Surviving a long road trip with kids can be an ordeal. Ask any parent who’s done it before and watch them cringe at the memory! From squabbles over who has had the Gameboy for the longest to complaints about smelly feet or annoying behavior, parents know the feeling of going on a road trip with kids. Throw in frequent chants of “Are we there yet?” that begin 30 minutes into a 10-hour journey and parents face family road trips with feelings of dread.

Does it have to be like that though? Is it possible that a long road trip could hover somewhere between endurable and enjoyable? All you need is to plan out some creative things to do, and you’ll be ready to roll. Check out these road trip tips and transform your next road trip with kids into an epic journey as memorable as the destination:

10 Road Trip Tips

1. There are endless amounts of fun driving games, but this one is definitely a favorite! Before you leave, create a list of things the kids might see and assign each item a point value. Set some easy ones such as road signs and some more challenging ones such as people who are performing certain tasks, or specific animals. Kids will be kept busy looking out the windows and adding up their points. When they reach a certain number of points, they qualify for a small reward such as a snack.
2. When sharing an entertainment device such as an iPad or tablet, lay out the rules from the beginning. Each person gets a set length of time such as half an hour before it’s the next person’s turn. Set the alarm on your phone to avoid squabbles at handover time. In the case of arguments about who gets it first, flip a coin or draw a name out of a bag to make it completely unbiased and fair.
3. Play guessing games. These begin with “I’m thinking of a word, place, or animal that begins with the letter…” You can ask questions about the item until someone finally guesses it and it becomes their turn. This game is similar to and more enjoyable than I Spy, which can get boring on long country roads with not much to see.
4. For toddlers and young children, pack a bag of toys and books and hand them out one at a time. Road trips with kids can be very challenging as any parent knows; keep them amused by alternating toys, books, singing, and snacks. Regular stops with young children will help to prevent meltdowns; they benefit from being able to get out of the car and run around and you can encourage good behavior with the promise of a stop soon.
5. Hold a spelling bee or math quiz to keep young minds occupied. Make it fun, with prizes for the best speller or the fastest math answers. For those who like lists, get them to name their “Top Ten” list for a particular category. For example, Olympic medalists or musicians.
6. Pack your own food and snacks rather than buying them. It will save you money and it also has the added benefit of being able to hand out food when the hungry hordes need feeding, rather than having to wait until you can find somewhere to buy it.
7. Supply each child with their own personal “entertainment pack.” Pack coloring pencils, sticker books, games, and stories in a bag. Bring the bag out when the party starts to get rowdy and allow each child to explore their bag at their leisure.
8. In-car DVD players are great to bring along for a road trip with kids as long as everyone is happy with the choice of entertainment. If there is a conflict, each person gets to have their choice of DVD by taking turns. To sort out who goes first, flip a coin or draw a name out of a bag.
9. Play a game of “I remember a time when…” You could recall specific incidents involving the family pets or going on holidays to places you all enjoyed. Recalling treasured memories puts everyone in a better mood. “Tell me your favorite thing about…” is another conversation starter. If kids are reluctant at first, recall a funny incident or memory. It’s sure to get some smiles happening and the journey will pass faster if you are enjoying conversation with each other.
10. Read your kids a story. It sounds old fashioned but it works; kids love stories. So, create your own tale and let your imagination take over. Remember, funny stories for kids can be just as entertaining and fun as a new cartoon. It will engage their attention and minimize the squabbles… for a few minutes at least! Young children will want to see the pictures while older children will become engrossed in a story with an exciting plot.

There are literally hundreds of ways you can turn a road trip with kids from an ordeal into good old-fashioned fun. All it takes is a little thought and creativity to keep your brood amused and out of trouble. Trust us, the extra peace you enjoy will be well worth the effort. Stick to these road trip tips and you can’t go wrong.