We’ve all been there. On a plane, in a car. Your own or someone else’s. Kids! How do you keep them happy while traveling? Below are my top five picks that will hopefully keep them busy, engaged, and happy so you can enjoy the ride!
- The Animal Name Game
One person names an animal. Then each person in order has to name another animal (no repeating!) that starts with the last letter of the previous animal named. There are no winners or losers in this game. With older children, try the game with TV shows or geographical categories such as cities or countries.1
- Audio books
I certainly listen to audio books when I travel, so why not the kids? Allow them to select a few books and download before the trip. Did you know you can borrow FREE audio books from your local library? Check out this CNBC article for helpful information.
- Road-trip Bingo
Tuck those phones and tablets away and give it up for this road-trip take on a classic, Bingo. Everyone can take part and enjoy spotting animals, road signs, flags, and much more. Click here to download and print your bingo cards before you go and don’t forget prizes!
- The License Plate Game
Make a group effort to spot tags from all 50 states. Whoever sees and calls out a state's license plate first gets a point. Bonus points for the first person to spy a Canadian tag. The person with the most points wins.1
- Map Maker
With National Geographic MapMaker Interactive, kids can explore and discover information about countries and territories around the world. They can add pictures, text, and much more to bring the trip to life. Print the map before you go so they can keep track along the way.
For additional details on these and other fun ideas please visit:
Redbook: Genius Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy on Road Trips
Parenting: 60 Ways to Entertain a Kid on an Airplane
1 Bilich, (n.d.) retrieved from “12 Fun Car Game Ideas”