There’s nothing more exciting than going on a road trip with your loved ones. But there’s also nothing more challenging than keeping kids and teens entertained during long car rides. Unfortunately, they can get bored and become impatient, making the trip less enjoyable for everyone.

At the risk of sounding cliché, what matters most isn’t the destination you’re traveling to but the journey you make as a family. So, keeping things fun and exciting on the road is important.

You can do plenty of family bonding activities while on a road trip. Whether they're simple and educational or require extra planning for a lengthy pit stop at a tourist attraction, they will make your family travels even more memorable. Here are 10 that I highly recommend.

Turn Up Your Stereo

Turn up the speakers and put on something that will keep your little ones entertained, even if they’re sitting in the car. It can be something funny, educational, or catchy enough to get them dancing and singing along!

Podcasts

There are tons of children’s podcasts out there that are educational. They're similar to a kids’ TV show but without the video material. You can keep a kids’ podcast playing to ensure your children are occupied and well-behaved on the road.

Podcasts are also great for keeping teenagers and older children entertained. Ask them which podcasts and personalities they find interesting, and listen to these shows together. That way, they won't feel the need to shut out the rest of the world with their headphones.

Music and Shared Playlists

Play some funky music to excite the whole family for the journey ahead. Everyone can take turns holding the aux cord to share a new song or one they like. Or, you could settle on one playlist for the ride, whether it’s dad’s throwback playlist or the latest TikTok songs the kids love.

Audiobooks

Letting an audiobook play as you drive is like reading a book to the kids without really doing it. You can let them choose from their favorite books, like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, while staying focused on driving. It’s also an effective way to get your younger children sleepy and ready for a nap!

Play Road Trip Games

You can let your kids showcase their competitive side by playing games on the road as a family. The activity also exercises their brain and thinking skills! Here are some games you might want to try out:

The License Plate Game

This game is a classic for road trips on the highway. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Then, ask the kids to look out for license plates on other cars, making a list of the state they’re from. The person that finds plates from the most states at the end of the timer wins!

Trivia Challenges

Another fun game you can try is simple trivia. Split your passengers or group into two teams and ask each other trivia questions to earn points. You can make the questions up on the spot or prepare them beforehand. You can even prepare questions based on a specific theme or two.

Take a Nature Walk or Plan A Picnic

Need to stretch your legs after driving for hours? Make the most of your break by heading to a park for a quick stroll with the kids. While you rest and gather your bearings before the next leg of the drive, you can let the kids run around and frolic in lush greenery.

You can even arrange a quick picnic for your stop at the park. Make some sandwiches and finger foods at home before you hit the road so that the whole family has something to munch on while on your nature walk.

Try Some Outdoor Sports

If you have the time for it and the weather permits, you can stop by for a day or two at a resort or park where you and the kids can play outdoor sports like darts. This idea will encourage your kids and teens to explore and let their adventurous sides out. You can also buy shot darts and a dartboard that you can enjoy outdoors with your kids.

You can stop by a national park for hiking or kayaking, whatever floats your boat. And if you’re driving somewhere else, like Europe, you can consider visiting a snowy area, like the Rocky Mountains in Switzerland, to ski and snowboard.

Of course, if you’re looking to do activities like these, you must be ready with your equipment. For example, if you’re driving a jeep, ensure you have suitable cargo, towing, and racking jeep accessories, whether it's a canoe rack for boating or a ski and snowboard rack for hitting the slopes.

Enjoy An Overnight Staycation

Many families choose to stay at inexpensive motels and call it a night on road trips that take over a day. But if you want to make the most of your family bonding trip, you can book a night somewhere a little fancier—like a resort or hotel.

Just because you’re still on the road doesn’t mean you can’t relax and have a staycation. Plan out your accommodation arrangements in advance based on where you think you’ll be at the end of each leg of the road trip.

Visit An Amusement Park

Always remaining flexible when traveling with family is one of the things that will make your trip all the more enjoyable. If you’re constantly running on a tight schedule, you won’t have time to make some pit stops—ones your kids might want to check out.

If you see road signs pointing to a nice theme park or tourist attraction, consider taking a quick detour to spend more quality time with your family and experience new things with them.

For example, a stop like Orlando, Florida, will be an amazing experience, especially for kids. You can check out Universal Studios, Legoland, and even SeaWorld. They also have many scenic beaches, perfect for kids who love to swim.

Amusement parks are some of the most ideal places to go on a road trip with children. You might end up a little behind on your travel schedule, but the memories you make with your kids will more than make up for it.

Dare Your Kids to Draw on their Windows

Can't schedule any stops? No problem! Why not allow the kids just this once to draw on the windows? Arrange some cling wrap and a set of washable, non-toxic markers for them, and let them get those creative juices flowing as you drive. With a simple piece of cloth, they can erase their drawings and start anew whenever they feel like it.

The activity encourages creativity and keeps boredom at bay. It also distracts them from being too impatient on a long drive.

Find Cute Souvenirs

Make shopping a family activity! Stop by some local souvenir shops and find quirky figurines, beautiful magnets, and yummy delicacies wherever you find yourself.

You can bring these home to enjoy as you look back on the trip or let your family members give the mementos to their friends back at school or in the neighborhood.

If you’re stopping by an amusement park, you might want to let the kids roam around the gift shop, too! Let them choose one item they want to buy to remember their trip for years to come.

Try the Best Restaurants in the Area

The family that eats together stays together! Look for the best, most popular restaurants in the area and splurge on a delicious meal as a break from driving.

Instead of stopping at a gas station and eating your lunch there, look for specialty restaurants that offer you food that the town or state is known for. For example, if you find yourself in Maryland, try out their seafood. And if you’re in Texas, get some hearty barbecue and ribs!

Of course, you'll always want to keep an eye out for restaurants with a kids’ menu to make sure your children have tons of options.

Rest Up and Relax

If your kids are especially energetic throughout the ride, make sure you squeeze in naptime in the afternoon or evening.

Getting out of the car to do activities and play games with mom and dad might be loads of fun, but your kids also need an appropriate amount of sleep. Proper rest is the only way they’ll get the most out of the vacation once you finally reach your destination.

Make sure to bring some car road trip essentials like car seats to help make your vehicle as safe and comfortable as possible for the kids while they sleep. You can play some relaxing music and pack their favorite stuffed animals to cuddle with, too!

Make Your Road Trip Memorable for the Whole Family

It’s easy for long road trips to become dull and unexciting, especially when dealing with children. But, as a parent, your job is to make the trip as memorable and fun as possible so they can remember it for years.

Make sure your car is equipped with all the exterior accessories you need to make the family road trip a huge success. As long as you plan your games, entertainment, and side trips well, you and your loved ones will be rewarded with the best family bonding experience ever.