I didn’t grow up going on many road trips. Anything over an hour and we were staying the night. I did, however, marry somebody who grew up taking long road trips and as adults, we have lived eight hours away from family for nearly eight years. I was sort of forced to get used to the idea. The kids have taken dozens of road trips with us (including several 17 hour ones between KC and DC). Here’s some of the ideas we’ve used to stay entertained.
1.) Build a tent
Kids love to build tents in the house, over furniture, tied around chairs and tied onto doorknobs. Why not let them try it in the car? As long as the driver can still see over the tent, let the kids have their own little clubhouse while you drive.
2.) Surround Sound
Lots of people use DVD players and iPods on road trips but consider connecting them to the car speakers for a surround sound experience. If you have a car with a tape deck, it’s easy to connect with a cassette tape adapter.
Newer cars have adapters that can be used with any audio out of most devices or FM transmitters can do the same thing. Maybe you don’t want to listen to their Spongebob movie or Hanna Montana songs but it beats hearing them whine.
3.) Carmail
Create a mailbox area in the car in a convenient location where messages can be passed. Write a message, put it in the mailbox, and then let someone else “check the mail” and find their letter. They can write a reply and send it back.
4.) Ask questions
- Take the trivia cards out of your trivia board game and just ask the questions without the board.
- Make up game show style questions about yourself. “Five answers on the board, one person surveyed and the question is: what are mom’s five favorite TV shows?”
The Kids’ Book of Questions. Let the kids read the questions and answer them together. Be prepared for some of the answers to questions such as “What one thing would you change about your parents if you could?”
5.) GPS
Not only is a GPS convenient for not getting lost but it can also help everybody keep track of where you are. It can be fun to watch the little icon move up the highway toward your destination. Consider relocating the GPS to the back (if you have a portable GPS) where the kids have a better view.
GPS Bonus: Have a little fun and change the icon on your GPS if it allows. For example, all of the Garmin icons are listed on their site at this link and directions on installing are here.
Sampling of fun vehicle icons available from Garmin
GPS bonus 2: before your trip, look at geocaching.com and seek out caches during your trip.
6.) Write on the windows
Washable Window Markers or dry erase markers are fun to use on the inside windows and will wipe off easily. Play games like tic-tac-toe or hangman, draw pictures or write messages to other cars.
7.) Make it homey
Bring favorite blankets and pillows, setup trash bags to keep messes to a minimum, provide tissue boxes, and bring a cooler with drinks and snacks.
8.) Mommy’s Bag of Tricks
Mommy’s Bag of Tricks is a bag full of gifts the kids can get throughout the drive. I have filled ours with various items – some cheap and some not – and pull them out about once an hour. It can be random things like pipe cleaners, a snack, a workbook, a Klutz book, etc. Pacing it at about once an hour seems to work better than giving them several things at once and then having them say “now what?”
9.) Things that light up
When the sun goes down, the number of entertainment options goes down. Provide each (non-driving) person with a book light so they can see even when it’s dark outside. We are big fans of Mighty Bright lights at our house because they provide good light and are easy to clip onto books or the seat.
Also fun in the dark – or anytime as far as I’m concerned – are glow lights. Even after the kids have finished playing with them, they can be hung up and used as a kind of nightlight while the kids are sleeping.
10.) Audio to narrate the way
I will admit to not doing this – yet – but I have always wanted to. Ride With Me Programs are educational audio narrations of various roadways in the U.S. They are timed to milepost markers and provide trivia, entertainment and history along the way. Sound samples are listed here to get a flavor before buying. Available in cassette or CD (downloadable version for iPods would be great but don’t seem to be an option right now).
Obviously there are many more options other than what I’ve listed including the typical I Spy and alphabet games, playing video games, reading books, etc. What are some things you do on road trips to stay entertained?
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I love the idea of number 10. Toddlers wouldn't enjoy it, but I sure would! Carter and Blake, too. One day, I'll take advantage.
We are big on books in the car and I, too, keep a bag of tricks. They help so much!
We use to LOVE playing the alphabet game! I had 2 brothers. We would each start with A and you could only use bill boards or license plates. Also, it has to be infront of us…once our car drives past it then it is off limits. It has to be visible to everyone when you should it out! We would always get hung up on X, Q, Z…we would always try to get to Q before we hit the next Dairy Queen…that was the goal!
I already love your blog…I'm a good friend of Casey's!
Hi Carrie,
Nice to meet you! I like your version of the alphabet game because it's a different version of what we do which is to allow everything in. I think we'll try it on our next road trip.