By Jessica Palmer,
February 6, 2023
“How long till we get there?” “Mum, he’s looking out my window again!” “You know I’m still hungry, right?” We’ve all heard it before and none of us want to hear it again. Nevertheless, the age-old problem of keeping the kids happy (and you sane) on long road trips is a fine art.
It’s not just your sanity though, keeping them happy is essential to your safety. Why? A distracted and stressed driver is an unsafe driver. So the less time spent looking in the rear-view mirror and refereeing arguments the better.
Here’s how to keep the kids happy and yourself sane on long road trips.
Visit the two-dollar shop before you leave
While we have plenty of road trip tips for older kids, this is one of the best tips for younger kids. I like to call it, ‘the baking tray hack’. You can thank me later.
Head to the two-dollar shop and grab each young child a baking tray from the kitchen section. A metal one, not a silicone one. Then head to the craft and toy sections and grab some magnets. Do you see where I’m going here?
Given that a child’s attention span is about two minutes per year of age, you’re going to need to grab a whole lot of stickers and craft packs too. The baking tray sits on their lap and the slight lip around the edge stops most stuff from falling off. Kids can cycle through the various magnets, stickers, colouring and crafts you have scored at the two-dollar shop using their baking tray as a lap table.
Join in the world’s largest treasure hunt
If you’ve never heard of Geocaching before, you’re in for a treat because it’s fun for both kids and adults. It’s also the secret sauce to breaking up long road trips with kids. The best part? It’s free to play. You just need to download the Geocaching app, which is also free.
Officially the world’s largest treasure hunt, Geocaching involves a small container hidden for players to find in the real world. Unlike catching Pokemon, the container is real and many contain a treasure (usually a small cheap trinket) that you can keep. If you do keep the trinket, you’ll have to swap it out for one of your own so the next person can get a trinket as well.
With over three million geocaches hidden all over the world and spread over 191 countries (including Antarctica), you’re sure to find some on your next road trip with the kids.
Relax on the screen time
Although many of us are conscious of restricting screen time in our households, do yourself a favour and relax the rules for long road trips with the kids. The reality is that sitting in the back of the car is really boring so being able to watch a movie, play the Nintendo Switch or crush it at Candy Crush on your phone is great for keeping the kids entertained.
This, of course, is really nice for you in the front because everyone in the back is now quiet and entertained. However, don’t forget headphones, internet connectivity and a portable power bank for recharging devices.
Don’t go overboard with the yummy snacks
‘Quiet biscuits’ are a parent’s secret weapon but don’t go overboard on long road trips with the kids. It’s all fun and games until someone eats too much junk food and throws up all over the back seat of the car. This leads us to the next tip …
Be prepared for illness
A child that suffers from motion sickness is not a happy child and it’s not fun for anyone when someone throws up in a confined space. Even if your child doesn’t usually get car sick, come prepared with travel sickness tablets (or your usual remedies), sick bags and wet wipes just in case.
Let them join in the planning process
Everyone likes to feel heard and included so if you can include the kids in the road trip planning process, you’ve got yourself a happier child. Although more suited to older kids who can navigate the internet, let them research stops along the way and make decisions about what to see and do.
Also, you can bribe them with said activity if they start to play up in the back!
Don’t lie about how much further it is
Tell the truth about how much further it is. If you lie or give a vague “not much longer” when it’s really going to be another three hours, they are only going to feel frustrated. Yes, they will probably complain but telling the truth allows them to deal with it and find suitable ways to occupy themselves.
Make a road trip movie
Do you have a GoPro? You know they’re waterproof and can handle a bit of rough handling, right? With this in mind, let the kids loose with it (or a phone if you can trust them not to drop it) and give them the very important job of making a road trip movie just like their favourite YouTuber.
Find a way to separate the kids
Even kids that usually get along will get annoyed at each other in the confined space of a car on a long road trip. Eventually, they will start arguing just because they’re breathing the same air.
Pop a small basket of toys between them. This gives them some space to keep their hands to themselves and of course, the toys keep their hands busy. Fill it with age-appropriate items and include a few fiddly things like fidget spinners and pop-its.
Stop at a park when you blow through towns
It’s much safer if you take a break from driving every now and then so when you do, try to pull up next to a park or playground. This way the kids can move their bodies and burn off some of that built-up energy.
Get the party started with a family-friendly playlist
Everyone likes to rock out in the car but if the tunes that are cranking aren’t to everyone’s liking, the party just won’t get started. Make a playlist beforehand with songs that everyone can enjoy. Better yet, get the kids to create the playlist. Just make sure to give them a list of the songs you like as well.
Audiobooks and car games
Audiobooks and headphones, need I say more? Also, I-Spy, 20-Questions and Punch Buggy … all the old car games that existed before technology still work.
