Going on a road trip with the kids? Keeping the kids occupied could be important for keeping you all happy. Here are a few ways in which you can make a road trip a fun experience for the family.
Bring a tablet
Tablets are great devices to occupy kids. You can play games on them, watch videos and have fun with arty apps. It saves you having to give up your phone – plus it has a bigger screen that makes sharing it between two or more kids easier. Just make sure to bring a car charger with you so that you can keep the tablet powered up.
Pack some snacks
Snacks can also help to occupy kids, however you may want to be careful as to which snacks you pack. Too many sugary snacks could make kids hyperactive (or worse throw up) so consider being the guardian of the snacks so that you give them out in moderation. You may also want to go easy on the liquids – otherwise you’ll be making lots of bathroom stops.
Download some audio books
It could be worth downloading some audio books for kids. These could be played through the car stereo or you could download them onto the tablet and allow you kids to listen with headphones (this allows you to still listen to music or your own audiobooks through the car radio).
Let them play navigator
You could help to improve your kids sense of direction by giving them a map periodically and getting them to try and work out where you are. It could help to prevent the dreaded ‘are we nearly there yet?’ question and give your kids a better appreciation of how long the journey is.
Play family driving games
There are lots of family games that you can play while on the road. I Spy is one of the most popular games and can be great for occupying some time. You could also try the ‘license plate game’ which involves trying to spot license plates from as many states as possible. You can try looking up other driving games online.
Take frequent breaks
Stopping off frequently will give your kids the chance to have a change of environment every now and then, which could stop them from getting too bored. Breaks are also important for allowing everyone to use the bathroom. Plan out where you want to stop beforehand – you may be able to schedule in exciting things to see and do along the way.
Pack some wipes and bring a bag for trash
Kids can be messy – especially toddlers and young kids. Make sure you’ve got some wipes so that you can clean sticky fingers before they end up all over your car’s interior. A bag for trash could meanwhile stop empty drinks bottles and wrappers from accumulating.
As a mom who traveled with children most of her life, & is soon going to travel with a new baby passenger, these are some good tips! Of course, back when my kids were little, we didn’t have phones or tablets. We did have books and traveling card games. As a family playing together, we really enjoyed playing the state license plates game and the Guess What I See Game! I shared this on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing!
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