How to Keep Kids Engaged During Car Rides and Long Waits

Why Idle Time Can Be the Most Stressful

Every parent knows the look: wide eyes, squirmy legs, and a loud chorus of “I'm bored!” coming from the backseat. Or the sigh that rises from the child waiting for you to finish an errand, a doctor’s appointment, or just a never-ending queue at school pickup.

Moments that should feel uneventful—just waiting or driving—somehow end up being triggering for both kids and parents. These unexpected spells of idle time can lead to whining, restlessness, and even conflict. If your child already struggles with focus, school-related stress, or anxiety, these moments can carry even extra emotional weight.

When the Mind Wanders, the Body Follows

Many children between the ages of 6 and 12 have trouble staying regulated during transitions: those in-betweens when stimulation drops and expectations are unclear. These can be golden opportunities for you to nurture calm and gently reinforce learning, but only with the right approach.

Instead of viewing these periods as wasted or challenging, a simple mindset shift can help: see them as invitations to engage differently. You're not trying to “fix” the moment—you’re helping your child grow comfortable with stillness, attention, and self-soothing strategies.

Turn Passive Time Into Playful Time

Instead of defaulting to screens or bribes, you can plant small rituals into car rides and waiting rooms that your child begins to cherish. For some families, it’s a game of verbal storytelling. For others, it's drawing together in a sketchbook that lives in the glove compartment.

Here are gentle, low-prep ways to create these quiet bonding pockets:

• Interactive storytelling: Begin a story and ask your child to complete parts. Let the story twist naturally, embracing the silly directions they choose.
• Memory games: Practice simple games like “I went to the market and I bought…”—great for attention and memory building.
• Observation challenges: Ask them to spot five red cars, or notice how many people are wearing hats. It’s grounding, calming, and attention training in disguise.

Support Emotional Regulation On-the-Go

If your child struggles with focus or emotions—especially in moments of frustration, overstimulation, or boredom—these transitions are chances to practice emotional regulation skills in real life. You're not adding pressure but creating predictability and comfort through routine.

One idea: create a “calm kit” that lives in your bag or car. Fill it with fidget items, a mini notebook, colored pencils, even printed jokes or riddles. This gives them a sense of autonomy—they get to choose their coping tools—and reduces your mental load. You’re not scrambling every time you need to wait longer than expected.

For more strategies to help your family create sustainable, calming routines, read How to Create a Peaceful Evening Routine When Managing Multiple Kids.

The Magic of Audio Stories: A Mind-Body Reset

There’s something inherently soothing about listening to stories—especially when the visuals are left to the imagination. That’s why audio content can be a game-changer during long waits or drives. It gives kids just enough sensory input to stay engaged without overstimulation.

The LISN Kids App offers original audiobooks and series designed specifically for kids aged 3 to 12. The content ranges from adventure stories to calming bedtime tales, with themes that gently reinforce attention, empathy, and resilience. It’s available on iOS and Android, making it easy to use during car rides or while waiting anywhere.

Let your child choose a story, sink into an imaginary world, and emerge feeling calmer. When paired with deep breathing or drawing, it turns anxious waiting into a nourishing sensory break. You may even find it becomes part of your child’s personal toolkit for self-soothing.

When You’re Running Low and Can’t Entertain

There will be days when your energy is tapped, and you can’t carry one more emotional weight. That’s okay. What matters is not perfection—but consistency and safety. When kids know what to expect, they feel secure—even if that means “quiet time with headphones in the backseat” rather than a singalong or game.

Recharging matters for parents too. You can read more about balancing your needs with your child’s in How to Manage Parental Burnout with Kids Ages 3 to 12.

And remember, simple solutions can go a long way, like having go-to activities or calm-inducing routines. These might include drawing, light stretching, or even your child having a say in how they spend their wait time (try offering two regulated options).

Every Moment Matters, Especially the Small Ones

It may not seem like a big deal—entertaining your child on the way to soccer practice or in line at the pharmacy—but these are formative micro-moments. They build trust. They strengthen attention, communication skills, and emotional resilience. Most of all, they create shared memories in places we typically rush to forget.

To explore more calm-forward ideas that support kids through downtime and transitions, see Calm Activities for Hyperactive Kids While Parents Rest or Simple and Fun Ways to Keep Kids Engaged While You Make Dinner.

You don’t need elaborate plans. You just need tiny rituals, small tools, and a bit of connection to transform the in-between into something meaningful.