Many families are gearing up to take road trips for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and that means trying to figure out how to keep your kids entertained for several hours in a small, enclosed space. Fortunately, there are many games that will keep your kids happy and fairly quiet.
The ABC Game. Each person must find each letter of the alphabet—in order—on various signs, bumper stickers, and billboards. The first one to make it all the way through the alphabet wins! For an extra challenge, you can also find objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet.
The License Plate Game. Print out maps of the United States. As your children see license plates from different states, they can mark them off on their maps. This can be both fun and educational!
The Story Game. Choose another traveling group (for example, the family in the car next to you) and make up a story about where they are coming from and where they are going. This encourages creativity and imagination.
The Vehicle Counting Game. For young kids, set a goal for how many of a specific kind of car they need to find. For example, tell them they have to find 15 white cars. Older kids can try to guess how many semis or minivans will pass by in the next 15 minutes.
Of course, most kids need an incentive to participate in an activity. Have prizes for the winner of each game—like control of the music. Being creative while on a road trip will make the hours much more enjoyable for the entire family!
Maria_M27on November 24 2009 14:11:57
I've been lucky in that I've never had to go on a road trip with very young kids who needed to be entertained every minute of the ride. These are great suggestions that should keep the little ones occupied for hours.
