The prospect of setting off on a long journey with kids is enough to have some parents muttering ‘There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…’ over and over.
But sometimes a long journey is unavoidable, and you need to load up the car with the best car accessories for kids, get everyone in their car seats and hit the road. Car games for kids are a crucial element of keeping people entertained, and sane, as the miles go by.
Full disclaimer. We make no promises for the success of any of these suggestions. Sorry. And good luck.
Tablets
Ah, the good old digital babysitter, the tablet. You could well just pass your phone back to the kids but then you could well be using it to power Apple Carplay or Android Auto. Plus, who knows who your kids could end up calling while you are out of arm’s reach and can’t see the screen.
Far safer to load up a tablet with some age-appropriate games or videos, make sure it has enough battery and hand it over. You could use one with its own data sim, or use your phone as a WiFi hotspot. Some cars even offer their own WiFi for a monthly fee. Or, you could play it safe and stay offline to avoid any unwanted downloads.
We’ve rounded up our best tablets for car journeys.
Pros: Plenty of different game and show options
Cons: Tablets can run out of battery, might need data connection
DVD players
Fancy controlling the back-seat narrative a little more? Don’t want to stretch to a dedicated tablet, or two, just for your kids to use in the car? Simply got some old DVDs that you aren’t using at home?
Although DVD players are probably not the first piece of tech you would hunt out when kitting out a home cinema, they are now a relatively affordable option for in-car entertainment. You can get systems that play the same programme on both screens to minimise arguments, too.
Don’t have any DVDs? They will often have USB or SD inputs too, so you can load up your favourite shows or films via other means, too.
Pros: You get more control over what the kids are watching, quite affordable these days
Cons: Have you still got any DVDs kicking around? More wires to drape around the cabin
Streaming music
Let’s face it, if you’re a parent then you’ve probably already had your Spotify/Apple Music/other streaming service recommendations invaded by child-friendly music that doesn’t sit alongside your usual preferences. You might as well bite the bullet and bring the Frozen soundtrack into your car as well.
Most newer cars will have Bluetooth or USB sockets as a matter of course, but plenty of slightly older ones don’t have this sort of tech installed. As such, you are probably looking at a Bluetooth adapter that will connect to your existing stereo, or an entirely new stereo.
This might seem a steep price to pay to lessen the soundtrack of your road trips, but unlike lots of the other gadgets on this list this is at least something you can enjoy too.
Pros: You get the benefit of an upgraded stereo
Cons: Everyone has to listen to the same soundtrack. Over and over and over and….
Travel games
If you don’t want to go down the technology route then there are plenty of old-school physical games to entertain younger (or older) passengers on the move. After all, tablets can run out of battery, DVDs can get scratched and everyone has a personal breaking point when it comes to listening to the ’Frozen’ soundtrack.
Sometimes, you want to go old school, particularly if you want a game that adults in the car can join in on too. Take a look at our pick of the best travel games.
Pros: Brings a touch of old-school charm and fun to a journey
Cons: Better for older kids, harder to play in the dark, pieces can get lost in the car
Our favourite family games
You might well be of the mind that the kids get enough screen time while they’re at home, and that a couple of hours in a confined place is a great opportunity for some quality family time. In which case, it’s time for a car game.
Our favourites include…
- Each family member picks a colour and counts the cars they can see in that hue. Great for younger kids, but trickier for drivers who can’t look all around to spot cars from every direction. Also better played in daylight hours
- Use the final three letters of a numberplate in a word – points for the best or silliest word
- Car bingo – prep grids of predictable numbers that feature on car numberplates and tick them off as they appear on passing cars.
Pros: Don’t to buy anything to play, fun for all the family
Cons: Might not cut it for kids used to tech to stave off boredom
Let them sleep
Ah, the dream – small people sleeping in the back while you make your way to your destination. Timing your drive for late in the day or early in the morning so the kids can get part of their night’s sleep on the move and then simply transfer over is like magic, if it works. The theory is they gently stir sufficiently to move over to their bed at Granny’s house, or wherever you end up. You benefit from quieter roads as well.
Like anything involving such matters, though, the theory is one thing but the reality is another, and anyone that has tried and failed to transfer a sleeping child might well laugh hollowly at the suggestion. Good luck…
Pros: If it works, it’s glorious for all concerned
Cons: Requires an early start or a late arrival. It might not work…
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