Road Trip Activities for Kids
Taking a family road trip is a fantastic way to create lasting memories. However, keeping the kids entertained during a long trip can be a challenge.
Whether you’re embarking on a long car ride or a long haul flight, having a list of engaging travel activities can turn potential boredom into much fun for the whole family.
Here are some great ideas and favorite tips to keep your family vacation enjoyable for everyone.
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Best Road Trip Activities for Kids
1. Fun Travel Games for All Ages
Road trip games are a great way to keep kids entertained. Road trip bingo is a great activity for the whole family.
Another classic is the license plate game, where kids can spot and list different state plates they see along the way.
Mad libs are another fun game that can be hilarious for both younger and older kids. Scavenger hunts are also a great option. Create a road trip scavenger hunt list with items to find during your journey. This can be tailored for different ages, making it one of the best travel activities for kids of all ages.
2. Creative Activities to Keep Little Hands Busy
For younger children, sticker books and reusable sticker books are a great way to keep them entertained. Scratch art and color wonder markers are also great travel activities that minimize mess.
A cookie sheet can double as a magnetic board for travel games like travel bingo or as a base for new toys. It’s perfect for car seats or tray tables on planes.
Activity books, travel journals, and fun travel games like game boards with magnetic game pieces are excellent for developing fine motor skills.
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3. Engaging Electronics and Audio Entertainment
Portable DVD players or tablets can be lifesavers for long road trips or flights. Load them up with favorite movies or video games. If you prefer to limit screen time, audio books are a great option. They can be entertaining for the whole family and are a perfect way to enjoy stories together.
4. Healthy Snacks and Easy Access Items
Having road trip snacks on hand is essential. Healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, and granola bars are a good idea. Avoid too much junk food to prevent sugar crashes. Road trip goodie bags filled with small toys, stickers, and fun games can be handed out periodically to keep the excitement alive.
Make sure to have a water bottle for each child and keep essentials within easy access.
5. Classic and Printable Travel Games
Road trip season is the perfect time to introduce kids to old favorites like the license plates game, road trip bingo, and road trip scavenger hunts.
There are many printable road trip games available online, including scavenger hunt cards, which can be a great game to play during stops at rest stops or national parks.
6. Preparing for Comfort and Safety
For long trips, ensuring comfort is key. A travel tray can provide a stable surface for activities. Car windows can be adorned with sticky notes or used for window markers to draw fun pictures. A car seat organizer can keep everything in one place.
Ensure the whole family has a good time by maintaining good behavior with incentives like extra screen time or a special treat at the end of the day.
Bottom Line
Incorporating these fun travel activities ensures that your next family trips are filled with joy and excitement. From road trip bingo to audio books, and from healthy snacks to sticker books, these great ideas will keep your kids entertained and happy.
