You might recall road trips from your youth being endlessly long, drawn-out affairs with your parents being bombarded with the question “Are we there yet?” While a long time on the road can be fraught with frustration, boredom and arguments, it can also be a great bonding experience. Keletso Mpisane, Head of Blink by MiWay, shares some ideas on how to turn family road trips into golden memories.

Sharing is caring: Why shared planning makes for a safer road trip
With the Easter weekend around the corner, South Africans are eagerly planning their first getaway of th year, and for many families are preparing for the quintessential road trip. However, for parents, the thought of long hours in the car with restless kids can be overwhelming.

“Keeping your little ones entertained, while maintaining safety, is crucial to making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination,” says Head of Blink by MiWay, Keletso Mpisane. She adds that “family road trips give us time to slow down, embrace the adventure and experience new parts of the beautiful country we call home.”

While mobile devices are a sure-fire way to keep the back seaters quiet, it also limits interaction, which reduces bonding. Phones and tablets can be a blessing at times, but create space for some device-free time to bring family and friends closer together. So let’s explore some practical, fun and creative ways to keep children engaged on the road, from toys and sing-alongs to in-car games and well-planned rest stops.

Entertainment on the go
Toys can either be a lifesaver or a headache on long trips. That’s why not just any toy will do – the trick is to pack ones that are engaging, safe, and mess-free. Putting together a “road trip toy box” filled with toys kids love but won’t distract the driver is a good first step. Soft toys and plushies are great for younger kids, while magnetic puzzle games and activity books or novels can keep teens entertained.

Interactive toys such as handheld drawing boards or travel-sized building blocks allow for quiet play, while keeping the kids’ hands and minds busy. As a mother herself, Mpisane notes that “it’s important to avoid toys with small parts that could get lost in the car or pose a choking hazard.”

Safety is key, so choosing items that are soft and secure reduces the risk of injury in case of sudden stops or turns.

Sing-alongs and a good road trip playlist
What’s a road trip without music? Creating a family-friendly playlist before you hit the road sets the tone for a fun adventure.

You can skip the classics like “The Wheels on the Bus” because kids these days have a wide range of musical preferences they would rather sing-along to. That’s why Mpisane recommends “getting your kids to contribute to the playlist by letting them pick some of their favourite songs. This way they have something to look forward to.”

If you have older children, they may enjoy making song requests or guessing the next tune. And if your teen is obsessed with a particular musician or actor, finding a podcast featuring people they admire can help you bond over their interests.

Another great trick is to turn the playlist into a game – try a karaoke session where everyone gets to perform their favourite song. It’s not just about passing the time; music can also create lasting memories and put everyone in a good mood.

Turn the journey into a fun competition
No road trip would be complete without a few rounds of classic car games. Games like “I Spy” and “20 Questions” have been family favourites for decades and can easily be tailored to your child’s age group. If you’re looking to shake things up, try the alphabet game, where kids spot items outside the window starting with each letter of the alphabet.

For a more competitive edge, introduce the game of “Cricket”, where participants count the number of white cars they see. One team counts white cars (the most common found on the road) while the other counts cars of different colours. The twist? When you pass a red car the count resets to zero… or the teams can swap colours. This simple but fun game encourages children to stay alert and can spark some friendly sibling rivalry.

Storytelling is another engaging way to pass the time. Ask your children to come up with a story to share with everyone in the car. You can even start a group storytelling session where each family member adds a line or two, building the story together. This sparks creativity and conversation, while also providing lots of laughter along the way.

It can add to the fun by turning the voice recorder on your phone on to record the singing or storytelling, firstly simply for a fun memory keepsake, but also to record any moments of storytelling brilliance you might want to type out for future memories… or maybe even to record to type out to work on and submit to a magazine or even a publisher.

It’s also an incredible memory keepsake to share to listen to on future holidays as the kid grow up and have their own kids. It’s a great way to encourage bonding through remembering those great moments from the past.

Make regular rest stops
“Rest stops are essential for safe, long-distance car journeys,” stresses Mpisane. Both parents and children get a much-needed break and everyone can stretch their legs and take in the sights, or breathe in the fresh air of small towns you might be stopping at for the first time ever.

But rest stops don’t have to be purely functional. Involve your kids in planning these breaks by allowing them to pick an activity they’d like to do once you get there, such as visiting a park, museum, historica sit or even just grabbing an ice cream. This builds a sense of anticipation not just for the final destination but for the whole journey.

Before your trip, Mpisane advises parents to “research scenic spots or child-friendly stops along your route. This can turn a mundane break into a mini-adventure, giving the whole family something to look forward to.”

Road trip safety: keeping distractions at bay
Keeping kids entertained is essential, but road safety should also remain a top priority. “Distracted driving, especially with restless children in the back seat, can be a major safety concern,” warns Mpisane. “By planning ahead and creating an environment where everyone is engaged and entertained, you can minimise dangerous distractions.”

Snacks, toys, music, and games all play a part in keeping kids occupied, but it’s also important to remember that regular breaks help to avoid meltdowns and keep your passengers happy. “By turning the drive into a fun experience, you can reduce the stress of the journey and create cherished memories with your family,” says the digital insurance head.

With a bit of creativity and planning, your next family road trip can be a stress-free and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Main photo: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels