Rocking Road Trips with Kids
Riding in the car can be difficult for children, especially for long road trips. Parents can struggle with finding ways to entertain children in the car while keeping screen time down so their kids can focus on play that will support their development. One strategy is to bring an outdoor blanket to allow for more movement during breaks. This can help burn off some energy if the weather is nice!
There are ways you can help your child prepare for taking a long trip ahead of time. These can include:
taking short trips to help them get used to the movement of being in the car
if they use a car seat, bringing it into the house and having them sit in it for short periods of time, or having them take turns in it with a favorite doll or stuffed animal
making car rides more enjoyable by playing fun music and singing silly songs, and going to a park or somewhere else your child enjoys
talking to your children about the upcoming trip by telling them where they are going and showing them photos or videos of the area
if you are taking a trip to see people, doing video chats with them or showing your child photos of them may help to get them excited
if they are having a hard time adjusting back to the feeling of the car seat but you are not in a position to go for a drive, you could have them play in another place with a five point harness, such as their high chair, for short periods of time
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am always looking for toys and activities for children that will be both fun and functional. When I am assessing their fine motor skills, I am thinking of what they need to do at their current age, but also what foundational skills they need to have in place to be able to fully function in the future. One of the first things I look for is hand and finger strength. Some fun ways to work on this in the car include:
Along with hand and finger strength, I look at a child's hand dexterity and ability to manipulate objects efficiently, as well as the maturity of their pincer grasp. These skills are needed for self-care tasks such as independent dressing. Some car-friendly ways to support hand dexterity are:
Additionally, I am looking for ways to support a child's success with handwriting in school. Some of these activities utilize a pen-like utensil that supports the development of a tripod grasp. Color Wonder markers allow for fun without the fear of messing up your car seats!
I hope this post gave you some ideas on entertaining your child during your next road trip! Feel free to reach out on social media, contact us or to comment below if you have any questions, or any favorite toys to add to the lists!
