the beach for a nice, relaxing week-long vacation. The only problem is we live in the Midwest and the beach is several hours away by car. How do you keep the kids occupied without driving you crazy by constantly asking, “Are we there yet?”
I recently cataloged a new children’s book titled Sleuth & Solve by Victor Escandell. It features 20 mind-twisting mysteries that can be solved using either logic or imagination. The author included instructions to turn each mystery into a game. One person will be the Investigation Director and will read the mystery to the other players.
Here’s one example using imagination:
“Marco lives and works in his home by the sea where he has lived alone for many years. His life is very routine, and each night before going to bed he turns on the light. But one night Marco is so tired that he forgets to turn on the light. When he wakes in the morning, he hears terrible news. Marco is distraught, and then runs straight to the police to confess his guilt. Why is Marco at fault?”
The answer is under a flap that only the Investigation Director can see. Now the other players have an opportunity to ask questions that require a yes or no answer, and they continue to do this until someone comes up with the correct answer.
Younger children will enjoy any one of Walter Wick’s and Jean Marzollo’s I Spy books. They have at least a dozen different books, but I Spy Treasure Hunt is one of my personal favorites. Marzollo has written rhymes which provide clues, and Wick has created detailed miniature villages which provide answers. Children can be captivated for hours looking at these delightful pictures.
What an awesome way to engage the entire family! Playing a game like this is going to make the hours in the car fly by, and you’ll be running in the surf and soaking up the sun before you know it.
