There's a lot to love about family road trips, but there's no doubt that they have the potential to be stressful. Long journeys, unexpected delays and the onset of boredom can make even the most patient parents question their choice of holiday. The good news is that while you can't control traffic or adverse weather, you can keep your kids entertained. In this guide, we'll explore some brilliant entertainment options to keep moans and groans at bay.
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Curated playlists
Listening to music is one of the most enjoyable ways to pass time for many of us. The key to successful DJing on a family road trip is to get everyone involved. Before you set off, take some time to compile curated playlists for each member of the family and then add some universal crowd-pleasers. If you're driving long distances, it's also a good idea to have a diverse range of options, especially if you have young kids who may want to sleep. Include a couple of chilled playlists as well as upbeat collections to energise and build excitement and anticipation.
Online games
Online games are a brilliant way to keep children of all ages entertained. There's an ongoing debate about screen time, but there are advantages to travelling with phones and tablets. It's a matter of personal choice how much or how often your kids use devices, but offering access to games can help them relax, have fun and keep boredom at bay. Playing a pool game, learning to play Chess or Sudoku or doing fun, educational exercises and activities are excellent examples of using screen time to your advantage. Games are widely accessible, they're free, and they often teach kids new skills.
Podcasts
Podcasts have taken the world of entertainment by storm. A treat for your ears, they cover a wide range of issues, catering to all ages. The best ways to find podcasts that will appeal to your family are to search streaming services and libraries, read reviews, ask friends and family members for recommendations, browse charts and listen to trailers and short clips. If you have very young children who sleep for long periods, you can add some more adult-friendly podcasts that discuss subjects, such as comedy, current affairs or pop culture, to the mix to enjoy during naps.
Interactive games
We all remember whiling away hours in the car playing games with our siblings and parents. From I-spy and word association to twenty questions and spotting various coloured cars or wildlife species, traditional games still have a place. It's a fantastic idea to research and get ideas online and see what kinds of games and activities your kids enjoy at school. This will help you create a list before you travel.
Books
Reading in the car isn't for everyone, but if you can stomach it, long drives are ideal for getting into a good book and escaping the realities of traffic jams, flashing warning signs and growing discontent among the back seat passengers. Books keep all ages entertained. Encourage your kids to read if they enjoy reading in the car by taking their favourite titles with you. You can also add excitement with a new purchase or two if you're keen to steer children away from spending entire journeys on devices.
Road trips offer amazing benefits, including affordability and the option to explore incredible places at your own pace, but they can be stressful with kids. If you're planning a road trip with the family, now is the time to think about entertainment. Use this guide to beat boredom and enjoy stress-free, fun-filled journeys.
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