Family vacations are often the best time of summer, but reaching the destination is rarely as pleasant. Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to keep yourself busy on a long and boring road trip. To get started, make sure you have everything you need, including snacks, pillows, and comfortable clothes. Once you're done with the preparations, you can try out different activities to pass the time until you get to your destination.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare for the Long Road Trip
Step 1. Decide how to sit down
Before getting in the car, decide how to allocate seats. The seats next to the window offer the best view, or you may prefer to have the back seat all to yourself so you can lie down and take a nap. If possible, change places from time to time, so that you don't always see the same view.
Try not to complain about your seat. If you are traveling with many people, someone must take the seat in the middle of the back seat
Step 2. Wear comfortable clothes
On the day of departure, put on something light and loose that you can hold for hours without problems. T-shirt and jeans or jumpsuit are a good combination. Also try on shoes that you can take off and put on quickly when you stop.
- If the weather is hot, wear a short-sleeved shirt. If it's cold, put on a jacket so you don't shiver in the car.
- Your primary concern should be comfort, not looks. Nobody will judge your appearance at gas stations.
Step 3. Take two suitcases with you
Slip most of your belongings (including clothes, hygiene items, and electronics) into the first and put them in the trunk, while the second keep everything you think you will need in the car. This way, you will always have something to do.
- Make sure your carry-on is not so big that it annoys you or takes up valuable legroom. In most cases, a backpack, briefcase or canvas bag will suffice.
- In the second bag you can keep books, magazines, a tablet or other portable electronic device, a diary or small games and hobbies.
Step 4. Bring some snacks
Packaged products are the most comfortable, because they do not spoil and do not need to be reheated. Crackers, energy bars, a mix of nuts, chocolate and water will give you the energy to endure the endless drive without becoming short-tempered.
- If you have space, fill a small cooler bag with healthier snacks, like fresh fruit and yogurt.
- Eating something will keep hunger under control and you won't have to stop as often.
Method 2 of 4: Pass the Time
Step 1. Find a comfortable position
It is not easy to relax in a packed car. Try keeping a pillow on your legs and leaning forward above your knees, or placing it to the side of the headrest so you can fall asleep with the sun on your face. If there is enough space, you may even be able to put your feet on the dashboard or lie down diagonally so that your legs are straight.
Remember, safety first: always keep your seat belt fastened for the duration of the journey, even if you are uncomfortable
Step 2. Take a nap
Long car journeys are perfect for catching up on lost sleep, especially if you leave early in the morning. Don't forget the pillow at home, so you'll have something to rest your head on. Once awake, you will be closer to your destination by a few hours.
A face mask and earplugs can help block out unwanted lights and noises so you can sleep peacefully
Step 3. Read a book
Put at least a couple of volumes in the bag you keep handy and take them out when you feel like enjoying a quiet activity. Reading is a great way to fight boredom and take your mind off the miles ahead.
- Pick a bestseller or famous novel that doesn't require too much concentration.
- Reading in cars makes some people nauseous. If you start to feel the symptoms of motion sickness, take a break for a few minutes.
Step 4. Put a notebook in the bag
Put a pen and paper in your hand luggage. This way, you can scribble or write down your thoughts in moments of boredom. Long car journeys are also perfect occasions to finish homework.
- Pass the notebook to a friend and play Tic-tac-toe, Hangman or Forza 4.
- Bring out your creative side by writing a diary, poem or short story.
Step 5. Play a word game
Challenge yourself to find the most foreign license plates or solve complex riddles. Word games are great because they only require imagination. Here are some other popular pastimes:
- " I see", where one player describes an object around or inside the vehicle and the others try to guess which one it is.
- " 20 questions", in which each player can ask up to 20 questions to be answered yes or no, in order to get to guess the name of a person, a place or an object.
- " Would you prefer", where one player describes two possible scenarios and the others have to say which one they prefer.
- " Six degrees of separation", where one player says the title of a random movie and the others have to link an actor in a series of other movies until they revert to the original one.
Step 6. Chat
Use the time together to talk about the latest events in your lives or discuss this and that to kill time. You will be sharing a limited space for hours, so consider it a date together.
- Ask all the people in the car to tell the funniest joke they know or share a good story they have lived.
- Write down some provocative questions that you can use as a starting point for a conversation if you can't think of things to say anymore.
Method 3 of 4: Keeping Committed to Using Technology
Step 1. Listen to the music
Save your favorite songs to an iPod or other portable MP3 player so you can hear them whenever you want. You can also use programs like Spotify, iTunes or Pandora to stream an almost infinite amount of songs. If the radio is on in the car, choose the station by mutual agreement.
Make sure you put some earphones in your bag, otherwise you may have trouble hearing the music and may annoy other passengers
Step 2. Watch a movie or TV series
Thanks to modern technology, you can now enjoy your favorite programs anywhere. Use your smartphone or tablet to stream videos on services like Netflix, Hulu or similar. You can even improvise a group screening for all the people in the back seat!
- Make sure everyone has a choice of what to see if you only need to share one device.
- If internet reception is a problem, buy a portable DVD player that you can pack in your bag.
Step 3. Write to your friends
Send messages to your group at home and update them on the trip. This allows you to keep in touch with them when you are away.
- You can only follow this advice if you are traveling to areas where cellular reception is sufficient.
- Don't forget to bring a charger (or even better a car charger) with you, so you can recharge your phone at every stop.
Step 4. Share your experiences on social media
Update your followers on what's happening on the go by posting statuses on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Spend a few minutes every day uploading photos, status updates, and even reviews of popular restaurants, museums, and attractions. This is a great way to document your travels and stay connected to everything happening in your social circle while you are away.
- Come up with a unique hashtag for your vacation, so you can group all the posts under a single label.
- Make sure you turn on the phone's location service as well. This allows those who follow you to see all the places you have visited.
Method 4 of 4: Enjoy the Journey
Step 1. Imagine a dream itinerary
Think of everything you'd like to see and do once you arrive at your destination. At that point, pick one or two of those things and try to make them a reality. With the right preparation, you will be able to make the most of your downtime.
- Don't limit yourself - the perfect adventure for you can include a swim with dolphins, attending a music festival and a hike to the highest mountain in the area.
- Consider the budget at your disposal and the duration of the trip when thinking about the program; you probably won't have the time or money to go parasailing, diving, learning to climb, and seeing the entire city in a two-day trip.
Step 2. Take photos
Start documenting your travel experiences. Look for interesting points and breathtaking views along the way that deserve to be immortalized. If you don't particularly like photos of that type, then also take some funny selfies with your friends or siblings to laugh at later.
- If you are an aspiring photographer, you can also invest in a quality camera that takes great photographs to print when you return.
- Create a digital scrapbook to commemorate the holiday and share the best moments with friends and family when you get home.
Step 3. Find out about the destination of the trip
If you're heading to a place you've never visited before, take some time to research the history, geography, and culture of the place. You can usually find a lot of interesting information in tourist guides, street maps, brochures or on the internet.
Write a list of the notions you have learned and use it to take a quiz for friends and family
Step 4. Enjoy the view along the way
Find out what the local beauties are and plan some stops to take a closer look at them. Our planet is full of breathtaking geographic formations, wonderful natural phenomena and curious attractions. Seeing some of these things with your own eyes will make the vacation even more memorable.
- Use the information you learned earlier to find out what is worth seeing along the way.
- Remember that you will not be able to make too many stops if there is a risk of arriving late.
Step 5. Ask for a break if you can't resist anymore
An occasional break from the car trip gives everyone a chance to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs. Afterwards, you will feel fresher and more ready to take on the rest of the journey.
- Stop at gas stations rather than rest areas. There you will have the opportunity to buy something to eat and stock up on provisions. Rest areas don't have much to offer other than public toilets.
- It's a good idea to go to the bathroom whenever you can, even if you don't feel the urge. You can't know how long it will be before the next stop.
Step 6. Make the most of your trip
Try to keep a positive mindset. No one finds a long drive to be fun, but these experiences can become particularly unbearable if all passengers are in a bad mood. After all, you have the opportunity to have an exciting vacation with your loved ones; what's better?
Don't feel like you always have to fill the silence. In some cases, everyone needs some peace and quiet
Advice
- Get a good rest in the evening before you leave. A nap in the car with driving jolts is no substitute for a good night's sleep.
- Take advantage of all the opportunities to charge your electronic devices.
- You must carry your license with you if you intend to drive.
- If you start to feel the symptoms of motion sickness, try to look far ahead, straight ahead.
Warnings
- Pay attention to how much you drink while traveling. If you overdo it, you will be forced to stop more often.
- Do what you can not to annoy the driver or other passengers. Nervousness can make the climate in the car very unpleasant.
