How to Keep Kids Engaged During Car Rides Without Screens or Stress

Long Car Ride Ahead? Here’s How to Make It Pleasant for Everyone

If you’ve ever faced the dreaded words, “Are we there yet?” mere minutes after starting a trip, you’re not alone. For parents of children aged 6 to 12—especially those who struggle with focus, school stress, or learning differences—car rides can feel like both a logistical challenge and an emotional rollercoaster. How do you both entertain and nurture them during these long, confined hours?

The car, in many ways, is a unique parenting space. You're close together, there's limited distraction, and this can become a fantastic opportunity—if used with intention. Instead of turning on a screen to buy silence, what if those hours in the car became a chance to stretch imagination, deepen connection, and even create some restful moments?

Creating Calm: Why Car Rides Are Ideal for Low-Stimulation Activities

Children with heightened sensitivity to stress, school pressure, or emotional overload often benefit from environments that offer gentle stimulation. The rhythmic hum of the engine, the passing scenery, and the enclosed safe space of a car can serve as a calming backdrop for the right kinds of engagement. Loud, high-energy games may backfire. Instead, use this time for:

• Listening together: Audiobooks, calming music, or storytelling podcasts create a shared, low-effort focus.
• Gentle conversation: Car rides are great for chats that aren’t about school performance or behavior. Talk about favorite memories or silly dreams.
• Mindful observations: Ask things like, “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen out the window so far?” Encouraging mindfulness helps reduce anxiety and brings kids into the present.

To help your child wind down after a long or overwhelming day—even on the go—consider browsing tips in this guide on helping your child relax after a demanding day.

When Boredom Isn’t a Bad Word

We often rush to fill any moment of boredom with something—anything—to prevent restlessness and complaints. But mild boredom, especially in a low-pressure setting like a car, can lead to daydreaming, creative thinking, and even emotional processing.

Try guiding your child into story creation. Take turns inventing characters, settings, and plots. You might be surprised how much their imagination comes to life when they’re not glued to a screen or focused on academic performance. For more inspiration on this topic, explore how storytelling can nurture your child’s creativity.

Choosing the Right Stories for the Road

Audio stories strike the perfect balance between entertainment and developmental benefit during car rides. They don’t require screens, they can occupy a child’s attention for long stretches, and the right stories can even soothe kids who are anxious or tired.

Not all audio content is created equal, though. For children who have difficulty concentrating or who become overwhelmed easily, choosing age-appropriate, gently paced stories is important. If you're not sure where to start, this short guide on choosing the right stories for your child’s age can help you tailor the experience.

One excellent resource is the LISN Kids App, which offers a growing library of original audiobooks and audio series specifically designed for children aged 3 to 12. The content ranges from funny adventures to peaceful bedtime stories—which can be a lifesaver after a long day or just before arriving at your destination. It’s available on both iOS and Android devices, making it easy to bring high-quality, emotionally attuned content into your car journey.

Minding the Transitions: Before and After the Trip

Children who face learning or emotional difficulties often struggle most during transitions. Going from home to school, or from a relaxing weekend into a structured environment, can create invisible stress.

Use the trip itself as a way to buffer these transitions. A calming story at the beginning of the ride can set a positive tone. A relaxing audio series near the end can prepare them mentally to step into a new space. Consider incorporating elements from this article on creating mellow evening routines if you’re doing nighttime travel.

Not Every Moment Needs to Be Filled

Perhaps the most reassuring truth for a parent trying to keep a child ‘occupied’ during a car ride is this: presence beats perfection. You don’t need to plan every second. You don’t need to worry if your child zones out for a while or stares quietly out the window.

A healthy balance of engagement, gentle stimulation, rest, and, yes, even silence—can help your child arrive somewhere calmer, more centered, and ready to transition smoothly into their next environment.

And if you’re facing a particularly long trip, bedtime may come soon after arrival. In that case, you might want to explore soothing bedtime stories to make that transition easier.

Every car ride is a chance to slow down together, which—after all—is something every child, and every parent, sometimes truly needs.