We love to travel, but I don’t like to fly. That means we drive EVERYWHERE! Many people think we are crazy for driving all over the country, but we love it. We get to explore new places, stop at unique locations, and bond as a family. Since my boys were infants, we have been taking road trips. We have driven to Florida over 10 times, Louisiana 6 times, and Texas twice. Then there were countless shorter trips thrown in the mix. As veteran road trippers, we have come up with our own system for packing, staying busy, and organizing. I have written posts about road trip essentials, but in this post I am going to focus on some road trip activities we use to keep active and entertained on long (and short) trips. I have included Amazon affiliate links to make your planning easier.
Brain Boosting Road Trip Activities
National Geographic Games, Activities, and Suggestions
Before even leaving, make sure to get these books from National Geographic Kids: Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas, National Parks Guide, and 125 Wacky Roadside Attractions. All 3 books will help you and your kids plan the ultimate road trip experience! Once you know your driving route, look through these books to find unique and exciting places to stop and explore. Each book provides detailed information about locations all over the world that will enhance your trip. Kids will learn all about geography, landforms, cultures, and more.
On our last trip, we loved using the Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas. Inside the book you will find every state with 5 MUST DO experiences listed. A few roadside attractions are also suggested. We looked up each state we were going to drive through or visit to see if we could stop at any of the places listed. We also found it fun to check off all the places we had already been to. In the back of the book, there are also tons of fun activities that can keep the kids (and parents) entertained for hours.
I Spy
This game is a classic, and one we played for years! Although my boys have aged out of this game, it is a great one for little ones. You can start with simple colors and shapes, and as they get older, move to objects that start with a certain letter. It is a fun game that helps boost language, visual, and academic skills.
License Plate Game
This has been a favorite for years! When my boys were little, the game was more about teaching them about all the states and identifying the colors of the plates. As they got older, they were able to identify more states, and as we found them I wrote them down. Now, the game has turned into more of a competition (and I am usually declared the winner). We try to see who can find the most states during our road trips. I have also invested in some fun sticker books that help us keep track. Our favorite so far has been License Plates Across the States. Not only does it include a map and stickers of each license plate, but it also offers fun brain boosting activities such as crossword puzzles.
Flash Cards/Math Facts
My boys love competing with each other, so much so that they even love doing math flash cards on road trips. This is a fun way to improve and boost math skills as well as encourage family bonding. You can start with shapes for little ones then move to simple addition. As they get older, you can move on to multiplication and division or even word problems. Flash cards are perfect for long trips, but if you don’t have any, then make your own using index cards. You can also just yell out facts and see who answers first.
Punch Buggy
This is an oldie but a goodie! Punch Buggy was our game of choice when I was a kid, and I am so happy my kids want to play. To play, you just have to shout out “Punch Buggy” when you see a Volkswagen Beetle on the road. Now, when I was a kid, we used to punch each other in the arm when we found one, but that may not be the best way to play. Instead, just keep a score sheet to see who finds the most. You can assign points such as 1 point for any beetle, 2 points for a red one, 5 points for a convertible, and 10 points for a bus.
Read, Read, Read
For each trip, my boys have to pack at least one book to read while in the car. If your kids love to read, then this is easy, but if they don’t, then you can use it as a way to earn something along the trip. For instance, for every 3 chapters they read, they can watch one show on their tablet.
Play Cards
My boys love playing cards, especially poker (don’t judge). Playing card games can keep kids busy for hours. Little ones can play matching games or Go Fish, while older kids can play Uno or War. You can set up a small, flat area in your car to play. This can be done by using a tray, books, or even a travel table. I have captain seats in my car so my boys set up their backpack cooler stool in the middle to play cards and other games.
Playfoam Go
When my boys were little, they loved playing with play doh and playfoam on long car rides. Playfoam Go made this much easier and less messy. Inside the carrying case are 8 playfoam colors each with their own compartment. There is also a 9th compartment so kids can have fun making their own color. Playfoam offers tactile stimulation which decreases restlessness and boredom during your road trip. It also won’t stick to the carseats or clothes! When the kids get older and no longer play with foam, you can use the case to carry other toys and objects in the car like Lego bricks or cars.
Keep a Journal
A great way to encourage ongoing learning while on a road trip is by having your kids write in a journal. You can either purchase one or have them decorate their own. For one trip, I had my son write about what he packed for our road trip then about the activities he did in the car. As he got older, his journaling progressed to writings about his adventures and what he loved most about the vacation. I recommend leaving space for pictures to further document the trip!
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are my favorite! They can be played as a family and often take the entire trip to complete. You can purchase travel scavenger hunts or make your own based on where you are traveling to. When the kids are little, you can use pictures, but as they get older, the hunt can just be lists of items to find. I love how this game evolves as my boys get older. It is a true classic that helps kids build important academic, problem solving, visual, and language skills.
Explore Welcome Centers
Make sure to get out and stretch your legs once in a while, and the perfect place to do that is at Welcome Centers. Each state offers a center filled with interesting information about the state. Some are more elaborate than others, but each one offers a wonderful learning experience. My boys love collecting brochures of places they want to visit. It is a fun way to think about where you want to go on your next road trip!
I hope these ideas have been helpful, and you have a blast on your next road trip!
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