How to Keep Kids Busy on a Family Vacation

Taking a road trip with the whole family can be a fun and rewarding experience. To make the trip a success, activities for kids should be planned out ahead of time. In addition to activity books and travel-size games, it can be fun to play traditional car games as a family.

Travel Games and Activities for a Family Trip

• License Plate Search–This is a great diversion for kids on a road trip. Give everyone their own checklist of the 50 states so that they can be crossed off when spotted.
• Alphabet Game–Another fun way to pass time. This is also good practice for young children who are learning their letters. In this game, letters of the alphabet must be found in order on signs along the road. For an added challenge, make the rule that no two people can use a letter on the same sign. First person to call it out gets it.
• I Spy–A classic game in which one person finds a nearby object and states, “I spy with my little eye something green,” for example. Everyone else takes turns asking yes-or-no questions about the object, such as, “Is it edible?” or ” Can you wear it?”
• Road Sign Bingo–A fun type of searching game using printable bingo cards. Kids must find certain road signs and cross them off. Print enough to play multiple times, or swap cards each time.
• Car Bingo–Same as Road Sign Bingo but cards contain types of cars instead of signs.
• Categories Game–Individuals think of items in a category while making a rhythm with their hands. Think of a general category of objects, such as fruit, animals, or countries. Begin the rhythm, which goes: Hit thighs with hands, clap, snap, clap, thighs, clap, snap, and so on. Each time thighs are hit, a person must say an item in that category. If the person can’t think of anything, she is out.
• Count ’em–Choose something to count in a given amount of time. For example, while driving though a city, have kids count as many Hummers as they can in ten minutes. In the country, try counting cows or barns.
• Scavenger Hunt–Make a list ahead of time of things to look for along the trip. Give each person a copy of the list, which can include things like: Blue VW bug, person on a bicycle, black cow, and white horse. Play individually, or as a team.
• Karaoke–Bring a karaoke CD in the car and hold a singing show. Be sure to find one with songs that everyone will be familiar with. YouTube can be used for the same purpose if good data speed is available at the location.
• Common Phrase Game–This one is best for older kids and adults. In this game, well-known phrases, titles, or names are put together into one long chain. For example, ask the first person to state a phrase, such as, “Twinkle twinkle little star.” The next person must think of a phrase that begins with “star,” for example, “Star light, star bright.” This phrase must be added to the first, resulting in, “Twinkle twinkle, little star light, star bright.” The next phrase must begin with “bright,” and be added to the existing one.
• The Quiet Game–A traditional favorite among parents, see who can be quiet for the longest.

Great Family Vacations Take Preparation

In addition to traveling games, new activity books, music, DVDs, YouTube videos and Malaysia betting website are excellent ways to keep kids busy on a road trip. Also, many board games come in travel sizes and are fun for children and grownups alike. Keeping these activities a surprise and giving them out one-by-one will help the day go by smoothly as well.

For a well-planned road trip, use RoadTrip America to map out routes, calculate fuel costs, review audiobooks, and get more activity ideas. Additionally, bring healthy food and water to keep everyone feeling great.

Road trips can be a fun, bonding experience for a family. Make a list of activity and game choices, and print out necessary items ahead of time. Keep everything stashed away so that activities will be fresh and exciting. Being prepared ahead of time is key, and will save parents from bored kids.

Budget Friendly Travel Ideas

• Make hotel and airline reservations as early as possible – waiting longer can cause higher ticket prices
• Reserve a condo or beach house instead of staying in separate hotel rooms for multiple families vacationing together – the price of a condo or resort house divided among families is much cheaper
• Travel during off-seasons – hotel rooms are more expensive and harder to book during major holidays
• Auto travel can be less expensive than air travel – consider looking for deals with bus lines and railways
• Be sure to pack some necessities before leaving since those will be more expensive on the road and in resort towns – packing soft drinks, water, individual serving snacks and extra sand toys, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera film (or memory cards) and batteries can save money

Day Trips and Weekend Getaways are Easy on the Budget

If a week off to go on vacation isn’t an option, consider a day trip or a weekend trip. Scenic drives and hikes located within reasonable driving distance can be relaxing and easy on the pocketbook, since this type of trip normally doesn’t require spending a lot of money. A visit to a national or state park offers a chance to experience the natural wonders that are sometimes overlooked during the fast-pace of schedules during the week.

A weekend getaway can also be made elegant and simple with an overnight stay at a Bed and Breakfast located right in town. Many Bed and Breakfast Inns offer unique experiences that may include spa products in the bath and special treats for breakfast that make the time memorable and relaxing.

National Park Service is Good Source for Vacation Information

The National Park Service web site can be helpful in finding desirable locations and also gives details about the different park sites. Click on the U.S. map provided on the homepage to find parks located in a particular state, or watch video features on different locations around the U.S. This site also offers helpful information for planning to an exciting destination.

Free Vacation Information Available on the Web and in Welcome Centers

One travel information website in particular offers free travel brochures to destinations in any section of the U.S. and some areas in Canada. Simply click on the brochures of choice located on the homepage, fill in the address form at the bottom and start receiving travel information in the mail.

While the internet holds a wealth of information, local Welcome Centers located just inside state lines are a great place to find planning materials. Welcome Centers stock a number of free brochures and travel booklets that offer tips for planning affordable vacations and ideas on day trips, as well as extended vacations.