How to Entertain Kids on a Road Trip: Car-Friendly Games and Activities
Posted on March 16, 2025
Road trip season is here! As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time for families to hit the open road and explore new places.
As a parent, you probably know that road trips can be a great way to bond and create lasting memories with your kids. But let’s be honest—keeping the little ones entertained for hours in the car can be a bit of a challenge.
No need to worry though. With a little planning, some fun games, and a positive attitude, you can turn a long car ride into an enjoyable adventure for the whole family.
Let’s explore some favorite car-friendly games and activities on how to keep kids entertained on road trips that will help make your next trip smoother and more fun for everyone.
Why Keeping Kids Entertained on Long Journeys Games is Important
Keeping kids engaged during long car trips isn’t just about passing time—it’s essential for making the journey smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. Here’s why it matters:
1. Reduces Boredom and Stress
Long trips can lead to restlessness and frustration, which often result in tantrums or arguments. Games and activities help prevent this by keeping kids focused and entertained, reducing those moments of stress.
2. Improves the Travel Experience
When kids are busy and engaged, the overall mood in the car stays positive. This leads to a much more enjoyable trip for both kids and adults, making the drive feel less like a chore and more like a fun adventure.
3. Prevents Driver Distractions
A quiet and entertained backseat means asking less snacks, toys, or attention from the driver. Keeping kids occupied with games or music allows the driver to focus on the road, making the trip safer and more relaxed.
In short, keeping kids entertained not only makes the trip more fun but also ensures a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable journey for the whole family.
Best Ways to Keep Kids of All Ages Entertained on Long Car Rides
Long car rides can be tricky with kids of different ages, but with a little planning, it’s totally possible to keep them entertained and make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Here’s how to keep kids of all ages happy on the road:
1. Babies
When your kids were babies, you tried to plan your trips around their sleep schedules. You'd leave a couple of hours before their bedtime, and you would sit in the back to keep them entertained and help avoid early naps.
Around bedtime, you'd make a stop to stretch, change into pajamas, and then continue the trip. The parent who had been in the back would swap to the front, and the baby would usually fall asleep quickly, making the rest of the ride peaceful.
2. Toddler / Preschool Age
At this stage, toddlers love to explore by opening, closing, and putting things in and out of containers. One fun idea is to give them an empty “Simply Orange” juice container and fill it with safe items like pipe cleaners, pom-poms, straws, or large buttons.
They’ll be entertained for hours by sorting the items in and out, which is a simple yet effective way to keep them busy on the road!
3. School-Aged Kids
Craft kits are always a hit with school-aged kids. You can buy fresh supplies or create themed kits for them to work on during the trip. Even a new notebook, stickers, and a few colorful pens can get them excited.
Be sure to bring small containers, like travel-sized soap holders, to store the supplies once they’re done—this will help keep everything organized and easy to access.
21 Fun Car Games Screen-Free Road Trip Entertainment for Kids
Looking for fun, screen-free ways to keep kids entertained during your road trip? Check out these 21 car games and activities that will keep everyone engaged and make the miles fly by.
1. The Surprise Box
The surprise box is always a favorite on road trips. For each trip, parents can fill an old lunchbox or small container with inexpensive toys, trinkets, and snacks. These can be found at garage sales, Dollar Tree, or on clearance.
The excitement comes from the fact that the contents are new and different, making each item feel like a fun surprise. Including a few snacks and sweet treats makes it even more enjoyable for the kids.
2. Fine Motor Skill Games
Take an empty can with a lid, like an oatmeal container or whipped topping jar. Cut holes in the lid just big enough for kids to push pom-poms through. This simple activity for young children helps improve fine motor skills while keeping them engaged.
3. Pipe cleaners
Pipe cleaners are a simple yet highly entertaining activity for kids. Let them explore their creativity by twisting, bending, and shaping them into fun designs or even unique creations. The possibilities are endless, and they’ll love experimenting with different shapes and structures.
4. Fidget toys
Fidget toys, especially popper toys, are a great choice for kids (and even adults) who enjoy the satisfying sensation of popping packing bubbles. These toys feature soft, silicone bubbles that can be pressed and popped over and over again, providing a calming and engaging sensory experience.
5. Busy Toddlers
Busy boards are a fantastic way to keep toddlers and preschoolers engaged during long car rides. These interactive boards are filled with various activities like buckles, snaps, zippers, and tie shoelaces, which help little ones develop fine motor skills while having fun.
6. Window Art
For kids with a window seat, inexpensive window clings from the dollar store provide a fun and creative way to pass the time. These clings can be easily applied to the car windows, allowing kids to create their own designs and scenes as the scenery changes outside.
7. Magnetic Toys
Kids love creating different shapes with a magnetic tangram set or making silly faces with a fun kit. For a simple and inexpensive option, parents can grab a dollar store cookie sheet and bring along alphabet magnets or magnetic tiles that they likely already have at home.
8. Water painting
Melissa and Doug’s Water Wow books are a hit with kids and parents alike. Kids enjoy the easy painting experience, while parents appreciate that they’re mess-free. Even if there's a spill, the water used is minimal. To speed up drying, simply hold the books near the car’s air vents.
9. Post-it art
Give kids a set of sticky notes and crayons and let them create their own "art gallery" by drawing pictures to stick around the car. Just be sure to remove the artwork when you reach your destination to prevent the glue from getting too sticky in the heat.
10. Toy tubes
These toy tubes and pipes were a big hit with toddlers and preschoolers. The larger pieces make them easier to handle and less likely to get lost in the car, keeping kids entertained without the hassle of small parts.
11. Mess-free coloring
Crayola’s Color Wonder markers have been a go-to in our house for years. These markers only work on the special Color Wonder paper, so there’s no risk of marking up anything else—perfect for mess-free fun on the go!
12. No-mess drawing
This simple LCD drawing tablet has quickly become a favorite for kids. It’s incredibly easy to use—just draw with the stylus, and when you're done, erase it with the push of a button. It's perfect for long car rides since there's no mess, no paper waste, and it keeps kids entertained for hours.
13. Lego box
Create a travel-friendly Lego station by attaching a Lego baseplate to the bottom of a plastic tray or box using double-sided sticky tabs. Fill the box with a variety of Lego bricks for endless creative fun on the go.
If you're concerned about losing pieces, Dollar Tree offers affordable Lego sets and baseplates, making it easy to put together a budget-friendly Lego kit.
14. Create a sensory I-spy game
Take a plastic bottle or Ziploc bag and fill it with rice, then hide several small toys or objects inside. Seal the container securely, and let the kids shake it up to search for the hidden treasures. It’s a fun and engaging way to keep little ones entertained, while also encouraging their observation and fine motor skills.
15. Etch-a-Sketch drawing
A classic toy is a hit with kids, especially those in the preschool age group and older. The challenge of twisting the knobs to create a picture keeps them engaged, and they love experimenting with their designs (even if they often end up with fun, squiggly staircases). It's a simple yet timeless way to spark creativity on long car rides.
16. Map fun
Print out a map of your travel route or grab a paper state map and let the kids track your journey. Mark your planned stops with stars so they can see how far you’ve come and how much further there is to go. It’s a fun, interactive way to keep them engaged and involved in the trip!
17. Create a road trip binder full of printables
There’s a wealth of free, creative road trip games out there designed by parents who love making travel time fun. Gather a selection of these games and organize them into a binder for each child. The binder’s pockets are perfect for storing crayons or markers.
18. Take pictures
Kids love capturing both the journey and the destination. With smartphones in almost every hand, it's easy to find affordable point-and-shoot cameras at garage sales or online. Many kids enjoy using child-sized cameras that are perfect for little hands.
19. Counting Game
Choose an item to track and count it together. For example, see how many red cars, barns, train crossings, or speed limit signs you can spot along the way. It's a fun way to stay engaged while keeping an eye out for specific things.
20. Car Hide and Seek
Grab a few small toys or print out pictures of animals, cars, or anything fun, and hide them around the car in easy-to-spot places. Challenge the kids to find them as they look around, turning the car into a mini treasure hunt!
21. Read or Listen to Books
Pick up a good book or audiobook for your next road trip. Before hitting the road, swing by your local library to grab some fresh reads for the journey. If you're traveling with the whole family, audiobooks are a great choice, too—everyone can enjoy the story together while you drive!
Electronic Gadgets for Tech-Savvy Kids Entertained on Long Trips
Nowadays, keeping kids entertained on long car rides has never been easier. A few gadgets can make a huge difference in preventing boredom and ensuring a smooth journey.
1. Tablets & Smartphones
Load them up with educational apps, games, movies, and music. Tablets or smartphones are perfect for keeping kids engaged while offering a variety of entertainment options. Many vehicles now come with built-in Wi-Fi, so streaming or downloading content is easier than ever.
2. Audiobooks
A great way to bring stories to life during your trip. Choose family-friendly books like Harry Potter or fun kids' stories. Audiobooks can be enjoyed together or on individual devices with headphones to keep the peace.
3. Portable DVD Players
A must-have for some families, especially on longer trips. These are great for watching favorite shows and movies on the go. If your car doesn’t have one built-in, renting a portable version is an easy fix.
4. Educational "Talking" Toys
These toys offer learning opportunities, but it's important to choose ones that aren't too loud for the confined space of the car. Look for quiet, interactive toys that keep kids entertained without driving you crazy.
With these gadgets, you can mix tech-based fun with classic screen-free activities, keeping everyone happy and entertained during the ride.
Make Every Road Trip a Family Adventure!
A road trip with the family is a fantastic way to bond as you make your way to an exciting destination. With a few fun activities and gadgets to keep the kids entertained, the journey will be a lot smoother, and everyone will be in the mood for the next adventure.
For more tips and travel insights, visit the CarHub blog. Whether you’re preparing for a road trip or seeking advice on keeping your vehicle road-ready, our articles offer everything you need for a hassle-free journey.
And when you’re ready to upgrade your ride for even more comfort and style, CarHub has the perfect family-friendly vehicles waiting for you—stop by and find the car that’ll make every trip a joy!