The most successful way to keep kids happy on a long road trip, and therefore, keep your own sanity, is to plan ahead. Kids are not equipped to sit for long periods of a time just looking out the window. They need to be stimulated and kept busy.

Some people have DVD players or headsets to keep kids occupied. We did not have this when my kids were young. We were more interactive with each other on our road trips.

The first thing to do is to pack a tote bag or backpack for each child. In it, let them put their favorite car toys-perhaps coloring books and crayons, a magnetic car game, or other toys (avoid legos or something that will be hard to play with in the car.) I often bought the kids a small new toy, such as a coloring book or the magic pen books for them to have something new to keep them happy for a little while.

Inevitably, on a long car ride, kids will get hungry or thirsty. In addition to the tote bag, pack a little lunch box of non-messy car snacks and juice boxes. Raisins, fruit, mini sandwiches, cheese and crackers, cookies, all are possibilities. If you would rather keep all the food with you, you can hand them out as needed.

There are many games that can be played in a car for example, I Spy or Twenty Questions. There are alphabet games-find each letter of the alphabet in order on signs. Or find items that begin with each letter of the alphabet (for example: airplane, bus, cow). For the older ones, take the letters in a license plate and use each one for a word to "name" that car. For example, if the license plate is 53 RGG, it could be "real great guy".

Another alphabet game is the one that goes, "A my name is Anna and I come from Alabama and I sell apples." The next person does the letter B, always coming up with a name, place and an item to sell.

You can buy magnetic bingo games and other car games. My daughter however, still has memories of the time I chose a children's short novel to read out loud to them on our vacation trip in the car.

One trick I used when my kids were young to help them behave, was to show them that each of them were going to receive a roll of nickels (you can use dimes, quarters, whatever fits your budget), however, I kept the rolls of coins in my possession. Each time they misbehaved, I would give a warning and if they didn't straighten out, I would take away a coin from the roll. They usually ended up with a pretty full roll to spend on a souvenir.

The most important thing for the trip is to plan ahead-food and entertainment. Car rides can be such a bonding time between families. It's a nice time to reminisce with them about when they were younger or even tell them about your childhood. Kids usually love to hear about those things.

It's also a time to talk about real life issues facing them in the world today. Or maybe you can just tell jokes. Whatever you do, realize that these times are going to go so fast. They are precious times that you have with your children. Make the most of every moment because it can never be repeated. Enjoy their company and treasure these growing years.

Learn more about this author, Deborah C. Washington.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Long car trip activities for kids?
We want to hear your view. Write now!