Going on a family road trip means planning lots of road trip activities for kids. If you’re anything like me, you’re doing all the research possible to figure out how to keep the kids entertained for the hours you’ll be spending in the car. As a parent of two young children, you never know how they will truly behave while being in the car for a long time. I’ve put together a list of my go-to activities and tips to keep my kids entertained until we get to our destination.
You’re going to learn all about my favorite activities for keeping your kids from going crazy in the car on a road trip. From the best road trip toys, books, and even a couple of apps.
After learning about my top road trip activities, you’ll be armed with some new ideas and ready for even the longest road trips.
This post is all about the best Road Trip Activities for Kids.
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Ready to travel?
Road trip activities for your kids are so important to have together when you’re ready to hit the road for a trip out of town. We’ve been dreaming of traveling again, but with two small children, it can be absolutely overwhelming. Right now we are planning a road trip across the country from California to Florida in our RV. I know that I will need plenty of new and fresh road trip activities for my kids while in the car to keep us all sane during the long drive. Here is my list of some inexpensive and creative ideas for what I’m bringing to keep our kids busy on the road trip.
First Off, Know the 3-3-3 Travel Rule
I think it’s incredibly important when planning a multiple-stop road trip for kids to follow a rule like this. It’s the idea of going no more than 300 miles, arriving at your destination by 3pm, and staying at least 3 days in a location. Obviously, when you’re going longer distances and staying a shorter amount of time, then the pace is more strenuous. This method generally makes it easier on the entire family! Of course, things aren’t going to go perfectly every time! We try as best as we can to hit the 3-3-3 rule and it’s much easier on the kids (and parents too!).
Overall, we’ve found that the pace you’re traveling makes a big impact. So, if you’re able to go slower, it can help keep everyone from being exhausted the entire trip.
Entertaining Kids While on a Long Road Trip
To keep your toddler busy, and let’s be real, ensure some quiet time for the grown-ups, you’ll want to bring lots of activities to keep that active toddler entertained. These tips will give you plenty of ideas and keep your toddler happy without a ton of screen time, (although there is absolutely no shame in a little screen time!)
Road Trip Activities for Kids
There are so many great activities out there to help keep kids busy. Sitting in a car for long periods of time can be boring for anyone. Kids are already antsy and ready to wiggle and move around.
1. Pack a Special Toy Bag for Road Trips
I try to keep a bag of toys specific to our long trips in the car. They are toys our kids don’t play with every day, so they are special and exciting when I bring them out. Along with that, I also bring along one or two of his favorite toys, like his toolbox and tools. He “fixed things” for the longest time and it was great entertainment!
2. Coloring in the Car
My son also loves coloring books. We always make sure to bring plenty of pieces of paper and colored pencils. I love these Crayola Mess-Free pads because I don’t have to worry about markers all over his hands, face, and upholstery. I’ve linked a couple below that even include a hardcover so they can easily color on their laps. Bring along a foldable tray table so they can color on their piece of paper easily.
3. Activity Books
Bring an activity book with some word games, stickers, or even animals they can color and begin to recognize. This activity can become educational as well as a time filler for your toddler. Sticker books are another great road trip activity as well.
4. Puzzles
Additional activities could also include some large puzzles. We got our son a great set of wooden puzzles with a bunch of animals and it gave us a solid 30 minutes of entertainment last road trip.
5. Melissa & Doug
One of my favorite toy companies is Melissa & Doug, they have some great toys for the kids. Our favorite is the Melissa & Doug Water-Pen Book, it’s mess-free and reusable over and over again. Seriously the best! And it’s the perfect size to throw in your purse or diaper bag so it can always be nearby in a pinch.
4. Imaganitive Play
Do your kids have a favorite set of farm animals, Hot-Wheels cars, or stuffed animals they love? My 2.5-year-old is just starting to dabble with imaginative play, and I know soon he will be using that imagination all the time. If your little one is there, then bring a set of small toys they could play with on a tray table.
6. Best Kids Snacks for Road Trips
Applesauce pouches, fruit snacks, and goldfish crackers are all great options for keeping your little one fed and occupied during a long drive. My son loves mandarin oranges because they are easy to peel and he can do it himself. I just have to have a couple of baby wipes nearby in case it becomes a juicy mess. To plan for your upcoming trip just throw some of their favorite snacks in your bag. I always like to put in a special treat or two so that there is something exciting for our trip. Remember to pack a spill-proof snack container to keep all those goldfish or puffs from spilling everywhere.
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7. Great Books for Keeping Kids Busy on Road Trips
What books will keep toddlers busy? If your child is old enough to read, then you absolutely want to pack a few of their favorite books. My son loves picture books with flaps. Those can keep him busy for a while (and sometimes even put him to sleep!)
A busy book is a great option and will keep your toddler happy for a long time. Activity books are also some of our favorite books. One of my favorite books is Never Touch a Monster, it’s almost like a sensory activity with each page full of different things to touch.
Screen Time Activities for Kids
While I try to have lots of options, sometimes screen-time activities are necessary to keep the kiddos busy. We use several toddler apps that can keep our little guy busy for a while. There is a huge selection of toddler apps and games for toddlers to choose from. Here are a few of our favorite apps!
8. Movies and TV Shows
A little tip about watching movies and shows on the go is Disney+ and Netflix both allow you to download videos. So, if you have subscriptions to those apps, make sure to download a couple of your kiddo’s favorite shows.
9. Mobile Apps
PBS Kids Games– This app is awesome! We love Elmo and Curious Gorge at our house so we always bring up those games. The app updates often so there is always something new to check out.
We usually try to avoid screen time at home, however, anything goes on a road trip! Sometimes it’s going great and the coloring activities are working to keep them entertained. Sometimes it’s screen time for an hour or two. We don’t worry too much about it in these situations.
Don’t be Afraid to go on Family Road Trips
I know I was terrified the first time we planned a trip a couple of hours away. I imagined the worst, however, because I prepared it ended up going much better than I expected! You know your kids better than anyone, so bring some special toys, games, and treats that you know they’ll love. Make it an adventure and remember to be flexible. We love the idea of memories over materials, so anytime we can trade things for an adventure,
This post was all about Road Trip Activities for your Kids
I hope you have the best trip! Enjoy your trip!
FAQ
What are some good educational activities for a long drive?
Count the things around you! How many red cars do you see? Let’s count the number of stickers on our dot sticker sheet. This will keep our toddler busy for a good 30 minutes!
What to do when the kids are melting down on the road trip?
It’s eventually going to happen, so it’s good to be prepared. Maybe it’s time for a snack, or even to stop at a rest stop or Starbucks to stretch your legs and run around for a little bit. Depending on how long your trip is, we always schedule at least one stop to make sure that the kids get a break.
