Road Trip ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: Car entertainment without a screen

I’ve learned never say never with kids, but as of yet I haven’t passed mine a screen for entertainment on a road trip. Strike that, I have let my 4 year old navigate the map on my phone. Generally though, I want my kids to absorb the outside world without getting sucked into a screen. Arguably, yes they can get sucked into coloring or another activity, but they still don’t turn into screen zombies.

Below is The Whit Way of entertaining kids in the car on a road trip without relying on a screen. No judgement if that’s how you get across the country. Your road trip goals may be different from mine, and all of us parents have to do whatever we can sometimes to survive. Whether you are here for ideas to mix-up iPad time or replace it, check out the The Whit Way road trip entertainment suggestions below…

  1. Start with an activity mat. Turning around to fetch dropped legos or crayons gets old fast for whomever is in the passenger seat. A lap activity mat solves this problem, offers a place to eat, and is just fun. Important features to consider: zippers, easily cleanable, lightweight, compact (folds up). Check out my Road Trip Activities List on Amazon for the activity mat I purchased.
  2. Car toys and activities (many linked to here):
    • bubbler water game
    • magnetic tangram
    • travel bingo – download and print your own (free bingo cards by Travel Channel)
    • travel memory
    • coloring book, activity pad, blank journal, step-by-step drawing book
    • stickers, stamps
    • utensils: crayons, colored pencils, markers (pack utensils in a zipper pouch or resealable bag)
    • Water Wow! Melissa and Doug water color activity
    • scratch art activity (use a coin to scratch once the stylus is lost.. because it will inevitably disappear)
    • WikkiStix
    • Lego kit (these can be spendy! alternatively you can also fill a baggie with legos to free build)
  3. Re-closable bags of fun: re-closable bags are your friend and will keep you organized. Use sandwich bags or pick-up small parts bags in different sizes. Fill with different writing utensils and activities (including things you ALREADY have!). Bag of legos, bag of pipe cleaners (see craft ideas), bag of shoe string and pony beads, and a bag of crayons. Familiar toys in different packaging can make for valuable entertainment.
  4. Snacks! Eating is an activity and can buy you precious road trip minutes. Granola bars, bag of almonds and raisins, snap peas, cutie clementines, apple slices, carrot and celery sticks. Remember a water bottle per kid. Hold out on juice boxes and sugary drinks as little ones tend to drink fast (don’t double your bathroom stops!). I still travel with juice boxes as it’s a treat, but I’ve been known to dump out half a juice box before passing it to my toddler. Fruit snacks and lollipops are nice to have on hand when something is needed to get your kids through the last stretch of your road trip adventure.
  5. A lightweight blanket and/or something familiar (stuffed animal, small pillow, book, etc) may lend toward a longer and better road trip slumber when nap time comes around.
  6. Avoid: activities that make a lot of noise, entertainment that flies, and bright lights. Speaking of light, LED tea lights lend a soft light for kids activities during night-time road trip driving.

Amazon List: Kids Car Ride Entertainment… The Whit Way
https://www.amazon.com/ideas/amzn1.account.AFIGE5MFA4JY6422USC7756G6RPA/20JLNJSYL0SI4

Admittedly, I can’t easily kick back and read a book when I’m riding passenger on a road trip, but the engagement is priceless. We are on the road for the journey and adventure, not just the destination.

Please comment with your activity and road trip entertainment tips.