How to keep kids entertained on long car journeys

Long car journeys with kids can feel like a real adventure and, sometimes, a bit of a challenge. Whether you’re heading off on holiday or visiting family, spending hours in the car can test even the most patient little travellers – and parents.

The key to a smooth journey is planning ahead, so making sure you’ve packed the right essentials, and having plenty of entertainment options to keep boredom at bay. With a little preparation, the trip can be enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some top tips on how to keep kids entertained on long car journeys.

Plan your trip

It’s important to plan your trip as best you can to take a lot of the unknown out of the situation. Of course, this does not mean that every single second of every single day needs to be accounted for, but you should have a solid plan when it comes to your trip.

For example, you need to work out what route you are going to take, how long it’s going to take you to get there, what stops are best to make along the way for food and bathroom breaks, and anything else you would need to stop for.

There are apps and websites that you can use to help you plan your route, so make use of them to keep you on the right track.

Pack enough entertainment

Speaking of naps, try to align part of your journey with your child’s usual nap time, so you can near enough guarantee some peace and quiet. A slow playlist, blackout window shades and a comfort toy can help them drift off easily.

When your kids aren’t napping, make sure to have some car games tucked away like, “I Spy”, the number plate game, or travel board games. Listening to audiobooks or a favourite singalong playlist can also help pass the time, as well as tablets or devices to watch movies and play interactive games on.

Ensure you have snacks and drinks

The last thing that you want is to run out of snacks and drinks when you’ve got hungry and thirsty kids in the car. So, we strongly recommend that you pack way over what you think you are going to need, because it’s far better to have too much than not enough.

This way, when you get to your destination, you will still have some snacks and drinks left over to stock up the cupboards, saving you some money.

Other essentials to pack

Beyond the obvious snacks and drinks, having a well-stocked car can make the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one. To keep your kids even more comfortable too, a soft blanket, pillow or favourite cuddly toy can help littles ones settle for naps.

A few essentials to consider include are antibacterial hand sanitiser, gel and wipes for quick clean-ups as well as tissues and disposable bags for rubbish. The likelihood of accidents and spills is quite high, so it’s always better to be prepared. In addition to the cleaning supplies above, don’t forget spare clothes, just in case.

Maintain hygiene on the move

No matter where you’re travelling or how you’re getting to your destination, it’s important to maintain your kid’s hygiene throughout the journey. Milton’s Antibacterial Surface Wipes are a great product to keep in your luggage or handy in the car and use anywhere.

Milton’s antibacterial hand sanitiser and gel are also great for keeping everyone’s hands clean on-the-go – no more sticky fingers! Finally, our Solo Travel Steriliser and Mini Soother Steriliser are ideal for cleaning bottles and dummies using our cold water sterilising method together with our Sterilising Tablets.

Shop our hygiene and sterilising products today.