Whether it?s a long road trip or just running multiple errands around town, most kids tend to lose interest after being in the car for more than a few minutes, which can makes things difficult for even the most patient parents. The classic options of books or movies can wear out fast, so here are some creative, technology-free ideas to keep your kids entertained in the car.
- Bingo. Before the drive, make a bingo card of things you might see?fire trucks, animals, road signs, etc. and encourage your kids to watch for those items from the car. You can even reward the winners with small treats or toys.
- 20 questions. Even the littlest kids can get in on this game. Have one person think of something (a place, an animal, a type of food, etc.), and then everyone else asks yes or no questions until they guess the answer.
- Dry erase board. A small dry erase board can lead to hours of fun for drawing pictures, playing games like tic tac toe, and even writing short stories or jokes.
- Coloring books. A new coloring book and a fresh set of crayons or colored pencils can make a big difference for a child. Stock up on cheap coloring books and use them to stop meltdowns before they start.
- Mad libs. The classic game is perfect for the car?either buy an inexpensive Mad Libs book or make up your own. Have kids take turns coming up with words and enjoy reading the finished silly story together.
- Magnets. A small cookie sheet from the dollar store is the perfect size to fit in kids? laps in the car. Get a set of letter or animal magnets and watch your younger kids have fun moving the magnets around the board.
- I Spy. This game is best for longer trips or if you?re driving through a populated or interesting area. Kids can give each other clues or things they see outside the window, and the others have to guess what they saw based on the color, size, and other clues.
