Summer’s around the corner, and exciting destinations are just around the bend. For those of you with toddlers, “The Wheels On The Bus” might be a fun sing-along song to consider for your road-trip selection, granted it doesn’t drive you a little nuts. For some full-time family fun, here is a list of timeless tunes for everyone to enjoy. No matter what age you are, or how aged these songs become, they will remain golden classics in our minds forever. Click here for the full Spotify playlist.
1. On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
On the road again... Just can’t wait to get on the road again... Some of us will remember singing along to this classic song while driving down the highway with our own parents. What better way to kick off your road trip than with this jovial melody? When your kids get older, they are guaranteed to take a trip down memory lane every time they hear this tune.2. I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) - The Proclaimers
There is no stronger proclamation of unconditional love than that professed by the Proclaimers in this ageless classic. Sure, it might be easier to drive 500 miles to your lover than walk all the way – but there’s no reason you can’t use this song to teach your daughter a thing or two about what to expect in her future relationship. If her lover isn’t ready to walk 500 miles for her, she can cut her losses and say goodbye to that worthless loser.3. Summer Nights (From “Grease”) - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Ignite a curious spirit in your kids with this catchy tune from the musical “Grease”. It won’t be long before they’re shouting, “tell me more!” to find out how their own parents came to meet. This is also a wonderful way to keep them up to date with cultural landmarks from the past – assuming they do end up watching “Grease” one day, memories from that fun family road trip they took years ago will be playing in their mind’s eye. Your kids will be reassured their parents did have good taste, after all.4. Drive My Car - The Beatles
The Beatles never grow old. Maybe your kids are a bit too young to drive your car, but who says they can’t sing along vicariously? You can also passively introduce the dangers that lie behind a TV screen with John Lennon’s profession, “I wanna be famous, a star of a screen. But you can do something in between.” Set your kids realistic expectations! There are far better things to do in life than to be a washed-up star.5. A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
It’s getting halfway through your road trip, maybe it’s time to tone down the mood with something a bit slower and more heartfelt. This age-old classic by Vanessa Carlton is adored by all the girlies out there, and hopefully a couple of you dads, too. It’s also another great way to teach your kids a thing or two about unconditional love - if Vanessa Carlton and the Proclaimers can all walk 1,000 miles just to make a point, so should the future lovers of your children.6. Surfin’ U.S.A. - The Beach Boys
Whether or not you’re driving to the beach, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” is fit for any car journey across the country. Bonus points if your kids missed the last day of school for this road trip – tell the teacher we’re surfin’. Okay, that’s a joke, but scientists do say that education is best done organically.7. Cruisin’ - Smokey Robinson
Time for a slow cruisin’ before your road trip comes to an end. Hopefully your kids aren’t already burned out before you’ve even reached your final destination. Let the music take your mind with this dreamy classic. Cruising together on family road trips is really just made for love.8. Don’t Stop Believin’ (From “Glee”) - Glee: The Music
End your road trip with a bang with this rendition of the classic tune as performed by members of the “Glee” cast. Your kids can muse over all the strangers and streetlights that passed you by, left only with the notion that this road trip was a darn good one. Before you move on to the fun screen-free activities you’ve planned for your family this vacation, here’s a suggestion. If you don’t have a Jooki already, you might want to consider getting one just for this special road trip occasion. It’s been featured on Gearadical as an essential travel gadget for your kids – the fact that your kids can pick and choose songs at their own discretion while you concentrate on the driving is a big plus for many parents. And they can do all of this screen-free. Create your own memorable family moments now with a Jooki bundle.