Road-trip activities for kids are a must when you’re trying to work in that last visit to Grandma before school starts. No one likes to be cooped up, especially not little ones with energy to expend! So, here are some car-travel activities for keeping your child calm, cool and collected … and keeping you headache-free!
- Bring a goody box. Before your drive, take a quick trip to the dollar store to grab a few small prizes – coloring books, toy cars, puzzles – and put them in a box. Let your children reach in and pick out a goodie every hour or so to keep them occupied for the long car ride. It’s inexpensive and easy. Plus, letting your kids know that they have a surprise waiting gives them something to look forward to!
- Snag a small Magna Doodle or Etch-A-Sketch. These won’t make the kinds of messes that markers do or melt like crayons will. The possibilities are endless because once children are finished with their art, they simply erase and start over!
- Create car-friendly crafts. Leave the scissors and glue at home – too much mess and trouble for your car trip! Stick to pipe-cleaner animal sculptures and sticker books.
- Try a DIY “I spy” jar. Fill a mason jar with rice and a few trinkets – marbles, buttons, googly eyes from a craft store, etc. Give your little ones a list of the items inside and let them search for hours. Just make sure that lid is on tight!
- Make your own magnet board. Grab an old cookie sheet and a set of fun magnets to play with. Think animals, letters, numbers, dinosaurs – anything that will keep your child occupied. Your little one can stick them to the metal sheet for hours of fun!
- Bring on the dolls! Whether it’s Dollie or paper dolls, a little girl will play with dolls for hours, the same way she would at home. For an added treat, get a new outfit or two from Dollie & Me to surprise her.
- Audiobooks are your friends. Run to your local library, as they are sure to have kid-friendly audiobooks. This is one of the best car-ride activities that enable your little one to learn and stay entertained.
- Do a “car color” scavenger hunt. Create a list of as many car colors as you can think of. Your kids are sure to keep their eyes peeled. Don’t forget to reward the winner with a special prize!
Take Dollie & Me on any trip. She’s the best traveling companion! Looking for more creative ways to play? Check out these 4 great ways to get Dollie out of the toy box.
