Eight ways to entertain your kids

Eight ways to entertain your kidswhen driving long distance

Driving long distances can be pretty exhausting, and having to entertain kids who might get bored or complain can make it even more tiresome.

But never fear– children are easy to entertain if you’re prepared, and we’ve got strategies and toddler and kids’ car games ideas to keep them busy and content, and to ease the stress of the trip for you.

Come prepared with treats

Nothing makes kids crankier than hunger, and on the bright side, nothing cheers them up like great eats! Plan ahead and make some homemade treats to bring along for the ride. Whip them out when the kids get peckish, and before you know it, they’ll be smiling again.

Snacks such as biltong, fruit, veggie sticks, yoghurt and peanut-butter sandwiches are good options.

Electronics

These days, kids can spend far too much time on electronics, and as parents, it’s our job to mediate that. The flipside of that is that for long car trips, mobile devices can be a lifesaver. Be sure to download enough car games for kids, movies, and music to last the entire trip– you can involve your child in the planning by collaborating on what to put on the device.

Mobile devices can hold lots of content, and having your child’s favorite entertainment on hand will help the trip go much smoother.

Play games

Driving time can be bonding time, and nothing is better for bonding than playing road games– remember ‘I spy’? There are a whole host of games just like it that will keep your kids busy for hours. From Twenty Questions to Tic Tac Toe and many others, games are great for keeping everyone entertained.

Books

Books can be great fun, especially if your kids got to pick them out themselves! Before you leave, take a trip to the library and let your kids choose their own titles- you can take turns reading in the car so everyone can enjoy the story!

Colouring-in books are a great option too. They’re not only cheap, they’re good for hours of fun. Grab a packet of crayons or pencil crayons and you’re on your way!

Film the road trip

Whether they use the camera on their mobile device or you pick up a disposable camera, letting the kids record the trip is always great fun. Have social media? Post progress updates– your entire trip will be documented for your family and friends to see!

Take regular breaks

Breaks are a great way to stretch your legs and allow the kids to let off a little steam. Stop into a rest station now and again to let the kids run around– many even have a play area. Frequent stops are also good for driver safety.

Talk!

Life is so crazy these days, we don’t always get as much time as we’d like to connect as a family. Being on the road together is the perfect opportunity to just… chat. Talk about expectations for the trip, things they’d like to do, and more. A long car trip is the perfect opportunity to spend some time communicating and bonding as a family.

Track your progress

Don’t cringe every time you hear, “Are we there yet?” Embrace it! Show them how to track their own progress, so they can answer their own question. Whether you choose to use a paper map or a mapping app on a mobile device, your kids will learn about mapping and have fun doing it!

We can’t always avoid long car trips, but it’s good to know that there are lots of ways to keep the kids happy along the way. From road games and books, to just plain bonding, there’s lots to keep your little ones occupied on the road!

And of course, don’t forget about safety– by making sure your car service is kept up to date, you can rest easy knowing your family is safe while on the road, while you focus on some great entertainment!