Traveling with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be a bit of a challenge. How do you keep them entertained during long car rides? With a little planning and proper packing, road trips can be an opportunity for quality family time and some new experiences.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Play road trip bingo
Make a list of common objects you’re likely to see on the trip, such as different types of cars, animals, and road signs. Check off each item as you spot it. The first person to get five in a row wins.
2. Have a conversation starters jar
Write down different prompts on pieces of paper, such as “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” or “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” Then have each person take turns picking a prompt and answering it.
3. Play the alphabet game
Look for letters in order from A to Z on signs, license plates, and buildings. The first person to spot the letter Z wins.
4. Play I Spy
One person picks an object within sight and gives clues about it until someone guesses what it is. For example: “I spy with my little eye something that’s red and round.”
5. Take turns being the DJ
Road trips are a great opportunity to bond with your passengers and enjoy some quality time together. However, choosing the right music can be a challenge. If you’re not careful, you may end up with a playlist that nobody wants to listen to. The key is to find a balance between songs that everyone knows and loves and newer tracks that will get everyone in the mood to hit the open road. Start by compiling a list of songs that you know everyone will enjoy. Once you have the basics covered, invite your passengers to add their own favourite tracks to the mix. As you’re driving, take turns choosing songs and make sure to sing along – road trip playlist or not, nobody can resist a good sing-along session. Before long, you’ll be bonded by your shared love of music and memories of your fantastic road trip together.
6. Have a picnic lunch at a rest stop or scenic overlook
Pack sandwiches, drinks, and snacks ahead of time so you don’t have to make too many stops along the way.
7. Play 20 questions
One person thinks of an object, animal, or person and everyone else takes turns asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions to try to guess what it is.
8. Make up stories together
Take turns adding new paragraphs to an ongoing story based on prompts like “Once upon a time there was a_______” or “One day, _______”.
9. Create travel journals
Draw pictures or write stories about the places you visit along the way . You can also tape mementos like ticket stubs or leaves into the journal .
10. Play road trip trivia
Road trip trivia is a great way to keep everyone in the car entertained while you’re on your way to your destination. It’s also a great way to learn about different places and cultures. To play, all you need is a map and some trivia questions. You can either make up your own questions, or find a trivia book at your local bookstore. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even create a road trip scavenger hunt for your passengers. This can be done by hiding clues around the car, or giving each person a list of things to look for while on the road.
11. Listen to audiobooks
Story time doesn’t have to end just because you’re on holidays! Bring along some favorite audiobooks or download some new ones before you hit the road.
12. Learn on the road
There’s no shortage of ways to learn while on a road trip. If you’re looking for something different than the usual music or audiobooks, consider podcasts and audio courses. Podcasts are great for learning about new topics or hearing other people’s stories, and there are a wide variety of options available. Audio courses can be a great way to learn a new skill or brush up on something you’re rusty on. And the best part is that both options can be downloaded ahead of time so you don’t need to worry about using data while you’re traveling.
13. Colouring books
Encourage your kids to be creative and express themselves with art supplies like crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
14. Electronic games
There are a variety of electronic games that are great for kids. Some games can help them learn new skills, while others are just fun and entertaining. A few popular electronic games for kids include:
- Brain Age: This game is designed to help improve memory and problem-solving skills.
- Just Dance: This game is a great way to get kids moving and having fun. It also helps them improve their coordination and rhythm.
- Angry Birds: This game is perfect for kids who love animals and chucking things at targets. It helps with hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, and planning skills.
15. Watch movies
Bring a tablet or a laptop so your kids can watch their favourite show or movies. Make sure you charge the device before hitting the road or bring a portable charger
16. Pack a bag of surprises
Pack items like new toys, books , and puzzles that can be pulled out when things start to get boring
17. Take turns being the navigator
While many people enjoy planning out every detail of their road trip in advance, there’s something to be said for leaving some room for spontaneity. One way to do this is to take turns being the navigator. This way, each person has a chance to choose a different route or make impromptu stops along the way. Not only does this add an element of fun and adventure to the trip, but it also helps everyone feel more involved in the journey. Of course, it’s important to agree on a general plan before setting out. But once you’re on the road, let everyone take turns being the navigator and see where the wind takes you!
18. Fun breaks
Road trips can be a fun way to see the country, but they can also be long and tiring. To keep everyone in good spirits, it’s important to take breaks along the way. A great way to do this is to stop at playgrounds and parks. Not only will the kids have a chance to burn off some energy, but everyone will enjoy some fresh air and time outdoors. If you’re looking for something even more adventurous, you might even want to try hiking or biking on some of the trails. And if you’re really feeling daring, you can always explore some of the local attractions. By taking some fun break, you’ll be able to keep your energy levels up and make the most of your trip.
19. Tourist attractions
One of the best things about taking a road trip is that you never know what you’re going to see along the way. As you travel from place to place, you’ll have the opportunity to explore all sorts of different tourist attractions. From museums and historical sites to natural wonders and roadside oddities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And the best part is that you can usually find these attractions right off the beaten path. So if you’re planning a road trip, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some fun and interesting places to visit. You might just be surprised at what you find.
20. Look for license plates
See how many different number plates you can see from each state and try to find ones that are unique or have interesting designs
21. Car games
Play car games like counting how many red cars you see or looking for specific types of vehicles
22. Make up songs
Make up silly songs about your destination , the people in the car , or made-up characters and sing them loudly during the drive
23. Scavenger hunt
Going on a road trip can be a great opportunity to bond with your family and friends. One way to make the most of your time together is to plan a scavenger hunt. You can tailor the scavenger hunt to fit the interests of your group, but make sure to include items that can be found at rest stops, gas stations, and other places you are likely to stop during your journey. You can also use the scavenger hunt as an opportunity to teach your kids about road safety. For example, you can include items like a “no texting while driving” sign or a “buckle up” sticker. By combining fun with learning, you can make your road trip more enjoyable for everyone involved.
24. Take a nap
Bring along some comfortable pillows and blankets for napping in the car.
25. No electronics challenge
Have a contest to see who can go the longest without using their electronics devices.
26. Take photos
Road trips are a great opportunity to take some amazing photos. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to make the most of this photo-taking opportunity. First, plan ahead and decide what kind of shots you want to get. Do you want to focus on landscapes, or are you more interested in candid shots of your traveling companions? Once you know what you want to photograph, make sure to plan your route accordingly. If you’re hoping to get some stunning sunset shots, for example, you’ll need to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time. And finally, don’t forget to pack your camera gear carefully. A well-padded camera bag will help protect your equipment from bumps and jostles while on the road. With a little planning and preparation, you can come home from your trip with some incredible photographs.
27. Keep a tally
Keep track of how many miles you travel and see who can guess closest to the final total;
28. Make up your own crazy rules for the road trip
Think of your own crazy rules, like no talking allowed for an hour and see how long everyone can last!
29. Play word games
Games like Hangman, Scrabble, Bananagrams, and Word Ladder are perfect for car rides, as they are easy to set up and can be played by people of all ages. Not only are these games a fun way to passing the time, but they can also help improve vocabulary and thinking skills. So next time you hit the open road, make sure to bring along some favorite word games to keep everyone entertained.
30. Put on a puppet show
Use puppets, stuffed animals, or even just your hands to put on a show for the rest of the family.
31. Play car soccer
Use a small ball and some tape to create goals on the back of the seats in front of you, then have a game of soccer right in the car!
32. Brainteasers
Brainteasers like crosswords, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles are perfect for quiet moments in the car. They help to keep your mind active and can be a great way to pass the time.
Crosswords are a classic brainteaser that can be worked on alone or with others. They help to improve your vocabulary and problem-solving skills.
Sudoku is a logic-based puzzle that is perfect for those who enjoy a challenge. The object of the game is to fill in the empty cells so that each row, column, and 3×3 box contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.
Jigsaw puzzles are another great option for those looking for a mental challenge. They can be worked on alone or with others, and you can find puzzles of varying degrees of difficulty to suit your needs.
33. Write postcards
Get creative and write postcards to family and friends from all the different places you visit on your trip.
34. Have a snack attack
Plan ahead and pack some healthy snacks and drinks for when hunger strikes (just make sure any garbage gets thrown out at the next rest stop).
35. Video chat with friends and grandparents
See if there’s any down time where everyone can relax and FaceTime or Skype with friends, grandparents or other relatives who might not be able to come along on your trip
Road trips can be long but with proper preparation and the right snacks they can also be enjoyable experiences for everyone involved!
Wondering where to head on your next road trip, check out: Top 5 NSW Road Trips within 2 Hours of Sydney, Top 5 NSW Road Trips within 3 Hours of Sydney, Top 5 NSW Road Trips within 4 Hours of Sydney
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Ivana Katz is a Sydney based website designer and travel blogger. Having her own business has given her the freedom to explore the world. She believes travel is the best teacher and her passion for adventure, writing and photography has taken her and her son to some amazing places, including Hawaii, Canada, Fiji, Greece and Czech Republic. Ivana’s favourite thing about travelling is learning, discovering hidden gems and creating memories. She loves nothing more than inspiring other women to chase their dreams and explore the world with their families and friends.
