7 ways to keep children entertained on long car journeys

Visions of relaxing family getaways can contrast sharply with the stressful reality of roadworks, delays and traffic jams.

While we can’t get the traffic moving, we’ve got some handy tips to lessen the frustration for small passengers on the back seat, which should hopefully help you to focus on your driving.

Get the whole family travelling comfortably to their next destination - sign in to see the best family cars or join Which? to get access to all our independent, lab-tested reviews.

1. Create a playlist

Using a music streaming service to create playlists with your children before you set off can help keep them engaged on your journey. It can also save you the distraction of trying to control music via your vehicle’s touchscreen so you can concentrate on your driving.

If your car has Bluetooth speakers, you can give your them control of the music from the backseat, via a smartphone or tablet.

Set some criteria in advance - such as passengers taking turns to choose songs - so you’re not trapped in a never-ending reel of the Bluey theme tune.

We have ranked nine of the biggest music streaming services, based on ease of use, audio quality and search function. See the best music streaming services for our verdicts.

2. Play car games

Free children’s car games can pass the time, with the classic I Spy often being the first port of call. But if you're sick of spying the same tree, road or bridge over and over, consider another word game, like:

• I Went to Market - take turns to build up a shopping list of items (eg. apple, bananas, chocolate) that the next person has to remember and repeat in the correct order, adding another item on each time
• Cheese on Wheels - players race to be the first to yell 'cheese on wheels' when a yellow vehicle comes into view
• The Number Plate Game - spot the letters of the alphabet or ascending numbers in order on car registration plates or signs

As well as keeping lots of word-based games in your back pocket, a few travel board games will keep the backseat passengers amused.

Sam Morris, Which? board games expert

'Which? has tested a host of card games, some of which would be suitable for car journeys.

'I would say The Mind and Exploding Kittens are the most suitable for a trip in the car. This is because players hold the cards in their hands and only put them down on one central pile - so it isn't too messy on a bumpy journey.

'The object of The Mind is to work together to beat the game by not speaking and reading each other's minds - so parents may like it for a bit of peace and quiet.

'Exploding Kittens is the opposite - it's all about being the last person left at the end. So two quite different vibes.'

Exploding Kittens is suitable for children aged seven and over, while The Mind is for children aged eight and over.

For more board game tips and to find the ones our testers loved, head to our guide on the best board games.

3. Read books

Bringing along books and puzzles for your journey can keep kids occupied for a while - though be mindful that if your child suffers from motion sickness, looking down at a book for prolonged periods might make them feel ill.

Amy Axworthy, Which? ebook reader expert

'Ebook readers mean you can bring along an endless array of books - often available at cheaper prices than paperbacks.

'Kobo ebook readers also give you access to free library books, which is great if your child is a prolific reader. Most ebook readers also support audiobooks, which might be a good way to entertain toddlers, but their black-and-white screens are not ideal for displaying picture books.

'Also, remember that by letting a child use an ebook reader, you may also be giving them access to your ebook account, so be clear if spending your money on books is off limits during the journey - or just switch off wifi.'

Don't miss our pick of the best ebook readers, as well as where to download cheap and free ebooks for kids before your trip.

4. Play on apps and games

Downloading child-friendly apps to a phone or tablet before you set off on your journey is a good idea. That way, you can keep track of your data on the move, and ensure you don't use too much.

For little ones, CBeebies offers a range of free apps featuring games with popular characters. Older kids might prefer games like Lego Star Wars, Minecraft or Plants vs Zombies (all aimed at kids aged nine and over). Always make sure you monitor what your children are accessing on app stores.

If you're heading abroad, language learning apps such as Duolingo can help them learn a new language or a few useful phrases they might use on holiday. But keep an eye out to ensure your child doesn’t inadvertently tap on a feature that requires payment. 

Don't want to hand over your phone to your back seat passengers? Consider a child-friendly smartwatch which has games incorporated, such as the VTech Kidizoom DX2.

The best tablets for kids are robust and easy to use - but we’d recommend using a case to be on the safe side.

5. Let them do the directions

There’s a reason why 'are we there yet?' is such a classic question for little travellers to ask (sometimes repeatedly) - they genuinely may not know where they are in relation to the destination.

Setting them up with maps, atlases and route planning apps means they can follow your journey and get a feel for their surroundings. Given that your children’s navigation skills might not be up to actually helping you reach your destination, it’s worth the grown-ups having access to a route planner or sat nav too.

Start planning better holidays right here. Sign up for our free monthly Travel newsletter

6. Pack snacks and drinks

Make sure there are plenty of drinks and snacks for passengers - particularly if you’re driving in warm weather.

Packing a lunch box can be a good idea to try to stop things getting too messy - and always keep your car stocked up with wet wipes for easier clean-up.

Find a kids’ water bottle that is easy to use and clean and won’t leak by reading our reviews of the best kids’ water bottles.

7. Watch a film

Watching films on to a tablet is another good way to keep your child entertained on long journeys.

Make sure you download them first, otherwise you may not be able to watch offline, or you'll use up your data keeping the film going.

If you’re looking for films to download, we’ve ranked the best and worst streaming services, including Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.

More tips on travelling with kids

Getting prepared in advance can help avoid a travel day nightmare. Make sure you follow our checklist for a smooth trip:

• Ensure any child car seats are installed properly and securely - for tips and more expert advice on getting your child strapped in safely, see our guides on how to fit a car seat, UK child car seat laws, and the car seat accessories which are safe and unsafe to use. 
• Consider using a sunshade in warm weather -  try to choose ones made by car seat manufacturers, as they should have had some level of crash testing. Ensure any you choose are securely attached, especially the suction pads, which could fall or be pulled off by little hands. 
• Remove bulky coats before strapping your child in their car seat - puffy clothing can stop you getting a tight enough fit on the harness. If the weather is cold, dress your baby or toddler in multiple thinner layers, which can be removed or added if needed.
• Make regular pit stops, particularly if you are travelling with babies or toddlers - car seat manufacturers recommend babies should not be in a car seat for longer than two hours at a time. We’ve ranked the best motorway services in the UK so you can plan your next stop ahead of time.
• Have breakdown cover in place ahead of long journeys - particularly when travelling with children, the last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the motorway. Make sure you're covered by one of the best car breakdown providers.
• Use a power bank for devices - you can usually charge your phone from the cigarette lighter in the front seat, but power banks can be useful for backseat passengers so they don't drain their devices in the first leg of the journey. We’ve looked at eight easy ways to improve battery life on your phone, or you can pick one of the best power bank chargers.

When you return home, it’s likely your car will need a good clean. Head to our cordless vacuum cleaner reviews to find the best models with accessories that will make this awkward job much easier.

Keep your costs down and kids happy. Sign up for our Family newsletter, it's free monthly