When looking after children, long car journeys can be a nightmare! However, with a little planning and imagination, you can turn it into an experience you’ll remember for all the right reasons. By providing entertaining activities and engaging distractions, you can keep the kids in your care happily occupied throughout the trip. Read on to discover a range of ideas and suggestions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey for both you and your little ones.
Take a Tablet …..or two!!
Tablets can be a useful tool for entertainment during long car journeys and perhaps our first go-to when planning a trip with the kids. Load them with educational apps, games, or movies appropriate for their age. However, be mindful of setting time limits and encouraging breaks to ensure a healthy balance.
Play Away
Car games are a tried and tested way to keep children engaged during long drives. Try some of these interactive games to keep their minds active and occupied:
"I Spy": This timeless game that we all remember from our own childhood encourages observation skills. Take turns to guess something visible in or out of the car, starting with "I spy with my little eye, something that is..." and provide a clue about the object's colour or shape or the first letter if they’re old enough.
Licence Plate Game: Challenge your children to spot licence plates from different countries and keep a tally. The goal is to find as many unique plates as possible.
20 Questions: One person thinks of an object, and the others have 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is.
Scrap it!
Encourage your children to document their journey by providing them with a scrap book. They can draw pictures, write about their experiences, or even collect mementos like toll tickets or services receipts. This activity not only keeps them busy but also creates lasting memories.
Hear & Now
Audiobooks, podcasts, and music are excellent options to keep children entertained during long car rides. Prepare a selection of their favourite stories or audiobooks and play them for everyone to enjoy together. Engaging podcasts or educational audio programmes can also be both entertaining and informative.
Fun & Games
Create personalised activity kits by assembling items such as colouring books, crayons, puzzles, stickers, and small toys. These kits can provide hours of creative entertainment and help keep children engaged and focused on enjoyable activities.
Have a Sing-Song
Sing-alongs are uplifting and make the journey more enjoyable. Prepare a playlist of their favourite songs and encourage the whole family to participate. Consider turning it into a car karaoke session, complete with silly dance moves.
Snack Happy
Pack a variety of snacks that your children enjoy. Choose portable, non-messy options like pre-cut fruits, health bars, or nuts and dried fruit. Consider surprising them with a special treat they don't usually have, like biscuits or their favourite snack.
With a pinch of planning and a sprinkle of imagination, car journeys with children can be transformed into memorable and enjoyable experiences. By implementing some of our suggestions, you can keep your children engaged, happy, and occupied throughout the trip. Remember, the key is to tailor activities to their interests and age group, ensuring a smooth and entertaining journey for you all.
