Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Between road trips, commutes and family vacations, we spend a lot of time in the car trying to get places. Why not spend it being productive? Passing the time on a long drive can seem like a daunting task, but with a little preparation, it can be fun and educational.
Keep track of license plates. When traveling on the interstate, make a log and track what states different vehicles represent. Remember to look carefully at semi truck plates! If children are traveling, teach them something about each state, such as where it is located in relation to the state they live in, if it's near an ocean or what sites are popular there.
Make up games to play with others in the car. The classic "I spy" game never goes out of style. One person finds something visible from the car window, and makes a statement such as "I spy something red." The others guess what the item is.
Listen to books on CD. A long road trip can be a great time to catch up on a little reading, even if it means listening. If you're a student, listening to recorded lectures can be an easy way to study passively.
Play a DVD or CD for backseat riders. Popular movies, educational videos and sing-a-longs can help children pass the time. For adults, bring a new CD, and enjoy the chance to play the entire disc without interruption.
Bring coloring books, puzzle books and small toys for children to play with. Bring toys and games with a theme related to your trip. If you are going to the beach, supply kids with coloring books about the ocean, sand castles and fish. Give them plastic fish toys and sand pails to play with, and talk to them about what they will see at the beach. On the drive home, ask them to draw special moments from the trip, and what they learned about the beach.
Pack travel-friendly snacks. Plastic cups filled with snack crackers and trail mixes fit easily into cup holders. Juice boxes and bottled beverages are good travel options too. Avoid foods that require silverware or need to be reheated.