10 road trip activities that don't require screens
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Screens are an easy way to keep kids occupied on long trips, but it can be a bit unsettling when you realize they haven't spoken in hours because they've been lost in their games and shows. Happily, there are plenty of road trip activities that don't require screens and can help kids be a little more social while exercising their minds in fun ways. Here are 10 options—starting as low as just $7—that can be on your doorstep by this time tomorrow.
Mad Libs On the Road
Education disguised as fun FTW! This little book has 21 fill-in-the-blank stories that will have the whole family giggling as kids insert T-Rexes into human situations and create songs about Han Solo and Barbie. It's a great way to sneak a little reading comprehension and basic grammar building exercises into your road trip. $9.5 on Amazon
Story continues below advertisement
Kanoodle
This game challenges players to arrange 12 Tetris-like puzzle pieces into more than 200 different 2D and 3D shapes. The patterns are easy to start, but it doesn't take long before kids' spatial reasoning skills are put to the test. Plus, it packs up into a small, portable box that can easily slide into car cubbies and seat pouches. $26.49 on Amazon
The Ultimate Activity Book for Smart Girls
This book is packed with 100 puzzles, games, and activities to keep pre-teen brains busy for hours at a time. There's something for every interest, from word searches and crosswords to sudoku challenges and logic puzzles. The themes and illustrations are designed specifically to appeal to the budding interests of elementary school girls. $14.99 on Amazon
Rubik's Cube
A true classic travel toy, the great thing about Rubik's Cube is that the fun isn't over once you've figured out how to solve it. The goal then switches to how fast you can solve it. Or learning to solve it with one hand. Or examining all the sides and then trying to solve it with your eyes closed. It's not for all kids, but those who do fall for Rubik's iconic puzzle may develop a lifelong passion. $11.25 on Amazon (was $12.99)
Story continues below advertisement
Road Trip Games: 50 Fun Games to Play in the Car
This beautifully illustrated deck of travel activity cards can be a real lifesaver when your kids start making you realize just how much of a confined space your car really is. Each card contains rules for simple games—like I Spy and Never Have I Ever—that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Just pull one out, read the instructions, and let the fun commence. $28 on Amazon (was $33.5)
You may also like:
50 Scratch-Off Adventures and Family Night Games for Kids & Adults – $54.99
Hasbro Gaming: Jenga Classic Game – $24.99
Mattel Games Pictionary Board Game – $20.98
Foldology
Foldology turns origami into a game. Each sheet of paper needs to be folded in a precise way to create a picture. Printed folding lines serve as a general guide, but you'll need to work out the specific folds required to complete each image. It's packaged as a pad of 100 sheets, with the easiest ones on top and the toughest at the end. $30.31 on Amazon (was $32.49)
Story continues below advertisement
Melissa & Doug Take-Along Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzles
If your tiny tots love jigsaws, this pair of magnetic farm-themed puzzles is a must-have for your next road trip. It's smartly packaged in book form. The mixed up pieces are magnetically attached to one page, letting kids examine them as they choose which ones to place on the puzzle board on the opposite page. Genius. $13.99 on Amazon
Scratch & Sketch Extreme Fantasy Art
Fantasy-loving tweens and teens will find hours of creative fun in this art activity book. Use the included fine-tipped stylus to trace along the white lines of each intricate drawing, revealing the dazzling metallic tones beneath. Bonus: 20 blank pages at the back of the book let kids scratch out their own freestyle fantasy drawings. $17.99 on Amazon
Little Sticker Dolly Dressing Snow Princess
How do you make a princess story even better for young readers? By letting them customize the young royal's regal fashion as she walks in the snow, gathers winterberries, and goes ice skating. This little book is filled with cute illustrations and more than 200 stickers for kids to peel and paste to make the story their own. $10.95 on Amazon
Story continues below advertisement
Would You Rather: Travel Edition
Would you rather have your kids spend hours staring at a screen playing Pokemon or have them interact with the whole family and use their brains to noodle out the best answers to fun questions (like whether it would be better to live your whole life outside or inside)? We know which one we'd choose. $6.99 on Amazon
You may also like:
Happy Salmon by Exploding Kittens – $30.00
Taco vs Burrito – $19.97
Pressman Charades for Kids – $9.97
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
HBO's Mountainhead will make you laugh as the world burns
Published May 31, 2025 • Last updated 10 minutes ago • 4 minute read (L-R) Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, Jesse Armstrong, Ramy Youssef and Steve Carell attend HBO's "Mountainhead" World Premiere at The Museum of Modern Art on May 22, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Over Succession's four seasons, series creator Jesse Armstrong made a name for himself as television's go-to chronicler of the uber-rich. The HBO show depicted the inner workings of a powerful, Murdoch-esque media clan and the way its members lived, travelled, celebrated and humiliated one another. It was a tantalizing look at what it might be like to have wealth so profound that it sets you apart from everyone and gives you the power to influence politics worldwide. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Now, after two years off the air, Armstrong returns to HBO on May 31 with a new movie, Mountainhead, which almost feels like it could be a Succession spinoff. (He says he even contemplated having ATN, Succession's Fox-like news channel, playing in the background.) The cool color palette is the same; so are the zingers. Nicholas Britell is back to compose the score. Instead of media scions, however, Armstrong has turned his attention to the newest generation of powerful elites — tech bros — and raised the absurdity of the scenario. And while Mountainhead can be a bit slapdash at times, it once again proves that if you want a glimpse at the masters of the universe — one that will make you wince and laugh in equal measure — Armstrong is your man. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mountainhead came together quickly. Armstrong cast the movie while writing it in January and February of this year and shot for just five weeks in the spring. On-screen you can feel the urgency as well as the messiness that comes with such a compressed timeline. This is an extremely timely film about the dangers of artificial intelligence, the world falling apart and powerful men who care only about their own portfolios. It could be tighter, but it's still ridiculously entertaining. The plot revolves around a boys trip to the title's namesake location — a Utah estate owned by Jason Schwartzman's Hugo Van Yalk and named for The Fountainhead. (One of his buddies jokes that it was designed by 'Ayn Bland.') Hugo, known to his pals as 'Souper' or 'Soups,' is the founder of a mental health app more interested in hooking users than actually solving mental health crises and the least wealthy of the group, which means he is mocked for only have a net worth in the hundreds of millions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The rest are billionaires. There's 'Papa Bear' Randall, the elder statesman hiding health issues, played by Steve Carell, and Ramy Youssef's Jeff, the most conscientious of the gang, who still believes his tech can be used for good. But the biggest whale in this toxic foursome is Venis, an Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg hybrid portrayed with an odious air by Cory Michael Smith. In the opening moments of the film, Venis launches an AI update to the software of Traam, his Facebook-like social media platform, called 'F***' but spelled with an extra 'u,' which is part of the gag. The explicative serves to highlight his obnoxiousness, but it's also apt in another way. Essentially, Venis has created a fake-news machine, and almost as soon as he arrives at Mountainhead, it's clear his latest creation is sowing worldwide chaos. People are using its functions to falsify images, resulting in murders and coups. While this could ostensibly put a damper on the four friends' poker night, instead it turns into an opportunity, as the men start to strategize on how to use this instability to their advantage. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jeff also has an AI tool, which has more guardrails on it — a 'filter for nightmares,' as he puts it. Venis wants Jeff to sell it to him, to help solve the global crisis he helped create; Jeff sees more money in keeping it close. But quickly the scheming inside this austere but somehow tacky mansion — there's a bowling alley downstairs — starts to move beyond simple dealmaking. Lives are on the line inside and outside the structure. Left alone to their own devices, the men grow increasingly deluded about their own power, and Mountainhead goes from satire to a more overt critique of the greed that's currently shaping our world. The actors have a great time sinking their teeth into this fantasy. Schwartzman is hilarious as Soups, who has a massive inferiority complex that the others fuel. Carell takes on a professorial air as Randall, who quotes philosophers to support his own self-interest, which involves preserving his consciousness after his death. And Youssef is endearing as the closest thing we have to a 'good guy' — who also happens to be a megalomaniac. Smith is perhaps the least famous of the bunch but the standout of the cast, his face oozing smarm as the loathsome Venis. The shagginess of the plot starts to weigh things down as the movie heads toward its conclusion. Certain moments, especially those related to the characters' outside lives, are underdeveloped, and there's an immediacy to Armstrong's satire that's almost impulsive. But the anger that spurred Mountainhead's creation is also its best quality. Armstrong is pissed off and has decided to channel that into brutal jokes. If we can't laugh at these people, what else can we do? Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Canada World
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
Amazon Stock (AMZN) Makes Headlines on AI Training Deal With NY Times
Amazon (AMZN) stock made some headlines today when it sealed a first-ever AI training deal with the New York Time s (NYT). Confident Investing Starts Here: Recipes and Sport Only two years after the New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft (MSFT) for copyright infringement, the iconic newspaper revealed that it had agreed to license its editorial content to Amazon to train the tech giant's AI platforms. Amazon stock was up 1% in early trading as was NYT. Besides news articles, material will also include NYT Cooking, a site dedicated to food and recipes, and The Athletic, its sports-focused site. The company also noted that Amazon's use of The Times's editorial content could extend to Alexa software on its smart speakers. The Times said it was the first time it had agreed to a licensing agreement with a focus on generative AI. technology. 'The deal is consistent with our long-held principle that high-quality journalism is worth paying for,' said The Times chief executive Meredith Kopit Levien. GenAI Growth The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it's also the first such agreement for Amazon. This contrasts with OpenAI which has signed a number of deals with publishers including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian, NewsCorp, Axel Springer, and more. Back in 2023, The Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft after accusing them of using millions of articles it published to train their AI models without consent or compensation. Both OpenAI and Microsoft have rejected accusations of wrongdoing. This new stance shows the desire of publishers to control how their editorial content is used by tech firms, but also an understanding of the relentless rise in demand for generative AI. What are the Best AI Stocks to Buy Now? We have rounded up the best AI stocks to buy using our TipRanks comparison tool. Disclaimer & Disclosure Report an Issue
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Sip the season with aesthetic drinkware
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Like the finishing touch on a perfectly styled outfit, aesthetic drinkware adds character to every sip – whether you're unwinding solo or hosting a seasonal gathering. To help you raise your glass in style, we've curated a vibrant mix of designs that blend form and function, from timeless classics to playful, eye-catching pieces. Read on for aesthetic finds you don't want to miss. Vintage Art Deco Nick and Nora Coupe Glasses Channel the spirit of the roaring twenties with these ribbed Nick & Nora glasses – a nod to Art Deco elegance with a shape tailored for classic cocktails like the martini, sidecar, and Manhattan. Holding 5oz to the rim, they're equally suited for contemporary favourites, from a citrusy lemon drop to a bold Trinidad sour. $59.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Small cocktail glasses Set of 4 Delicately designed, these petite glasses will elevate any after-dinner digestif or a midday pick-me-up. Crafted from lead-free crystal and dishwasher safe, each set includes four glasses in two sizes. $30.00 at Simons Vintage Crystal Champagne Coupe Glasses Echoing the glamour of the Jazz Age, these vintage-inspired coupe glasses are perfectly sized for champagne or a classic cocktail – from a crisp martini to a bold Manhattan. Holding 6oz to the rim, they strike the right balance for 4–5oz pours with ice, making them an elegant essential for any home bar. Hand-blown from luxurious, lead-free crystal, each glass feels delicately light yet surprisingly durable – dishwasher-friendly for easy clean-up, without sacrificing grace. Tucked inside a 1920s-style gift box (complete with a few favourite cocktail recipes on the back), this set of six makes a thoughtful gift for weddings, anniversaries or stylish soirées. $59.99 on Amazon (was $66.99) Blume Cloud Mug White Cloud 9 mugs reimagine your daily latte with oversized handles and a sleek ceramic finish, making every sip feel like a little celebration. Microwave safe and best cared for with a gentle hand wash. $24.99 at Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Caffeinated beverages printed pillow case – $12.00 Ceramic Dinner Salad Plates – $55.32 Gold Cutlery Set – $79.99 Spice Drawer Organizer – $27.99 Ivory Table Runner – $17.99 Ribbed Glassware Vintage Drinking Glasses Iced coffee hits different in these elegant ribbed glasses – perfect as a thoughtful gift or a little luxury for yourself. $28.99 on Amazon Vintage Art Deco Blush Pink Coupe Glasses with Gold Rims Ready for the ultimate girls night? These blush pink coupes bring a flirty touch to every celebration. Perfectly shaped for bubbly champagne and espresso martinis, they hold a generous 7oz to the rim – just right for 5–6oz pours with ice. $59.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement Unbreakable Whiskey Glasses Tough enough to take a tumble, yet refined enough for your finest bourbon – Bravario's shatterproof whiskey glasses are crafted from crystal-clear Tritan for a look that mimics glass without the worry. $45.99 on Amazon Glass Coffee Mugs Keep your coffee cozy and your fingers cool with these double-walled glass mugs. Light, lovely, and crystal clear. $35.3 on Amazon (was $39.22) Unbreakable Stemmed Wine Glasses Michley's stemless red wine glasses take a classic silhouette and reimagine it in crystal-clear Tritan, a virtually unbreakable material that looks like glass but performs like something far more durable. Designed with a generous bowl to enhance the aromas of full-bodied reds, they make swirling easy and elegant. Perfect for everything from outdoor picnics to poolside parties, these feather-light glasses are shatter-resistant, BPA-free, and safe for both kids and adults. $29.99 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Glass Hurricane Candle Holder – $66.98 Acacia Wood Cake Stand – $79.95 Cheese Board and Knife Set – $23.97
