How to Have Fun on a Car Trip

All Pro Dad

“Mom, she touched me!” “Dad, tell him to stop putting his feet on my side!” Ahhh – the sounds of the family road trip. Well, with a little planning, your family vacation can be more fun than frustrating. Here are 8 tips for road trips with preschoolers if you have young kids.

1. The License Plate Game

A classic. Drivers from all over the country are out there sharing the road with you. Give everyone a blank map of the United States. As they spot different state license plates, they fill it in on the map. The person who fills in the most states wins. The prize? They get to choose where to stop for lunch.

2. Photo Journalists

Buy each of your children a one-time-use camera. They usually have about 24 pictures. Instruct them to document the journey. They can take pictures of anything they want as long as they are taken during the road trip. It will be very interesting and likely very funny, when you get them developed back home. Before they start snapping, though, come up with some parameters. Otherwise, they might take all 24 pictures in 24 minutes.

3. Scrapbook Time

Give the kids paper, scissors, and a glue stick. Every time you stop, let them pick out postcards of the area you are in. Grab some of those millions of brochures that tell of the local adventures and sights. With these, the kids can create their own personal scrapbook story of the trip. Have them write details of what happened. Later on, they can add the photos they took.

4. Gadgets Galore

Electronic games, iPods, iPads, cell phones. We have a whole lot of gadgets in our arsenal nowadays. Put them to good use. Challenge your son to beat his own high score in his favorite game. He won’t even notice that an entire hour just passed by.

5. The Official Map

“Dad, when are we going to get there?” A timeless question. Print out your entire trip and give a copy to all of the kids. When that question rears its inevitable head, you will be ready. Simply tell them where you are and have them find it on their map.

6. Landmarks

Of course there are a lot of interesting sights on the road—giant plastic dinosaurs, historical landmarks, wildlife, etc. Print out a list of items you will be likely to see on your trip; some easy to spot and some difficult. Whichever family member checks off the most items gets the prize. You can break it down into categories or just make one big all-inclusive hunt.

7. The Deep Discussion

Here’s a novel idea…the whole family putting down the games, turning off the movie, and having a thoughtful discussion. Deep discussions can last for hours. Maybe the topic is religion. How do you see God? What is He like? Maybe even politics. Do you feel like everybody is treated fairly in this country? Not only do religion and politics usually lead to heated debates, but you will learn a lot about how your child feels and thinks.

8. Quirky Stops

Of course Dad wants to plow through as fast as possible. However, you can break up the boredom by planning a few stops of fun along the way. Find quirky and unique places to check out. You’ve got to get out and stretch your legs anyway. Going to the restroom inside a building shaped like a great white shark is always more fun than a boring gas station!

9. Hollywood

If you must, you must. When things get unbearable for the kids, portable DVD players are a parent’s best friend. Let Hollywood work its magic while you peacefully chew up the miles. Plus, if the kids are plugged in, you’ll get the chance to actually have a grown up conversation with your spouse!

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Enjoy these fun Road Trip Conversation Starters for your next vacation!

A long road trip can be super fun or it can be a horrible experience. It really depends on a few factors on what can make or break a road trip. One of the big things is the people you go with.

A good conversation can make a huge difference on a road trip. Driving with people you know really well is great, but a conversation can run dry after many hours. If you’re in a car with new people it can be hard to figure out what to talk about. That’s why conversation starters are an awesome thing to have on long trips.

I personally hate a boring car ride where no one talks, especially if I am the driver. I drove 10 hours with a group who didn’t really talk. It’s was NOT fun.

Like it was a traumatic experience. I still twitch when I think about it…

So, to make sure that doesn’t happen to me again or anyone else. I have created a list of “25” conversation starters for your road trip. Feel free to pick and choose from the list or even tweak them a bit. Make it into a little game.

It’s a fun way to go deeper into your current relationships or avoid awkward moments with new peeps. Try not to answer the questions cut and dry.

Creating a good conversation is not about answering questions, but learning about each other more by expanding what we talk about. Nothing is more of a killjoy then yes or no answers.

If you have kiddos on board then make sure to check out my KID EDITION of Road Trip Conversation Starters

Let’s get this list going! BOOM!

Road Trip Conversation Starters

“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the people they ignore at home.”
– Dagobert D. Runes

1. What is the weirdest dream you ever had?
2. If you owned a yacht where would be the first place you would sail too?
3. If you could go back in history what era would you visit and why?
4. What was your favorite subject in school?
5. What is the best gift you have ever gotten?
6. If you had to be a superhero who would you be and why?
7. What is your all-time favorite book or movie?
8. What did you collect as a child?
9. What is the scariest thing you have faced?
10. What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
11. Who was your favorite teacher in school? What was it about them that you liked?
12. If you could witness a historical event, what would you see?
13. If you could magically learn an instrument overnight, which instrument would you learn
14. What is your favorite quote?
15. What is the worst movie you have ever seen?
16. What type of music drives you insane?
17. What is a weird food combo that you would be willing to try?
18. If you were given the opportunity to go into outer space would you?
19. What genre of movies do you hate?
20. Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction books?
21. If you won a gold medal at the Olympics what event would it have been for?
22. If you could live expense free for 6 months in any country, which country would you choose?
23. What is your favorite Christmas memory?
24. What is something most people love about you, but you dislike?
25. What would a perfect city be like?

I sure hope these 25 conversation starters create an amazing road trip and you can avoid a traumatic experience. Oh, how I wish I had this list on that trip.

If you happen to be heading to San Franciso check out 10 Remarkable Stops to see in San Francisco. You won’t want to miss out those cool places!

Drop me a comment below and share with me some of your road trip memories. Also, don’t forget to check out some road trip conversation starters for kids!

Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational ministry for over 18 years. And is the founder of Think About Such Things. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading.

She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. Read More…

An urgency to get to your destination could mean ignoring your urgency to pee. But you’re only human, so that may not always be possible. What choice do you have when nature calls? Well, apart from surgically implanting a larger bladder, you do have other options. But they require a steady hand while still maintaining concentration on the road. What am I talking about? Keep reading, I’ll tell you!

Safety first!

First, there’s no point in peeing while you drive if it means crashing your vehicle, with your pants around your ankles — although that could make for some interesting talk around the next holiday table. Still, it’s not worth risking your life (or anyone else’s) to pee in the car while driving. If you can legally and safely do it, exit, pull over and tinkle on the side of the road. However, don’t pull your vehicle onto the shoulder of a major freeway or highway to pee.

Whether you’re a male or female, there is a discreet way to pee beside your car if traffic whizzes by. Simply, open the front passenger door and the rear passenger door for privacy. Then stand between the two and drop your drawers. However, if you’re sharing the drive with your sweet old aunty, ask her politely to turn her head. No one needs to see that.

Handheld urinals for men

I get it. There are times when you’re stuck in traffic or running late and absolutely cannot pull over. It’s these moments that require a little more ingenuity, which is where handheld urinals come in. When it comes to urinary devices, there are plenty on the market for both men and women.

For men, there are reasonably-priced urinals available with p ronounced neck angles that help confine pee, when held correctly. But those could pose a risk or create spillage when driving. Instead, a better option includes a urinal system that comes equipped with a large sealed collection bag and a one-way valve. They also have a long hose and a urinal piece that easily fits over the penis. Look for models with a padded ring around the urinal, similar to what you’d find on a condom for added comfort and a better seal.

Body-worn urinal for men

One step above a handheld urinal is a body-worn urinal. Yes, you might feel like an incontinent old man attaching it to your penis, but they’re actually quite discreet. They also provide a sense of freedom and don’t require you to carry around a jug of urine in your vehicle. Scuba divers may be familiar with these devices.

Here’s how it works: The urine collection bag is generally strapped to the inside of the calf. Tubing connects to the bag and then runs up the inside of leg connecting to a male external catheter. The catheter is basically a condom. But unlike a condom, it’s intended for a relaxed fit and is lined to secure a proper seal.

As mentioned, these are pretty discreet. So, no one in your vehicle will even know you’re wearing one. When you arrive at your destination, simply empty it, give it a rinse and store for your next road trip.

Handheld urinals for women

Female urinals allow women to urinate anywhere and everywhere. Generally made from medical-grade materials, female urinals are clean, portable and great for long road trips. “Stand and go” urinals don’t store urine. They’re designed to be flexible, soft and spill-proof. But, no, you can’t really use them while sitting in a car. These are designed to give you the freedom to pee standing up rather than sitting or squatting.

Ladies: if you’re a passenger, try peeing this way…

I’ll admit, for women, urinating in a car is far more difficult. If you’re in the passenger seat, pull your car seat forward. Then climb into the back seat, if possible. Obviously, the design of some cars or trucks makes this almost impossible. So, it may require a little deft maneuvering to get there — you don’t want to kick the driver in the head!

Better yet, have the driver pull over and then jump in the back. Once there, you can sit in the back seat with your chosen urinary device. You may prefer to squat on the floor between the front seat and the back seat.

Don’t want to spend money? Make your own

If you don’t want to spend money on a urinary device, you can create one yourself. How about using a Ziplock bag? One gallon-size, freezer bags provide a can’t-miss target area for both men and women. You can also use a funnel with a tapered, flexible spout that directs urine into a jug or bottle.

Adult diaper anyone?

Yes, wearing adult diapers is another option for anyone who wants to avoid bathroom breaks when driving. You might recall a story about a NASA astronaut who was arrested after driving hundreds of miles to confront a romantic rival. Apparently, she drove 950 miles from Houston to Orlando wearing an adult diaper, normally used in space, to avoid making stops.

I hear they’re also quite popular in casinos for those who refuse to leave their slot machine…

One last thing

Even before you get into the car to start your journey, make sure to grab an empty bag, toilet paper, baby wipes and of course something to urinate in. I’m not a fan of urinating in bottles or fast food cups — too flimsy with a likelihood of disaster. Truthfully, adult incontinence products are inexpensive, highly effective, comfortable, hygienic and don’t require much thought.

Look, if you can pee in a little cup at the doctor’s office, then chances are you can pee in your vehicle. All it takes is a few supplies, a little know-how and perhaps a little hand-eye coordination. Happy peeing!

Ed Hewitt

Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. He wrote for IndependentTraveler.com for more than 20 years, producing hundreds of columns on travel and offering his expertise on radio and television. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel.

An avid surfer and rower, Ed has written about and photographed rowing competitions around the world, including the last five Olympic Games.

He’s passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already.

So many people fly everywhere these days that you might think the classic American road trip is a thing of the past. This is not actually the case. While it does seem that the On the Road experience of getting a car and just going for the sake of going is in decline, the statistics (and the number of cars all around you) prove that more Americans than ever are taking to the roads for vacations and family visits, albeit apparently for more frequent but shorter trips. And frankly, with airline customer service unquestionably in decline, many Americans would rather drive than fly.

Stats aside, there is no denying that the lure of the road is undeniable and probably eternal; it almost seems embedded in our very makeup. There is a richness to traversing the land an inch at a time that is absent from the experience of climbing into a metal canister and climbing out at your destination. To get the most of your experience, don’t miss these road trip tips.

1. Clean your car before and during your trip.

Go ahead, leave the napkins and gum wrappers under your seat. Leave the receipts from your last business-related drive in the glove box. Don’t sweat the dog hair in the back bed … but you’ll be sorry. A few days into your trip, when the old gum wrappers are joined by new fast food wrappers, when the glove box starts overflowing with hotel receipts and local maps, when dog hair starts sticking to your luggage and your gear, you’ll rue the day you failed to pull out the Shop-Vac.

The Great American Road Trip can become even greater when you tweak a few simple things about your approach.

Heed our advice, grab a couple close friends, and get out there on the best trip of your life.

1. Make a plan, but not a rigid one.
If you’ve got a time limit (as most road trippers do), it’s smart to plot out which city you’ll sleep in each night before setting off. Plan so your driving time is eight hours or less per day, but don’t plan anything more than that. Then watch as your days become hilarious sagas of driving, wandering, and following your wild road trip whims.

2. Don’t research your stops beforehand.
Ahh expectation, the grand crippler of many a road tripper’s happiness. On a road trip, your schedule has extra room, so you can afford to enter a new city with no prior knowledge of what you’ll find. Being relatively clueless has benefits: When you don’t know what to expect at a stop, you can’t possibly be let down by what you discover. And when you’re not bee-lining for the city’s most-visited tourist locales, you leave the door wide open for weird little discoveries… of the city’s true gems.

3. Find the “world’s largest” everything.
Ok so if there’s one thing you’re allowed to map out, it’s all those places that claim to have the “world’s largest” version of whatever, because they make for some hilariously off-beat sights. There are tons and tons of “world’s largests” along our highways– highlights include the Giant Artichoke in California and the World’s Largest Freestanding Illuminated Man-Made Star in Roanoke, Virginia.

4. Bring a real, actual map and a really big Sharpie.
Google Maps is awesome for driving directions, but it’s infinitely more fun to track your progress on a real, printed-out atlas. Trace your route on the map as you go along, then hang it in your bedroom or office to smile at every day.

5. Pack light so there’s room to collect.
You’re going to find an authentic Apache rug in New Mexico. And an awesome mounted deer head in Texas. And a year’s supply of syrup in Vermont. It will be such a bummer if your trunk is too full of suitcases to stow these finds.

6. Get a gas card.
You’re gonna be buying a LOT of fuel, which can translate into a LOT of free fuel points, cash back on hotels, and discounted groceries.

7. Bring a CD.
Yes, a real live CD. With 12 songs or less that you’d be semi-comfortable hearing for two weeks straight. Stick it in the car’s CD changer old-school style, and run through it every day without skipping tracks. It won’t seem like a big deal. But months later, when one of those special road trip songs comes on at the grocery store or in a bar, you’ll find yourself transported back to your trip in a way only a song could transport you.

8. Buy a 30 rack for the trunk.
We’re not advocating any illegal activity, but it is always nice to have some beers in the back. You never know when a beautiful roadside sunset or especially scenic overlook will call for a few brews.

9. Practice making new friends.
You can keep to yourself at home, but a road trip is not the best time to do so. Chat up your grocery store cashier. Ask the motel staff for shopping suggestions. Be bold and join a Frisbee game at the park. Locals know their area best, and they’ll lead you to the best activities once you break the ice.

10. Carry cash for tolls.
Toll roads can pop up in the most bizarre of places, and their fares might be higher than you expect. Stock your center console with dollars and coin rolls so your mailbox won’t overflow with fines from the Kansas Department of Transportation when you get home (not that it’s ever happened to us).

11. Announce your whereabouts.
Text someone — a friend or your parents — the name of the place you stay each night and which city you plan to reach by the next night. In the very rare event that anything sketchy happens, it’s good to have a public record of where you are.

12. Make up your own road games.
Unlock the “are we there yet?” child within and use your pent-up creativity to pass the time. Play a game of “seven questions” instead of 21. Re-cast your favorite movies using you and your trip mates as the actors. Count how many times you see the word “chicken” on a billboard. Get funky with it.

13. Ask a local where to eat.
Nine times out of ten, a local will lead you to a tastier, cheaper dinner with better ambiance than a guidebook could ever suggest. Find a local who looks like they know what’s up, and ask the simple question.

14. Limit phone calls to the outside world.
Road trips are all about being wild, abandoned and free on the open road. They’re also about bonding in a special way with your trip mates while spending hours and hours together in that tiny box on wheels. It might be tempting to spice things up with phone calls to your friends back home, but limiting those calls will pay off when you’re able to really get to know your fellow travelers and really soak in the amazing sights around you.

15. Bring a spare car key.
It might sound like a no-brainer, but there are some people (cough, us, cough) who have not been so wise.

16. Follow those weird billboards.
You know, the ones that say “Free Chocolate Samples This Way” and “Second-Friendliest Yarn Store in The Universe.” These places aren’t creepy; they’re cool. And they are often gleeful small-town destinations never before seen by your big-city eyes.

17. Embrace the gas station.
Some are gourmet. Some, less so. But they’ve got cheap eats, classic candies, bathrooms, and fuel all in one. Stop at gas stations often, and you’re bound to hit some stellar ones — the one with the five-legged cow or the ones with the mix-your-own-milkshake machine — which will positively make your trip.

18. Take pictures!
…and not just the Instagram kind. Road trips are prime fodder for beautiful scrapbooks and bulletin boards once you get home.

After all, an iPad only goes so far.

If you’ve ever tackled a loooong drive with children, you know there are just two options: Find engaging ways to pass the time, or submit to a soundtrack of “Are we there yet?” and “I have to go to the bathroom!” Shoving a tablet into your kids’ hands might seem like the obvious solution, but even Peppa Pig will only distract for so long.

Fret not — we tapped real moms for their cleverest ways to keep kids occupied for hours (and hours and hours). Even better, the Ford Escape is packed with safety features—such as Intelligent 4 Wheel Drive and Forward Collision Warning—to give you peace of mind while hitting the open road. (Peace of mind from the kids squabbling in the backseat not included!)

Turn your backseat into a movie theater.

Kim-Marie Evans of Luxury Travel Mom loves transforming her car into a rolling cinema. “We let each child choose a movie for everyone to watch together,” says the mom of four. “We pack popcorn, and on long trips Mom also gets to choose a movie, so I’ve been able to introduce them to some of my childhood favorites, like The Sound of Music and a complete season of The Jetsons.”

The Ford Escort offers SYNC 3 voice-activated communications and entertainment, making it a breeze to direct from the driver’s seat.

Pack a treasure chest.

“I survive road trips with my two kids by giving an ArtBin to each, and allowing them to fill it with whatever they want—like Pirate’s Booty, M&Ms, little toys, or crayons,” says blogger and mom-of-two Lauren Dimet-Waters from Fountain of 30. “When they can fill it themselves, they’re excited for what’s inside!” Garner extra time by letting kids choose packs of stickers and decorate their ArtBins while in the car.

Bring kid-friendly audiobooks.

“They keep my son happy and engaged for up to an hour, and give us something to chat about after,” says Hannah B. of California Toddler. “Our current favorite is The Arnold Lobel Audio Collection because it has a bunch of his short stories. They’re all silly, so my three-year-old cracks up and doesn’t mind listening to them over and over!”

Download versatile apps.

Kids have notoriously short attention spans, making it difficult to find an app to entertain them for more than five minutes at a time as you’re barreling down the highway. It doesn’t get much better than the Disney Now app, which includes not just Marvel, Star Wars, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior offerings for all ages, but also countless hours of games, radio, trivia, and puzzles. Meanwhile, for younger kids, the PBS Kids video and game apps are gold. And with WiFi hotspot connectivity in every Ford Escape, you’ll never have to worry about not being able to access your favorite apps on-the-go.

Turn snacking into an activity.

“I like making creative snacks,” says mom-of-two Jenny Rose of Princess Turned Mom. “Get a long piece of string and have the kids help you put on different flavors of Cheerios—which is also good for practicing fine motor skills. Tie the two ends together and make it a cereal necklace for them to munch on in the car. Bonus: they make less of a mess than if you had a cup or bag where everything could spill!”

Try Road Trip Bingo.

When it comes to games, remember the classics!

On super long trips, movies and music will only go so far. Mix it up with classic car games like Road Trip Bingo, turning common sights like police cars, airplanes, and stop signs into an interactive — and competitive — game. Once you’re done, try other perennial favorites like Car Counting (the first person to see ten of a certain type of vehicle wins) and the License Plate game (whoever spots the most states by the ride’s end is victorious).

Play (fun) educational games.

“We’re homeschooling on our around-the-world trip, and our kids love the apps Jolly Phonics and Raz Kids,” says mom-of-three Heather Mitchell of Heather Hearts Travel. “They have so much fun, they don’t even realize they’re learning! We also use the Babyseater Play Tray so they have easy access to all their favorite markers, coloring books, and workbooks for their worksheets and coloring pages.”

Plan pit stops in advance.

“Your little people are going to need to get those wiggles out, so research fun pit stops along the way,” says mother-of-two Leslie Bruce of Unpacified and author of forthcoming You Are A F—king Awesome Mom. “We like the app Roadside America to help you find activities or sites that would interest your family. If you happen through Northern Arizona and find yourself on the old Route 66, you can’t miss the Meteor Crater!”

Become a traveling band.

Never underestimate the power of car karaoke.

Kat Kristiansen of Triple Passport suggests bringing musical instruments to play along with the radio. “My three-year-old strummed his guitar, the baby had a tambourine, I had a microphone, and my husband drummed on the steering wheel. By adding the instruments, everyone was much more engaged and we had hours of screen-free car time.” Family karaoke is another fun time-waster. And, hey—if you videotape it, you might go viral !

And when all else fails, keep a surprise bag of toys handy.

“I put a bag of toys appropriate for both my kids’ ages in the space in between their car seats, so they can easily reach in and pull out things that look interesting,” says mom-of-two Jordan Reid of Ramshackle Glam. Pro tip: She also keeps another stealth bag of toys in front that she can pull out to surprise her kids!

Travel Tips

Long roads ahead don’t have to mean boredom. (Photo: road trip image by Blu-Mu from Fotolia.com )

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Keeping entertained during long trips in the car is a a matter of good planning and choosing the right traveling companions. A good attitude and determination to make the trip fun also can go a long way in making your long road trip as successful as possible, with a minimum of monotony.

Items you will need

• Travel companions
• CDs
• Satellite radio (optional)
• Cooler
• Food and drinks
• Portable DVD player
• DVDs
• Travel games
• Books and magazines
• Camera
• Pillow and blanket

Step 1

Travel with people whose company you enjoy and with whom you wouldn’t mind spending a lot of time. This will be a key element in keeping entertained in the car, as you can pass the time much more quickly with good companions. Take the time to talk to one another, tell jokes or play games during your road trip. You might end up getting to know one another better than you’d have expected.

Step 2

Take turns driving to add some variety to your long car trip and allow yourself to get a different perspective on your surroundings. Changing up who drives can be a good way to break up the monotony of hours on the road, as well as giving drivers a chance to get some much-needed rest.

Step 3

Pop in a mix CD that you’ve made for the road trip, your favorite music, or a comedy CD to keep your mind off of the long trip. Take a vote on which CD your passengers want to listen to and sing along with whatever is chosen. You also can download podcasts from your favorite radio shows or bring along an audio book, both of which can provide hours of entertainment. Consider subscribing to satellite radio in your car if you don’t already, since this service provides hundreds of channels suited to different tastes, including highly entertaining comedy and talk radio. For passengers, a portable DVD player and a stack of DVDs can be another excellent, if more costly, way to pass the time.

Step 4

Munch on prepared snacks and drinks stored in a cooler, as this can money and time during long car trips. If you’re driving, have one of your travel companions hand you a snack that’s easy to eat using one hand. Not only will snacking help you pass the time, it’ll also cut down on pit stops at roadside convenient stores. Bring along some bags that you can use for garbage.

Step 5

Play car games to keep yourself entertained. There are a variety of games you and your fellow travelers can play without any other material (see Resources for ideas), or you can pack some travel-sized editions of your favorite board games or a pack of cards. If you’re not into games, spend your time on the road with a good book or magazine, crossword puzzles, or a camera to snap pictures of the landscape. For kids, this step tends to be doubly crucial, as their boredom can put a major damper on the trip.

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My husband has a lot of fond memories of taking road trips with his family when he was a kid. They drove to the Oregon Coast, Banff, Yellowstone National Park, Maine, Jasper… You name it, they did it. And he can’t wait to replicate these memories for our daughter, even though I have zero interest in spending our family vacations driving from rest stop to rest stop.

But he’s pretty convinced we need to show our daughter the world from the comfort of our tiny little sedan, and, being the organized and amazing mother that I am (BAHAHAHAHA!), I’ve already started collecting road trip activities for kids that will keep her occupied while I hyperventilate about public restrooms in the front seat.

And since the warm weather is (finally!) upon us and I know there are a lot of other moms out there who are desperate to find road trip activities for kids that don’t involve electronic devices, stickers, play doh, and singing, “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” for 10 hours straight, I decided I would share my list with you.

RELATED: THE BEST KIDS’ TRAVEL TOYS

I also wanted to share 3 fabulous kids activities books that will give you HEAPS of fun activities to do with your kids when you get to your final destination (or while you’re hanging out at home!). They’re available for purchase at Barnes and Nobles and Amazon, and I’ve included an Amazon affiliate link to each below in case you’re lazy like me and prefer to make your purchases online!

And now for those road trip activities…

1. Pack a few washable dry erase markers and an old glove and let your kids go wild with this fun Dry Erase Backseat Activity!

3. Grab an old wallet, a few expired gift cards, a wad of pretend money, and anything else you can lay your hands on and make a Busy Wallet!

4. My daughter is too young for this now, but you better believe I’ll be bookmarking this Travel Timeline idea for when she’s older. It’s pure genius!

5. Stop off at Walmart, buy an industrial-sized pack of pipe cleaners, and let your kids go crazy with a little pipe cleaner fun.

6. We all know busy bags are an amazing way to keep kids occupied, but when it comes to knowing what works in the car, Chasing Cheerios has you covered!

7. Pick up some gel window clings for your kids to stick on the windows. Don’t have time to buy any before you pile your kids into the car? You can make your own with this Easy Window Cling Kid’s Craft!

8. Bring along a few Where’s Waldo and I Spy books!

10. A friend of mine always goes to the Dollar Store before a long trip, buys a bunch of cheap toys, wraps them up, and then lets her daughter choose a “gift” every hour they are traveling. She says it works like a charm!

12. Play a game of 20 questions! Never played? All you need to do is think of a person, place, or thing, and let everyone take a turn to ask you a “yes” or “no” question until someone guesses what you are thinking of. It’s a fun and easy way to keep kids busy!

16. Pump some kid-friendly tunes! Whenever my daughter reaches her saturation point in the car, I crank the CD, “Songs That Won’t Annoy Your Parents” by my gal pal Stephanie Sprenger from Mommy, For Real. A few of my friends own this CD, and all of us swear by it. You can order your copy RIGHT HERE!

17. Kids love pom poms, right? Well, why not make some of these magnetic pom pom activity boards to keep your little ones occupied?

18. If you’re traveling at night and you can’t get your kids to sleep, glow sticks are an awesome way to keep them (and you!) happy.

19. Stock up on stickers. Lots and lots (and lots!) of them.

20. Keep your kids busy for hours with this awesome Rainbow Rice Eye Spy Bottle!

22. If you have older kids, print off one of these free printables by KC Edventures and play The License Plate Game.

23. This isn’t really an activity, but if you need an easy way to pass things back and forth in the car, you have to make this Car Pulley System I found on Kids Activities Blog. It’s absolutely brilliant!

24. Play one of these fun car games the whole family can enjoy!

25. Make a magnetic story board using pictures of your entire family!

26. Blow bubbles…out the window!

27. If you have a large van or SUV, why not make your kids a couple of these DIY Pool Noodle Pom Pom Shooters? Just make sure to pack LOTS of pom poms so you don’t need to keep pulling over to pick them up off the floor!

28. Grab an old paper towel roll, a marker, and a bunch of blank stickers and make one of these fantastic (and cheap!) alphabet sticker rolls.

29. Hit The Dollar Store and put together this easy Traveling Ticket Game For Toddlers.

31. If you have older kids, download the free Mad Libs iOS app before you hit the highway!

32. Spend some time browsing these amazing car ride activity set ideas over on Testy Yet Trying before you depart. You won’t be sorry!

34. Get out the felt and make one of these Pocket Sized Magnetic Fishing Sets so your kids can go “fishing” in the car! Make sure to make your fishing lines long enough!

36. To avoid meltdowns when things drop on the floor out of everyone’s reach, why not make your own magnetic paper doll set?

38. Surprise your little ones with their own personalized Road Trip Pillow Case and fill the pockets with toys especially for them!

39. Looking for a fun twist to your average game of car bingo? Try this Recycled Bubble Wrap Travel Game!

40. Unleash your kid’s inner Picasso with this DIY Portable Art Board!

41. I love this Pick-n-Go Kids Play Stove idea and I think it could easily work for long car rides. Just lay the “stove top” on your child’s lap and set the container of kitchen accessories on the seat next to her!

42. Create a race track for your child’s favorite cars and trains!

46. Using a cookie sheet as a flat surface, give your child(ren) small jigsaw puzzles, set a timer, and see how quickly they can put them together!

48. Make some educational games, like these math and spelling magnetic boards! I love the race track board, too!

49. Keep your kids guessing with these foil surprise balls!

50. Make your own magnetic dress up game using pictures of your own kids AND of their own clothes!

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If you liked this collection of road trip activities, please share it on Pinterest!

And if you’re looking for more ways to have fun with your kids, please follow our Kids board where we share all kinds of great ideas!

Once again I asked the amazing illustrator Juliann Law to whip up this fabulous Road Trip Scavenger Hunt printable for kids to mark off as we travel. The kids will be on the hunt for all kinds of items on our travels, checking them off as we go. From cars and trucks to horses and cows.

Supplies for Road Trip Scavenger Hunt:

• road trip printable in color or black and white
• contact paper or plastic sheet protector
• dry erase marker or sticky note
• crayons – optional for the black and white version

Download and print out this road trip scavenger hunt printable. You can make one for the whole family or each child can have their own. We have a color or black and white version. If you pick the black and white version to print out, the kids could do the coloring as you’re traveling in the car!

Here are a few tips when printing out your scavenger hunt:

• print out a new scavenger hunt printable for each different road trip you go on, seeing what fun items were found
• print out and laminate this page or use a plastic sheet protector
• use a wipe off marker or you can cover the pictures with sticky notes or tape to mark them off
• turn your paper over and write down all the other exciting things you spotted
• turn your paper over and draw or color something new you found.

More Family Road Trip Ideas:

• 12 Simple Activities for Traveling with kids
• Make Road Trip Grab Bags
• Play a Grab Bag Game
• Packing Kids for the Car
• Storybook Starters for Traveling

Marie is a mother of 3 living in Seattle, WA. She’s been the founder and managing editor of Make and Takes for the last 13 years, curating a DIY website with kids craft tutorials, home decor ideas, and simple recipes. As well as the author of the book, Make and Takes for Kids. Marie graduated with an Early Childhood and Elementary teaching degree and is currently teaching Kindergarten in Seattle. She loves sharing her creativity here at Make and Takes!

When we’re teenagers, driving is a ticket to fun and freedom. As moms, not so much. Here’s how I recaptured that feeling—and how you can too.

As a kid I couldn’t understand why my mom surrendered the driver’s seat to my dad whenever we went anywhere as a family. Why wouldn’t she put up a fight and claim the wheel for herself? They should have gone halvsies at least. I mean, driving seemed so fun.

I got my driver’s license the day after I turned 16. Many of my best high school memories are of being behind the wheel. My friends and I would drive and drive (and drive), sometimes to get somewhere, but often just to be together, singing along with the radio, and passing by the houses of the boys we liked. Driving meant freedom and made me feel like a grown-up.

How times have changed. Now, as an adult, I’m more than happy to cede the driver’s seat to my husband…just like my mom. In the passenger seat I can read or daydream and just generally avoid dealing with the traffic in New York City. Even when we drive seven hours to visit my in-laws, I’m more than happy to be the co-pilot.

Frankly, when I’m behind the wheel these days, there’s nothing particularly fun or freeing about it. That’s because in my daily #momlife driving has simply become a necessary way to get from Point A to Point B, to Home Depot, or to my daughter’s drum lessons or to pick her up from a sleepover. And I know I’m in the car much less than most other moms, since I live in New York City. (In fact, the average American millennial woman racks up more than 12,000 miles a year!)

Yet all it took for me to get back to loving the road was a single three-hour drive with my family a few weeks ago.

GMC invited my family and me to Montana to test out its new Terrain, a compact SUV. While my husband started the trip as our driver, I took over for a road trip through Yellowstone National Park. My daughter sat next to me in the front seat. (Don’t worry! She’s 11 years old and meets all the height and weight requirements for passenger-seat riding.)

• RELATED:Car Seat Do’s and Don’ts

We found the ‘80s station on the satellite radio and drove through the gorgeous landscape, stopping to see Old Faithful, drink hot chocolate, and watch bison on the side of the road. We drove and sang and pointed out beautiful views and sang some more.

About an hour into the drive I felt that familiar feeling of excitement, freedom, and camaraderie that comes from driving with people you love on an open road. (Driving a new, spacious, supremely comfortable vehicle was an extra perk.) It was just like those drives in high school, but now with my family, the people most dear to me in the world.

It made me wonder–how can I make driving more enjoyable in my day-to-day? Moms are already spending a lot of time in the car, so why not make the most of it? In search of inspiration, I asked a few moms on Facebook how they make driving more of a pleasure than a chore. Here are some of their ideas for fun family car games:

• “Anytime we see a yellow car we call it out! ‘Yellow!’ The person with most yellows at the end of the ride wins.” — Nancy Sifuentes

• “The alphabet game: trying to find each letter of the alphabet, in order, as we drive.” — Emiy Edlynn

• “We play the animal game on road trips, especially if we are in rural areas. Various animals are worth different numbers of points. You count the points on your side of the car and the first person to get to 100 wins. If you see a deer you win automatically, and if you see a cemetery on the other side of the car, that side loses.” — Jenny Stitt McCoy

• “We have a family playlist and each person gets to pick the next song. We also play 20 questions, but my 5-year-old daughter only likes 15 questions because she doesn’t have the time to wait through 20!” — Shelly McClure-Flynn

• “Podcasts and audio books. You can get many free with a library app.” — Jayme Breyfogle Blackburn

• RELATED:10 More Travel Activities for Kids

I love these ideas for cultivating family fun, but I’ve also started thinking about how there’s something special about driving solo. As moms we get so little alone time. Having the car and radio (or even a little silence) to ourselves can feel like a gift. Jenny Walsh, a mom of three in Oklahoma says, “When I’m driving on my own, I’ve started making my own mash-ups of two or more songs that fit together somehow. I put together ‘Every Breath You Take’ with ‘Since U Been Gone’, a very enjoyable combo to perfect!”

Back home in NYC, I admit I still let my husband claim the driver’s seat when we’re out running errands together. But when it’s my turn to drive I try to savor the moment and plan next summer’s road trip in my head. I can see it now: the beautiful scenery, my family and I singing our hearts out, and me behind the wheel.

How do you make car-time fun for you and your family?

Jenna Helwig is Senior Editor, Food at Parents magazine.

Whether you’re staying in a tent, RV, or cabin, camping is a great way to get outdoors and connect with family and friends. Nobody wants to hang out indoors on a camping trip (unless it’s raining), but it can be a struggle to come up with a list of things to, especially on a longer vacation.

To make things easier, we have put together this list of 75 fun things to do on your next camping trip. Feel free to add your own, get creative!

DURING THE DAY

1. Take a hike
2. Go for a bike ride
3. Go on a nature walk
4. Play horseshoes
5. Hide and seek
6. Birdwatching
7. Wildlife watching
8. Geocaching
9. Search for nuts and berries
10. Take a nap
11. Relax in a hammock
12. Do yoga
13. Go fishing
14. Lay in the grass and watch the clouds
15. Crafts
16. Take pictures
17. Pick flowers
18. Learn to tie a knot
19. Make a lean-to or fort, just for fun
20. Make friends with other campers
21. Climb trees
22. Play frisbee
23. Play volleyball
24. Go rock climbing
25. Collect bugs
26. Go on a treasure hunt
27. Run
28. Fly a kite
29. Roll down a hill
30. Collects rocks
31. Go horseback riding

IN AND NEAR THE WATER
32. Go boating
33. Go kayaking
34. Fishing
35. Skip stones
36. Go canoeing
37. Swimming
38. Waterskiing
39. Go tubing
40. Play water volleyball
41. Snorkel
42. Relax on the beach
43. Float on a raft
44. Go on a waverunner
45. Have a squirt gun fight
46. Wade in a river
47. Make a rope swing
48. Play marco polo

NIGHTTIME ACTIVITIES

49. Play flashlight tag
50. Make shadow puppets
51. Go on a nighttime walk
52. Look at the stars
53. Go for a late night swim
54. Catch fireflies in a jar
55. Shoot off fireworks (if it’s allowed)
56. Tell ghost stories
57. Make s’mores
58. Sing songs around the campfire
59. Play the guitar or other instruments
60. Play capture the flag
61. Hide and seek in the dark
62. Go snipe hunting
63. Charades

THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU’RE STUCK INDOORS
64. Play cards
65. Read a book
66. Board games
67. Crafts
68. Tell stories
69. Cuddle
70. Watch a movie
71. Draw
72. Nap
73. Write a book
74. Journal
75. Read a magazine

Depending on where you are going and the season, there are definitely more activities that could be added to this list. Winter camping opens up a whole new realm of possibilities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing. Get creative, consider who you are camping with, and most of all, have fun regardless of what you’re doing!

Looking for a new place to camp? Explore Camp Native and discover thousands of campgrounds that offer exciting opportunities for recreation and adventure.