The Ultimate List of Conversation Starters: Road Trips with Kids

road trip kids

Road trips with children are fun!

Truly, they can be.  I know you are thinking that road trips with kids are synonymous with overwhelming feelings and dread but I believe that preparations are key to having a successful drive.  Starting with your expectations is number one.  It is up to us, as parents, to set our family up for success on a road trip. We can’t expect our children to act a certain way when we have not clearly communicated our expectations.

Road trip conversation starters for kids helps to create opportunities for a successful road trip!  

One quick side note about planning your road trip -  don't forget these five things that are commonly overlooked on your travel budget!

Communicate before the road trip begins.

 

  • How long the trip is.
  • How many stops are planned
  • What food/snacks will be
  • Screen limits

Our children look to us to guide them and we have an opportunity to do that in something as simple as a road trip.  By telling our kids about expectations before getting in the car we are teaching them to plan ahead. We are teaching them to communicate. We are teaching them that vacations are not magic and require everyone working together.

We are not anti-screen but we seriously limit our children’s exposure.  They can absolutely watch a movie or play a game but we don’t allow that at the beginning of our road trip.  Depending on the length of the trip we will give them a time to expect they can get on the screen. If they ask before the designated time then their screen time is pushed back.  On average, I'd say we allow them to get on a screen ¼ of the way into our drive. But that doesn’t mean they have free use of it the rest of the trip. However, there are many road trips that our kids haven’t used a screen at all.  We make this possible by having other things for them to do.

This means we, as parents, have to participate.

One of our favorite things to do is ask questions and have everyone answer.  It opens up great dialogue and often turns into very silly conversation. It allows us to connect with our children by listening to their answers and getting to know them on an entirely different level than the basic conversations we have with them on a daily basis.  Listening to what they have to say shows them that we WANT to hear them and are genuinely interested in what they have to share.

These road trip conversation starters for kids that we have compiled below is a great (and free) way to open dialogue with your family!

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Road Trip with kids

Be sure to pin this ultimate list of conversation starters for your road trip. Letting your older children take turns reading the questions with you may make them a more willing participate.  Allowing them to read and lead the conversation can help those continue to develop those skills as well!

Road Trip Conversation Starters for Kids

If...

you could travel anywhere in a hot air balloon where would you go?

you have to choose would you rather never cut your hair again or your fingernails?

you were to write a book, what would it be about?

you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

you could breathe underwater but what would you do?

you and mom could switch places for one day, what would you do?

you were a superhero, what would your power be?

you could defy gravity how would you sleep?

you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

there was a movie of your life what would the title be?

you could build something what would it be?

you had a garden what would you plant?

you had a band what would your band name be?

you could develop an app, what would it be?

the school was run by children what would be the top three rules?

you swallow gum does it take seven years to digest?

you could trade places with an animal for a day which animal would it be?

you were granted three wishes what would you wish?

you found a treasure map would you follow it?

you wrote a book what would it be about?

you could only have one type of cookie, what would it be?

you owned a store what would you sell?

you were paid $5,000 would you live alone for  one month?

What...

would your pirate name be?

is the household chore you dislike the most?  Which do you like?

you rather be hot or cold?

is love?

is your favorite snack?

is your favorite holiday smell?

would animals say if they could talk?

was the last time you helped someone in need?

should be included in a playground that is not?

does your ideal family day look like?

is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

famous person would you like to meet? Why?

is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?

is your favorite song?

 is your dream car?

song does this scenery make you think of?

are you proud of in yourself?

do you prefer... sour or sweet?

is your dream job? Why?

is your biggest fear?

food do you wish you never had to eat again?

talent do you wish you had?

advice would you give parents?

Would you rather...

have long ear hair or long nose hair?

be able to fly or have x-ray vision?

have to walk on your hands or crawl everywhere?

try to ride an ostrich or a tortoise?

never wash your hands or never wash your feet again?

be hot or cold?

have long fingernails or toenails?

be a ninja or a spy?

be able to only whisper or only yell?

a pool full of jello or a pool full of slime?

have an armadillo or an opossum?

have a jellyfish or a stingray?

time travel or be invisible?

be president or a movie star?

give up screen time or sweet treats?

lick the bottom of your shoe or a handrail at your school?

never cut your hair again or be bald?

read a history book or a comic book?

play with dolls or video games?

have room temperature water or ice water?

have no thumbs or no pinkie toes?

take only showers or only baths?

have a long neck or long fingers?

 

Tell us...

about a time when you overcame a fear.

about the last dream you had.

who made the smelliest smell today.

how could you volunteer your time to help others.

what phones are useful for...other than social media.

about your best day at school.

what your dream job would be.

about the most important rule at school is.

what you would do with $1,000.

the book of your life would be called.

about your favorite movie.

what you would do if you were a dog for a week?

about a time you helped another person.

what you would change about your bedroom.

about a time you had a hard time following the rules.

about your funniest friend.

a random fact about yourself.

how you could improve.

something I don't know.

We will continue to add to this list but would love to hear from you.  What are your favorite conversation starters you can share with us?

 

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