4 Interactive Ways to Entertain Kids in the Car

Despite all the smart gadgets and apps, it's not always easy to keep kids happy on long road trips. Even adults get bored of sitting in the same spot for hours at end, so imagine how kids would feel, considering how much energy they have!

Watching movies on handheld or built-in devices passes the time, but you might want to consider some interactive options that provide mental stimulation in addition to entertainment. The next time you hit the road, try these four ideas to engage your children's minds in the car:

Art Projects

Art projects in the car might sound like a recipe for disaster, but creativity doesn't have to be messy on the go. Pack a spiral, hardbound sketchbook and a set of colored pencils or gel pens and ask kids to draw scenes they see outside the window. Coloring books are another popular option. For tech-loving kids, download drawing or coloring apps for tablets or smartphones. These help in activating the creative side of your child and help them comprehend colors and designs at a fast pace, as they continually observe new environments for inspiration through the car window. And it might just stop them continually asking, “Are we nearly there?”

Musical Activities

An age-old tradition, listening to music in the car never goes out of style. Modern technology makes listening to any type of music possible. If you're up for a family sing-along, choose a CD, satellite radio station or podcast that everyone likes and play it on the car's stereo system. Some XM Radio stations and podcasts cater specifically to children. For a quieter ride, give each child a pair of headphones and a portable music player, tablet or smartphone. If kids want to write their own tunes, find fun music apps for little ones or full-featured tracking and composing programs for older kids.

Looking for something that involves the whole family and brings you closer? Why not have an impromptu karaoke session with your kids and sing along to some favorites? This is a great way to expand your own grasp on music that’s trending while allowing young ones to learn about classic songs as well. Add your own spin to karaoke sessions with custom games such as singing a song that starts with the letter the previous one ended on!

Story Time

The power of a great story is undeniable, and children are especially captivated by storytelling magic. Start a story and then let each child add something to the plot. For a quieter way to pass the time, download some writing apps on their devices. There are certain apps that let kids create stories with illustrations and music.

Drives can be boring, but history and culture are all around. So, try to capture the interest of your kids by telling them more about what’s around you for a fun yet informative experience. Remember to put an engaging spin on the narrative so that your kids don’t get bored. 
 

Game Play

Many kids love classic car games like I Spy, 20 Questions, car color games and the license plate game – most are also available as apps. Tablets and smartphones take games to a new level on modern road trips – even non-driving adults love to grab their phones and get in on the fun.

With the right in-car entertainment, family road trips are never boring. Many of today's cars, SUVs and minivans come equipped with built-in entertainment systems, satellite radio and multiple charging ports for devices.

With more and more kid-friendly games now available, it’s easier than ever for kids and parents to kill time on the road. These sessions can be great for bonding. So instead of individual games like Fortnite and Minecraft, try to find multiplayer games that you can play together as a fun family team-building exercise!

Do remember to put a fair limit on on-screen usage, however, as staring at screens for long in the car can cause eye strain and headaches. Happy travels!
 

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