Any unexpected fun road trip entertainment ideas for an 8 year old gal? Packed drawing supplies and some Klutz books and she’ll read but does get carsick usually at some point and we’re fine with letting her get bored but always love ideas!

Question

EMILY HILL · Answer

Brains On! Podcast - forever and ever: Super interesting 30 min segments, engaging, fun learning for the whole family. well paced. not annoying.

B. A. Griffin · Answer

Rush Hour: Strategic thinking, several levels of difficulty. Ours came with a little bag to keep all the pieces wrangled (I assume that it’s still included). My son was a fan of this one on long road trips, and even just to kill a drive to the grocery store.

Anniebraves · Answer

Waterfuls : I purchased these for my 10 and 8 year old recently for a road trip and they are really fun.

Sarah S · Answer

podcasts!: Some favs:

Greeking out

Brains on

Million bazillion

Smash boom best

Sophie · Answer

Friendship bracelets kit: Mess-free entertainment for analog summer

Kate · Answer

Trivia for Kids

E.T. · Answer

Rory's Story Cubes Voyages: For kids and grown-ups alike. A fun activity to bring out in waiting rooms, car rides, restaurants, or anywhere with idle time.

Erin Boyle · Answer

Eleanor Amplified: all i want is more of this. truly the best roadtripping stories  for whole hours of squabble-free traveling with kids.

grace cady · Answer

surprise bags!: we took A LOT of roadtrips when i was little and my mom would pack surprises / activities in paper bags and we’d get to open one whenever we crossed a state line, though you could spread them out however you want depending on your route. it gave us activities to do (like all the recs here!) but spread them out over time and gave us something to look forward to.

Julia · Answer

Click Counter: Count the red cars.

Count the number of license plates with a G in it.

Count the number of exits you pass.

Count the dogs.

Unicorns · Answer

Popashot: Tape a crappy one of these to passenger seat so it faces their seat. Tie Blanket/sheet under car seat up to passenger seat will allow them to get the ball.

playdough on a cookie tray also is good for 30mins

Megan · Answer

Plus Plus blocks: So much easier to pack that Lego and you can make endless creations out of them!

Courtney · Answer

Lite-Brite Touch - Create, Play and Animate: I recently bought this for my 3 girls (ages 3-9) to share on a road trip. Absolutely worth it. Low stim. Engaging without being annoying. Kind of zen. And the antithesis of the original bc there is only ONE PIECE. Not a thousand.

Lucia L · Answer

California Birds Pocket Guide: A pocket guide for the areas you are traveling through.

Amy · Answer

cheerios.com: Give her a long piece of yarn and a ziplock of cheerios to make cheerio necklace. You can use scotch tape on one end to make it easier to thread. Then eat it!

Quinn Trail · Answer

ByronStatics Portable CD Player, Pink: Take her to pick out a few CDs and let her listen and flip through the booklet and get mesmerized by her favorite artist. My favorite thing to do as a kid in the car.

Liz Turow · Answer

the mixed up files of basil e frankweiler audiobook: Seconding the audiobook recommendation! My 8 yr old loved this one. I can also recommend The Phantom Tollbooth (narrated by Dwight from the office!) and A Series of Unfortunate Events (narrated by Tim Curry!)

Sam · Answer

Audiobooks: Try audiobooks! We've used them with success on many a long road trip (we've actually gotten groans when we have to stop the audiobook because everyone gets so invested in it!)

Ginny Branch · Answer

Car Snackle Box: I’ve done versions of this before with craft container bins but what’s nice about ones like these is the size of the storage containers AND the fact that they can be removed. I got some for the front seat and the back seat so we all had plenty of options to suit our different palettes:)

I plan on making a grownup one charcuterie snack box for the beach and then the other one with lots of kiddo options!

Jordan Zarwel · Answer

yoto player: Books, podcasts, music all in one. If she needs to do something with her hands while listening, get her  a Jacob’s ladder string or she could fingerknit too!

Natalie · Answer

Roadside America: I’ve spent a lot of time on road trips and my favorite activity is going to roadside attractions.This app tells you which ones are along your route. I’ve seen some pretty fascinating stuff like the world’s largest hot dog. Definitely recommend if your 8 year old needs to take car breaks!

Mandy · Answer

Pipsticks Puffy Space Aliens Stickers: Puffy stickers that she can put on the window and (usually) come off :)

Jess · Answer

Conversation cards: Deep, silly, thoughtful, and serious questions to launch conversations are popular with me. My kids get to share their ideas and I get to know them better. I got a pack as a gift once but now just make my own. Throw in some Proust questionnaire questions and some would you rather questions! It’s surprisingly fun.

Noelle · Answer

Paper map to navigate with: Buy her a paper map or atlas and give her a highlighter and pencil. Let her navigate along with you and take notes on the map of the things she finds noteworthy.

chels · Answer

terrestrials - podcast for kids: or anyone, really. these are so fun, engaging, and everyone on the road trip will learn so much! sing along to the theme song, and be filled with wonder!

Anne G · Answer

Folding puzzle book

Ashlie · Answer

Wikki Stix Rainbow Pak: Both my kids love these.  Minimal mess and maximum fun.  :)

Juliana · Answer

but why podcast: I recommend adventuring into the world of not-insufferable kids' podcasts (most are insufferable sadly). Our favorites are "But Why?" by Vermont Public Radio and "Sound Detectives." My kids also really like Arthur, though it might be a little young for an eight-year-old.

Lida Richardson · Answer

The Alphabet Game: pretty basic but I used to love this game when I was a kid! Just finding the letters of the alphabet in order on signs. The beautiful challenge of Qs and Zs.