Every parent or caregiver knows that long car rides can be a test of patience and strength when it comes to traveling with kids. That’s why we’re here to help ease the stress with great options for keeping your kids too busy for them to argue, bicker, or ask “are we there yet?” a little prematurely.
Today we’re sharing a fun car themed post with activities and entertainment for your kids in the car, and great games for playing at your hotel, campsite, or vacation home. And as always, feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments and it might make it into a future blog post.
National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas is jam packed with games, maps, activities, and facts to entertain kiddos on any car trip. It’s also a great way to get kids involved in vacation planning, as there are lots of iconic stops and sites listed. Try letting your kids suggest a point on the map for your next getaway!
The Road Trip Travels and Activity Journal for Kids has a plethora of more than 100 Games, Mazes, Mad Libs, Scavenger Hunts, Word Searches, and so much more. There’s also fun prompts to get your kids engaged with the road trip experience by writing about what they see and how they feel, and log their family memories. It’s a wonderful alternative to screen time and allows them to connect with creativity.
The 50 States: Explore the USA book is perfect for family fun time in the car. Take turns reading out facts about each state, or hone in on the one you’re visiting and see how many places you've been! It’s also a great way to begin orienting your kids to using maps, and familiarizing themselves with US locations and historic sites.
National Parks of the USA is a wonderful illustrated book that details all of the beauty and wonder of America’s great National Park system. Kids will love learning about landmarks, geography, wildlife, and plants of each area. It’s perfect for history and nature enthusiasts alike. The bright, colorful, and bold illustrations are captivating for all ages, making it a great activity to share between siblings.
Follow That Map! Is a wonderful introduction for kids to navigating a physical map. In the age of GPS technology, reading a map is no longer a typically acquired skill, but it’s important nonetheless. Kids can gain a better understanding of how to use a map’s key features and icons, and learn how to chart a trip or hike with this basic guide.
Families will love bonding with classic card games like Memory, Go Fish, Spoons, and more with the National Parks Playing cards, and parents will feel great knowing that funds from each sale of the minimalist Playing Card Deck go into helping fund America’s National Parks System. Their bright geometric designs make them an eye catching delight to any games collection.
Making a roadside stop for the night or looking to give the kids a screen break in the RV? Take a load off and enjoy the Parks Board Game. It’s a fun game for the whole family, and also a great strategy game with an educational twist about our National Parks system.
This National Parks Travel Edition for Yahtzee is perfect for planes, trains, and automobiles! Families will love this update featuring icons and imagery of some familiar National Landmarks in the Parks System with unlimited hours of family game night fun.