If you’re preparing for an upcoming family vacation during which you will be driving to your destination, it is likely that you are worried about how to keep your kids entertained in the car. If you have older children who are able to read, write, or use a device to entertain themselves, that can be a huge help in ensuring that a long car ride goes smoothly. Companies like Frog Street offer literacy curricula for grades K-3, offering child-centered learning experiences to help strengthen childrens’ reading and language skills. Younger children who aren’t able to read independently can be harder to keep entertained on the road, especially on a long trip where they will be cooped up in the car for several hours or more.
Here are a few easy ideas for keeping young children entertained on a long road trip.
Drawing
A great way to keep children entertained for hours is by allowing them to draw or color. A coloring book and crayons can be a great way to fight boredom (get a coloring book with pictures of the destination you are visiting or activities you have planned for an extra fun bonus) or try a blank piece of paper attached to a clipboard so they can create their own pictures.
License Plate Game
This classic game could last for the entire road trip and is a great way to keep kids and adults entertained. Simply watch the license plates of the cars around you and try to spot a plate from all 50 states.
Movies
On especially long trips, sometimes giving kids access to a tablet or other device to watch a movie is a great way to keep them entertained for a few hours. This is also a great way to help little ones fall asleep, which is one of the best ways to pass time on a long trip.
Audiobooks and Podcasts
For little ones who can’t read on their own yet, audiobooks are a fun and engaging way for them to remain entertained on a long trip. Many streaming platforms also offer podcasts made specifically for kids, which include stories and educational content, which are sure to keep kids from getting bored.
Snacks
Having designated snack times for your children on road trips is a great way to give them something to look forward to, and to keep hunger (and bad attitudes) at bay. For an added bonus, try to pick up snacks from stops along the way that they have never tried before.
Driving to a vacation destination can be a great way to save money, but can be a bit of a challenge when you are traveling with young children. Preventing boredom with a few easy activities will help you to make the most of your vacation time by ensuring that no one in your family is bored in the car.
Leave a Reply