On the Road: Making Long Car Rides Fun for All

The open road calls, luring your family with discovery of the unknown and hope of a great vacation. But often, the tight quarters of a car can dampen the spirit of adventure. You really can have a memorable trip without losing your sanity, though. The key, says child psychologist and author Bonnie Zucker, is viewing the ride as a family experience, rather than just a way to get to a destination.

Plan for plenty of opportunities to stop and let the kids burn some energy for at least 15 or 20 minutes every three to four hours, Zucker says. Rest stops and gas stations are fine ideas for a break, but also check out local attractions near your route. A community park or open field makes for great places to have a picnic, explore the local fauna or history—and run around. Check out Roadside America, GasBuddy and Navigon for road trip help and ideas that you can access through your smartphone.

Handheld gaming devices and DVDs are pretty standard stuff for road trips, but kids might get bored with these gadgets before you even reach the city limit. Take a break from the virtual world with structured games that the whole family can play, Zucker says. A road trip is the perfect setting for classic games like I Spy or 20 questions. For smaller children, it’s a great opportunity to complete a road trip project, like seeing how many different state license plates they can find along the way.

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With all those miles of utter, inescapable isolation together in the same car, a road trip is a great opportunity for busy families to have real person-to-person communication. Share your family histories or recount your child’s birth story, and the children can talk about their favorite movies or their hopes for the upcoming school year. If you need a nudge, Zucker recommends Table Topics Family Edition—a box of cards with questions that spur conversation.

Do an exhaustive Internet search of your route to find interesting, kid-friendly places to visit on the way. Check out newspaper websites for the regions you’re passing through: Many publish a vacation guide that lists the best local attractions. Who knows when you'll have another chance to take a picture of the family next to the world’s biggest doughnut?

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Any road trip calls for snacks and drinks at the ready. But it's fun—and part of the experience—to sample the fare along your route that a place is known for. Fried chicken in the Deep South, crab cakes in Maryland, pizza in Chicago, Tex-Mex in, yes, Texas. And so on. Staying at hotels with a small kitchen and shopping at local farmers markets will give you a break from restaurant food and bills while adding a local flair to your meal.

Activity books will keep the younger children entertained, but consider getting your older child a novel or book set in a city or region that you are traveling to or passing through. The setting will provide greater context for your child and make her vacation that much richer. Another way to engage your teen is to have her create a CD or mp3 playlist that serves as the soundtrack to your vacation. It can even have songs that are about the places you’ll visit, such as "Walking in Memphis."

If possible, the family pet could be a great addition to a trip. A pet can make children feel more at ease in new situations, and a pet’s needs, such as going for a walk or being fed, will allow for breaks that will benefit children on a long ride. Just make sure that your stops and destinations can accommodate your furry friend. The Automobile Association’s PetBook lists hotels that are pet-friendly.

Young children always love new toys. Before your trip, fill a bag of new inexpensive toys and games that your child has never played before. During the trip, pull out a new toy every few hours to keep him entertained, or offer the item as an incentive for good behavior.

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Even the best-planned trip, in the most laid-back of families, is likely to have some bumps along the way. “Don’t let one bad thing ruin the trip,” Zucker says. “If you’re removing privileges, make sure they’re for things that happen on the car ride, and not later at the destination.” If a child misbehaves, pull over for a few minutes or deny them something they like. It’s also important to reward good behavior and offer incentives, such as a nice meal or a stop for a treat.

Children sometimes feel anxious about road trips, and it can help to have a relaxation tape handy, such as Zucker’s tape for children and teens. For parents, it’s important to remember that the road trip is part of the vacation and a chance to make life-long memories. “Be mindful and present on the road trip. Savor the moment, since you are uninterrupted with school, sports or after-school activities,” Zucker says. “Look at it as an opportunity to really connect with your kids.”