Family travel activities to keep kids entertained on the road

Start by giving each child their own road trip activity bag. A small backpack or tote that stays within easy reach can hold everything they’ll need for the journey without having to search through luggage at every stop.

The secret is not to pack too much. Choose a mix of activities suited to your child’s age and interests. A few kids’ books, activity and sticker books, drawing supplies and a small toy can provide plenty of variety.

Let kids help choose what goes into their bag before you leave. It gives them something to get excited about and means they’ll have a few favourites ready for the trip.

For younger travellers, a favourite comfort toy can be a welcome addition too. Just remember to keep anything needed during the drive somewhere a passenger can safely reach it.

A little creativity can make the kilometres pass surprisingly quickly.

Colouring, drawing and sticker activities are great options because kids can dip in and out of them throughout the journey. Pack a notebook or sketch pad with a few kids’ stationery essentials or choose colour and activity books filled with pictures, puzzles and activities.

You can turn drawing into a road trip game too. Ask kids to draw something they’ve spotted outside the window, design their dream holiday destination or draw a picture of where they think you’re going.

When choosing art and craft activities for the car, keep things simple. Stickers and craft supplies can be fun, but anything involving lots of loose pieces is probably better saved for your destination.

Easy to use and easy to pack away is the road trip sweet spot.

Bring out the books

Books are a wonderfully simple screen-free road trip activity, especially during the quieter stretches of a journey.

Before you leave, invite everyone to choose a favourite story plus something they haven’t read before. Younger kids might enjoy picture books, while independent readers can get lost in a story from the kids and teen books range.

For kids who like something a little more interactive, educational books can include activities that encourage them to think, write or solve problems along the way.

Reading in a moving car doesn’t suit everyone, so save the books for a rest stop or your destination if someone starts feeling uncomfortable. You can also make stories a whole-car activity by taking turns making up your own tale out loud.

You don’t need to bring the entire toy box along for the ride. A couple of carefully chosen toys can give kids another way to play when they need a change of activity.

Look for compact options without lots of pieces that can roll under the seats. Small figures, dolls or other imaginative toys can inspire kids to create characters and stories as you travel.

For children who enjoy something tactile, fidget toys can keep little hands occupied, while sensory friendly toys offer another type of play to explore.

Keep each child's age and individual needs in mind when choosing what to bring and always check the product's recommended age and safety information.

Sometimes the activity kids need most is simply getting out of the car.

Plan regular stops that give everyone an opportunity to stretch their legs, use the bathroom and reset before the next part of the drive. Where there’s a safe and suitable place to play, a quick run around can help break up a long day of sitting.

If you have room, add a small ball or another simple item from outdoor play to your luggage for longer stops and time at your destination.

You can make stops part of the adventure too. Look for an interesting picnic spot, viewpoint or park along your route and give kids something to look forward to between destinations.

Most importantly, keep car activities safe and make sure nothing distracts the driver.

Few things can change the mood of a family road trip quite as quickly as someone announcing they’re hungry.

Pack food that works for your family in lunch boxes or a lunch bag, with snacks divided into easy-to-manage portions. Keep dietary needs and the length of your trip in mind when deciding what to bring.

Reusable drink bottles can help everyone keep their water close by, while the wider lunch and drink range has options for organising food and drinks when you’re out and about.

Keep anything that needs to stay chilled appropriately cool, and save messy or difficult-to-manage foods for a rest stop. A proper snack break can become another chance to get out, stretch and enjoy the journey.

Make getting there part of the fun

The destination might be what everyone’s excited about, but getting there can create plenty of family memories too.

Pack a few favourite activities, add some simple road trip games and leave room for spontaneous fun along the way. Sing loudly, invent ridiculous stories, look out the window and see who can spot something unexpected.

With a little preparation and a good mix of travel activities for kids, your next family road trip can feel like the adventure has started from the moment you leave the driveway.