Old-School Vs Electronic Entertainment: Which Is Right For Your Family Road Trip?

Every family road trip comes with its unique moments of shared laughter, sibling squabbles, unplanned road stops, and, most especially, entertainment to keep everyone going. Indeed, spending hours in a car with kids would require knowing and choosing the right kind of games for a family road trip. While some families may lean towards nostalgic, screen-free travel ideas, others may prefer the convenience that comes with using tech devices. Either way, the style of entertainment you choose can make or break the family experience during the road trip. Interestingly, the perfect solution may not even be about using one particular strategy or the other, but rather about ensuring balance and doing what suits everyone best.

Parents tend to struggle with finding the right combination of activities that can keep the whole family relaxed without turning the entire trip into a marathon of boredom. Go for old-school car games that keep screen time away? Or just embrace electronic entertainment for kids and let them enjoy their preferred digital escape? The right answer to these may depend on the children's personalities, age range, and even your specific goals for the trip. So, whether you're heading to coastal towns or national parks, it's always important to think ahead.

Classic old-school car games might feel too simple in today's world, but they still tick the checkbox of games that keep the family road trip entertainment — and connection — alive. Games like I Spy, 20 Questions, and the license plate hunt can be enjoyed together by the whole family, while equally serving as a means of bonding. Moreover, it's worth noting that these old-school games teach values and skills such as patience, critical thinking, and active listening — all of which can further be a plus for the kids' development beyond just entertainment. Other screen-free travel ideas that still work wonders include bringing along printable scavenger hunts, physical books, and travel-sized board games. Of course, adults can (and should) get in on the gaming action. Some of the most entertaining road trip games aren't just for kids. 

With these methods, you can naturally minimize the chances of car sickness, which is more common during extended use of phones or tablets. But of course, these screen-free car activities might require a bit more involvement from parents, as you'll most likely have to initiate and lead the games, especially if you're dealing with younger children. Also, some kids tend not to be immediately thrilled with putting their screens away, but might warm up once they realize how much fun the old-school games can be. The most important thing? You're not just passing time with these safe travel games with the kids, but also building sweet memories for the family.

Let's face it: Electronic entertainment for kids is easily a go-to for so many families, and the reason is not difficult to see. Technology offers ease, as it requires little-to-no stress or planning. You can have a whole world of downloaded movies right in your palms. What about handheld gaming devices or an e-reader that's loaded with books? Tech certainly makes enjoying solo time a breeze, as each child gets to do what they enjoy most — ultimately helping to reduce arguments, keep boredom at bay, and make your road trip so much easier.

If utilized wisely, screens can in fact sometimes play a healthy role during your family road trip. While keeping the kids happily distracted, electronic entertainment could also be a means to sneak in some learning — for instance, by means of interactive educational games or guided drawing tutorials. It can also help to lessen stress for parents, since you wouldn't have to put up with the classic "Are we there yet?" questions from the kids, as long as they're engrossed in their me-times with their headphones and whatnot.

Still, it's essential to understand that extended screen time can lead to eye strain, fatigue, motion sickness, and less engagement the family. Experts recommend encouraging kids to take frequent breaks and switching to more interactive travel games. On a general note, it's advisable to thoughtfully plan your family road trip well ahead and know how best to use electronic devices without replacing real-life connections, as what matters the most is to make your trip memorable — even beyond moments frozen in photos.