9 Ways to beat boredom on your next family road trip

You’re headed on a family road trip this summer and you can already hear your kids’ voices in your head. “Mom, I’m bored!” “Are we there yet?”

Before you start logging the miles, do a little advance planning and prep work with the kids, and it’s sure to be smooth sailing (or… driving!)

Here’s 9 ideas:

1. Have the kids help with research before the trip: With your help, have the kids look up things to do in your destination city as well as points of interest along the way. Let them make recommendations for landmarks and destinations they’d like to visit and find them on a map.
2. Create a vacation scavenger hunt: Using the information the kids found, Mom or Dad can create a list of places to visit and even simple items to find during your road trip (i.e. attraction brochures or specific road signs). The kids can check them off as they find each one during the trip.
3. Make a “busy bag” for the trip: Whether you are traveling by car, train or plane, the kids will need things to keep them busy on the journey (besides electronics!). Create a travel bag that contains entertaining items such as books and magazines, Mad Libs, drawing pads and small toys.
4. Special treats: Allow each child to pick one special snack at the grocery store to add to the travel cooler. It may be a vacation indulgence they are not usually allowed on a normal day and they only get to eat it if they are well behaved (yes… it’s bribery!) Stock up on healthier options like fruits and veggies, string cheese, lots of water and granola bars to keep everyone feeling fueled.
5. Snap! Take pictures of the places you visit. Kids can use a digital camera or you can purchase an “old-fashioned” disposable camera so they can capture the memories at each destination during your journey.
6. Travel journal: Have the kids write and draw about their journey as they go. They can do this while you are traveling to each destination or in the evening when they get to the hotel. This is great to keep them proficient at writing over the summer as well!
7. Write and send postcards: Buy postcards at your favorite spots and mail them to grandparents or special friends to tell them about all of the fun you are having. Buy extras for a scrapbook.
8. Souvenirs: Purchase a small memento from each place you visit to remember the trip. These can be inexpensive and can include ornaments, key chains, maps, pictures, postcards or something unique to the location. You can even start a collection of one type of item.
9. Lasting memories: After the trip, create a family album or scrapbook using the pictures taken during the trip, journal entries, postcards, ticket stubs and other fun memorabilia.

Most of all, make your road trip an adventure filled with learning. Keep your kids engaged, excited and involved throughout the planning process and the trip itself. They will end up having a ton of fun and make memories that last a lifetime!

Disclosure: This post is part of a sponsored collaboration between Aquafresh^® toothpaste and SheKnows.