Planning a long road trip with kids can be both exciting and challenging. When we were planning the long road trip to Virginia, I was so intimidated by traveling with four kids under 8, but it was honestly so much smoother than I thought it would be. Keeping them entertained throughout the trip is key to an stress-free trip. Thankfully, there are plenty of kids roadtrip activities that will engage and entertain your little ones, making the drive more enjoyable for everyone (especially mom). Whether you’re on a cross-country adventure or just a long weekend getaway, these activities will help keep the “Are we there yet?” moments to a minimum.
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Kids Roadtrip Activities: Travel Games
Interactive games are a fantastic way to pass the time during a long drive. When we moved to the country, 45 minutes from the city, all of our activities were also 45 minutes away. We had to drive 45 minutes to ballet, church, co-op, all the things! Classics like I Spy or 20 Questions can kept my kids engaged then and it worked great for the long car ride too. You can also play Road Trip Bingo, where kids mark off sights they see along the way, like a specific type of car, a cow, or a stop sign. Printable bingo sheets or travel games are easy to bring along and provide endless entertainment. These kids roadtrip activities help boost observation skills while making the trip more fun. My kids specifically love to turn everything into a competition, so there’s a bit of fighting with every single game we play, but that’s okay!
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A Twist on The Alphabet Game
Another great game to try is the Alphabet Game (there are a few ways we’ve played this game). Each player must find something outside the car that starts with a different letter of the alphabet, going in order from A to Z. It’s an educational and engaging way to pass the time and keep kids excited about what’s outside the window. We have also played it where each player has to find each letter of the alphabet on signs or license plates. Another alphabet game we’ve played is “what are you taking, where are you taking it and what did you see?” For example, I would say “I went to Africa, I took some apples and I saw an antelope.” Then the next kid would say “I went to Boston, I took my baseball bat and I saw a bear.” This is our favorite version because it allows us to learn, talk about locations & be silly.
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Creative Activities for Road Trips
For a quieter, more creative option, bring along coloring books, activity books, or sketch pads. These are perfect for kids who enjoy drawing or solving puzzles. Magnetic drawing boards are also a mess-free alternative that works wonders on a long car ride.
Another idea is to create a travel journal where kids can write about the trip or draw pictures of things they see along the way. You can provide them with stickers or postcards to add to their journals, making it a fun and personalized way to capture memories from the journey. You could even get a little polaroid camera or digital camera for them to take pictures with along the way. Creative kids roadtrip activities like these not only keep kids entertained but also allow them to express their creativity while on the road.
Audiobooks and Podcasts for Kids Roadtrip Activities
When your kids need a break from physical activities, audiobooks and kid-friendly podcasts are an excellent option. You can choose a series of short stories or an engaging children’s audiobook that will keep them captivated for hours. There are many fantastic kids’ podcasts that teach about science, history, or animals while entertaining them during the drive. This activity is especially great for winding down after more interactive play.
If you’re looking for longer entertainment, try a chapter book audiobook series, which can keep kids entertained across several trips. Not only do audiobooks provide great storytelling, but they also allow kids to rest their eyes from screens and focus on the road ahead. We personally did a screen free road-trip this time, but that doesn’t mean we’re against using screens as a tool.
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An Hourly Reward Kids Activity
I honestly think I cracked the code on kids road trips with this one. At each hour or so, I had a package wrapped up for them with an activity or a fidget toy or something in it. I had it wrapped down nicely so it was something they had to unwrap, which made it even more exciting. Inside, there was usually an activity or a snack or a fidget toy. It was perfect because it had the kids looking forward and counting down the minutes, but each time they got to open a new activity, they played with it for at least 15-30 minutes each which got them half way to the next “prize.” Here’s the full video of creating this activity in case you need ideas & clarification!
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Conclusion
Long car rides with kids don’t have to be stressful! By preparing fun and engaging kids roadtrip activities, you’ll keep them entertained throughout the journey. Whether it’s through interactive games, creative projects, or captivating audiobooks, there are plenty of ways to ensure everyone enjoys the trip. So, pack your bags and hit the road, knowing your kids will stay happy and entertained for the entire adventure!
