Ah, the great road trip. That classic family rite of passage. There’s something magical about hitting the open road, snacks packed, playlists queued, and endless miles ahead. But if you’ve ever attempted one with kids in tow, you know that magic can wear thin by hour two—right about when someone drops a cracker between the seats and someone else yells, “ARE WE THERE YET?” for the third time.
Before you lose your mind or consider turning the car around, take a deep breath. You can survive—and even enjoy—a long car ride with your little humans. All it takes is a little planning, some creative thinking, and the occasional bribe. Here’s a few tips from our Road Trip Survival Guide.
1. Build a Backseat Activity Arsenal
Let’s start with the obvious: you need a variety of things to keep small minds and hands busy. But ditch the screens—for now—and go a little old-school. Think sticker books, coloring pads with those magical water pens that don’t stain anything (hallelujah), travel-sized board games, and yes, the mighty word search puzzle book or even better, word search online.
Something about searching for “pajamas” or “rhinoceros” in a jumble of letters makes kids focus, and if you’re lucky, they’ll be so into it that they won’t notice you just passed the turn-off to the dinosaur park. Again.
2. Create a DIY Prize Box
Kids love rewards, and frankly, so do adults. Before your trip, hit the discount store and pick up a few small, wrapped items—stickers, fidget toys, bouncy balls, and tiny notebooks. Every hour or so, let them “earn” a prize by staying quiet, playing nicely, or not asking how much longer.
It’s amazing what a $1 squishy dinosaur can do for morale. Bonus tip: Wrap the prizes so they take longer to open (a little extra peace for you).
3. Embrace the Power of Audio
There’s something incredibly bonding about listening to a story together. Download a few kid-friendly audiobooks or family podcasts. From mystery stories to science trivia, there’s something out there for every age. Pro tip: Choose a book series that’s almost as long as the drive. You’d be amazed at how quiet a car can get when Harry Potter is battling a troll in the dungeon.
If music is more your vibe, build a family road trip playlist and let everyone contribute a few songs—even the youngest gets to pick something (just brace yourself for 17 versions of Baby Shark).
4. Pack Snacks Like a Pro
Let’s be honest: snacks can fix almost anything. Boredom? Have a granola bar. Mood swing? Try a fruit roll. Meltdown incoming? Hand over the crackers. Pack a mix of healthy and fun snacks in individual portions. Use a tackle box or pill organizer for a DIY snack sampler that feels like a treat.
Also—hydrate, but not too much. There’s a fine line between “I’m thirsty” and “We need to stop for the third time in 30 minutes.”
5. Get Silly, Stay Sane
Games like “Would You Rather?”, “20 Questions” and “Spot the Yellow Car” don’t take up any space, but they do take up time. Make up weird challenges: talk in pirate voices for the next ten minutes, or everyone has to speak in rhyme until the next petrol station. The sillier, the better.
You’ll be amazed how quickly the miles fly by when everyone’s laughing instead of whining.
In the end, road trips with kids are less about surviving and more about shifting the vibe. With a bit of creativity and a whole lot of flexibility, you might just turn that dreaded journey into one of your favorite family memories. Or, at the very least, you’ll have a solid list of what not to do next time. Got a favorite road trip tip that’s saved your sanity?
