Creative Ways to Make Car Rides More Fun for Kids

Why Car Rides Can Feel So Long for Kids—and What You Can Do

From endless road trip hours to daily school runs, being in the car can feel like an eternity for children. For parents, that time can quickly turn from peaceful to stressful when boredom sets in and the questions start flowing: “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “Can I look at your phone?” If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

Many kids struggle with staying engaged during car rides, especially those who already face challenges with focus, anxiety, or simply high energy. But rather than viewing this time as something to get through, what if we saw it as a chance to connect, play, and even learn a little along the way?

Turn Drive Time into Story Time

One of the easiest ways to shift the tone of a car ride is through storytelling. Listening to stories together creates common ground and calms the energy in the car. It’s also a screen-free option that doesn’t require you to manage props, paper, or crumbs.

Children from ages 6 to 12 are at a stage where imagination blossoms through words. If your child isn’t into reading independently, stories on the go might be a gentle way to kindle that love. You might enjoy this article on how to help them fall in love with stories in other ways.

Use an app designed specifically for kids like the LISN Kids App, which offers original audiobooks and audio series made for children aged 3 to 12. Its curated content helps make family car rides feel thoughtful and enriching, without needing you to curate the playlist yourself. The app is available on iOS and Android.

Make the Car an Interactive Space

Children flourish on interaction, and even simple games can turn a boring car ride into a meaningful routine. Instead of relying on screens, try low-pressure games that make your child feel heard and seen:

• “What If” Questions: What if animals could drive? What if you could live in any kind of house? Silly or serious, these questions often lead to long conversations.
• Alphabet Game: Together, find things outside starting with each letter of the alphabet. Great for highway and city driving alike.
• Family Memory Time: Share a fun memory and invite your child to retell it from their perspective. You'll be surprised how stories evolve.

Games like these are not just time-fillers—they help build language skills, creativity, and trust between you and your child. For especially energetic or anxious kids, they also offer useful distraction and regulation tools, especially if they’re transitioning to or from school. Here's more on how to soothe your child’s energy levels in various settings.

Creating a Car-Ride Ritual Your Child Can Look Forward To

Children love structure—even when they don't say it out loud. Introducing small rituals into your car journeys can help ground the experience in something positive and repeatable. Your child might begin to associate the start of a car ride with something they enjoy, shifting their mood before the stress kicks in.

That ritual might look like:

• Picking a new audiobook episode each morning
• Singing one song together—yes, even if it's the same one… every day
• Choosing a special treat or snack stored only for car trips

For children who struggle with transition periods or wait times, rituals give them a mental roadmap—and a sense of control. You can build those around your unique routines and your child’s temperament. For more ideas on keeping kids calm and engaged during quieter times, this might help inspire your car ride plans.

Let Their Senses Play Without Screens

We often default to screens because they demand attention. But kids can be entertained in all sorts of rich, tactile, and sensory ways that don't involve apps or flashing lights. Try these alternatives:

• Car Journals: Keep a small notebook where your child can jot down interesting things they see or doodle freely. Just having their “special journey book” makes travel feel important.
• Soundscapes: Play ambient nature sounds or instrumental music and ask your child to imagine the story they hear unfolding.
• Guessing Games: Describe something out the window and let your child guess what it is using only yes/no questions.

If you're working to limit screen time more broadly, you may also enjoy this article on screen-free activities you can adapt both at home and on the go.

When Boredom Is a Good Thing

Finally, it may help to reframe what's often feared: boredom. A little boredom isn't the enemy—it can actually be a spark. It's OK if every moment of the drive isn't expertly filled with an activity. Short periods of downtime let children process thoughts, notice the view outside, or simply rest quietly. This unstructured time teaches patience and imagination-building, both vital skills for learning and growing.

Many parents feel guilty letting their child sit with boredom, but it's worth remembering that some of the best ideas come from it. Let your child be in the car with their thoughts sometimes. You might just be surprised what they come up with by the time you reach your destination.

Final Thoughts

Car rides can be more than just a point A to point B. With a bit of planning, creativity, and the right tools, this time can become an opportunity for storytelling, connection, calm, or a dash of silliness. Whether you try audiobooks, rituals, games, or shared silence, the important thing is finding what feels good for your family—and trusting that magic hides even in those crowded cupholders and backseat snacks.

Want to better understand how listening can support your child’s imagination and language skills over time? This guide on audiobooks and early language development is a helpful place to start.