The old presumption is that when you go on a road trip with children you should expect to hear a great deal of complaining. The common thought is hearing, “Are we there yet?” However, it really does not have to be that way as long as you prepare yourself with the best games that are sure to keep the kids more than entertained along the way.
One of the best games, no matter their age, is a simple game of I Spy. In this game you simply spot something and describe one of its attributes, such as its color. The kids then look around and try to guess what you are thinking of. This acts double as a learning game for children that are just beginning to understand colors and shapes. Older kids will pick up on the fun of teaching the younger ones as well.
If you are traveling with older kids that can read, the license plate game will keep them entertained. If they are in middle school, printing out a map of the United States can actually help them to learn their geography while they mark off each plate that they see. Older kids can be expected to write the list of the states on their own. Either way, it is a fun learning game that will likely take up a great deal of their time. Whoever finds all 50 states first wins, but some parents like to just use the contingent 48 as not many come from Hawaii or Alaska by car.
You really don’t even need to plan games ahead to have fun while on the road. You know your kids best. Think about the things they enjoy and make the most of the experience. Everyone will be pleased as long as there is conversation and some music.
