10 ways to keep the kids busy on long car journeys
Keep their boredom at bay and put a stop to any squabbles with these genius parenting travel hacks from just £6.99
Whether you’re going on a day out, they’re off to stay with grandparents or you’re lucky enough to be going on holiday, there’s a lot time spent in the car over the summer. Tool up with the best toys and games that will mean journeys don’t equal screentime or a screaming match when they ask for the bazillionth time if you’re nearly there yet…
Plus-Plus Puzzle by Number Transportation Activity Pad, £12.99
With 12 different activities to choose from, Plus-Plus Puzzle by Number Activity Pad is the all-in-one portable boredom-buster of your dreams. Your kids will be so absorbed building airplanes, trucks, hot air balloons and more, in either 2D and 3D, they'll barely notice they're in a car.
SmartGames Asteroid Escape Puzzle Game, £14.99
Compact enough to play on your child’s lap on a car journey, this Asteroid Escape Puzzle Game will test their problem solving as they navigate a spaceship through an asteroid field. This puzzle has over 60 missions, from beginner to expert, meaning hours of distraction as they complete them all.
TOMY Aquadoodle Travel Drawing Bag, £17.99
The perfect way for even young kids to get creative on a long journey; meet the mess-free wonder that is TOMY Aquadoodle Travel Drawing Bag. Using a water-filled pen, they’ll merrily draw and draw – when their designs dry they fade away, ready for the magic mat to be used again.
Roald Dahl - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Marvellous Maths Card Games, £9.95
Make maths fun with these three games inspired by Oompa Loompas and the rest of Willy Wonka’s world, developed for Key Stage 1 and 2. Charlie’s Marvellous Maths Game cleverly helps even the biggest holiday homework refuseniks to practice their addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.
SmartGames Cats & Boxes Puzzle Game, £14.99
If your kid has reached the funny cat video phase, they’ll love hunting felines in this sequential portable puzzle game. Move the puzzle pieces one by one, until all of the hidden cats are in a cardboard box. Purrrrrfect to take with you on the go.
UNO Show 'em No Mercy Game, £11.99
If your kids are a little older this ultimate UNO game will while away the hours. The most brutal version of UNO yet is suitable for children aged seven and older, and can be played with up to six people. It's guaranteed great fun and guaranteed shouting (sorry).
Galt Water Magic Under the Sea Colouring, £6.99
Mess- and mark-free painting while you're on the move? This is a hit with kids and parents alike. Just add a small amount of water to the pen and little ones can reveal hidden pictures. Once the water dries the picture disappears, so it can be used over and over again. Plus, the chunky spiral book is easy for little hands to use.
Vivid NexCube Speedcube 3x3, £7
Older kids will be hooked for hours on NexCube’s ergonomically designed cube. The aim? Twist and turn the cube until each side is one solid colour: blue, green, yellow, orange, red and white. Suitable for children aged eight to complete the puzzle, but younger ones will love having a go, too.
LeapFrog Reading Buddies Starter Pack, £39.99
If you’re travelling with a toddler you might need something with a few more bells and whistles in order to keep them entertained through a long journey. This fantastic learning toy is an investment buy that’ll really do the trick. Plug the Tiger Reading Buddy on top of the Stylus to activate heaps of learning activities, including interactive audio stories.
Peppa Pig Peppa’s Travels Kids’ Sticker Book, £6.99
You can’t go wrong with a sticker book. This 24-page wonder has hundreds of stickers to keep fans of Peppa Pig busy for hours – even if most of the stickers end up on your clothes...
