Bring Books Along for the Ride

Passing the time on a family road trip can be a lot of fun, or it can be an exercise in patience all the way from Point A to Point B. When the former is desired, a little preparation can go a long way. Bringing along a good book or several of them, for example, can make the miles pass faster for everyone in the car.

There are a few ways to make reading work very well in the car. The best route to take will depend a lot on the age of your children. Some ideas to make storytelling a fun way to make the time fly by include:

• Having everyone bring a book for quiet reading – If your children are older, you can each bring along a book or two for the road. Minus the driver, everyone can read at set times during the trip so a little peace and quiet rules for a while.
• Reading out loud – If the children are not old enough to read, grab some books that are appropriate for the entire family. Read the story out loud. This way even the driver can get involved. If the children are older, try reading round-robin style so they get some practice reading aloud.

Reading is a great way to help the miles pass quickly during a road trip. Whether your family chooses to read quietly or enjoy a verbal exchange, there is nothing like a good story to pass the time.