My family and I have become quite the road trip travelers. Between our trips back and forth to Pittsburgh to visit family (a four hour car ride) to family vacations, we have picked up a few tips and tricks that save our sanity.
When planning for your vacation, you don’t want to forget thing to keep the kids entertained while traveling. If you are like me, you don’t want to solely rely on electronics. The kids get enough screen time on a good day, why add any more? I try to use that as a last resort and instead pack some fun and new items for them.
1. Use clothespins for a behavior check. Kids act up? Take the clothespin down. When they turn it around, put it back up. When I remove the clothespin from the visor, I don’t say anything about it. Trust me, they will notice you took it down. The visual reminder helps them know what behavior you think is ok and not ok. It also cuts down on yelling which makes it a better trip for all!
2. Bring pipe cleaners for a boredom buster. The possibilities are endless! I just toss the bag of pipe cleaners to the boys and let their imaginations run wild. We’ve made flowers, monsters, and even practiced making our letters. Pipe cleaners are inexpensive and can even be picked up at the dollar store. So for about $1 you have yourself at least an hours worth of entertainment.
3. Make a food caddy out of this dollar store basket! This has been a life saver for me. The caddy makes it easier for the kids to eat while on the road and you don’t have to worry about spills! We have two now: one for food and one for books, crayons, and toys.
4. Don’t be afraid to be silly! It will get the kids laughing and keep everyone in good spirits.
If you need more ways to keep the kids entertained, you are going to want to print out this FREE Road Trip Busy Book!
Free Road Trip Busy Book!
This printable booklet includes 5 pages of road trip fun and games. Download below!
[easy_media_download url=”https://agrandelife.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/road-trip-fun-and-games.pdf” text=”Free Download” color=”blue”]
Looking for more travel tips? Make sure you follow my Travel Pinterest Board. Don’t forget to pin this Surviving a Road Trip with Kids post so you can survive your next road trip!
Jennifer at Making Our Life Matter says
February 11, 2015 at 4:09 pmThese are great tips, Steph. Even though I have teenagers, I think I should institute the clip method!
David @ Spiced says
February 16, 2015 at 1:50 pmGreat tips! I love going to Walmart for oil changes because I can get my other shopping errands done at the same time. We’re currently snowed in here in upstate New York, but the thought of a spring or summer roadtrip sounds awesome! #client
Mitzi says
February 16, 2015 at 6:56 pmThese are awesome tips! and I so need to remember the food caddy idea, too–it’s perfect
Sarah Halstead says
February 16, 2015 at 8:32 pmOhhh! Great tips. Thanks for sharing
Sarah Ann says
February 16, 2015 at 8:49 pmThe food container is GENIUS! That’s such an easy fix and since we are going to attempt a road trip with the kids this summer, I’m pinning it for later! It’s a blessing to connect via Cornerstone Confessions and I’m now a new follower!
Brittany says
February 19, 2015 at 9:15 amGoing on a road trip with my 4 and 2 year olds gives me anxiety just thinking about it! I will be needing these tips the next time we make the attempt at road travel. Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files says
February 19, 2015 at 3:11 pmThanks for the tips! With 5 kids, we’re not flying anywhere. It’s road trips for us.
Emily says
February 19, 2015 at 8:14 pmI’m definitely going to remember the food caddy and pipe cleaner tips in a few years when my son is a little older. He is only 9 months right now. But my family is 1,200 miles away, so I need all the road trip tips I can get! Thanks for sharing!