If you’re a mom or dad who’s ever braved a family road trip, then you know there are two things you can count on: 1) Someone will ask to use the bathroom approximately every 27 minutes, and 2) If the kids aren’t entertained, thIf you’re a mom or dad who’s ever braved a family road trip, then you know there are two things you can count on:
- Someone will ask to use the bathroom approximately every 27 minutes, and
- If the kids aren’t entertained, they will turn into giggling gremlins—or start a full-on backseat battle over invisible armrest space.
We recently packed up for a good old-fashioned family camping road trip, and while I was mentally preparing for the chaos, I also packed our secret weapons: Crayola crayons, markers, travel games, and totes to carry (and organize) all the essentials.
But before I dive into road trip hacks for parents, let me give you a little peek into my crew.
Meet My Snack-Loving, Giggle-Prone Family
We have three kids. Each one with their own… flavor. But the standout road trip MVP (and sometimes chaos commander) is our middle son — lovingly nicknamed with his full name plus “Snacks” at the end. Seriously. The kid could turn down screen time before he’d ever say no to a snack.
We always make sure to have an ice chest packed with string cheese, fruit pouches, trail mix, crackers, and juice boxes — or else we risk facing the Wrath of the Snackless Middle Child. One time, I handed him a bag of pretzels and he said, “Thanks, that’ll hold me over until second snack.”
That gives you a pretty good idea of our vibe.
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Crayola: Our Creative Lifesaver on the Road
Before we hit the road, I prepped our travel activity tote — which included:
- Crayola Twistables crayons
- Crayola washable markers
- Coloring books and blank sketch pads
The kids loved creating their own “campground comic books,” drawing maps of “imaginary hiking trails” and designing flags for their tents. These kinds of creative road trip activities made hours fly by and helped keep the peace between snack breaks.
🖍 Pro parent tip: Twistables don’t melt in hot cars. Your seats (and sanity) will thank you.
Creative Road Trip Tips for Families With Little Kids
If you’re planning a camping trip with young kids, here are some of our favorite family road trip tips and tricks that make the journey smoother (and way more fun).
🖍 1. Pack a DIY Road Trip Art Kit
Perfect for road trip activities for toddlers and big kids alike! Fill a tote or tackle box with:
- Twistable crayons or washable markers
- Mini sketch pads
- Stickers for decorating water bottles or car windows
- Painter’s tape (to display finished art without damaging anything)
🎨 Great for creative travel activities that don’t involve screens.
🎶 2. Create a “Family Soundtrack”
Let everyone choose 3–5 songs and create a playlist that becomes your trip’s personal soundtrack. It’s an easy way to boost the mood — and helps make family memories on the go. Our boys love country music, including “good news” by Shaboozy.
🚙 3. Turn the Car Into a Rolling Story Factory
One of our go-to road trip games for kids: collaborative storytelling! Start with “Once upon a time…” and let each person add a line. You’ll laugh, bond, and maybe even forget how far you still have to go. On our way home from camp my middle son from the Greene trio we can call him Mr. Snacks was telling some whoppers from fishing. Including catching a fish with his toe. DID NOT HAPPEN, but he swears it did.
🧺 4. Snack Stations Save the Day
Skip the mess and squabbles by prepping individual snack boxes before your trip. We use lunch containers or silicone bento boxes to fill with:
- Goldfish
- Trail mix
- Apple slices
- Crackers or mini muffins
🍎 These snack ideas for road trips are simple, packable, and tantrum-proof.
📸 5. Give the Kids a “Photo Mission”
This is one of our favorite road trip activities for kids: Give them a kid-safe camera or let them use your phone (on airplane mode) to take pictures of cool signs, animals, or anything blue. Turn it into a photo scavenger hunt!
🏕 6. Embrace Campground Creativity
Once you reach the campsite, keep the fun going with camping activities for kids:
- Glow stick dance parties
- Rock painting
- Nature scavenger hunts
- Drawing campground maps
- Making campsite flags with paper and markers
These camping with kids ideas keep little ones engaged while giving you a minute to set up (or sip some coffee in your camping chair).
Final Thoughts: Choose Joy (and Extra Snacks)
Camping with kids is always a little chaotic, but it’s also magical. You won’t remember every mile, but you’ll remember the laughter, the silly games, and the Crayola masterpieces taped to the windows.
So if you’re heading out on your own family road trip adventure, remember this:
Pack snacks, bring markers, embrace the mess — and enjoy the journey.
Because family travel is never perfect, but it’s perfectly worth it.
