Family Road Trip: How to Keep the Kids Happy on the Open Road

The family road trip is a time when you can get to catch up with the lives of your children and the rest of the family. It’s also a time when everyone in the vehicle can become annoyed with each other.

Before leaving on the trip, make a few plans of places to stop or games to play so that there’s always something to do while in the car.

Books

Whether it’s an audio book or a traditional book, you should have a supply to get children through the trip. They might not read all the time, but it will give them a way to enjoy a quiet atmosphere.

You can even read to a younger child, as long as you aren’t the one driving. Audio books are ideal, as the child can use headphones to listen to the story without bothering others in the car who might want to talk.

Games

Handheld video games can keep some children entertained for hours. Make sure you have a charger that can plug into the cigarette lighter of the car, and keep a supply of batteries as well.

Headphones should also be an option with the games as you don’t want children disturbing each other while playing.

Before leaving

The last thing you want is to have your kids get cranky and restless while you’re stranded on the side of the road.

Before you head out, look at the tires to see that they are inflated, check the oil and other fluids, and fill the car with gas so that you don’t have to stop right after getting on the road.

Make sure any worn-down tires are replaced. If you’re not mechanically inclined, the specialists at Discount Tire Centers can advise you on which tires to get for your car.

If the car is in good operating condition, you lower the risk of something happening that could detour the trip to a mechanic while on the road.

Creativity

Let children pack a bag with crayons, markers and other supplies so that they can color, draw or make a scrapbook of the trip.

They can use their imagination to draw what they would do on the trip or draw the things that they see on the road, especially if you stop at a special location. Sticker books are also an option as children can create a story using the stickers on a piece of blank paper.

When you go on a family road trip, you want to have something for children to do as it’s sometimes hard to keep them entertained while in a small space. Try to stop occasionally to let children stretch their legs or to get a snack.

A family road trip can be a lot of fun, as long as you prepare properly beforehand.