What are the best ways to entertain kids in the car?

United States
March 27, 2007 8:54am CST
We drive to our beach house frequently and it takes three hours each way. I have a fifteen year old, a seven year old, and an infant. We are planning a much longer trip soon and I need some advice. What have you found to be your really good tips on keeping your kids happy and entertained during long car rides?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
24 Aug 07
I don't really have any advice, but I do have a word of caution! Make sure they aren't reading a lot during a long trip b/c it is easy to get carsick that way. I used to feel woozy when I read in the car as a kid, and then I learned that it's b/c you are starring at something that isn't moving while you are in fact moving and your brain gets confused. So, try to come up with games that keep your kids looking out the window! My sister and I always had fun saying billboard and signs in funny ways. I don't know why :) We would not do anything special but instead we would just read the words on the board in funny voices!
@mujtab20 (434)
• Nigeria
27 Mar 07
Drive gently, and give them a short interesting story.
@mrsbrian (1949)
• United States
27 Mar 07
wow i know that 3 kids in a car anytime can be tuff some intertaining games to keep them busy are my grandma has a treasure chest-play like this-my grandma has a treasure chest and in it she has a apple than the next person has to repeat and add something that starts with the letter b and so on thru the alphabet is easy at first but as it goes on it gets fynny sometimes well the whole family can enjoy and play -another game we like to play is before you leave home have the kids make a list of 30 things you might see along the way as you travel they have to look for them as they find them mark them off kinda like i spy have fun and a great trip.
• United States
27 Mar 07
Our lifesaver has been a set of dvd players in the car. I have a 2year old and a 4 year old. When my daughter was born, she was in ICU for 2 weeks. It would take us 2 hours to get there to see her and another to go back home. We would make the trip every day. My son wasn't able to go in so, my husband and son would watch dvd's while I was in with her. It has game controlers that be hooked up as well. If it wasn't for these the trips would be horid. Also, make sure to take drinks and snacks with you. That always keeps them occupied for awhile. Good luck with the trip, and keep safe.
@stacyv81 (5903)
• United States
27 Mar 07
they have all kinds of little travel games. I used to get these little cardboard travel games when I was a kid. Check out this website it'll give you good ideas, as well as things you can print out to do, like car bingo and stuff like that. http://childparenting.about.com/od/familytravel/a/travelgames.htm
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
27 Mar 07
have a television on your car and then set it to the cartoon network for your child to watch it. i think it will be entertaining to the child's part and convenience for you because you'll have no more problems, and even if there is, it might be a few only.