The warmer weather has arrived, and with it comes the season of holidays, weekend escapes, and long-awaited road trips. Whether you’re exploring the UK or heading further afield, chances are you’re gearing up for a long drive – and wondering how to keep the kids happy in the back seat.
Here are our top 7 tips to help make travelling with little backseat passengers a breeze.
1. Word games
Classic word games are a great way to pass the time and get kids involved, all without any screentime. Try:
- I-Spy – One person picks something they can see and gives a clue (e.g. “I spy with my little eye… something blue”), and others guess what it is.
- 20 Questions – Think of an object, and others can ask up to 20 yes/no questions to figure out what it is.
- The number plate game – Use letters from passing number plates to create words or funny phrases.
- Memory games – Make a list, one object at a time, and extend your holiday packing list until somebody forgets the order.
Turning these into small challenges or competitions can make them more exciting and keep kids engaged. You can add timed rounds or “winner picks the next snack” rewards to up the stakes for older kids.
2. Road trip bingo
Create bingo cards before you set off, or use printable templates. Include things such as:
- Different colour cars.
- Animals in fields.
- Lorries, tractors and motorcycles.
- Road signs.
- Airplanes and helicopters.
- Cloud shapes.
Kids stay focused, the journey feels quicker, and everyone gets involved.
3. Arts and crafts
Arty activities don’t have to mean messy back seats. You can easily pack a small travel kit for your child with bits like:
- Colouring books.
- Stickers.
- Puzzle books.
- Notebooks.
- Magnetic drawing boards.
- Reusable water painting pads.
- Fidget toys.
It’s a good idea to cycle the activities around every hour or so to keep them fresh and exciting for your little one.
4. Backseat drivers
Give the kids a map, paper or digital, and let them track the road trip’s progress. It sparks conversation, builds confidence and curiosity, and teaches basic navigation skills. You could also help them learn about towns as you pass by, spot different flags, predict arrival time or count landmarks like roundabouts or tunnels.
Feeling brave? Let them ‘co-navigate’ while you keep the sat nav running as backup.
5. Start the music
Let kids take turns choosing music or playlists. To keep things balanced:
- Prepare playlists in advance so you know what to expect.
- Set limits on repeating songs.
- Stay in control of the volume.
- Consider playing audiobooks or kids podcasts to keep things educational and productive.
Even kids in the back seat can join in if your car supports Bluetooth or has shared controls. You can also play musical games like having them guess a song that your humming.
If they’re in the back, they could still get involved with the music if you have a stereo with Bluetooth or even just a long USB cable. Or, another game could be using your in-car audio system to play animal noises or sound effects and having the kids guess what it is.
6. Electronic entertainment
Well, we’ve made it this far without mentioning them, but there’s no arguing with the fact that they work! If you’ve got a tablet or another device that you can put some apps on for the kids to play with, it’ll keep them entertained for hours. Add films and music (as well as some e-books) and most journeys should go nice and quick for them.
You can also find educational apps, puzzles and digital drawing pads to keep your little ones more engaged than a film might do.
Alternatively, give your kids a photo checklist to encourage them to take better note of their surroundings and the sights outside, taking photos of things like windmills, rivers, or yellow cars.
A good investment is the Halfords Universal tablet Headrest Mount as it is adjustable to fit different tablet sizes and fits securely on the back of the headrest.
7. Exciting detours
If your staycation destination is miles and miles away, then it can be a good idea to factor in some kid-friendly stop-offs to help break the journey up and give your kids something to look forward to.
Our blog on 10 family attractions to visit in the UK has some great ideas if you’re looking for inspiration, it includes days-out at:
- Zoos.
- Museums.
- Popular attractions.
Or if you’ve brought your bikes along, why not tire your little one out with a bike ride and a picnic? Take a look at some of the top UK family cycling routes or check out our picnic essentials and kids’ bikes to make sure you’re kitted out before you leave.
Otherwise, simply encouraging movement at each break location can stop your child from getting irritable and bored. Games like running races, Simon Says, stretching challenges, and follow-the-leader are classics to reset everyone’s mood before getting back on the road.
What to do to help travel sick kids
If your kids get car sick, it can be much more difficult to keep them entertained. While different solutions work for different kids, we recommend an audiobook and a pillow to help distract them from how they’re feeling and (hopefully) send them to sleep.
If the weather is warm, then investing in a sunshade will help keep the heat off them, ensuring they have a cool and comfortable journey. Don’t forget to ensure cool airflow to prevent any nausea during long road journeys by booking an air con re-gas service and optimise your air con‘s performance and efficiency.
Halfords Motoring Club
By joining the Halfords Motoring Club today, you’ll get access to a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe, and keep you saving.
Free Halfords Motoring Club Membership includes:
- Money off your MOT.
- A free 10-point car health check.
- A welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or upgrade to our Premium membership (£5.49 monthly/£54 yearly) to unlock:
- An included MOT.
- 5% off all motoring services and products online and across our stores, garages, and Halfords Mobile Expert.
- 2 x 10-point car safety checks, worth £15 each.
- Even more exclusive member bargains and benefits.
We hope these tips help to keep your kids entertained during long journeys (and help to take the stress out of the process for you!). If you need any holiday essentials for when you reach your destination, from camping gear to roof boxes, bike racks, or travel tech, you’ll find everything you need at Halfords.
If you want a super summer getaway, you want Halfords.
