You know how exciting a long road trip can be. The wide open road, expansive vistas, and concrete jungles lay before you. When your children are along for the ride, you must find ways to keep them engaged and interested in the world while maintaining a peaceful environment inside your vehicle.
1. Play a Game
Driving along with your family together in one vehicle after purchasing a new Subaru for sale is a recipe for fun. Instead of feeling confined, take the opportunity to bond over a shared game. It will keep you engaged and awake while encouraging your kids to observe the world whizzing by.
Try one of these fun car games:
- The Alphabet Game – Each person takes turns finding something in the vehicle or outside of it, beginning with the letter A and so on until you reach the final letter.
- The License Plate Game – Print out a blank United States map or have your kids write down numbers one through 50 on a piece of paper. Keep them busy trying to find at least one license plate from every state.
- Scavenger Hunt – Print a list of items you are likely to see on your road trip. Give each child a copy and encourage friendly competition. The grand prize could be a small item you purchased beforehand or a new coloring book.
2. Bring Out Their Artistic Side
There is something about the way coloring calms kids. Children of all ages enjoy the artistic license involved in creating art. Pack blank pads of paper, coloring books, and colored pencils. While other mediums are fun, crayons may melt, and markers can stain. Add a covered pencil sharpener, a pencil pouch, and a clipboard, and they’re all set.
Turn on a quiet playlist or turn off the music completely for a bit of silence. Ask your kids to draw pictures of what they’ve seen during the drive. A little thoughtful creativity along the way will produce a lovely picture to gift grandparents at the end of the trip or hang on the fridge when you return home.
3. Listen to an Audiobook
Before leaving for your road trip, look online at your local library’s selection of children and teen audiobooks. Request four or five of them, and if you find a series, even better. During long looks out of the window, while coloring and drawing, or while your kids are eating their snacks, you can turn on an audiobook.
Everyone, including the adults, will become invested in the storylines and character development. You will notice the interest pique and the voices quiet down as soon as you turn on each story. This also gives your family members something to discuss and a newly shared interest.
Make Memories Together
Whatever you decide to bring along to keep your children busy and entertained during the drive, make sure it is something that everyone will enjoy. After all, you want the trip to be fun for the whole family. Whether it’s a game, art, or listening together, you will make memories along the way.