How to Entertain Kids in the Car Without a Tablet

Why screen-free car rides matter more than we think

As a parent, there’s a certain dread that creeps in just before a long car trip. You know the questions are coming—"Are we there yet?" or "Can I have your phone?"—usually within the first fifteen minutes. Car rides can be challenging for kids aged 6 to 12, especially when they’re already managing school stress, learning struggles, or emotional regulation. It’s tempting to hand over a tablet, but there’s growing interest among parents like you in finding screen-free ways to engage children’s minds and attention.

Screenless travel doesn’t mean boring. In fact, turning off the screen can open up space for connection, creativity, and calm—three things children deeply need, especially if they’re navigating academic frustration or anxiety. So how can you make car rides smoother without relying on digital distractions? Let's explore together.

The magic of storytelling (minus the screen)

Remember the stories we used to hear on the radio as kids? There’s something timeless about a well-told tale. Storytelling is more than just entertainment—it actively engages a child’s imagination and emotion. For children who find reading difficult or avoid homework because it feels overwhelming, hearing a story can soften their resistance and spark curiosity again.

This is where using audio wisely can become your best travel hack. Audiobooks and audio series offer immersion, especially if your child struggles with focus or reading fluency. Apps like LISN Kids on iOS and Android offer original, ad-free audio stories made especially for children aged 3-12. They’re easy to queue up before hitting the road so your child can escape into a world of characters and adventures without a screen in sight.

Beyond entertainment, listening to stories supports comprehension, vocabulary, and empathy development—which can all be deeply impactful for kids who are struggling at school. In fact, audiobooks offer a surprising range of benefits for children, including improved listening skills and reduced screen time pressure.

Games that don’t need screens (and build brains)

Simple, oral games might seem old-fashioned, but they can be surprisingly effective for keeping children engaged and connected. These games also help build memory, focus, and verbal skills—all essential tools for kids facing academic hurdles.

For example:

• 20 Questions: Encourages logical reasoning and hypothesis testing.
• The Alphabet Game: Spot something beginning with each letter, building vocabulary and observation.
• “Would You Rather?”: A gentle way to explore emotions, preferences, and decision-making.

These aren’t just time-fillers. They’re ways to engage your child’s mind actively, making the car ride an opportunity for cognitive play rather than passive consumption. This can be particularly helpful for children dealing with learning differences who may experience anxiety around formal learning settings. Making learning feel like a game can gently support their confidence and cognitive endurance.

Create a calm environment with routines—even on the road

Children thrive on predictability, and for those experiencing school stress or emotional overwhelm, being in control of something—even just knowing what comes next—can make a huge difference. Establishing a car-ride routine can help create a sense of structure in an otherwise unstructured space.

You might start by:

• Having a pre-departure ritual: let your child choose a snack or select their audiobook before buckling in.
• Planning rest breaks: mark them clearly and turn them into small adventures.
• Using calming cues: soft music, familiar pillows, or even starting a car-only story series you listen to together.

These rituals can mirror the kind of calming evening routines that help sensitive children feel grounded and emotionally safe.

Building emotional connection through conversation

Some of the most memorable family conversations happen not around the dinner table, but in the car. With fewer distractions, the road can be an invitation to talk—just the two of you or as a whole family. That said, children under stress may not always open up when you expect it. And that’s okay. Creating moments of shared silence, laughs from a funny story, or thoughtful pauses during an audiobook can all contribute to emotional bonding.

For kids who struggle with school confidence or who often feel misunderstood during homework time, these car ride conversations (or even comfortable silences) can repair connection and set the tone for more cooperation later.

Need help encouraging their imagination? Here’s why audio stories are an excellent way to spark creativity—and calm racing thoughts.

Final thought: long rides can lead to lasting memories

There’s no magic formula to car rides without screens, especially when children are tired, worried, or feeling dysregulated. But turning travel time into connection time—even through quiet listening or simple games—can help your child feel supported, not just distracted.

These small, repeated moments can soothe stress, build attention spans, and make even a trip to Grandma’s feel like an adventure. Instead of dreading the next road trip, what if it became a chance for your child to rest, imagine, and reconnect—with you and with themselves?

And if you’re still navigating bedtime screen battles, take a look at this comparison between stories and cartoons at bedtime.