Planning an epic road trip this spring, or maybe just a simple jaunt to grandma’s house?
As parents, we all know the notorious, “Are we there yet?” ballad our little ones seem to belt by heart. The truth is: kids get bored easily, and when confined in a small space (read: LOUD), what’s a mother to do? Give them an adventure, of course! There are tons of tips, tricks and hacks you can keep up your sleeve to turn a simple road trip into an epic odyssey. Ready for the list? We’re off!
Play, play, play.
Everyone in the car needs a little break from staring out of the window and watching the asphalt roll by. Playing I Spy or 20 Questions will help pass the time and bring family connection all at once. Plus, your littles will get some practice using their memory and thinking skills– perfect for built-in brain development. Think of all those family car games you loved as a kid and re-invent them for your kids! Or, enjoy a few of our own favorites below:
- Sum your snacks. Keep a small jar or tin of trail mix in the front seat, and let the kids take a turn guessing how many pieces of nuts (or raisins, or M&Ms) are in the jar from their seat. Whoever gets closest gets to pick the next gas station snack to share! (Note: This is a perfect, L-O-N-G game, because it’s up to the kids to count each piece to see who ended up closest! Feel free to pop in and assist as needed, of course.)
- Count cows. If your road trip is guiding you through some rural landscapes, try this beloved classic road trip game. Here’s how: All players count the cows on his/her side of the road. The kicker? If you pass a cemetery, you lose all your cows and have to start over!
- Is it this or that? Perfect for pre-readers, this easy game boosts critical thinking skills and memory/recognition. Simply point at a building and give your kids two choices of what it could be. “It’s either a school or a fire station!” Whoever guesses right gets to choose the next building to look for!
- Get mad. For kids old enough to read, Mad Libs make for a perfectly classic road trip game. For pre-readers (or super duper long drives!), let your littles help you make up a story together – the wilder, the better! They’ll strengthen their vocabulary in no time.
- Alphabet spy. Phonics are an important part of childhood development, and letter recognition is a perfect activity to take “on the road!.” The rules are simple: the kids spot a letter outside the window, starting with A, then B, then C, going in order all the way through Z. License plates, signs, murals – it all counts!
Surprise ’em.
When you’ve been driving for a long while, make an unexpected pit stop at a park or to play in a go-kart track. Look up road side attractions and plan your route ahead of time – kids love the thrill of an unplanned adventure!
Listen up.
Books on tape are a perfect pick to keep the kids engaged and happy. Check out a few at your local library, or download some to your device before making the trek. Unsure what to listen to first? Below are a few favorites in our house, courtesy of Spotify!
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit & Other Stories
- The Adventures of Christopher Robin
- Pinocchio
- Robin Hood
- Alice in Wonderland
Let the littles help.
Trust us: you’ll cut down on your kids begging for snacks every half an hour if they’ve got something productive to do– like checking the map for upcoming rest stops or helping to fill up the gas tank. Consider giving each child a map or atlas to explore, and challenge them to guess which direction you’re heading, or how far away you might be from your destination. For the super young, a roll of washi tape to track various make-believe “routes” along the map is always a crowdpleaser!
Take a break.
Kids need frequent breaks to stretch and move around – it helps them stay alert and keeps the crankiness at bay! Instead of stopping at a fast food joint or a restaurant that requires sitting, try walking through a local grocery store for fresh produce and picnic fixings to enjoy at a local park where everyone can run around and burn off steam. Bonus? Lunch will be 1000% times healthier, so you’ll definitely avoid a seriously ill-timed sugar crash in the backseat.
Bring friends.
Don’t be afraid of the extra bodies! Road trips give kids an opportunity to play with friends they don’t usually get to see in a capacity they don’t usually get to see them in! It’s a great way to form bonds and stronger friendships, and you get another adult on board for all the heavy lifting.
Music, music, music!
Let your kids choose a few favorite songs for a road trip playlist. Include kids’ prayers, kids’ blessings, kids’ stretches, kids’ meditations – anything that’s beloved at home will be extra special to travel with!
Consider crafts.
Make a kids’ road trip craft box with lots of watercolors, stencils, scissors, paint brushes, sidewalk chalk for gas station stops and “I was here!” messages, kids stickers, and coloring books. Remember: busy hands make for happy hearts!
Say “Cheese!”
Let your kids bring a disposable camera to make a photo journal of their travels. Together, once home, you can caption them and reminisce about what your family adventure looked like from the eyes of your child.
Remember this mindset…
It’s an adventure. There’s no rush. Remind kids (and yourself!) of the enjoyment ahead and how much fun they’ll have at their destination (the beach, grandma’s house, an amusement park – wherever!). It’s natural for kids to get antsy. Let your littles know the adventure will last as long as it lasts. Together, repeat this motto: We’re right where we need to be, for right now. All is well.
The truth is, there are so many ways you can make a road trip fun and memorable for kids. From games and crafts to snacks and hacks, there is an endless variety of things you can do that will bring smiles across the miles. Find what fits best for your family, and say yes to the adventure along the way.
Wherever you’re headed: happy road tripping from our (messy) van to yours!
p.s. Don’t forget to add our all-new $1 Road Trip Bonus Pack to the fun! Get 5 on-the-go educational lesson prompts to delight the littles for miles and miles.