How To Keep Kids Occupied in the Car

Whether you are traveling long distances or just across town, when you travel with children you are bound to run into problems. No matter your children's age, when they have to sit in one spot for any amount of time they are going to get restless. Here's how to keep your kids occupied while buckled in for a car ride.

If you have an infant, you know travel can be difficult. Keep a couple good picture books, a few puppets and a bottle of bubbles in the car. That way when you have an extra passenger riding along, these three items alone will give your infant plenty to look at and do. Also a car seat activity center, car seat links and a baby mirror are great toys for your baby to have when it's just the two of you along for the ride.

While toddlers are able to do most of the entertaining on their own, you can try playing a few fun games with them. Name a color and have your toddler look around and find that color somewhere, or describe an animal and have them guess what animal it is. When they tire of playing games with you, keep a couple small toys handy, like Magna Doodle or Crocodile Dentist. Both are small, self contained and easily fit in a travel bag for easy storage. Simple things like pipe cleaners and felt boards will also fit in a travel backpack and will provide your toddler and older children with a creative outlet to express themselves while in the car.

For your older children, have them bring along books to read; a car ride is a perfect time for them to read a book. Have them keep a travel journal, and write about where they are going and what they think it will be like before they get there. Once you've left they can write about what their favorite part was and if it was like they thought it was going to be like. Another great game for kids is the license plate game. Have them keep a look out for as many different state license plates as they can find, see who can spot one for each of the fifty states first. If all else fails, having a portable DVD player in your vehicle allows them the comfort of their favorite movie while in transit. No matter their age, every child loves a good movie.

Travel with your children doesn't have to give you a headache; there are plenty of activities to keep them occupied no matter their age. So the next time you are in the car, whether it's across town or cross country have fun with your kids. You'll be surprises at how fast the time will fly.