I was all set to be “Pinterest Mom of the Year” by having the best car trip activities ever! I even asked my Facebook friends to tell me about their personal car ride faves. You know how these things go, right? You plan things like wrapping fun little activities for the kids to open every hour or so. Did that happen? NOPE! Who was I kidding? I own my own business on top of being a mom. It’s like having two full time jobs if you ask me.
What did the kids end up doing during our six- to eight-hour a day car rides? I wish I could say that they didn’t watch much TV. I’d be lying! Our drop down screen/DVD player was a great friend during our trip. A few pieces of candy interspersed between a ton of healthy snacks and water also kept the kids at bay.
The kids weren’t completely glued to screens, though. Books and a Crayola Color Wonder set, along with games of “I Spy,” the Alphabet Sign Game, Name That Tune and the License Plate Game were clean sanity savers for the miles upon miles of road where we couldn’t stop the car. Ultimately, getting out and being active every couple of hours was the best boredom buster!
Getting out is a huge help with restless kiddos. I remember one trip we stopped at a Costco on the way home. My kids still didn’t want to get back in the car and there was a HUGE pile of snow at the end of the parking lot. (probably not the best place to play) but they had a blast climbing it and throwing snow at each other. Plus I had bought towels from Costco so it was a win/win for everyone. I had giggly, slightly tired, kids back in the car in twenty mins and we could finish the last leg of our trip.