Family road trips are exciting and a great way to explore new and interesting things as a family. If you have children that are going to be coming along on the trip, it is important to prepare some activities ahead of time so that they remain entertained or preoccupied throughout the whole trip. If a young child (or even an older one) gets bored, hungry, or cranky, it is likely to ruin the trip for everyone in the car.
Road Games
Get the whole family involved! See who can spot things starting with the letters of the alphabet, or with certain colors. Another popular game is to look for license plates from different states, especially on long trips. Some families may enjoy taking turns to create part of a story, piece by piece, or singing karaoke together on the radio. These fun activities together as a family are what make road trips most memorable, so have fun and be creative with them!
Packable Activities
For more individual fun, make individual binders for fun activities children can work on quietly, such as a coloring book with crayons, workbooks, or non-messy art activities. Small toys also work well in the car if you find a way to keep everything together, such as this portable lego kit. Older children may love to follow along with your journey with paper maps. If your child is able to read in the car, books are an option as well.
Make Use of Technology
There are many portable devices to keep children entertained. Bring along a tablet or a favorite hand-held gaming system for the ride. Many newer cars now offer WiFi hot spots and multiple charging ports to keep everything running for as long as you need it. If you don’t have access to WiFi, make sure to download a variety of movies, games, or apps ahead of time. There are several apps that offer children a variety of educational games and activities that are perfect for road trips. Audiobooks are another great activity, especially for kids who get car sick and can’t read regular books in the car.
Know Your Route
No matter how well prepared you are, many kids will only tolerate being in the car for so long at a time. When you are planning your trip, check along your route for fun and interesting places to stop and see. Interesting museums, natural attractions, or even a quick stop for ice cream, or a game of mini golf, can give everyone a much-needed break and chance to get out of the car. Older kids can help to plan pit-stop activities to help keep them excited and engaged.
One of the best things about road trips is that the journey is just as much fun as the destination. Those hours spent on the road give you and your family time to bond and connect in a way that we don’t always get a chance to do with hectic day-to-day schedules. Planning well and making sure you bring the right materials to keep everyone comfortable will make the driving portion of your trip go much smoother.
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