5 Affordable Screen-Free Road Trip Activities For Kids

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With summer rapidly approaching, it won’t be long before more and more families are piling into their cars and setting off on vacation. But when you have children, traveling can be tough! Finding the right road trip activities for kids can make all the difference between a fun trip and a... well... not so fun one.

So today, I’m sharing five different ways to entertain your little ones during a road trip. And don’t worry, all of these ideas are screen-free and budget-friendly.

1. Activity and Coloring Pages 

This one can keep your kids busy for hours. Give your children some activity or coloring pages to work on while you drive.

There are plenty of ways to get these pages. You can create your own on Canva, buy pre-made ones from Etsy like this one, or pick up a coloring or activity book from the store. Either way, this is an affordable option that works for multiple age groups as long as you choose age-appropriate materials.

Just be sure to give your child something to draw with and something sturdy to place their pages on, especially if you're using loose printables.

2. Sing-Alongs

This is a great activity to try early in the trip while everyone is still fresh and cheerful. A family sing-along can be tons of fun, especially with younger kids who love to sing with their parents.

If your kids are older and less into singing, you can still play music and enjoy it together. Let everyone take turns picking the songs to keep things fair and fun for everyone.

For extra ease, consider creating a family playlist before the trip. That way, you can avoid arguments on the road and keep the good vibes rolling.


3. Card Games

When my kids were little, they loved playing card games in the back seat. Games like Old Maid, Go Fish, Uno, and even Poker kept them entertained for hours. I even had a special set of cards that was only used in the car, which made it feel extra special.

If you have just one child, you can still teach them to play solo games like Solitaire or offer to play with them during rest stops.

This activity works best for kids around age six and up, but once they understand the rules, card games are a great way to pass the time.

4. Books

When energy levels dip and everyone needs a little quiet time, books are a great solution.

If your child is old enough to read on their own, pack a few favorites. If not, read aloud to them or have older siblings read to the younger ones. You can also bring along an audiobook for everyone to enjoy together.

Just be mindful of the time of day. If it’s dark out, save the books for the daylight hours to avoid eye strain.


5. Storytelling

When it’s dark or your kids are too tired to do anything else, storytelling is a wonderful option. It’s calm, creative, and perfect for winding down the day.

You can tell made-up stories, take turns creating a family story, or share fun memories from your own childhood. My girls especially loved hearing stories about when they were babies.

This is a great bonding activity and a sweet way to end a long day of travel.

Final Thoughts

Just because you're excited about the destination doesn’t mean the journey can’t be just as fun. Sometimes, the drive becomes the most memorable part of the trip.

So lean into the moment, try a few of these screen-free activities, and enjoy the ride with your little ones.

And if you want more parenting tips and tricks, be sure to check out my other posts.

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