Hate long journeys in the car with the kids? Tired of the constant barrage of “Are we there yet?” and the numerous tantrums? I’m here to help with my guide to keeping the kids busy on long car journeys which is sure to turn your nightmare trips into long, relaxing drives! Sound good? Read on!
- The Art of the In-Car Hamper
One of the easiest ways to keep the kids busy on long car journeys is to pack a picnic hamper with all of the goodies they love the most, so they (and you) can be kept topped up with snacks when you’re on the road for a while. After all, kids who are well-fed are less likely to have a tantrum when they get hangry and tired, right?
But, as well as filling your hamper with lots of small treats, it’s a good idea to add some crayons, colouring sheets, stickers and small toys into the mix too. Things like crosswords, which will keep their mind occupied are also good, although you may be able to get that on your phone or tablet these days. Basically, anything that will keep them occupied, that they can grab and have fun with when they get bored is good.
- Audiobooks: The Gift of Voices that Aren’t Yours
If the thought of reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” for the 237th time this week makes you want to fling yourself out of the passenger window (not recommended), let someone else do the talking. Audiobooks can be a lifesaver on long hauls. From beloved children’s classics to modern adventures featuring talking pigs, singing mermaids, or whatever else their little hearts desire, audiobooks engage their imaginations without you having to bust out your falsetto voice.
Pro tip: pick something with a series. That way, if they love “The Chronicles of Narni-oops-I-Meant Narnia,” you can line up the next book for a seamless continuation. By the time they notice the changing scenery, you might have already driven halfway across the country.
- The Alphabet Scavenger Hunt (A.K.A. Intellectual Distraction)
A tried-and-true classic: assign each child a letter of the alphabet and challenge them to find that letter on road signs, license plates, or billboards. It sounds simple, but you’d be amazed how competitive siblings can get over spotting a random “Q” on a distant lorry. Suddenly, they’re craning their necks and scanning the horizon, more interested in motorway signage than their tablets—who’d have thought?
For added difficulty (and to drag it out longer), make them find items starting with each letter in order. “A for apple orchard” (Look, kids, it’s a field with trees! Maybe apples?), “B for bridge,” “C for caravan” (try not to scream when they point out fifteen caravans in a row—at least they’re busy). The best part: this game can go on indefinitely. Or at least until you finally find a service station with decent coffee.
- Crafting on the Go: The Lap Desk Trick
If your child is the artsy type—always doodling, painting, or gluing bits of cereal onto paper (it’s art, Mum!)—consider creating a portable craft station. A simple lap desk (one of those clipboards with storage or a cheap plastic tray) can be a lifesaver. Stock it with washable markers (non-toxic, quick-drying—trust me, you do not need a permanent Picasso on your upholstery), some colouring sheets, and maybe a travel-friendly craft kit. There are loads of craft kits designed for journeys these days, like felt sticker scenes, magnetic playboards, or even origami sets if you’re feeling fancy.
Keep the materials simple, and try to avoid anything that involves liquid glue, glitter, or tiny beads that’ll end up living under your seat for the next decade. The goal is to keep them engaged, not to have you weeping over a sparkly mess at midnight.
- Make Them Co-Pilots (Sort Of)
You might think your kids are the last people you’d want navigating, but hear me out. Give them a printout of your route, maybe even a funky kid-friendly map. Show them the major stops and landmarks you’ll pass along the way. Now tell them they’re your official “travel scouts” and task them with announcing when you’re 10 miles from the next rest area, or when you’ve crossed into a new county. They’ll feel important and, more importantly, involved.
You can also let them help pick the lunch stop or the picnic spot. Just make sure you have a shortlist of acceptable choices so you don’t end up detouring 50 miles to a suspiciously named snack shack. If they’re old enough, you might even hand them a real map (remember those?) and challenge them to figure out where you are. There’s a certain old-school charm in watching a child try to fold a map without succumbing to fits of rage.
- The Power of Good Ol’ Stories
We’ve covered audiobooks, but what about stories of your own creation? You can start a story, then ask your child to continue it. Then the next child takes over, and so forth, passing the storytelling baton back and forth like some chaotic literary relay race. Sure, the plot might end up featuring alien dinosaurs who love ballet, but who cares? The important thing is they’re engaged, laughing, and forgetting to ask, “How much longer?”
If you’re feeling fancy, record these stories on your phone. By the end of the journey, you’ll have a bizarre and hilarious audio record of your family’s collective imagination. Replay it in a few years for guaranteed giggles.
- Tiny Travel Surprises: The Power of the Hidden Treasure
Before you leave, wrap up a few small, inexpensive surprises—think pocket-sized toys, a small puzzle like Sudoku (beginner’s level so they don’t burst into tears), a miniature book of jokes, or a funny-shaped eraser (kids love stationery far more than logic would dictate). Hand these out as morale boosters every couple of hours. “Hey, you lasted an hour without asking if we’re there yet—time for a surprise!” Suddenly, you’re the hero of the car, and that piece of plastic nonsense from the pound shop is the greatest treasure they’ve ever laid eyes on.
This technique can also be used as positive reinforcement. If they’re behaving and getting along like angels (or at least not summoning the demons of sibling rivalry), reward them with another parcel. If they’re squabbling like rabid ferrets, withhold the next surprise until they calm down. Fair’s fair, kids.
- Educational (But Sneaky) Screen Time
We’re not monsters; sometimes a screen is necessary. But instead of just letting them watch that cartoon they’ve seen a hundred times, try educational (or at least thought-provoking) apps and shows. Puzzle apps (sudoku is good), interactive reading apps, or documentaries about wildlife can keep them captivated for a surprisingly long time—plus, you can pat yourself on the back for “educational content.”
To make it feel fresh, download something new before the trip. The novelty factor will buy you precious quiet minutes. If anyone dares to call it “cheating,” remind them that a peaceful car environment is priceless. When the alternative is endless whining, a few screen-based minutes of educational content is practically an act of saintliness.
- Play the “I Packed My Suitcase” Memory Game
Classic and effective. Start the game: “I packed my suitcase and I put in an apple.” The next person repeats your sentence and adds another item: “I packed my suitcase and I put in an apple and a balloon.” And so on. The list grows absurd, the kids get giggly trying to remember the entire chain of random objects, and before they know it, miles have flown by. This game has the added bonus of stealthily improving their memory and focus. Education strikes again!
- Mini Whiteboard Magic
Invest in a small whiteboard and some dry-erase markers. Kids can doodle, play tic-tac-toe, practice writing their names backwards—whatever keeps them busy. The best part? You can wipe it clean and start anew, so no one’s going to get bored as quickly as they might with a single colouring sheet.
You can even create quick challenges: “Draw a picture of Daddy as a superhero,” or “Let’s write down five animals that start with ‘M’.” It’s simple, cheap entertainment that can last surprisingly long, especially if you pretend to be super impressed by their scribbles. Don’t just say “Nice.” Say “Wow, that monkey you drew looks like it’s about to open its own café!” Lay on the compliments thick—it fuels their creativity and keeps them engaged.
- Stop Occasionally (Yes, Really)
I know this might seem like the opposite of what you want—aren’t you trying to get there as quickly as possible? But trust me, strategic stops can save your sanity. Every few hours, find a decent rest area or a green patch of grass and let everyone stretch their legs. Bring out a frisbee or a small ball for a quick game. If you’ve got time, a short stroll will do wonders for everyone’s mood. Sometimes, the key to surviving a long drive is acknowledging that kids (and you) just aren’t designed to be strapped in for eight hours straight.
Here’s to a peaceful family car trip!
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