Ways to Keep Little Ones Busy on Road Trips

Road trips with kids can transform a simple drive into an unforgettable adventure, but careful planning is key to a smooth journey. Pack a variety of engaging activities to combat the inevitable “Are we there yet?” moments. Think beyond screens: audiobooks, travel games like “I Spy” or license plate bingo, and creative supplies like coloring books or pipe cleaners can work wonders. Consider packing your kid’s favorite snacks and drinks to help keep everyone from getting hungry. Building in frequent stops at parks or roadside attractions allows kids to burn off energy and explore, making the overall experience more enjoyable for everyone. Ultimately, a successful kid-friendly road trip balances structured entertainment with the flexibility to adapt to unexpected detours and spontaneous discoveries.

Break Up The Time

On our most recent trip to Florida, I made sure to pack plenty of car-friendly activities for the kids. I like to break up long road trips into segments of time, where the kids focus on 1 activity for a specified amount of time.

Here is an example of how we might break up the time:

• 1 hour – crafts/games
• snack
• 2 hours – movie
• 1 hour – tablet time

This helps break up the time and keeps the kids from getting bored with 1 specific task. We don’t always stick to a strict schedule but I like to break up the monotony of the long drive.

Hands-on Activities

Before we left I went to the dollar store and the dollar spot at Target to pick up some inexpensive projects for the kids to do in the car or while we were away.

Here’s an example of what I got:

4 sticker activity books (1 for each kid)

3 play packs for the younger kids

Colorforms

Magic trick for the oldest

Say it Again Game

Tonka truck coloring

Silly Putty

3 Mickey Velvet Art poster

Glow in the Dark Bracelets

5 grade/age-appropriate workbooks (easy math and spelling)

PlayPad (with word jumbles, mazes, puzzles, and more)

3 finger puppets

3 magic paint posters

Joke Book

All of these items cost me less than $25. Add in some pencils, a pencil sharpener, and some crayons in a small pencil pouch, and the kids were entertained for hours.

I think the most popular items were the sticker activity books, the magic trick, and silly putty. The kids loved all of the activities, and they spent about an hour each car ride doing a workbook, craft, or another project. The only things they didn’t play with in the car were the magic paint posters; they played with those at our rental house, but it was nice to have them on our trip.

My oldest, Jude, also brought along a book to read as he wasn’t interested in some of the little kid projects. The kids also brought action figures and other little toys to play with in the car. All of the creative play made for a nice trip with fewer screens. Overall, they only spent about 1 hour playing on their tablets in the car, and we only watched one movie per day; the rest of the time, they were doing crafts, coloring, or playing together.

Audio Books

Audio can entertain kids while they watch the world around them, making it ideal for those prone to motion sickness. Kid-friendly podcasts and audio books are great options.

Tonies characters provide an interactive experience, offering 16 to 50 minutes of stories and songs through a fabric-wrapped speaker box with a headphone jack.

Tips for Road Trips with Kids

Stay Organized

Keep smaller items in pencil boxes or pouches and place those in a larger reusable bag. Have a designated trash container with extra bags for easy clean-up, especially if someone gets carsick.

Take Frequent Breaks

Plan your route in advance to find parks or attractions for energy-burning breaks. When you stop for gas or food, take your time to stretch and walk around.

Celebrate Along the Way

Create milestone moments along the way. Celebrating achievements like entering a new state or counting down the hours left.

Enjoy the Journey

Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination—take your time, enjoy snacks, and make it a fun trip!