Car games and travel ideas for the under 6s

In the age of television, games machines and meals on laps, many children are starved of time with their parents, and sitting in the car (or the train, or the plane) is one of the few times the whole family is together without distractions. There are plenty of free games on this site for little ones. I Spy was once voted one of the most popular games for families on the move, probably because you can involve everyone and pitch the clues to suit the age of the children.

Variety is the key to a happy journey, and half an hour is just about the maximum attention span on one topic. So once you have run through the games, it helps to have a few other ways to keep them busy.

A flat surface and finger food

Make sure they have a flat surface to play on (a travel tray that fits across the car seat is ideal) and have some finger food ready to separate each activity. Breadsticks, carrot batons, raisins, cheese sticks and pieces of fruit such as grapes, berries and slices of apple are all good choices. Oranges are dreadful because the juice gets everywhere. Nothing too rich, and no chocolate: it melts and makes a huge mess.

The bag of tricks

A bag of colouring pens, books, Duplo, toy cars and picture books is essential. Include a few new things to keep them interested for longer, or make up a goody bag with some new toys and activities to hand out along the way.

Music, stories and (with luck) a sleep

Listen to some music or stories. Finger puppets are great for acting out the songs and stories. Colouring and activity books work well too, as long as they don’t get travel sick. Chat about the journey, play some more games, let them have a sleep if you’re really lucky… It’s amazing how quickly a three-hour journey goes when it’s split into half-hour slots.

Travel sickness

Travel sickness affects many children. There are over-the-counter and herbal remedies, and many people swear by acupressure bands from the chemist. Games that involve looking out of the window can also help, and so does fresh air. Ask a pharmacist which remedies are suitable for your child’s age.

Three hours in half-hour slots

This is what that looks like on a real journey. Swap the games for your own favourites; the idea is simply that nothing lasts much longer than thirty minutes.

1. 0:00
   I SpyColours instead of letters for the very little ones: “something that is red”.
2. 0:30
   SnackBreadsticks and grapes on the tray, one small pot each.
3. 1:00
   Songs or a storySing along to a CD or play an audiobook. Finger puppets for the actions.
4. 1:30
   StopLoo, run around, fresh air. Frog-march everyone to the toilet, even if they say they don’t need it.
5. 2:00
   Colouring or stickersOut comes something new from the bag of tricks.
6. 2:30
   Travelling bingoA picture card each. First to get a line wins a raisin.
7. 3:00
   Nearly there!Count the cows until you arrive.

Want one for your own journey? The break planner builds it for you from the length of the drive and the ages in the back. And a full checklist for the day is in Before the journey.