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Traveling with kids can be a great experience and a bonding opportunity for the whole family. However, it can also be very stressful. Children can get bored fast and can quickly become cranky or restless. That’s why it’s important to have some activities up your sleeve and be prepared to entertain them while on the road. However, finding a way to keep them entertained is the hard part. Nothing seems to get a child’s attention for more than five minutes, let alone an entire road trip. Lucky for you, we’ve got some great ways to entertain your kids while traveling:
- Travel Games
Even for adults, travel games can be a great distraction from the boredom of a long journey. For kids, they are even more fun and engaging. Buy or make a travel version of your favorite board game and bring it along. Travel versions usually have shorter gameplay time which is perfect for small breaks between destinations. Other popular choices are card games, hangman, Jenga, snap, dice games, and much more.
- Storytelling
Storytelling is an excellent way to keep kids engaged for the entire duration of a road trip. You can tell stories about the places you are visiting or makeup stories for them to follow along with. Encourage them to use their imagination; it’s a great learning experience. You can also make up stories about your past travels or let them retell their favorite bedtime story. If all else fails, there’s always the option of having kids narrate their own stories as you drive.
- Make them Comfortable
Nothing says ‘not fun’ like a cramped and uncomfortable car seat. Make sure your kids have plenty of space in the backseat to move around if needed. Bring their favorite pillow or blanket and let them choose their music for the ride. Baby carriers for your car seat can also be great for younger kids as they provide support and comfort in the car, making them more likely to sleep during the drive. At Diono, you can find a great selection of baby carriers for the car seat. Make sure you consider your child’s comfort while on the road, and you won’t have to worry about them getting restless.
- Coloring Books or Activity Books
Children love to color and draw, so bring some coloring books to enjoy. Activity books are also great options as they usually include puzzles, mazes, word games, and other fun activities that keep kids entertained for hours. For an even better experience, bring along some washable markers and other art supplies so they can let their imagination go wild. Remember to take care of your seats and bring some disposable seat covers if needed.
- Technology
Technology can be a great way to keep kids engaged during long journeys. Download some of their favorite movies or tv shows before your trip and store them on portable devices like tablets or laptops, so they are easy to access. Music and podcasts can also be great distractions. You can also download kid-friendly apps like educational games or interactive books that keep them occupied for hours. But make sure you limit their usage, as too much screen time isn’t healthy for kids.
- Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep kids entertained during long road trips. Create a list of items they have to look for as you drive along, like different types of cars, animals, or landmarks. You can assign points to each item, and the one with the highest score wins.
Finding ways to keep your kids entertained while traveling can be challenging, but with the right tools and activities, it doesn’t have to be. Make sure to come prepared with travel games, activity books, and other entertainment options for them to enjoy during the journey, and don’t forget about their comfort, ensuring they have enough space in their car seat, and enough snacks can help make the ride smoother and more enjoyable.
