Making the best of family road trips

​As Thanksgiving approaches, many young families are looking forward to visiting relatives, both locally and far away.  For those planning road trips that are a bit farther than just “over the river and through the woods,” there is likely some worry about how to keep the kids entertained on the journey.  Although it’s tempting to lift screen time restrictions for the sake of everyone’s sanity, why not try some of these games and activities to help make the most of family time in the car?
 
Grab Bags:  Surprise grab bags along the way can add some excitement to the seemingly endless miles. Fill colorful paper bags with special snacks, crayons and a small notebook, a new stuffed animal, and other surprises to delight your tiny travelers.  Pull them out during traffic jams or other tense moments that are bound to occur.
 
Flash Card Trivia and Mad Libs:  Tried and true, these games will hold the interest of young and old. Mad Libs will break up the monotony of any car ride with bouts of laughter.  What more could you ask for?
 
Magnetic Car Games:  Games and puzzles designed specifically for car rides and flights offer all the fun without the frustration of dropped pieces.  Check out the following link for a great variety of these sanity savers:  https://www.amazon.com/customerpicks/Explore-magnetic-travel-games-for-cars/bcf43691d101920e94f3
 
Podcasts:  There are many podcasts that are recorded specifically for children and families, many of which are even interesting for the adults in the car.  The following two links have some great information on where to find podcasts that will appeal to the whole family:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/the-best-podcasts-for-kidsand https://www.fatherly.com/play/the-best-podcasts-for-kids/.
 
Punch Buggy Hunt:  Scanning the highway for Volkswagon Beetles was a road trip staple back in 70s. These days, the Beetle has been renamed the Bug, but the car’s still distinct appearance makes it easy for even young children to pick out of a crowded line of cars.
 
I Spy:  “I spy with my little eye (you fill in the description).”  Even adults enjoy a little bit of I Spy now and then.  Pick out an object in the car, give it a brief description, and let the kids take turns guessing what it is.
 
Opposites and Rhyming Word Games:  Pick a word and see how many rhyming words your little linguists can come up with.  Or, play opposites, starting with easy choices and gradually increasing difficulty.
 
Most importantly, keep your sense of humor.  With some patience and a little planning, car rides, especially during the holiday season, can offer family time and family fun.
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Kelly McIntire is a children’s author who believes that magic and adventure should begin in childhood and last a lifetime.  Her books include Time Twistedand Adventures in Fairy Meadow.
Visit her website at www.kellymcintireonline.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kellymcintirewriter/?ref=bookmarks.