How We Keep Kids Occupied on Long Car Rides(without electronics)

So, our family has spent a LOT of time in the car over the years.  Mostly because we've never lived close to family (still don't) and have had to drive 3 or more hours each way to see them (at one time, it was 10-12 hours one way).  I've had parents ask me how we kept our kids entertained on these long car trips.  Well, we've done a variety of things over the years.  Heck, we do a variety of things within each trip.  Our main thing is we don't want our kids getting 3 hours of screen time just because that's the easiest way to keep them occupied (and quiet).  We have and do use things like iPod touches on these trips, but we use them very limitedly (now that we are not more than 4 hours away, we don't use them at all).  Once in a while, we'd put a movie on a fully-charged laptop for them to watch, but that was pretty rare.  Here are some practical ideas for long car trips with kids of all ages.

Ages 0-3:

• Night time or very early morning travel is key at this age.  This usually means the kids will *mostly* sleep on the drive and reduces the amount of stops.  
• Board books.  A lot of them.
• Plush toys/Car toys
• Crayons and coloring books or paper (2+)
• Soothing music CDs or books on CDs

Ages 4-7:
The night time/early morning trick isn't as effective at this age.  I found that my kids were still awake for most of the trip, plus, our older eyes got tired more easily, making it dangerous to drive.  So, we stuck to leaving at 6 or 7am and making the required bathroom breaks.

• BOOKS!
• Music and books on CDs
• A deck of cards 
• I Spy/ The Alphabet Game (car games)
• Crayons and paper/coloring books
• Hot Dots (These are amazing!  My kids love them!)

Ages 8-12: (the age my kids are now)

• Mad Libs have been a huge hit for my kids.  Keeps them busy for a good hour or so.
• Books, books, books.
• Kid-friendly, fun music (my kids enjoy Five Iron Frenzy, David Crowder Band, and The Aquabats, among others)
• Coloring supplies for any budding artists (this has been big with my daughter)
• Hot Dots 
• The Alphabet game still works, but not so much I Spy anymore
• Word searches, Crosswords, Sudoku (a fave of my kids)
• Trivia type games/travel board games
• Cards

Ages 13+
Frankly, kids this age should be able to keep themselves occupied, without electronics (IMHO).  I managed to for all those years our family took road trips. I usually listened to music on my walkman, read, and slept. So, I'll probably allow iPods (unsync all game apps and allow music/audio books/podcasts) so they can listen to what they want to listen to.  Plus, have them choose a few books and bring along homework, sudoku, crosswords, etc.  Also, bring along a deck of cards or some other games that are easy to play in the car.

At any age, snacks are important.  And, if you're doing an all-day trip, meals are important.  We stopped buying fast food on trips and started packing meals for them back in 2007.  This saves both time and money and is, generally (depending on what you pack) healthier for you.  We're lucky that our kids are not picky and they have no known food allergies/intolerances.  We pack sandwiches, nuts, fruit, cheese, carrots, celery, red bell peppers, hummus, pita chips, grape tomatoes, pretzels, and my homemade granola bars and cereal for the early morning departure times.  And we each have a 20oz. Klean Kanteen filled with water.

I hope these ideas will help some of you as you venture out on your summer travels. We know we'll be spending some quality time in the car, with trips to Portland, Santa Cruz, and the Bay area planned. Happy travels!

(This is the preferred activity while driving, regardless of age....)