Our family on one of our many road trips!

Summer is in full swing here in New Jersey and for many families that means packing up the car and hitting the road. And while the anticipation of vacation and adventure is exciting, the reality of being trapped in a car with your kids for multiple hours can be daunting. My family has done its fair share of long car trips, and over the years I’ve figured out some tried and tested strategies to make car time low-stress and fun!

1) Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook

Listening to an engaging story is a great way to keep everyone occupied. Our local library uses the Libby app and I always stock up on audiobooks before every road trip. It’s free and easy and keeps us all entertained.

Our family also loves podcasts! Wow in the World , Smash Boom Best, and Bearily Bear Stories are some of our favorites. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the conversations that are elicited while we listen together.

2) Special Toys and Games

Never underestimate a surprise! Giving small “gifts” along the way reinvigorates a whiny kid and keeps them entertained. I pack a bag chock full of small toys, magnetic travel games, coloring supplies, playing cards, and activity books that I strategically dole out throughout the drive when spirits get low. Want to get fancy? Wrap some of the items to make it feel even more like they are getting presents.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pack some long-forgotten toys too; kids are equally happy to rediscover an old favorite as they are to get something new. And new doesn’t have to mean expensive. The Dollar Store is great for stocking up on a wide variety of items!

3) Food: Avoid the Hangry

Lots of the frustration from road trips can stem from simply being hangry, so having snacks nearby is a must. We like to pack foods that are easy to eat like cut-up fruit, snack bags, trail mix and crackers with peanut butter. We also intentionally buy individually packaged snacks or ones that can be easily shared in the car. A little bit of preparation goes a long way in having quick and healthy snacks easily accessible for a lengthy trip.

And don’t forget the water! Not just for hydration, but also for spills that might happen in the car. We always have insulated water bottles (like these from Zorojuishi) with us.

4) Screen Time

Screens can be a helpful way to let kids pass the time and for grown-ups to enjoy some quiet and get a break. We try not to have our girls on screens the whole time, but when coupled with non-screen activities, they are a great tool to keep kids engaged along the journey.

Our kids like to watch (pre-downloaded) movies on their iPads, and also play games on their Nintendo Switches.

5) Dancing Panda

And finally, our family loves doing Dancing Panda activities together. They are perfect for long road trips because they are texted to my phone and require few or no materials, which means I don’t have to pack or bring anything extra. My kids just have fun and I like that it sneaks some learning in too.

These are some of favorites we never tire of:

Make it Happy, Make it Sad is a fun activity where we listen to a song and attempt to sing the song with different emotions to “make it happy, make it sad, etc.”
Zap! is a math game where we take turns counting, but every time we get to a number that is a multiple of 4, or has the number 4 in it, we say “ZAP”!

Want More Fun with Dancing Panda?

This summer, we want to make your road trip as fun and easy as possible! For July & August, we are giving away Dancing Panda for free. Sign up now to get great DanPan content texted straight to your phone for you and your kids to enjoy.

Five Parent-Tested Tips For Long Car Rides