Another chime in for ‘counting stuff’. With a four year old even something as simple as counting red cars or finding patterns eg: find a red car, then a blue car, than a green car and back to red again or counting motobikes.
Or the could collect the alphabet. using signs, plates etc.
We even used to count road kill.
One favourite was if you found 3 white horses and a black dog you got to make a wish (I kinda think my dad made that one up) but we used to be glued to the passing paddocks looking for white horses.
My family used to drive from Boca Raton, Fl to Litchfield, Ct every summer. It was a three leg journey, the stops were at relatives’ houses. The first leg was from Boca to Daytona (6 hours), the second from Daytona to Baltimore (10 hours) and the last was Baltimore to Litchfield (6 hours). We children were 4, 9, and 12, and were crammed into a Volvo station wagon.
My parents provided us with plenty of books, coloring books, and small toys. The most important rule for my Father’s sanity, however, was that we were not allowed to talk.
On the drive back, my parents would stay in Motels that had a pool, and ajoining rooms. That way, they could shut us in our room, we would go wild, and they would decompress.
The no talking rule may sound harsh, but twenty five years later, and doing my own car trips, I like the idea.
3 kids in a station wagon Seattle - Sacramento (13 hours) many many times starting when the youngest was 2. And in my parents’ best drive - Seattle to NY in 3 days in a mini-van. They didn’t really believe in stopping.
But according to them, all fairly good at entertaining ourselves. I remember bringing books, a few small toys, paper dolls, and a lot of twenty questions and license plate games.
Well, you’ve got lots of good suggestions for activities in the car, so I’ll add a few other thoughts: Hotels; get a hotel or motel that offers a “deluxe continental breakfast”; these are much superior to standard continental breakfasts, and breakfast for four in a McDonald’s would be less healthy and easily run $20.00. Make lunch a sit-down meal, as this will be less expensive than dinner being the sit-down meal. If you are near your hotel at dinner time, try getting burgers from a drive-thru and eating in your hotel room; this way the kids can run around and run of energy while you guys eat; or you can try to find a fast-food place with a play court. Those play courts are invaluable, too, when the kids just can’t stand to be cooped up in the car any more. Just look for a PlayLand or some such, and stop for a drink or ice cream cone and let the kids play for a bit. Also, take a Frisbee, soft play ball, etc. so they can play for a bit at rest areas.
There is a web site: roomsaver.com that has hotel and motel discount coupons. The coupons all list the amenities available (pool, free breakfast, in-room coffee, etc.) and, IME, are about 40% cheaper than renting the same room without the coupon. If you’re not sure ahead of time just where you’ll be stopping, just stop by a library that offers internet access, and check out and print the coupons from there. While you can’t use these to make reservations, you can call ahead of time to check how good availability is for that night. We usually pick two or three for each city we’ll be stopping in, so that if our first choice doesn’t have rooms available, we have a fall-back plan.
A small tape recorder or digital recorder can provide lots of entertainment. The 8YO can probably learn to operate it. Most kids LOVE hearing their own voice – over and over and over… They can record themselves singing, telling stories, making funny noises. They can play reporter and record interviews with other people in the car.
The Klutz kid travel book if full of activities. The Klutz books in general are wonderful; I frequently give them as birthday gifts. Another one that is good in the car is the kootie catcher book.
Back in the early 70’s one of my friends was on a family vacation driving from Michigan to Florida. 5 kids packed in the station wagon. Mom and dad up front. The whole enchirito waiting to asplode.
Her brother - about 11 - took along his tape recorder with one song on it. His favorite song. That he listened too over and over and over and over again.
And so did everyone else. Because headphones for tape recorders back then did not exist.
The song?
Strangers in the Night.
By the time their avocado green station wagon with fake wood paneling reached southern Ohio, Dad reached into the back seat, grabbed the tape recorder and heaved it out of the car window when he was driving at 90 mph.
Every time I think about this it reduces me to a fit of giggles.
My family used to take car trips quite freqently. Not that we actually went on vacation, because with 5 kids you can’t afford vacations, but to visit relatives. I had 3 sisters that got carsick at the drop of a hat. Fortunately, the twins used to fall asleep before we left the city limits, so that wasn’t so bad. Because I was the smallest I’d have to sit up front between mom and dad. Either that or be stuck lying on the ledge from the rear window. Anyway, we’d sing a lot of songs. Play “Name the State Capitol” or “Name the President”. Roadsign Bingo. More singing. We’d frequently play “Are we there yet??” Or “Don’t make me stop this car!”, but for the most part we were good (because we were expected to be good) and happy.
Consider - for the long days - leaving very early in the morning. If you are lucky, the kids will fall back asleep and sleep from 5:00 am until 8:00 am. Then you can stop for a potty break and ply them with hostess brown wax covered mini donuts and orange juice for another hour worth of trip.
I remember my mom doling out m&ms one at a time every minute (she had a stopwatch and we’d suck on them to make them last the minute). And the car games. And, of course, poking my sister until my dad would yell “Could you just give me FIVE MINUTES of peace and quiet!” We did sixteen hour car trips twice a year growing up to visit relatives.
A great game, that is also educational. We call it “Country, city…”; don’t know if there’s a generic English-language name for it.
One person starts reciting the alphabet under his/her breath (good for the 4 y.o. right there!). Another says “stop” at some point. Person number 1 states which letter they have reached.
Now, have each of the children name at least one Country that starts with this letter. Then a city. Then an animal, a vegetable, a “mineral”; then a boy’s name and a girl’s name; then… well, whatever category you like. We usually add “Famous Person” (pop and sports stars NOT allowed ) and “Occupation”.
The beauty of this game is that it requires absolutely no equipment, is highly educational while being fun at the same time, can be played (as I suggested) in a non-competitive fashion (like when you have an age difference like you mentioned), and often ends up giving the grownups a good mental workout, too… (quick - name an animal starting with Q!)
All in all, though, having BTDT, I must say that you have my utmost sympathy…
My wife and I have 5 kids who are within 5 years of each other. We have driven from CO to eastern PA and back a large number of times. Yes, you are crazy.
Seriously, you have already gotten most of our tricks. When the kids were small, we would often drive at night, because they travel better passed out. We did have the advantage of a full sized van, so we could play tapes. Believe it or not, the first time we did this trip, we had 7 kids along, plus a boxer. I’ve even driven to Atlanta by myself.
Listen to the advice above, and remember to stay calm. Don’t worry about messes and spills. Don’t worry about missing a turn or two, you can always come back. Remember, if you stress, the kids will stress.
