Yes, it’s that time of the year again! Family road trip! You’ve checked out and planned the best route to get you there! Perhaps you have decided the time is right to purchase a new vehicle? So, before the trip, you decide to check out a brand new Town & Country, Journey, Grand Cherokee, 300, Wrangler Unlimited, or one of the many Toyota vehicles.
Or, if you have decided to take your own car, you’ve had your family hauler serviced to make sure that the a/c is operating at capacity, the brakes are good to go, the oil has been changed in our Service department (CJDR Greenwood / CJDR Indianapolis / Toyota), and the windshield wipers and washer fluid container is full and both are ready for any bug battle you encounter.
Does this sound familiar? “Are we there yet?” being asked only 15 minutes after pulling out of the driveway. Then there are the many needed potty breaks, I’m hungry breaks, and the “I need a snack” right after the “I’m hungry break”. There are several different things you can do to keep your sanity during a long road trip. The O’Brien Automotive Family has borrowed some ideas that will help to reduce the boredom, interact with your kids and make the trip feel shorter for all of you!
Car game ideas for toddlers, preschoolers and younger children.
- Draw it: Call out letters, numbers, animals and places, but instead of dealing with messy markers, use a Magna Doodle.
- Nursery rhymes and songs: Brush up on your nursery rhymes and toddler songs! Little ones love to sing their favorite tunes from preschool and playgroups.
- I Spy: Before you embark on your road trip, strategically place large, colorful items around your car and within your child’s view from his or her car seat.
Car games for older kids
Older kids enjoy learning new things, being active and being creative — even while in the car.
- I Spy: Challenge your kids with a game of I Spy while on the move.
- Travel Bingo: Bingo is a classic road trip game. A magnet set makes playing in the car fun and easy.
- Alphabet game: Encourage your kids to explore their surroundings to find the letters of the alphabet on road signs, license plates and other signage visible from the road.
- License plates: Make a list of the U.S. states and silently check off each one as you see a matching license plate. Then set a number and the first person to reach that number wins.
- Name that tune: Make a playlist of your family’s favorite songs and ask your kids to guess the name of the song and the artist.
- Finish the song: After guessing the name of the song and the artist’s name, stop the music to see if your kids can finish the rest of the song on their own.
- Punch buggy: Punch buggy is a more physical car game where you punch your neighbor (lightly) whenever you see a VW Beatle or a different type of vehicle.
Additional ideas that work
- Picture it. Give each child an inexpensive disposable camera, and allow them to take photos of anything of interest they see along the way. After the trip, have the photos developed and let each child create their own homemade storybook about their travels.
- Travel totes. This one takes a little advance planning, but it’s worth it! Pick up an inexpensive tote bag for each child and fill it with books, crayons, coloring books, a note pad, their favorite portable snacks and treats, and a favorite toy. Each child having their own bag will eliminate back seat battles over whose turn it is to use the crayons next.
- And pack plenty of snacks! Pack snacks: crackers, fresh fruit and nuts, pre-packed servings of pretzels, cookies and chips.
Have fun and be safe on the road!
Your friends at O’Brien Automotive Family!
“Our family works for you. Since 1933”
Your leading Greenwood, Franklin, Indianapolis, Carmel, Plainfield, Avon, Lawrence, and Noblesville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT Toyota and Scion Dealer!
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