Mapping Projects

* Track the miles. Teaching kids how to follow a map is a great way to keep them busy while you're running errands-and it helps develop their sense of direction. Michelle Collins of Severna Park, Maryland, likes to print out maps from Mapquest.com so when her kids ask, "Are we there yet?" she can show them where they are and where they're going. Kids who read can even call out the driving directions as you go along. Another idea: Laminate and save maps for places you go often, such as Grandma's house, daycare, or church. Early grade-schoolers can follow your route each time by tracing it with a wipe-off marker.

* Color inside the (state) lines. On long road trips, give your child printouts of a U.S. map (you can find one at Parenting.com/map) and tell her to watch for out-of-state cars. Whenever she spots a license plate from a particular state, she gets to locate and color in that state on the map. The finished product is a great souvenir.