Hey girl, today let’s chat about the best road trip activities for kids that will keep them from saying “I’m bored!”
Going on a road trip with kids and keeping them pretty entertained the whole time can be tough however these road trip activities for kids are so much fun that the ride will whiz by for them.
As a mom of 4 (a 7, 9, 11, and 13-year-old), I am here to share the best road trip activities for kids that your kids will want to do even after they get out of the car.
Thankfully, most of these amazing road trip activities do not involve a screen (try to save those screens as a last resort).
Let’s jump into the best road trip activities for kids that will keep them busy your whole trip.
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Best Road Trip Activities For Kids
How do you like to pack road trip activities for your kids?
My kids can each take 1 backpack of activities along on our road trips.
I do check over all the activities they want to bring. It helps cut down on the overpacking or 2 of my kids kids doubling up on something that they can just as well share.
1. Books
Books are a great way for kids of any age to keep busy, so be sure to pack a few.
Let me know in the comments below what your kiddo’s favorite books are.
We usually swing on over to our local public library and grab a few new books. I don’t let my kids look at them until we start our trip and they are okay with that.
One thing though, keep those public library books in the car. You don't want them to get lost or damaged and then have to pay for them.
2. Boogie Board
Kids can’t get enough of a Boogie Board. They are lightweight and slim so they are so easy to take along in the car.
Your kiddo can practice writing, drawing, or even playing games.
Do not cheap out and get a knockoff version though, they are not as good and you will just waste your money like I did.
3. Coloring Books
Coloring books are fantastic! Bring a few from your home or buy a few cheap new ones.
The best colors to bring along in the car are Twistable Crayola Crayons and Twistable Crayola Colored Pencils. These are seriously the best, girl!
4. Paper
If your kiddo is a little older, bring along a blank notebook or sketchbook, how-to-draw books, mechanical pencils, and those twistable crayons and colored pencils.
5. Crayola Wonder
Crayola has Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring books and they are so great for the car.
If you are not familiar with them, the coloring pages are made of special paper that only works with certain markers. The markers do not make color on anything else. It is magic!
If you aren’t up for having Color Wonder in your car, you should get it for your kiddo as a gift. They are so worth it.
6. Water Wow
If your kiddo is 6 or under, Water Wow books are a must.
You fill the water pen up with water, your kiddo paints with it and watches the picture's colors come to life. Then as it dries all the color disappears and your kiddo can start all over again.
Kids love them. I don’t have a picture to show you because my kids used these so much that they wore them out!
7. Sticker Books
Sticker books are fantastic for kids ages 6 and up.
These sticker books were new to us on our road trip last year and they were such a hit that I am buying 4 of them for our trip this summer.
8. Activity Books
Activity Books are also awesome for kids ages 6 and up.
The best activity books that my kids couldn’t get enough of were maze books and connect the dots.
Some other fun activity books for kids who are just a bit older are Mad Libs, Crossword Puzzles, Word Search, and Sudoku.
9. Games
Bring car and family-friendly games along like Hangman and Guess in 10. You can also play I Spy by just looking out the window.
10. License Plate Game
I am sure you know what I am talking about when I say the license plate game. Have your kids try to see a license plate from every single state.
Hey, I have even seen a Hawaii license plate in Minnesota once so seeing all the states is possible.
11. Scavenger Hunt
Make up a list of items your kids can look for on the way to your destination and see if they can find them all.
12. Audiobooks
If you haven’t tried audiobooks with your kids yet, a road trip is the perfect time for it.
There are so many great ones to choose from.
13. Watch Movies
Let your kiddo watch a movie or a few. Time will fly by for them.
I try to wait on this until we have been in the car for a few hours.
14. Snacks
I know snacks aren’t technically an activity but it will keep your kiddo occupied for a while.
What are your favorite snacks while road-tripping? Let me know in the comments below.
Skip the drinks though so you won’t have to stop all the time for bathroom breaks.
15. Take a Nap
If you are in the car for any length of time, let your kids take a nap. It is like time traveling!
We always have the kids bring a small pillow and a lap blanket. They are so helpful for naps.
The best way I find to make this happen is to shut off all the screens in the car and tell them it has to be quiet for at least 15 minutes. It usually works like a charm.
This post was all about the best road trip activities for kids.
Which destinations are on your bucket list to see with your kids? We are trying to plan as many adventures as possible with ours before they graduate.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.