How to Keep Kids Busy on Long Bus Trips
Long bus rides can be a daunting task for students and chaperones. However, with some creativity upfront, the bus ride can be a highlight of your trip. Whether it’s your trip to Washington D.C. or just another exciting destination, keeping students engaged and entertained is the key to a successful and enjoyable trip. There we will possibly have many exciting new places and things to do for your trip that will be no less exciting than where the real trip is going.
Interactive Games
- Games are a great way to kill an hour and be sociable. There is a range of options:
- Travel Trivia – When get a bunch of trivia questions about the destination
- I Spy – A simple game played throughout the bus ride where students try to guess objects seen outside the bus.
- Would You Rather? We can ask students challenging and exciting questions that push them outside and make them lean forward.
- 20 Questions — One person picks a person, place, or thing and the rest have 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is.
- Guess the Song – Play the song and have students identify the title and artist
Engaging Playlists
Music can set an atmosphere, and make riding the bus a joy. Some playlists include:
- Sing-Along Classics — Songs are known to everyone so we can belt them out as one
- Travel Songs With Energy – Thrilling tracks to be in high spirit
- Release & Rejuvenate – Refocus with students and decompress
- ALL-TIME GREATS – Music from all the ages that makes all happy
- Student-Requested Playlist — Ask students to submit their favorite songs ahead of a trip.
- Podcasts & Audiobooks
For a more leisurely type of fun, try:
- Educational Podcasts – Links to fun and interesting history, science, and travel-related podcasts
- Audiobooks – Find a book relevant to your travel theme, your students, or both.
Creative Activities
These activities will help spark students imaginations:
- Journaling & Drawing — Ask for prompts for the trip.
- Story Chain – A story is started by one student, and each other student adds to the story.
- Poetry & Rap Battles – Have students create and perform their poems or raps.
- Ask students to write postcards to mail when they arrive.
Social Connection & Bonding
Use the trip as an opportunity for students to get to know each other:
- Icebreaker Questions– Exchange cool info about students
- Interview a Friend — Students partner up and discover something new about one another.
- The Group Challenges — Little competitions at an office body — Keep the energy high
Screen Time & Learning Apps
For solo entertainment, I recommend:
- Educational Apps – Geography, language-learning, or puzzle apps.
- The Virtual Museum Tour – Visit places before you arrive
- Documentary Shorts – Clips from the trip about a trip theme
With the right combination of games, music, activity, and socialization, long bus rides can become something you look forward to doing, not something to be endured. Well in advance and with a range of activities on offer, students are engaged, happy, and coming to school ready to learn and explore.
The right school travel partner can make all the difference between an ordinary trip and a truly memorable experience. At Student Adventures, our expertise, innovation, and dedication set us apart. With professional in-house consultants, innovative tools like TripApp, and the comprehensive TripWheel, we make every stage of your trip simple, easy, and effortless.
We hope this guide has given you valuable insight into why we are the best partner for your next school trip. Ready to get started? Call Student Adventures at 1-877-873-7550