7 Creative Ways To Entertain Kids On A Road Trip

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“Are we there yet?”  The four words every parent dreads to hear behind the wheel. There have got to be some creative ways to entertain kids on a road trip, right?

It is no secret that kids can get a little stir-crazy after being cooped up in the backseat for hours on end.  If you are about to embark on a cross country road trip and want to keep your children at bay, look no further!  There are plenty of tried-and-true ways to keep your kids entertained during your next family road trip.

Here are the top 10 places to visit if you’re making a cross country road trip!

How To Entertain Kids On A Road Trip

History Lessons

If you really are making that cross country trek, take the time to educate your children about our nation’s fascinating history!  Brush up on famous happenings in the different states you will be passing through, and try to plan a few historical stops along the way.  This could range from national landmarks to war museums even to “World’s Largest Ball of Rubber Bands”!  Your kids will enjoy this breath of fresh air and chance to stretch their legs.

Audio Book

Reading to your children is probably the most important thing you can do as a parent.  It helps them develop language and listening skills, and it stimulates their imagination.  Because you cannot hold a book behind the wheel, stop at your library and pick up a book on tape!  Let your children help you pick something out.  They will be so captivated when you play it, they won’t even want to get out of the car!

Alphabet Game

A good, old-fashioned car game that requires nothing more than a little patience.  Try to find every letter of the alphabet, in order, and shout them out as you find them.  The trick is, the letters must be outside of the vehicle!  Have your kids play together or make it a competition!

Twenty Questions

A game that has been around for ages and it’s a great way to entertain kids on a road trip. One person secretly thinks of a person, place or thing.  Try stumping your kids by using famous historical sites or Americans from the state you are driving through.  The other players then take turns asking yes-or-no questions, such as “Is it bigger than a bread box?” or “Are they an actor?”  After 20 questions have been asked, each player gets a chance to make a guess!

Road Trip Bingo

Grab a pencil and a piece of paper and make a “bingo” board, but use common roadside sights instead of numbers!  Some ideas include: a police car, a corn field, a bridge, or even a cow!  Try adding state-specific sites if you will be passing through lots of different places.  This one can be ongoing and can keep kids occupied for the duration of the drive.

Movie

A solution for the 21st century, tech-savvy kids out there and probably one of the easiest ways to entertain kids on a road trip.  If your car does not have a built-in DVD player, load up your tablet or laptop with your child’s favorites!  You can also purchase portable DVD players, some that even cleverly strap to the back of the headrests.

Dry Erase Board

Need we say more?  Kids can play hangman and tic-tac-toe to their heart’s content!  Suggest something ridiculous to draw – a dolphin having a birthday party! – and make it a competition.  Cheap dry erase boards and markers can usually be purchased at dollar stores or in the office section of your local grocery store.

…and don’t forget to pack plenty of snacks so your little ones don’t get hungry in between stops for meals!  Happy travels!