Toddlers Travel

36 Road Trip Activities For Kids They’ll Love

January 11, 2022

You’re here because you’re looking for road trip activities for kids.

Am I right?…

You’re probably wondering how do I entertain my two-year-old in the car? Whether it’s a 30-min car ride or a 14-hour road trip, or how do you entertain a 3-year-old on a long car journey?

it’s important to have enough activities for your toddler so that they don’t get bored, and you stay sane.

Preparing car activities for kids is key to making sure your ride goes smoothly. 

Preparation is key, you feel me?

So without further ado, if you’re wondering what can keep your kids busy on your next road trip, here is my list of 36 exciting road trip activities for kids, that will help you on those short or long car ride journeys.

I promise!

And if this is your first road trip with either your toddler or older kids, make sure to check out my blog post How to Plan A Road Trip With a Toddler – 12 Helpful Tips (these tips can also be useful for older kids as well).  

**By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. I only list products that I love and may have used myself.  Thank you!**

1. Road Trip Activities For Kids: LeapFrog 

I absolutely love all LeapFrog products. They can become great car activities for kids young and old, and can keep them busy for hours.

 What I love about LeapFrog products is that they are educational, and kids can learn so much from them.

Milan learned his ABC’s, 123’s, and shapes from the LeapFrog Leaptop. It still remains one of his favourite toys of all time. 

We always bring one of his LeapFrogs with us, whether we go for short car rides or long car rides.

Here are a few of my favourite LeapFrog products that you can add to your list of road trip activities for kids.

LeapFrog Leaptop

$24.99

Learn about the alphabet, spell your name and more on a pretend play Leapfrog computer built for kids 

Tap away in 4 learning modes—ABCs, Messages, Games and Music—and bop along to 16 songs and melodies 

Pretend to be like Mom and Dad with fun computer role-play, such as emailing with Scout or Violet, and a take-along handle

Ages: 2-4 years old

WHY WE LOVE IT

LeapFrog LeapStart 3D Interactive Learning System

$59.99

The LeapFrog LeapStart engages kids through books, audio and 3d-like animations for an experience that reinforces learning and helps kids better understand the concepts

Kids can interact with the on-screen animations by using the stylus to tap on the pictures and words to explore reading, counting, problem solving and more.

Includes 700+ activities across a library of more than 25 books (sold separately), which includes two learn to read Book sets

Ages: 24 months to 7 years

WHY WE LOVE IT

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

$31.89

Meet learning friends Turtle, Tiger and Monkey who will introduce more than 100 age-appropriate words chosen by learning experts.

Word categories include: pets, animals, food, mealtime, colors, activities, opposites, outside and more

Touching the words on the pages plays the words, exciting sound effects and fun facts; hear the Learning Friends theme song and My Favorite Word by pressing the light-up star button

Ages: 18 months to 4 years

WHY WE LOVE IT

LeapFrog LeapPad Academy

$148.88

Enjoy a kid-friendly Android-based tablet that’s packed with 20+ educational apps and creativity tools designed by LeapFrog learning experts

Explore LeapSearch, LeapFrog’s kid-friendly web browser and add to the learning with kid-friendly websites and videos

Includes a free three-month trial of LeapFrog Academy, an interactive learning program that progressively guides children on Learning Adventures.

Ages: 3-8 years old

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

2. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Sticker Books 

Who doesn’t love a good sticker book?

Milan love’s stickers and loves sticking them to just about everything.

and I mean EVERYTHING

Sticker books are such a great addition to road trip activities for kids, and will definitely keep them busy for hours!

Here are some of my favourite sticker books (and of course the stickers are include in these)

Melissa and Doug Reusable Sticker Pad: My Town

$6.49

The Melissa & Doug My Town Reusable Sticker Pad includes 5 colorful backgrounds and 200-plus cling-style, repositionable stickers.

This town-inspired reusable sticker pad features removable background scenes that include a school, grocery store, restaurant, hospital, and fire house.

Ages: 2 years old and up

WHY WE LOVE IT

First 100 Stickers: Animals

$5.87

Organized into groups including pets, farm animals, and undersea creatures, the colorful pages feature animal photographs to look at and names to read, and learning becomes interactive as children find and match the correct stickers to the correct spaces. As well as helping children to learn about animals, this is a great book to build their vocabulary, and develop hand-eye coordination skills.

Ages: 3-6 years

WHY WE LOVE IT

2000 Stickers: Busy Farm

$6.99

Time to play with farmyard friends! Fun scenes and engaging activities are perfect for the 2000 stickers featured in this book. Come and explore this busy sticker farm!

Learn as you go with simple concepts like counting, matching, and opposites. Increase visual thinking, fine-motor skills, and hand-eye coordination

Ages: 1.5-5 years old
Weight: Up to 50 pounds

WHY WE LOVE IT

Ultimate Sticker Book: Star Wars

$8.90

Ultimate Sticker Book: Star Wars features action poses from all your favorite classic characters including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Darth Vader, and more.

Create your own sticker galleries with heroes, villains, Droids™, aliens, spaceships, and weapons, as well as great scenes from the movie.

Taking subjects that kids love, from dinosaurs to baby animals to transportation, DK’s Ultimate Sticker Book series is packed with activities that are simple enough for children to do independently, but engaging enough to keep their interest.

Ages: 5-7 years old

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

3. Road Trip Activities for kids: I Spy

Who remembers playing this game as a kid during car rides?

I remember on our long car rides to Calgary as a kid, my sister and I used to play I Spy with our parents. This is a fun & FREE activity to play with your kids on those road trip journeys.

We’ve started to play I Spy with Milan and he loves it! We started teaching him this game at home, and he now plays I spy with us in the car, and it keeps him so occupied.

4. Road Trip Activities for Kids: Travel Felt Board

Felt boards are so much fun and help bring out your child’s imagination.

Felt boards can literally keep little ones busy for HOURS because of all the endless possibilities. 

the more endless possibilities, the less whiny and bored children we got.

you feel me?

Fun Felt Shapes

$38.27

See your child’s imagination come to life as they layer simple felt shapes and wiggly eyes onto a child-sized felt board. 

This felt board includes a neat and tidy storage bag to keep all your felt pieces organized

Your child will learn basic colors, shapes, patterns, and size relationships

Ages: 3+

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

5. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Window Markers

I know, I know, you’re probably like no way is my kiddo writing on the windows.

But what if I told you there are markers designed especially for drawing on windows, that is easy to clean?

This is the perfect activity for both young and old kids, and will keep them entertained for hours on end.

Maped Colour' Peps Window Markers

$11.99

How fun is drawing on the window? Let your kiddo turn your windows into instant decorations with thees large tipped markets.

Perfect for at home and even in the car, these markers will be sure to keep your little one busy.

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

6. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Books

I mean this is a no brainer,

Am I right?

We always keep books in the car for Milan for short and long car rides.

We use this car seat organizer to organize all of Milan’s stuff in the car so that everything stays neat and tidy. 

Some of Milan’s favourite books that we rotate in the car include:

Some of my favourite books for older kids include:

7. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Podcasts

Podcasts aren’t only for adults. Believe it or not, there are so many awesome podcasts that make for great road trip activities for kids.

I love using Audible to listen to podcasts and audio books. You can sign up with Audible here. 

As an Audible member, you’ll get unlimited access to thousands of select Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks, along with one title of your choice every month to keep.

Podcasts are a great addition, here are a few of my favourites, that are sure to keep your little ones entertained throughout your journey. 

The Sesame Street Podcast: Foley and Friends

road trip activities for kids

Sesame Street Podcast introduces Foley, the host and newest monster to the neighborhood.

Join Foley and her microphone friend Mikee as they invite guests into their sound studio to discuss important topics ranging from superheroes to animals to birthdays and more.

Hank the Cowdog

road trip activities for kids

Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey produces and stars in this podcast series about a dog named Hank who is the self-declared Head of Ranch Security.

In every episode, Hank finds himself entangled in a different mystery.

Wondery Kids

road trip activities for kids

8. Road Trip Activities for Kids: Let Your Kiddo Become The DJ

Who doesn’t love being the DJ during car rides?  Allowing your little one to be the DJ is such a fun way to get them involved in choosing the activity.

If you have multiple children, they can take turns. Perhaps 3 songs each, and then they switch.

Milan literally requests for his favourite music every time we’re in the car.

lucky for us he’s got great taste in music!

I would suggest making separate playlists for each kiddo. This will make it easier to decide the song once you’re on the road.  

9. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Magnetic Drawing board

Omg! Don’t you remember these when you were a kid?

Otherwise known as a Magna Doodle.

I love these because it’s a great way to encourage drawing, colouring, and using your imagination.

I also love that the pen is attached to the board, so the pen will never fall (unless your little one throws the entire board on the ground).

Magnetic Drawing Board - Travel Size

$41.17

The sketch pad displays 4 vivid colors (green, blue, yellow, and red)

Children express what they see and what they think through drawing and writing, 

Easily wipeable screen makes for creating endless creations

Ages: 2.5+ years

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

10. Road Trip Activities for Kids: Felt Busy Board

I think these are pretty darn cool! This has to be one of my favourite road trip activities for kids.

If you don’t know what a busy board is, it’s a sensory board. 

This sensory board has a bunch of different buckles, laces, and similar things to help gauge your kids.

Use this busy board to keep your child entertained in the car, while they learn math, spelling and develop essential skills like motor skills, finger dexterity and cognitive skills.

Felt Busy Board

$31.99

This busy board for toddlers features 14 different varieties of buckles, zip pocket, lace and etc, with a set of hook&loop alphabet and 123s letters(35 PCS).

Designed in varying difficulty levels to be challenging but not too much to keep your toddlers interested.

Ages: 2+ years

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

11. Road Trip Activities for Kids: Dollar Store Toys Are Always Great Additions to Road Trip Activities for Kids

You know those cheap dollar store toys that your little ones get in goodie bags?

Yeah those ones.

Instead of throwing them away (something I used to do, because I hate unwanted clutter), just keep them for car rides.

Have a little bag filled with small dollar store knick knacks, and when your kid gets bored, give them a few to play with.

I would rather have these in the car than all over my house.

12. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Educational Apps.

For me, the tablet is sometimes our last resort, as I don’t like to give very much screen time to Milan.

Apps are a great addition to add to your list of road trip activities for kids.

There are A LOT of educational apps for kids out there both younger and older.

Check out this list of the best apps for kids organized by age. 

13. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Melissa & Doug Go Water Wow!

Colouring and only having to use one pen? How cool is that?

I love this Melissa and Doug on the Go Water Wow! It prevents me from having to bring a bunch of markers, while creating magic at the same time.

I also love that it’s small and can fit nicely into the compartments of our car organizer. 

Melissa & Doug Water Wow

$13.64

A no-mess painting activity book!

Melissa & Doug water activity book for kids features 4 reusable white pages that include simple line drawings when they are dry, which fill with color when wet.

Different versions available.

Ages: 3-6 year olds

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

14. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Scavenger Hunt

This is another addition to add to your list of road trip activities for kids.

This is such a great way to have some quiet time, while your kiddo searches for items.

You can use Canva or Microsoft Word to create a print out of a scavenger hunt. 

Get your kid(if they’re old enough) to circle all of the items that they find during the road trip. If you have more than one child, you can always turn it into a competition. 

Winner gets a prize!

 

15. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Activity Binder

I love to keep one of these in the car and take it out during longer car rides.

You can purchase a binder, print out activity sheets, and keep this in the car. I would suggest purchasing a 3-ring pouch to keep all markers, pens, and pencils in one spot.

Check out this website for free road trip activities printables. Print them out whenever you need to, and keep them in your binder. 

 

16. Road Trip Activities For Kids: The Quiet Game

For obvious reasons…

Duh!

The rule of the game is that everyone needs to stay quiet, the first person who talks loses the game.

You can always mention winner gets a prize (cuz that’ll definitely keep them quite for longer haha)

Maybe you could even use some dollar store toys as prizes.

Hey! Sometimes parents need some peace and quiet too.

 

17. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Don’t Laugh Game

Okay this happened to be one of my favourite games as a kid,

There are two ways you can play:

  1. someone is “it” and has to make the other person laugh, if the person laughs they lose.
  2. 2 people are against each other and try to make each other laugh. Whoever laughs first, loses.

Trust me when I say, this game is hilarious and so much fun!

 

18. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Official Tallies

This is another great addition to your list of road trip activities for kids. 

Pick something before the car ride, let’s say black cars. Once you decide on an object, keep a look out for black cars on your journey and keep a talley.

19. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Tangram Puzzles

The perfect addition to your list of road trip activities for kids.

and honestly,

I would probably play with this myself, LOL.

Tangrams are a great way for your kid to use their imagination and create a variety of different puzzles and shapes.

Tangram Magnetic Puzzles

$20.99

The tangram is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat shapes, called tans, which are put together to form shapes. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific shape (given only an outline or silhouette) using all seven pieces, which may not overlap.

There is less of a chance of mess thanks to the tangram’s magnetic design

This travel puzzle set contains 360 different patterns and solutions.

Ages: 3 years +

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

20. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Mad Libs

Who remembers doing these as a kid? I used to LOVE mad libs!

This is such another great addition to road trip activities for kids.

Mad libs are perfect for older children who have the ability to read and write, and can keep them busy for hours.

Once your kiddo is done filling in the words he/she can read it out to everyone, they’re so hilarious!

Super Silly Mad Libs Junior

$5.99

Write in the missing words on each page to create your own hilariously funny stories with Super Silly Mad Libs Junior.

21 “fill-in-the-blank” stories all about silly fun!

Ages: 5-8 years old

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

21. Road Trip Activities for Kids: The Alphabet Game

This is another great addition to your list of road trip activities for toddlers.

For the alphabet game, choose a letter, and then try to find as many things that you can spot with that letter. 

You can create a printable on Canva or Word, print it out, and use these as a way to document all of the things you find for a particular letter.

22. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Would You Rather?

This is always such a fun game to play whether you’re a kid or an adult.

Ask would you rather questions and see what everyone chooses!

Some examples could be:

  • Would you rather spend your day at the beach, or spend you day hiking?
  • Would you rather go to a cooler destination or a warmer destination?
  • Would you rather eat McDonald’s or Pizza?
  • Would you rather go to Disneyland or Knottsberry Farm?
  • Would you rather do a road trip or fly on a plane?

21. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Sketchbook & Pencil Crayons

I love adding this to my list of road trip activities for kids.

Keep a sketchbook and pencil crayons in the car and have your child draw out things that they see.

This is a great way to help them use their imagination and develop their illustration skills.

It’ll be fun to go over their sketches once the road trip is over to see all of the things that they experienced.

22. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Travel Journal 

This is such a fun road trip activity to add to your list. More suitable for children who can read and write. 

Get your kiddos to document their road trip and write down fun and exciting things that they see along their journey. 

The Ultimate Travel Journal For Kids

$11.31

It’s time to hit the road on your next family adventure―and kids will remember every second of fun-filled adventure.

Kids can find guided prompts to record hopes for their trip, highlights, new discoveries and more.

Plus, this journal includes ultra-fun travel activities for kids likes fill-in the blanks and crosswords for endless entertainment.

Ages: 6-9 years old

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

23. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Paint By Sticker Activity Book

I’ve done an adult version before and they are SUPER fun!

Add this to your list of road trip activities for kids and it’ll be sure to keep them busy for hours. 

This is such a fun way to “paint” pictures without all of the mess.

“I can’t wait to clean up dried paint in the car” – said no one ever.

Paint by Sticker Kids: Zoo Animals

$13.81

Peel the sticker, place the sticker, and watch your painting come to life.

Paint By Sticker is a compelling activity for artists, crafters, doodlers, and colorers of all ages, with everything you need to create vibrant, full-color “paintings,” and have a mindfully good time doing it.

Ages: 5-9 years old

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

24. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Origami

Anyone else remembers doing origami as a kid?

I was always so fascinated at how you can turn a little piece of paper into a beautiful creation.

Origami is a great road trip activity for your kid, and there are so many endless creations they can make.

Origami Kit For Kids

$40.96

High-quality square origami sheets come with 8 sheets of practice papers plus 144 double sided vivid origami folding papers of 72 different beautiful patterns.

This kit includes everything you need to get started in origami for your kids.

Ages: 5+

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

25. Road Trip Activities For Kids: LEGO

If you’re feeling ambitious, bring some travel lego on your road trip.

Kids can spend hours playing with lego, and it’s such a great way to use their imagination and create endless creations.

This is such a great road trip activity for 1-year-old, 2-year-olds, and any age for that matter.

LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase

$39.51

Organize your LEGO building bricks and take them wherever you go in this bright yellow LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase!

This LEGO Classic portable building block case houses a world of creativity for kids and includes a selection of colorful LEGO Classic pieces, including, bricks, shapes, wheels and eyes

Ages: 4+

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

26. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Friendship Bracelet Maker

Who remembers making these as kids?

I loved making friendship bracelets and I’m so happy to see that they are still a popular activity for kids.

Perfect for boys and girls

because,

Hey! we don’t discriminate.

Friendship Bracelet Kit

$29.99

This fun bracelet making kit has everything you need to start making bracelets! You can make up to 12 bracelets with 7 different bracelet styles(Bungee Braid, Double Trouble, Fish tall, Let’s twist, Banana Split, DNA, Tire Trax)! 

Ages: 7+

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

27. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Crossword Puzzles

who doesn’t love a good crossword puzzles? This is another great addition to add to your list of road trip activities for kids.

Crossword puzzles gives great satisfaction and confidence to kids when they solve a puzzle.

They are such a great way to get your kiddo excited and stay busy.

road trip activities for kids

Word Search Puzzle

$7.99

Find it, circle it, say it!!!

This word search book is the perfect choice to replace hours spent in front of the TV or iPad.

Word search helps develop concentration, vocabulary and spelling. 

Ages: 4-8 years

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

28. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Draw a Monster

This is such a fun activity and I remember doing this in elementary school during Halloween.

Mom or dad will describe a monster step-by-step and the kids draw the monster they’re describing.

For Example: The Monster has 7 eyes, or the monster has a big head and a little body, or the monster is blue with a square shaped head.

You get the point?

After you’re done, the kiddos can reveal their drawings to you.

29. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Tic Tac Toe

Even in my 30’s, I still love playing tic tac toe.

So once my kids learn this game, I cannot wait to play with them (and beat them hahah).

You can create your own tic-tac-toe printables on either Canva or Word. 

If you don’t want to waste paper, you can always purchase a travel tic tac toe game.

Melissa and Doug Wooden Tic Tac Toe

$21.44

Wooden tic-tac-toe game board with eye-catching red, orange, blue, and green color pattern

Includes white-framed wooden board with indented squares for mess-free play, 10 colored X and O game tiles.

Ages: 5+

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

30. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Joke Books

Has your kid ever told you a joke that wasn’t very funny but you still had to pretend to laugh?

LOL

Well by getting them their very own joke book, you won’t have to pretend to laugh, cuz the jokes will for sure be funny.

And your little one will love that you are laughing at their jokes.

For real though 😉

The Silly Kids Joke Book

$12.50

This funny joke book is filled with hilarious jokes that are perfect for your road trip.

Ages: 6+

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

31. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Riddle Books

Riddle books are another great addition to your list of road trip activities for kids.

Riddles take time to figure out, so this book will definitely keep your kiddo busy for a few hours.

Fun Riddles & Trick Questions for Kids & Family

$11.97

300+ brain-teasing riddles creatively designed to not only get your kids laughing and exploring their goofy side, but also to promote functional problem solving.

Their eyes will light up with each solution.

The laughter and quality time will stick with you both.

Ages: 7-12 years

WHY WE LOVE IT

 

32. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Take photos

Taking photos is another great addition to add to your list of road trip activities for kids.

A fun activity could be photo scavenger hunt. Have a list of items that you want your kids to find, and take pictures of these objects on your road trip.  Whoever finds them all wins!

There are also some great kid-friendly cameras, so you don’t have to give your kiddo your phone or expensive camera.

Kids Digital Camera

$44.99

This kids digital camera comes front and rear dual lens, Upgraded to more high resolution, it can take 24 megapixels high quality photos and record 1080P Video.

This camera has many functions, such as photo capture, video recording, time shooting, burst shooting, playback,4 filter effect and 25 funny stickers, it is also built-in 32GB memory card to store thousands of photos.

Ages: 3+

WHY WE LOVE IT

33. Road Trip Activities For Kids: The Alphabet Game

This was one of my favourite games to play as a kid, my sister and I would always play this game on our road trips.

One person starts with the letter A, they need to come up with a girls name, a boys name, a country (or city), and an object that starts with the letter A.

You will then use this little poem to say all of your answers:

Hi my name is (girls name that starts with A) and my husbands name is (boys name that starts with A) We live in (country or city that starts with A) and we sell (an object that starts with A).

The next person does this all over again but with the letter B, and then so on.

Trust me, it’s such a fun game!

34. Road Trip Activities For Kids: One Word Story Game

For the one word story game, each person takes a turn adding one word to a story.

For example:

Person A: Once

Person B: Upon

Person C: A

Person: Time

This is such a fun game and guaranteed a lot of laughs!

35. Road Trip Activities For Kids: Surprise Road Trip Bag

Create a surprise road trip bag for your kids filled with a whole bunch of goodies.

I would suggest using a drawstring bag and filling it with fun activities.

Some suggestions are:

  • A small picture book
  • A magnetic game
  • Snacks
  • A travel jigsaw puzzle
  • A notebook
  • Colouring supplies
  • Dollar store activities
  • Small activity book

 

36. Road Trip Activities For Kids: 21 Questions

This was another fun game I used to play on road trips as a kid. One person thinks of a person, place, thing, or object. The rest of the people have to use 21 questions to find out what the person, place, thing, or object is.

Make sure someone keeps tab on the number of questions that are being asked.

Storage Hacks To Help Organize Your Road Trip Activities For Kids

To store all your car activities as I mentioned before, this car seat organizer has seriously worked wonders for us.

It keeps everything so organized and clean, and gives your kids easy access to all of their activities. 

Another great addition to your road trip is a kids travel car seat tray

Kids Travel Tray

$36.99

Becko travel tray makes the long boring journey interesting with your kids. Distract your kids’ attention by letting them watch videos, eat, draw or play with this tray, and you can just focus on driving.

It helps to keep your car clean. Reinforced and heightened fence effectively prevents food and toys from falling off. A doodle mat and a water pen are enclosed for kids to draw on, allowing kids to doodle on with their imagination and creativity but leaving any stain.

Ages: 18 month +

WHY WE LOVE IT

There you go folks.

My comprehensive list of road trip activities for kids. I know these activities will definitely keep them busy on your journey, whether it’s 4 hours or 10 hours.

Also, as I mentioned earlier in my post check out my blog post How to Plan A Road Trip With a Toddler – 12 Helpful Tips

These tips will also come in handy for older kids as well.

Happy Road Trippin’

Do you have any other activities that would be fun on a road trip for kids? Comment below

Aiyna