Road Trips: Make "Getting There" a Little Less Bumpy

As the mother of two sons, I can remember packing up the car, making sure all seat belts were fastened, and hitting the open road for our family road trips.

Not long into almost every trip, the boys would become restless, and I would hear the inevitable question, "Are we there yet?" This summer, families around the country are trying to save money by driving, instead of flying, to vacation spots and family reunions. So, what do you do when you face a 2, 4, 6, 8 hour car ride with your young children? Trying to keep them entertained and buckled in can make even an hour-long car ride difficult to manage unless it happens to correspond with nap time.

These days, there are many hand-held video games they can play, but what if you want them away from electronics for a few hours?

Here are a few budget-friendly tips to help keep your children entertained and engaged if your family decides to take to the road this summer: 

1. Take along a travel journal or scrapbook for each child. They can even make them ahead of time to prepare for the trip. They can draw and label pictures and collect post cards along the way to add to their journals. Not only will this occupy their time and keep them entertained, it will be a fun keepsake for them to have when they're older.
2. Create a road trip scavenger hunt. Take five minutes before you leave town and jot down nine or ten common things you often see on a road trip — road signs, car colors, license plates, animals or flowers. Bring stickers and award them to your child as he or she spots each item on the list.
3. We've all played the license plate game, cow poker, and other counting games — share them with your children as you remember them. They can even make up their own rules!
4. Singing familiar songs or learning new ones is another activity the whole family can participate in-even the driver. Encourage everyone in the family to pick a favorite song CD to share.
5. Give them a map. Highlight your route and let them follow along as they go. This will help with their knowledge of geography, and you will have an answer when they ask "Are we there yet?"
6. Buy a deck of cards. Old Maid, Crazy Eights or Uno are kid-friendly favorites-there's even a travel versions of Connect Four and other favorite games!
7. Buy a book of Mad Libs. They will provide hours of fun and laughter for your family as you fill them out together. Be sure the book you purchase is age appropriate.
8. Buy a book of Sudoku for older children. Not only will it keep them busy for hours, but it will also enhance their math skills!
9. Bring along a box of crayons and paper; children never tire of coloring. If they are accidentally dropped while on the road, they won't stain the seats and floor mats like markers. However, don't leave them in the car if you stop for any length of time at a sunny spot.

These are just a few ideas — use your imagination! Just make sure all activities can be done while safely buckled in. Above all, utilize road trips as an opportunity to laugh, bond, and have fun as a family! My sons are grown now, but we often talk about our road trip adventures. You too can build memories your family will enjoy sharing in the years to come.