Before our long weekend getaway, my kids are practically bouncing off the walls, eager for a glimpse of what’s packed away. But I hold my ground—if I give in, I lose my edge. For families like ours, holiday travels can feel like a marathon—especially when we pile into our not-so-spotless minivan. Each family member takes their designated spot, and we’re off.
In the past, we could barely make it five minutes down the road before the chorus of complaints began: “I’m bored!” Of course, once one child says it, the others chime in with their own grievances—“When are we getting to Grandma’s? Four hours? That’s an eternity! Did anyone bring snacks? Ugh, not that kind of granola bar! Who farted? Mom! That’s disgusting! Can we listen to Taylor Swift? No way, I want Imagine Dragons! Can we watch a movie? It’s my turn to pick! I refuse to watch Frozen again! Mom, make him stop singing! I can’t hear anything!”
Now, I know you’re thinking, “Just hand them a device!” But since we limit screen time at home, we do the same during car rides. We might allow devices for part of the journey, but not the whole trip. So, I had to find a solution to keep my kids engaged for several hours.
I’ve got a tween, a preteen, a first grader, and a preschooler, and fairness is key; otherwise, I’m stuck mediating complaints for an hour. One year, as we prepped for another trip, I stumbled upon a mom hack that transformed our travel experience.
While cleaning out our closet, I discovered a stash of old but usable backpacks. Instead of tossing them, I decided to repurpose them for our travels. After a quick wash, I gathered some supplies from our playroom: free pencil cases from the library, a mix of washable markers, crayons, and pencils. I also found mini-clipboards and a slew of stickers that I attached to each one. Then, I scoured our collection of coloring books and grabbed some for each child, along with a few spiral notebooks.
My kids love to cozy up during the ride, so we always bring blankets. But I also thought about comfort items. I added a small stuffed animal for each child to their backpacks.
Next, I rummaged through their rooms for books. I pulled out old favorites and some that had been pushed aside on shelves. Magazines and toy catalogs that arrive in the mail also make great distractions.
I tossed in a few small toys too, adhering to some strict rules: no slime or dough, no tiny parts that would never return home, and nothing noisy that might drive me to distraction. I opted for action figures, little cars, fidget toys, and card games. Occasionally, I might treat them to a small new toy or book, wrapped up for added excitement, which I strategically place on the console to build anticipation.
If you’re feeling adventurous, consider adding snacks and water bottles; however, I skip this step because my kids would demolish everything in the first ten minutes, leaving us with nothing later.
We typically kick off our road trips with some backpack time, then switch to a movie. After a lunch break—where we even do mandatory jumping jacks in the parking lot—we allow some device time before returning to the backpacks.
The backpack trick is also fantastic because the kids can carry their own gear, whether we stop at a restaurant or visit relatives who expect them to behave. They can lug their bags around, knowing they’re packed with their favorite activities.
As we gear up for several car trips over the next month and a half, the backpacks are ready and waiting. My kids look forward to these travel packs every time; it’s like Christmas morning in the car with their favorite forgotten treasures. I occasionally tidy them up, swapping out old items for new ones.
Within moments of leaving home, my kids eagerly open their backpacks, excited to see what surprises await. Meanwhile, my partner and I enjoy the quiet, sipping coffee from a drive-thru and tuning into music we love.
It’s the little things that make traveling with kids a bit less stressful and much more enjoyable. For more tips on home insemination and parenting, check out this article on home insemination. If you’re seeking expert insights, Intracervical Insemination is a great resource. And for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, Progyny offers excellent articles.
In summary, the ‘Backpack Trick’ is a simple yet effective way to enhance family road trips, keeping kids entertained and making the journey more enjoyable for everyone involved.