Children often struggle to stay still, but this can be especially challenging on a long car trip. If you have a long car trip coming up, you may be wondering how to keep your children occupied and avoid the dreaded phrase “I’m bored”.

Here are some simple and effective ways that you can entertain your child on a long car trip.

Download some content

Thanks to modern technology, you can download some of your child’s favourite free kids cartoons to a device. Doing so means that they can enjoy their favourite shows anywhere and anytime – including on a long road trip.

Apps and mobile games

If you’re bringing a device for your children to use, it can be helpful to download some apps and games for them to enjoy. If you do some research, you’ll be able to find some great educational apps that will help them to learn as they travel.

Car and traffic games

Car games are another great way to pass the time. You can play classics like “I spy” or license plate bingo. Other games are one-word-a-time stories, 20 questions, and many more. These games may seem childish, but they will keep the whole family happy and chatting for large portions of the trip.

Child-friendly audiobooks

There are plenty of stories that have been made available in audiobook form. These are read by professional actors that will bring stories to life for their children. Bringing some of these along for the trip can keep your children happy for hours.

Books

Speaking of stories, physical books are another great way to occupy your children on the road. The best part is that they’re small, easy to carry, and won’t take up much space in the car. Be wary of car sickness though!

A group playlist

No road trip is complete without a great soundtrack. So, why not create a family playlist with everyone’s favourite songs? This will allow you to introduce your children to some of your musical tastes and cater to theirs at the same time.

Snacks and stops

Your children will need to take breaks to go to the bathroom, burn off some energy, and eat. First, pack snacks to avoid having to stop too often. Next, preplan some stops so you know that you’ll be able to get everything that you need. Finally, make stops fun! For example, if you stop in the countryside, you could play a quick game outside before hitting the road again.

Conclusion

After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to keep your children entertained for every minute of the journey.