Long car rides can be an exciting part of family adventures, but for kids, they often turn into long hours of boredom and restlessness. As parents, keeping children entertained in the back seat is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip for everyone. Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or a two-hour drive to grandma’s house, having a toolkit of car-friendly activities can make all the difference. At The Kids Point, we know how important it is to keep little minds and hands engaged on the go, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 fun and easy car activities for kids that will transform your next road trip into a fun-filled experience.
Window Cling Fun
Window clings are a mess-free and highly engaging option for toddlers and younger children. These reusable stickers can be stuck onto the inside of car windows and moved around freely without leaving any sticky residue. Choose from themes like animals, outer space, or letters and numbers to create mini stories or learning moments on the go.
Why it works:
- No mess or cleanup
- Encourages creativity and fine motor skills
- Reusable for multiple trips
Tip: Rotate sets during the trip to keep the activity fresh and exciting.
Travel Activity Binders
A DIY travel binder filled with age-appropriate activities can be a lifesaver. For preschoolers, include coloring pages, sticker sheets, and simple puzzles. Older kids can enjoy crosswords, word searches, and drawing prompts. Use plastic sleeves and dry-erase markers for a reusable format.
Supplies to include:
- Coloring and activity pages
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Dry-erase markers and laminated sheets
- Puzzle pages or connect-the-dots
- Educational worksheets or games
Bonus: Add a small pouch for easy storage of markers, erasers, and other materials.
Magnetic Games
Magnetic travel games are ideal for car rides because they keep all the pieces secure and in one place. You can find magnetic versions of classic games like checkers, tic-tac-toe, and matching games. For DIY fun, create your own game boards using a cookie sheet and printable magnets.
Popular magnetic games:
- Magnetic tangrams
- Magnetic maze puzzles
- Dress-up dolls or vehicle sets
Educational angle: Great for enhancing problem-solving and coordination during the ride.
Audiobooks and Podcasts
If your child gets carsick from reading or drawing, audio-based entertainment is a great alternative. Audiobooks and children’s podcasts can capture their attention with storytelling, music, and interesting facts.
Kid-approved favorites:
- Story Pirates
- Brains On!
- Circle Round
- Wow in the World
- Magic Tree House audiobook series
Parent tip: Pre-download episodes or books before the trip in case you lose signal.
I Spy and Scavenger Hunts
Classic car games like I Spy never get old and can be customized for any age. Turn this into a scavenger hunt by printing a list of things to find during the trip—like a red car, a cow, or a water tower. Make it even more interactive by using stickers or markers to check items off a list.
Variations to try:
- Alphabet I Spy (find something that starts with each letter)
- Color hunt (find objects of different colors)
- License plate scavenger hunt (spot plates from different states or provinces)
Interactive fun: Encourage siblings to team up or compete for added excitement.
Sticker and Mosaic Books
Stickers are compact, fun, and require minimal parental assistance. For older kids, sticker-by-number or mosaic sticker books add a level of challenge and concentration. These activities keep hands busy while developing fine motor skills and creativity.
Types of sticker books:
- Reusable sticker scenes
- Puffy sticker play sets
- Mosaic-by-number books
On-the-go benefit: Easy to clean up and can be stored in the seatback pocket or travel tray.
Dry-Erase Boards and Drawing Tablets
If your child loves to draw, keep a dry-erase board or LCD writing tablet in the car. Dry-erase boards are perfect for quick games like Hangman, tic-tac-toe, or doodles. LCD writing tablets provide a tech-free way to sketch with no mess or cleanup.
Why they’re great:
- Reusable and eco-friendly
- No paper waste or broken crayons
- Great for both structured games and free drawing
Idea: Write prompts like “Draw your dream car” or “Design a new animal” to spark creativity.
Would You Rather and 20 Questions
Conversation games not only pass the time but also help families bond. Would You Rather? questions are great for laughs and unexpected answers, while 20 Questions sparks curiosity and critical thinking.
Would You Rather Examples:
- Would you rather have wings or a tail?
- Would you rather eat broccoli-flavored ice cream or pickle pancakes?
20 Questions Tips:
- Choose a category (animals, movies, famous people)
- Set simple rules (yes/no questions only)
- Take turns being the answerer
Road trip bonus: These games don’t require any materials—just imagination!
Snack Sorting and Taste Tests
Turn snack time into an activity! Bring a selection of bite-sized snacks (dry cereal, raisins, pretzels, etc.) and let your child sort them by color, shape, or taste. You can also try blindfolded taste tests and let them guess what they’re eating. It’s a sensory experience and snack time rolled into one!
Snack activities to try:
- Sorting games (by size, texture, or category)
- Guess the flavor challenge
- Build-a-snack mix (create your own combination)
Practical tip: Use a snack container with divided sections or a clean muffin tin placed on a travel tray.
Portable Craft Kits
Craft kits don’t have to be messy or elaborate. With a little planning, you can bring mini crafting projects that are self-contained and car-friendly. Pipe cleaners, felt pieces, foam shapes, and glue dots can all be used without worrying about spills or stickiness.
Ideas for portable crafts:
- Pipe cleaner animals or bracelets
- Felt shape scenes (e.g., make a garden or monster)
- No-mess origami or pre-folded paper crafts
- Sticker mosaics and scratch art cards
Storage tip: Use a small box or zippered pouch to store all pieces and keep them within reach.
Bonus Tips for Road Trip Success
1. Rotation is Key
Don’t hand out all the activities at once. Rotate them every 30-60 minutes to maintain interest.
2. Use Seat Organizers
Install backseat organizers to store activities, snacks, and water bottles within easy reach.
3. Bring a Lap Tray or Cookie Sheet
A lap tray gives kids a stable surface to color, draw, or play games. A rimmed cookie sheet doubles as a play surface and magnet board.
4. Pack a “Surprise Bag”
Fill a bag with small surprises (stickers, mini toys, new books) and hand them out periodically as a reward or distraction.
5. Include Quiet Time Activities
Balance high-energy games with low-key options like audiobooks, soft music, or journaling.
Car trips with kids don’t have to be stressful or filled with endless questions like “Are we there yet?” With a little creativity and planning, you can make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. From magnetic games and sticker books to engaging conversations and travel binders, these fun and easy car activities are designed to keep kids entertained, learning, and having fun—mile after mile. At The Kids Point, we’re passionate about making learning playful and travel stress-free for families. Try these ideas on your next road trip and turn travel time into a memory-making adventure.