“Are we there yet?” Oh we all know the relentless questioning of a discontent child. And taking a long roadtrip with kids can be the epitome of relentless questioning, sibling bickering and agitated parents. But I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way!
After countless multi-day roadtrips and 10+ hour driving days, we’ve found miracle hacks, including the best trick I ever learned, that work wonders for keeping children settled and mom and dad happy. Whether you’re traveling across the state or across the country, these tips are sure to help you not only stay sane, but also have some fun.
8 Hacks to Roadtrip with Kids
Miles Countdown
Have a countdown for how many miles you have to go, and celebrate each milestone. Our favorite way to do this is to cut Post-It notes into thin strips (you can also use plain paper) and stick or tape them onto the dashboard where everyone can see them. Each strip represents a certain number of miles and gets removed when that mileage has been hit. Celebrations can involve anything from a special song and dance, to a game or a treat.
Let’s say you’re taking a 500 mile roadtrip. You can break the miles down into groups of let’s say 50 miles, so you’ll put 10 stickers on the dash. Every 50 miles, one gets removed and you make a big deal about it. This visually helps kids grasp how much time and distance is remaining.
Map It Out
This is another fun way to help kids see how far you’ve gone and also learn a little geography. Try printing out a map of the area you’ll be driving and draw the route you’re taking onto the map. Write in key cities along the way, and any other fun spots you will be passing or visiting. Each time you pass by one of those markers, have the kids trace over the route up to that location. A highlighter or marker is a great way to do this, and now they’ll know exactly how far you have left to go.
Roadtrip Games
Years ago I printed out some free roadtrip games and had a friend laminate them for me, and we still use these same cards today. I don’t remember the website anymore, but I’m sure Pinterest will turn up a bunch for you. Look for games like Roadtrip Bingo, 50 States License Plates, Count the Cows, Colored Cars, and such. Don’t forget a pack of dry erase markers and some tissues to wipe the games clean.
Roadtrip Only Entertainment
Try setting aside a few games and books as special roadtrip only activities so that the excitement to use them hasn’t worn off before your big trip. For this we use things like Paint by Sticker books (for both younger and older kids), WaterWow Painting Books by Melissa and Doug, Mini Etch-a-Sketch’s, Where’s Waldo books, sketch pads, and we’ve even purchased a few new items that will become part of the regular rotation after the trip, like a new book or new art supplies.
Thoughtful Pit Stops
Keeping good time on a roadtrip can be hard to balance with adding in interesting stops. Obviously some stops will have to be for gas and potty breaks, but try to plan out a few others that are more fun. Even if it’s just a rest stop with a field where kids can run around. This is a great opportunity to stop and play games. Consider bringing a ball, skateboard, or other fun thing to do during these stops.
Another consideration is roadside attractions or short hikes. For example, if you’re kids like fishing, considering stopping at a Bass Pro Shop for some extra fun. You can also use the AllTrails app to find nearby short hikes where kiddos can burn off some energy. Some areas also have beautiful creeks and rivers – try pulling off the road in a place where the whole family can go explore. This is easier in the west where much of the land is BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and therefore accessible to the public for free.
Keep It Organized
Keeping the car clean is a HUGE help to not lose sanity, and also helps the kids keep track of their belongings. For this I purchased these car seat organizers. They come in a pack of two and we attached to behind the drivers and passengers seats, and two behind the captains chairs in the second row to use used by the third row kids. (Originally I only ordered one pair for second row kids, but we loved them so much we ended up getting another pair for the third row!)
Not having the kids’ stuff land on the floor means that it’s less likely to get kicked out the door at rest stops, and also helps kiddos stay sitting in their seats, rather than squirming because all their things keep falling off their laps and onto the floor. I cannot recommend these enough! In addition, packing minimally helps keep the “stuff” under control. For help packing like a minimalist on your roadtrip, check out this post (coming soon!).
Audio Books
If you have bluetooth capabilities, I highly recommend downloading a few audiobooks that the whole family will love. Spending time listening to stories together has been a huge joy for our family. The same could be said of podcasts if you have one your whole family enjoys. For books, we’ve used the Audible app, but you can also download free audiobooks with the Libby app and a library card.
Some of our favorite audiobooks have been:
- The Green Ember
- Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
- The Fablehaven Series
- The One and Only Bob
- The Ramona Quimby Collection (a handsdown favourite of the whole family)
- 100 Cupboards
- My Father’s Dragon
- The Wild Robot
Mom Bucks
This is the best mom hack I ever learned! First, you’ll put together a treat bin. This can include whatever you think your kids will like – gum, candy, balloons, small toys, special pens or erasers, trinkets, etc. Next, head to Canva and find a money template (or just draw your own. You can also use Monopoly money). Print out your Mom Bucks and keep them handy in the car, ready to award for any behavior that you want to encourage. You’ll also want a price system for your treats. Having a few more expensive items encourages not only more good behavior, but also helps kids learn delayed gratification and saving.
Screens: To, Or To Not
This isn’t exactly a hack for you roadtrip with kids, but if you are considering using screens for entertainment, I have a few suggestions. I am not either pro or anti screen on a roadtrip as we have gone both routes.
My personal preference is to let the kids be bored and encourage their creativity. I like to give them time to talk with one another, and stare out the window noticing the changing of scenery,. But for longer days of driving, having a movie for the kids to watch is a great way for parents to enjoy some peace and relative quiet, and for the kids to settle in for a little quiet time while you squeeze in a few extra hours of driving that you may have otherwise not been able to do.
We travel with only one ipad and our kids do not have phones yet. So when we watch a movie, it needs to be viewable by all 5 of our children at the same time, and this in the past has presented a challenge. After a little research and trying out one product that didn’t work for us, I came across the perfect solution: this ipad holder that attaches between the drivers and passengers seats. I am happy to report that it locks snugly into place, is very sturdy, and also easily adjustable. For roadtrip screen time where all kids need to be able to view just one screen, this truly is the perfect solution.
For our cross country trip, we even brought our Nintendo Switch along and allowed each row of kids to play for 45 minutes. The Switch fit perfectly into this ipad holder and the kids were able to enjoy some video game time together. I loved that having this product allowed for my kids to enjoy limited screen time together rather than just zoning out on an individual screen and disappearing into their own world.
Final Thoughts/Tips
-Moderately dehydrate everybody so potty stops don’t run your trip. (This is an exaggeration – don’t actually dehydrate your children – just limit water consumption and don’t offer any sugary beverages that will likely get chugged quickly.
-You may want to consider rearranging where you children sit in the car. If you’re using a screen for movie viewing, it might make more sense to put taller kiddos in the back row (if you’re in a 3 row vehicle). Or you might want an older kiddo in the second row to pass snacks back to younger kiddos and generally be your extra helper, especially if you’re traveling as a single adult.
-While the majority of food will have to stay in the trunk, consider keeping a small assortment of snacks up front to be passed back when needed so you don’t have to pull over for a granola bar. You can also keep a few treats up front for use in emergency situations when someone needs a little pick-me-up. I like to keep some gum and lollipops within reach for this.
-Lastly, keep it upbeat and try to make it fun. Stay positive, and encouraging. When kids inevitably get tired of sitting still, be ready to use your creativity, offer up a game, or some sort of a treat.
Happy roadtripping!
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