Keeping children entertained on long car journey’s #AD

With the world beginning to open up again, you might be planning your imminent holiday with the kids – as we are still experiencing restrictions in flying to other countries you may be booking up a UK staycation instead. Those are my favourite kind of holidays while the kids are still young – pack up the car and head off to a new town, city or even to the coast for some well earned fresh air and freedom.

Keeping children entertained on long car journey’s

Tackling a long journey with the kids in the back of the car isn’t always plain sailing… They get bored, they need entertaining, they argue and they think even a short journey is the longest ever! Whether you’re travelling to visit Grandma and Grandpa, or you’re travelling to a new holiday destination, even the most well-travelled children can find a car journey tedious and difficult. After all, we know how travelling takes its toll on us grown-ups so for little ones it’s even harder! The key is planning – and a few new gifts to help entertain never goes a miss! It may help to avoid the dreaded “Are we nearly there yet?” question.

So, what can you do to make the journey a little bit more bearable for everyone? 

I’ve compiled a list of handy tips and tricks that might come in useful the next time you all set off across the country with the kids.

Car Safety

Before you set off on your journey, it might make you a little bit more relaxed if you’re safe in the knowledge that your little passengers are totally safe. Ensure that car seats are fitted correctly and that your child hasn’t outgrown their current one.

A little pre-car maintenance will also provide you with peace of mind:

• Pump up the tyres
• Check the Oil
• Make sure you have the spare wheel and Jack in the car (seems obvious but if you have previously used it you may not have remembered to replace it again)
• Make sure your breakdown cover is up-to-date, your driver’s licence hasn’t expired (yes that actually does happen – the photo ones only last for 10 years) and you have a copy of your insurance with you or at least know who you are insured with

Create a magical destination

If the children know where you’re going and what they’ll find when you get there, they can be more enthusiastic about the journey. Find out facts about your destination, make them a booklet they can fill in with things they spot and have a ‘prize’ when they get there for being good. Even if your child has been there before, make an effort to make the journey different each time!

Destination Bingo is a good car game to play – you can make a check sheet of things to spot on the journey and the kids then cross them off as they see them on the way. Making up words from number plates is good for older children or spotting a certain colour car can become a family competition.

Pack Snacks

Kids get bored if energy levels drop, so pack snacks they can nibble on along the way; rice cakes, crackers, crisps and mini sandwiches are ideal. However, let the front passenger control these so they don’t eat them all at once. Always save sweet treats until last and make sure drinks are in spill-proof cups.

Cut grapes and mini tomatoes in half to avoid choking and it may be best to avoid sugary sweets etc otherwise you could have hyper kids in a very confined space and you will soon regret that, and remember chocolate may melt if it is hot so avoid or remember the wet wipes.

Play games

Whilst you might restrict the use of tablets at home, this is when they are worth their weight in gold. Give each child their favourite film, and of course headphones. If you only have one tablet, you can buy an inexpensive converter for two sets of headphones. Then you don’t have to hear “Let It Go” fifteen times! Here is a post with loads of tips for entertaining kids on a road trip.  

I like to wrap up a few new gifts for the kids for these long journeys, they don’t have to be expensive gifts or big ones – stocking filler style gifts are perfect for these occasions. New colouring pens, a puzzle book, scratch booklets, playing cards such as top trumps are always a favourite for various ages. You can see a lovely selection of gift ideas that are great for travelling and keeping the kids entertained if you CLICK HERE.

Also, make sure these toys and games are accessible to the kids as the last thing you’ll want to be doing is learning into the back of the car to pass toys to them. Have a toybox on the middle seat if there is room, otherwise, you could have one in the footwell under their seats or even invest in an organiser to hang on the back of the front seats to keep everything neat and tidy.

Other ways to keep the children happy:

• Travel at a time when your children would usually be sleeping or napping.
• Take plenty of loo breaks and a portable potty.
• Take exercise breaks to allow them to let off steam – maybe find a spot at a midway point with a park or grassy area, or even factor in a day out at a theme park or zoo for on the way to your destination if you have the time.
• Take a change of clothing
• If your child gets car sick, encourage them to look at the horizon and pack a few plastic bags! Remember the travel sickness medication and I swear by Sea Bands for travel sickness. I have previously written a post on combatting travel sickness. 
• Take some colouring books and pens or pencils, sticker books and games.
• Take pillows and blankets.
• Keep a mini first aid kit in the car.
• Audiobooks are also great for long journeys – it beats having the same songs playing over and over again or the bickering on which radio station to listen to. You can get some great ones suitable for all the family – we once listened to a David Walliams Audiobook all the way from Essex to Cornwall and there was barely a peep heard from either of the children!

Do you have any tips for entertaining kids on long journeys? I would love to hear them.