Gifts for the road trip - teen addition

[JasonGraham]

Ten years+ ago, we always made the road trip fun for our kids. It’s a 15 hr trip so I would pack small dollar tree fun things for each state we entered. Stickers, coloring books, cheap stuff but exciting and fun. They would get one or two things each time we crossed a state line.

The kids are teens now and I would love to make it fun with a throwback, but they obviously aren’t into the exact same things. ?. I need some new ideas that won’t break the bank - cheaper the better! But also not just junk, ya know?? Ages are 18 and 16, boy and girl. Also have a tween boy I need ideas for!

Anything else you know of to make the long trip fun - let me know!! It will be all drive no play - as straight through as we can.

[Kalisspera]

Things I pack for my now teenager who used to get fun road trip bags when she was younger- new, long charging cable that can be used in the car (our charging ports are in the front seat), favorite non melting candy and some fun new candy/snacks, a new sketch pad or journal and some drawing supplies, a word search or other game book from dollar tree, a new book/graphic novel or two (even though it’s unlikely she’ll use them), a card game or a car bingo game, a small new stuffed animal. When she was a tween I’d do headphones but now she’s particular with which ones she uses & prefers to use her normal, better quality, noise cancelling ones. Small bracelet making or other craft kit if they are into that. Could also do a small travel pillow and/or blanket if they’ll use those things but we use existing ones from home. Small amount gift cards for places you may be stopping along the way or cash in an envelope stating what it’s for (ie if I know we’ll be stopping at Buc-ees I’ll do $5-$10 cash with a note it’s to be spent there). Or you can do $ or a gift card to download a new game or movie of their choice if they’d be into that. I hit up Five Below and see if they have any small fun stuff related to her current favorite interest. Mine honestly spends the majority of the time playing on her phone though even with the little extra stuff & road trips are so much easier than when she was younger. Snacks are key-pack lots and lots of fun new or favorite snacks!

[MikeBrooklyn]

My teen thought it was really fun to get a little custom figure of our dog from my3dfrigure. It gave him something totally unique to keep on the dash, and it sparked some laughs every time we stopped. He even gave it a name and made it his road trip buddy. Definitely more fun than just another snack bag or gift card.