Road trip entertainment for kids of all ages

Whether you're gearing up for a multi-day road trip or just a couple of hours up to the cottage, here are some ideas to keep your kids entertained in the backseat.

Whether you’re gearing up for a multi-day road trip or just a couple of hours up to the cottage, spending time in the car with your family will test your patience! Having toys and games to keep your kids entertained is the key for surviving the seemingly endless hours in the car. Here are some ideas to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Babies:

If your little one is still in a rear-facing car seat, look for toys that are made to attach to car seats. This will keep your little one entertained and not too fussy. Look for toys that are bright, colourful and that your baby can touch and grab.

Toddlers:

Toddlers love to be moving around, so spending hours in the car is challenging for this age group. Think about reading a favourite story – or if you’re driving, an audio book is a great option. For something a little more interactive, nursery rhymes and sing-a-long CDs are lots of fun. These are a fun activity for the whole family because older kids will remember the songs!

For some interactive and creative fun, sticker books, pipe cleaners and silly putty offer endless hours of creating and designing.

Kids: 

There are a lot more games and entertainment options for older kids. Look for travel-sized versions of board games – Scrabble and Battleship are two family favourites. A deck of cards is an old classic, but still a must-have for any road trip. One deck of cards offers hundreds of different games, and even magic tricks!

While in theory, it’s nice to unplug during a family vacation, sometimes a tablet or portable DVD player will be your best friend. If you need a couple hours of silence from the peanut gallery, put on a movie or TV show.

How do you stay sane during those long hours in the car? Give us your road trip survival secrets!