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Dad Field Manual · Field card 190 · Dad-and-Kid Dates

Christmas lights drive night: pajamas, a warm drink and a slow loop

Pajamas on, warm drink at the table, then a slow loop to look at the lights. Kids keep score on a card, and everyone answers one question on the way home.

Time
90 min
Cost
About $5
Ages
2 to 12
Where
Your car, or your block

What you need

  • Pajamas, and coats or blankets for after everyone is buckled in
  • Cocoa, cider or warm milk, and mugs
  • One printed card per kid, and a pencil each
  • A car with every seat belt or car seat in use, or good walking shoes and a flashlight

Before you start

  • Warm, not hot, and not in the car. AboutKidsHealth says to test drinks so they're warm, not hot, and not to let kids drink hot items in the car or over their lap.
  • Right seat, back seat. AAP says kids use a harnessed car seat until they outgrow it, then a booster until the belt fits (about 4 feet 9 inches). Under 13 rides in back.
  • Coats off under the straps. AAP says winter coats and snowsuits shouldn't go under a car seat harness; buckle in first, then put the coat on backwards or a blanket over the straps.
  • Walking: be seen, face traffic. AAP says wear bright clothing, use sidewalks and well-lit streets, face traffic if there's no sidewalk, and hold your child's hand to cross.

Steps

  1. Pajamas and warm drinks. Pajamas on, coats ready for after buckling. Warm drinks, tested, drunk at the table before you leave. 20 min.
  2. Pick the loop. Pick a loop of streets you know, and tell the kids the plan. 5 min.
  3. Buckle up and hand out the scorecards. Check every belt and seat; coats go over the straps. One card and pencil per kid: six lines to mark. 5 min.
  4. Drive slowly and score. Drive slowly, eyes on the road, dome light off. Kids call out lights and mark the card later. 45 min.
  5. One question on the way home. On the way home, ask: what was your favorite light, and why? Listen to every answer before you share yours. 10 min.
  6. Count up and tuck in. At home, read the scorecards out loud, name each kid's best find, then head to bed. 5 min.

If it stalls

  • If a kid is asleep before the loop ends, go home. A short loop with everyone awake beats a long one.
  • If the kids want to get out and look, pull into somewhere safe and away from traffic, hold hands, and stay together. Never leave a child alone in the car, even for a minute.
Colored lights
All-white lights
Something blinking
Something big
Something tiny
Our favorite
Everyone home safe: Signed by Date