Trip Countdown Ideas

On some mornings how about waking up to a disney DVD playing or to Disney music.

I like the paper chain thing where each link is a day and you tear off each link at the end of the day. That can be make simple or complex. Maybe make the links out of paper printed with photos of Disney films? I've also seen people do them in Mickey colors.

When I was a preschool and kindergarten teacher I made a countdown calendar for my kids. Every time there was something coming up that the children were excited about(Christmas, Easter, etc...) the calendar helped to encourage their excitement, but also contain it.

The calendar is pretty easy to make. I bought a sturdy piece of material, about 2 1/2' x 3 1/2'. Depending on the occasion, I made the calendar from two weeks-a month. Each year I made it several different ways to help the children with fine motor skills. I made versions with Velcro loops, button pockets and a simple piece of yarn tied in a bow. You have one Velcro loop, pocket or piece of yarn per day of your calendar.

Each day of the calendar had a new treat for the children. Some examples, a sticker, pack of crayons, etc... The possibilities are endless with kids counting down a Disney vacation!

We had a Disney movie tonight once a week in the weeks leading up to our trip. I put the pile of dvds we wanted to watch next to the TV then put them away after we watched them, so we watched the pile get smaller and smaller as the weeks went on.

I went to the Dollar Store and the Craft Stores and found 25 items that were $2 or less..things like glow in the dark bracelets, mickey stickers, a coin bag (for quarters & pennies for the penny machine), mickey cookie, etc. And wrapped them all up - then each day I let my other half pick one out of the basket to open....