Your Trusted Auto Repair Shop for 40+ Years
Shop Talk Logo

Minimize Distractions While Driving and Keep Your Little Ones Entertained

minimize distractions while driving with kidsRoad trips can be a lot of fun, especially if you go with the whole family. However, if you are travelling with particularly young passengers, you may be worried about them acting up and being too loud when you are trying to concentrate on the road. Kids get restless easy, so it is good to plan a few things for them to do while out driving. Fun activities will be particularly beneficial if you will all be in the car for hours at a time. Here are some fun ways to keep your youngsters content so that you can get everyone safely to your destination.

Electronic Equipment

Everyone has a smartphone or tablet these days, and by downloading a few kid-friendly games, you have a way to keep your children occupied while in the car. Naturally, you may not want your kids to look at a screen for the entire trip, but you can assuage some of those fears by looking into educational games you can download. You could also acquire a portable DVD player so that the kids can watch a movie during the trip.

Another great option is to find some audiobooks the family can listen to together. There are plenty of child-appropriate books you can find for the car’s CD player or media system. In fact, you can usually borrow a lot of great audiobooks at your local library, giving you some free entertainment on the road.

Art Supplies

Pick up some art supplies at your local department store and encourage your youngsters to work on a fun, exciting project while in the backseat. If you are worried the kids might make a mess, then sticking with paper and crayons is fine. You could also see about getting activity books that call on your children to go through mazes or solve word puzzles.

Instant Cameras

While you probably have a camera on your smartphone, there is something nostalgic about using an instant film camera. Give your kids these cameras and encourage them to take as many pictures as they can throughout the trip. Not only will it give them something to do, but you will have some wonderful mementos at the end of your vacation.

Car Games

For hours of entertainment, you do not even have to get anything beforehand. There are plenty of games you can play while driving that kids of all ages can enjoy. Some of the more popular verbal games include:

  • I Spy
  • The License Plate Game
  • Road Trip Bingo
  • 20 Questions
  • Spot the Car
  • Telephone
  • Memory Test

Radio Sing-Alongs

You can either find a kid-friendly station on the radio or pick up some CDs. Encourage your youngsters to sing along if they know the words. This can make the car a little noisy, but it is often more manageable to have children singing than screaming.

Presents

It may seem strange that you would need to entice your kids to behave, but it can work wonders. You do not even necessarily need something extravagant. A small toy you picked up at the store can often be enough to entice children to behave when they get a little too rowdy. You can reward them with their present as soon as you arrive at your destination.

Animal Spotting

Children are often quieter when they are trying to concentrate on something. If you will be driving through deserts or forests, then try to come up with a list of animals that are indigenous to the area. Give your kids this list and help them locate the animals on your trip. Your kids will be so focused on finding the critters that their attention will not be on anything else.

Snacks

This should go without saying, but whenever you go on a road trip, make sure you bring along plenty of snacks and drinks. A big reason why kids get fussy is that they are hungry. You also do not want to make constant stops to pick something up to eat.

Keeping your kids entertained will play a big role in how easy it is to pay attention to the road while driving. Additionally, before you head out on your next trip, make sure your car is inspected by a professional, so any work can be taken care of promptly.  By preparing right, you and your family can arrive at your vacation spot safe and sound.

SAVE ON YOUR NEXT SERVICE
TAP TO SEE OUR AVAILABLE OFFERS