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Holiday Shopping with Babies and Toddlers

How to Survive a Trip With the Kids in Tow

By Neilia Sherman

When boredom begins to set in, you need to get a bit more creative. Susan K. Perry, social psychologist and author of the book, Playing Smart: The Family Guide to Enriching, Offbeat Learning Activities for Ages 4 to 14, says that holiday shopping trips can run more smoothly if you keep your children entertained while you go from store to store. She suggests a couple of games that work really well in malls.

"What's Wrong, What's Right" is a game where you ask your child to point out things that could use some fixing or changing. "For instance, he might find a missing letter on a sign, an overflowing trash can or a display of toys that's in disarray," she says. Then you can flip the game and find things that are right.

Another of Perry's games, "Passing People Parade," involves making up stories with your child about the people around you. "You can take turns – supplying one sentence each – or improvise together," she says.

Waterman has found shopping with another family with kids to also be helpful, as the supervision of the youngsters can be shared among the adults. In addition, he suggests that parents shop "where there is a special event, like a live show for kids and bring along another adult with so that you can take turns shopping and being with the kids."

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