Keeping Kids Entertained on Road Trips

Games to Play With Kids While Driving

I used to save my change in the car in film containers, NOW I use other plastic containers (like from the gum you can get in the little plastic canisters). We had several games the kids enjoyed playing when they were younger and we were traveling. Most included winning money!

One we called "Family Trivia". I would take a coin out of the container, they never knew what it would be, a penny, maybe a quarter, then I would ask a question about some piece of family history. Examples: "Which of the kids ate a beetle when they were little?", "Which aunt has tattooed eyebrows?", and "What was Grandma's maiden name?". Some of the questions were about our immediate family, some about grandparents, etc. It was a fun way to pass on family history with the kids!

Another one we play is "Road Kill". And yes, it's as disgusting as it sounds! Again, we might play for all the change in the holder for this game. We would pick a distance, from point A to point B, and everyone would choose a number of how many dead critters they thought we would see between those points. Hey, I SAID it was disgusting, but it was a game that made the kids all laugh!

Yet another, "Guess within a quarter, how many dollars worth of gas we would put in the gas tank when stopping for gas." Whoever was within quarter, won a dollar!

And sometimes we would just have a guessing game as to how much change was in the coin container! If anyone was within a quarter, they won the entire amount! The kids LOVED that game!

I hope you enjoy some of our silly games!

Source: Bored kids and a mom who didn't want to hear "Are we there yet?" Smiles!

By Pam T from Storm Lake, IA

"No Boredom Bag" For Car Trips

For car trips with kids, I make a "no boredom bag". It can be a backpack, or any bag, but ones with pockets are good. It depends on what age as to what you put in it, but I usually put the following for my 9 year old :4-5 coloring/activity books, a book to read, a small pack of crayons, a small pack of markers, a small magnadoodle, various snacks, a spillproof cup, wet wipes, some car games, and an mp3 player. Most of it can be bought at the dollar store, and can be mixed and matched according to the child's preferences and ages, and it solves the "are we there yet?" and "I'm so bored!" comments.

By blueflye from Idaho

Bored Bag For Road Trips

Sometime before the trip, without letting your kids know, pack a small bag or sack with all kinds of "fun" things - silly putty, word search puzzles, balloons, candy, harmonica, small toys from kids' meals, crayons or markers and book, small binoculars - whatever you can find that will keep them busy and that won't be really messy. Include any small toys that they haven't played with in awhile. But, don't let them see what you are packing!

Then, when you have played all the sing-a-long games and everything else is getting old and they're saying "I'm bored!", pull out the "bored bag!" You can pack one for each child so they don't fight over it, but try to include a wide variety of things.

By Patti from Farmington, AR

Magnetic Puzzles for Travel

To make a magnetic puzzle for traveling, use a cookie sheet and stick a magnet onto the back of all the puzzle pieces in the box. That way when you're traveling, your child can easily work on a puzzle without pieces moving all around or getting lost. They will stay put on the cookie sheet.

By Coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Keeping The Kids Busy On Long Car Trips

Buy some of the new clipboards that have a compartment in the bottom. Fill with paper crayons and car games. Some car games can be found on the internet and just printed out. Add crossword books or word search puzzle books for older children. Everyone has their own container which results in less fighting and less of "When are we going to get there?"

By Debra in Colorado