We asked readers of Minnesota Parent This Week, our weekly e-newsletter, for their favorite tips for staying sane on a road trip with kids.
Comfortable clothes and a full tummy!
— Tasha Fox, Mankato
We use a portable DVD player or Ipad, books, and handheld games. We also sing along with our favorite songs on Spotify. You need to make sure to get out and stretch. It’s not like when I was a kid and I was all over the car. Now kids are strapped into a car seat or by a seat belt. I remember sleeping in the back end of the station wagon with my brother and the family dog. Thank goodness I made it.
— Robert Schatt, Bloomington
We leave at night and drive while the kids are asleep — and fly when possible.
— Jeremy Hawley, Milaca
We rent books on CD from the library. One way a younger child can read Harry Potter when they don’t know the words by sight is on car trips. We also bring word-find books and colored pencils (they don’t get all over your car).
— Tina Lorsung, Oakdale
My husband makes up silly games. For example, everyone guesses what the driver looks like in the car in front of us. As we pass the car, whoever described the person the closest wins!
— Alicia Zetah, St. Paul
Make it a priority for everyone to get out and stretch periodically.
— Paul Nelson, Minneapolis
Whenever we travel on an interstate road trip, I always make sure each kid has an age-appropriate atlas to page through. It keeps them busy for hours as they track our progress through various states and read fun facts about our country.
— Danielle Burgess, Minnetrista
