Road trips are the start of an adventure for the little ones, but sitting in one place for an hour or more, kids tend to get restless and are limited on the ways of having fun. Whether you are travelling to a campsite in your campervan or have a caravan on tow, keeping the kids entertained throughout a long journey is probably the most difficult part of any road trip. The number of times you hear “are we nearly there yet?”, makes it even more stressful. With the help of technology and the various ways of interacting with a smartphone or tablet, you can have a smooth road trip, avoiding boredom and tantrums along the way. We have listed you with these 5 helpful technology tips for entertaining kids on road trips.
1. DIY TABLET HOLDER
Tip 1: Tablet headrest mount
It is recommended by car safety experts for children to abstain from holding a digital device and to securely firm it on a car, as it poses a higher risk of the child being harmed in the case of an accident. To help secure any digital device to a car, consider purchasing an iPad headrest mount, with a starting price of £10.00, depending on the type you choose. The headrest mount not only can be used for safety, but can also provide comfort, as your kids can sit back and relax, watching their favourite movies and shows on an, in-car entertainment screen. If you are going for a last minute road trip or looking for a cheaper alternative, why not create your own DIY screen. It’s easy, place your iPad or tablet inside a freezer bag and tape the bag or let it hang on the back of your car seat. Kids can even munch on snacks without you having to worry about the screen getting dirty and is guaranteed to keep kids entertained for at least an hour or two.
2. DOWNLOAD SONGS, SHOWS, MOVIES AND APPS IN ADVANCE
Tip 2: download songs, shows, movies and apps in advance
Most tablets have only Wi-Fi plans with no data plans, if there is no internet connection in the car; it makes it complicated to stream any shows or movies. Be equipped and make sure to download apps in advance, as well as purchasing or renting movies. Kids can watch it anytime during their travel, without you having to worry about any data running out. If your kids love hearing stories or you want to encourage them to use their tablets less, then audio books are a great way to have fun with the whole family. We highly suggest buying audio books such as the Harry Potter, Roald Dahl collection and The Jungle Book, which are perfect for road trips and can be found on Amazon.
3. DOWNLOAD ROAD TRIP GAMES
We have listed a few apps for the kids which are entertaining and provide the opportunity for kids to use their imagination to the fullest. Toca Boca Blocks is an app which allows kids to create their own universe using blocks, similar to Minecraft and Little Big Planet. A character is chosen which can jump and run around your child’s creation. If you are looking for a multiplayer game, the Game of Life consists of many interactive games, which can be played on various devices and is great in getting the whole family involved. Road Trip Scavenger Hunt is the perfect game to play during a road trip and tests your observation skills. The app chooses an object at random for players to find; first one to see it, achieves the highest points.
4. CREATE A SCRAPBOOK STORY USING AN INSTANT FILM CAMERA
Tip 4: create a scrapbook story using an instant film camera
Taking pictures is a must in any road trip, but creating a story out of your pictures is a lot more special and imaginative. This hack is perfect for kids to capture wonderful memories and turn their normal road trip into an adventure. A normal camera is a common item to pack when travelling, but having an instant film camera makes the road trip more fun and memorable. To make the pictures look even more special, grab yourself a scrapbook, to take during the road trip and whilst the kids are instantly taking pictures, they can then attach the pictures into their own personal scrapbook and create a story.
5. CARPOOL KARAOKE
Tip 5: Carpool Karaoke
Why not let the kids film their own version of carpool karaoke with Disney songs? Using tip number 1, songs can be easily displayed for the kids to sing a long too. Liven up the atmosphere even more with a loudspeaker pod and of course, the parents can join in with the fun too. Get someone to capture these moments using an instant film camera or even record a video.
The rise of technology has ultimately transformed the way children entertain themselves. From apps, games, videos, pictures there is so much for them to explore and have fun. Technology gets you captivated, so bear in mind to also try and create a time where it is tech free, to encourage your children to have some valuable family bonding moments during their road trip.