No national park in the US is ever the same, and even though there’s no one-size-fits-all guide for visiting every single one in the USA. Between the Family Road Trip team, we’ve visited 57 US National parks so far (you can guess what some of the outliers are!), and whilst some subtle rules do vary by park, there’s definitely a list of tips that applies to each and every one.

If you’re planning to visit any national park soon or plotting an entire road trip to hit several of them (we have some itinerary suggestions in the footer!), here’s a handy list of tips and tricks to bear in mind for your family trip.

2. Get a National Parks Passport

If you’re currently planning to visit all the national parks in the United States or at least many of them throughout you’re lifetime, getting yourself a National Parks Passport is a super fun way to keep track of where you’ve been so far.

It’s not an official passport, but getting to stamp it every time you visit a national park is definitely fun and a great way to record which ones you’ve visited already!

5. Go Further

Here’s a fact about visitors to national parks: 90% of them never go further into national parks than two miles away from the road!

If you want to get to know a park better and in much more solitude, get adventurous and plan on going deeper to see the parts of the park that don’t usually make it on Instagram. Of course, planning well and staying within designated trails is a must in order to ensure your safety.

7. Stay A Night Inside The Park

Most national parks provide lodging and campsite options for people who want to sleep inside the park. Some may offer comfortable lodge-style hotels while others may have cabins or simple campsites to pitch your tent on, but there is usually almost at least one option to overnight in the park.

If possible, try spending at least one night at every national park you visit. Not only do many of them provide wonderful opportunities to see night skies, but staying inside the parks will give you a brand new perspective on them that day visitors don’t get to see.

As a tip, make sure you always plan in advance and do your research. Some parks require you to make reservations in advance (these can open as much as 6 to 12 months in advance), while others only offer lodging and camping on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Bonus Tip: Make sure you have a reservation.gov account set up in advance so you can start your reservation process as soon as slots become available

8. Remain On Designated Trails

Trails were carefully designed in order to keep you safe. Moreover, going outside trails can greatly harm the ecosystem of the parks.

Refer to the Leave No Trace principles above; drill this into your kids from a young age!

10. Do An Itinerary The Other Way Around

If you’re visiting a very popular park and prefer to avoid crowds, a great way to do so is by doing a popular itinerary the other way around.

For instance, if you’re visiting Bryce Canyon, most itineraries suggest you start the day by seeing the sunrise at Sunrise Point and sunset at Sunset Point. This means that most visitors will be at these locations at certain hours of the day, but if you do things backwards, you’ll get both super popular viewpoints almost to yourself!

Moreover, the earlier you start your day, the more likely you will beat the crowds. That’s why staying overnight inside many national parks can be advantageous. If parks have timed entry, try to be among the first to arrive as early birds will most definitely get the best views and the fewest crowds in their way!

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post 10 Pro Tips for Visiting National Parks With Kids appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Are you tired of always hearing the same chorus of “are we there yet?” every time you are on a family road trip?

Whilst a few rounds of eye-spy and nursery rhymes might cut it for road trip entertainment with your under 5’s, as your kids grow older, there are far more exciting and challenging games you can play in the car.

One of the best ways to pass the time on a family road trip is by playing trivia games.

Playing trivia games on a long drive will keep everyone in the family entertained and help improve everyone’s cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities, making you and your family mentally strong.

Having a list of trivia games and apps ready for a long car ride is one of our family road trip essentials!

All of these will help you stimulate conversations and provide hours of fun for the journey ahead.

Trivia Game Apps You Can Download

Road trip games have come a long way, won’t you agree?

If you are on a family journey, and that boredom is creeping in, it sounds like it’s time to mix things up and get the whole family involved.

With all the evolving technology has done, you now have a million games at your fingertips with your phone (and yes, some of them are offline, just in case you are headed to the mountains and out of wifi range)!

Your phone app store has a lot of games to choose from for road trip entertainment. To help you narrow it down, these are the 5 top-rated trivia games we think will be ideal for a family road trip to suit different family interests and game styles.

You can play them on your iPhone, iPad, or any Android digital device.

Here are some of the best trivia mobile apps you can download before your journey: 

1. Jeopardy! World Tour (Google Play Store | Apple App Store)

Recommend for ages 4+ (PEGI 3)

Jeopardy is one of the latest mobile apps and one of the greatest trivia games of all time. With the World Tour game, you don’t have to worry if your phone loses service as it has an offline mode.

How This Game Works

This classic game allows you to go head to head with players worldwide or in the same car. It features a multiple-choice question format with various difficulty levels.

With Jeopardy! World tour, you will be taken for a ride across the globe, testing your game show trivia in different cities, squaring off against other opponents while unlocking better prizes and rewards.

2. SongPop 2: Guess The Song Game (Google Play Store | Apple App Store)

Recommended for ages 12+(PEGI 16)

No road trip is complete without some top tunes playing in the background. With this app, you can have an online audience as you compete.

How This Game Works

This game allows you to take a musical quiz as you play online with other players worldwide. The app randomly selects songs from all musical styles, and it’s your job to guess them. Get the song right, and you score a point.

3. Popcorn Trivia (Google Play Store | Apple App Store)

Recommend for ages 12+ (PEGI 16)

Are you on a road trip with movie buffs? Then this trivia for car rides game got you! Popcorn Trivia is free to play and features a vast library of movie trivia questions from different genres.

How This Game Works

In popcorn trivia, you compete with friends by answering questions from films/ genres. You get to win with every correct answer, earning ranks and climbing from a lowly cleaning crew member to a powerful studio head!

Points you get earn bonuses that you can use on lifelines for those extra hard questions.

4. Psych! Outwit Your Friends (Google Play Store | Apple App Store)

Recommended for ages 12+ (PEGI 12)

Get psyched with this classic, fun car trivia game. Psych is a great and simple game to play online with friends.

How This Game Works

In Psych, you must come up with the craziest answers to your friends’ wacky queries or make up fake answers to real trivia questions to score. It is a fun guessing game that involves everyone on the road but the driver.

You can also connect your smartphones to play this hilarious game that swiftly makes the hours go by.

5. Trivia Crack (Google Play Store | Apple App Store)

Recommended for ages 4+ (PEGI 3)

Looking for an ideal companion while on the road with your family? Trivia crack has quizzes and games that will keep your family entertained on the journey.

How This Game Works

This fun trivia question for a car ride is adjustable for different levels. The trivia crack is meant to test your knowledge on a wide range of topics like; pop culture, history, geography, arts, science, and sports. You get to prove you are the smartest by not only answering the trivia queries but also by suggesting multiple quiz questions.

The first player to correctly answer the questions in all six categories is crowned the winner.

Road Trip Trivia Games You Can Buy

Road trip trivia games are lots of fun and the best way to pass the time on a long journey. If you don’t want to worry about network reception or want to keep your road trip screen-free, then try these are great games you can purchase in advance of your road trip and keep as part of your road trip entertainment pack:

As Amazon Associates, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made on this page.

1. I Should Have Known That!

Does your squad think they are brainy? In this trivia, game green will tell who the master is. This trivia game will involve everyone in the car and has a contrast. Instead of members gaining points when they answer correctly, points are distracted for every incorrect answer you give.

The last person with the least deducted points wears the crown. It is a matter of time before a player goes, “ahh, I should have known!” it’s an addictively entertaining game that includes 110 cards with more than 400 hundred questions.

Recommended for ages 14+

Buy it on Amazon

2. Do You Really Know Your Family?

Do you really know your family? It is a great trivia car game that promises lots of laughter and getting to learn from each other.

This trivia game will sparkle exciting conversations as you answer questions about each other. It is also full of silly challenges that you perform together.

It’s a game that will keep everyone entertained during the road trip.

Recommended for ages 8+

Buy it on Amazon

3. Pressman Charade For Kids

Is your squad a little younger and bored to their last wits whenever you have car rides? Boredom will be a thing of the past with this excellent trivia game that involves them.

This classic game has cards that have clues with pictures ensuring your non-readers also get to be entertained. It includes three levels of play; therefore, even your elder kids will not be left out of the fun.

With this game, they will also be able to kill the muscle tension that tends to build up while traveling, including moving around as they act out clues.

Recommended for ages 4+

Buy it on Amazon

4. Family Feud Trivia Box Card Game

This trivia box version will ensure time flies; you have reached your destination before you all know it. With this spin master game, you can play the popular tv show in real life!

It includes 203 game cards with instructions and toys, i.e., stop light, sound electronic, game answer buzzer, and a countdown timer.

Recommended for ages 8+

Buy it on Amazon

5. Spin Master Hedbanz Picture Guessing Board Game

The picture-guessing board game is a fun road trip question game that will engage the whole family and elicit lots of excitement. When it’s your turn to play, you have to flip over the timer and start asking yes/no queries to figure out the card shown in your headband.

It includes 13 scoring badges, three sample question cards, six headbands, 69 picture cards, a one-timer, and instructions.

Recommended for ages 6+

Buy it on Amazon

Use Your Imagination: DIY Trivia Games For Road Trips

So you’ve got no internet and no games with you? Fear not; there are still loads of imaginative trivia games you can play with no props or prompts.

We have researched and compiled a list of 10 road trip trivia games you can play with the kids to ensure the car adventure seems like a breeze.

1. Would You Rather?

Here’s a kid-friendly exercise that can be an absolute blast with the adults involved. It’s a game that requires car ride trivia questions that you can either take turns answering or direct the query to one person.

Each question must follow the “would you rather format”, ensuring that the question presents a severe dilemma – real-life or utterly absurd and imaginary. With this ultimate either-or-question game, you learn more about each other.

You can find a great set of “would you rather?” questions perfect for kids of all ages to download here.

2. Name The Artist

The first person to name the artist when a song gets played on the radio earns a point.

You will need a great playlist that will probably serve a significant portion of the journey. The person with the most points at arrival is the winner.

3. The Bad Movie Plot

Do you all love movies? Then this game will make the long car ride bearable.

In this game, the host thinks of a movie and describes it in the worst way possible. The first person to guess the film correctly becomes the host.

4. Two Truths And A Lie

Two Truths and a Lie is a classic road trip trivia question that is always entertaining and a great game to get to know your family members. One passenger starts off the game by giving three statements. In the statements, two are true, while one is a lie. Everyone tries to determine which information is wrong, and the first to get it wins.

5. Spelling Bee

Who doesn’t want to prove that they are the best at spelling? Not me! With this game, you get to set a timer for the one assigned to spell. There is a host who gives out the words and starts off the timer.

The best part of the spelling bee game is that all ages can be involved as the host switches from hard to easy spelling words.

6. 21 Questions

21 Questions is a classic game everyone on the road will surely enjoy. It is a game of deduction that requires the other passengers to guess the place, thing, or person the host player is thinking of. The guessing has a maximum of 21 questions to determine the answer correctly.

As the rest of the players ask up to 21 questions to determine what the host player thinks of, the host responds with a simple yes/no to each question.

The one who guesses correctly within the 21 questions becomes the host.

7. The Movie Game

Most families have movie nights; bring all that “action” to your road trip to kill the boredom. The movie game will offer tons of fun for your movie-loving squad.

In this game, members will take turns naming movies and their actors until one of the participants is stumped.

The first assigned player starts the game by naming a movie, the next in line must name an actor in the film, and the next player must name another movie in which the named actor also stars.

This continues until one who can’t think of an actor or movie is eliminated. The last player standing is the winner.

8. Category ABC

Category ABC is a straightforward game for car rides that will entertain your little ones. You have to choose a player that will start off the game. The first player must select a category and name something that begins with the letter A.

The following person in line also does the same. Only their answer should begin with the letter B. The next person is in charge of letter C, and this goes on. For example, if the category were “food,” it would be Apricot, banana, cake, and so on.

9. Fortunately, Unfortunately

Looking for a game that requires imagination and will involve the young ones too? Fortunately, unfortunately, will do just that! It is a fun and easy game that requires crazy and imaginative minds.

The first player makes a statement that has to begin with the word “fortunately.” The next player must follow that statement with a statement starting with “unfortunately.” This goes on becoming crazy until there’s a member who cannot come up with a statement.

10. The Name Game

Pick your category and see how long you can keep naming things or places until you run out of ideas! The next word must begin with the last letter of the word before, without any repeats.

For example, you could choose animals; person one says “Cat”, person two says “Tiger, Person three says “Rabbit” – person four cannot say Tiger, or they’re out; the game keeps going until no one can think of a new word.

If you’ve exhausted animals, try countries, cities, actors, band names, the list goes on!

We hope you’ve found something here that will kill some hours on the road and keep your brains stimulated and perhaps get to know your friends and family you’re traveling with a little better!

Don’t forget we’ve got a huge list of road trip toy ideas over here too, and our selection of the best podcasts for family road trips – great for listening to as a family or on individual listening devices.

What are your favorite trivia games for the car? We’d love to hear your suggestions too.

Don’t miss all our favorite road trip apps over here
Love a good story? These are our family-friendly audiobook picks for road trip entertainment
Teens in the car? Here are all our suggestions for keeping teens engaged on long road trips
And for your younger ones, don’t miss our complete guide to the best road trip toys for toddlers

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Awesome Road Trip Trivia Games appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Taking a family road trip soon? Nobody, not even an adult, can sit in a car for hours on end without SOMETHING fun to do!

Whilst we have dozens of hot tips for road tripping with kids, simply nothing (other than maybe a good supply of snacks!) will help you through long-distance driving quite like a great selection of travel toys for the car.

The best toys for car trips are ideally:

• Fairly quiet (i.e. won’t distract the driver!)
• Do not have small parts which can be easily lost (or swallowed)
• Can easily attach to the car seat (if you are traveling with a baby or toddler)

Electronics such as small tablets, smartphones, or portable DVD players can play a part in your road trip entertainment arsenal, but there are plenty more boredom busters you can pack on your next family road trip that don’t require batteries!.

We have rounded up for you here a selection of the most fun toys for road trips, broken up into age groups so no matter what age your child is, there is something on the list for them!

As Amazon Associates, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made on this page.

Classic Baby and Infant Toys For Car Trips

Babies and infants need surprisingly simple toys to keep them occupied during long car journeys. In fact, from traveling with a newborn through to those toddler years, all they really want is YOU! But when having an adult seated with the baby in the back doesn’t work, try these simple, engaging car toys for babies.

Toe Time Infant Car Seat Toy

Car seat toys make the perfect travel toys for babies. You can hang them on the back of the seat, and they can play with the soft toys attached to the mat. The great part is, they can’t drop them!

Buy it on Amazon

Funky Toy Keys

As you take your road trip, letting the baby play with your real keys isn’t a safe option, but you can give them their own playset of keys. The set has 4 car sounds that come from the purple remote and realistic keys for them to play with.

Buy it on Amazon

My First Road Trip Book

An 8-page soft book for babies, this soft activity book from Melissa & Doug will let your little one enjoy the colors and shapes in the book. It’s also great for toddlers, so the book will work for both young and older babies for hours of travel entertainment.

Buy it on Amazon

Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

Made for tiny hands, this little teether toy is soft and shaped like a maze. Your little one will be mesmerized as they play with the teether and look at the colors of the tubes; it’s always been one of our favorite travel toys.

Buy it on Amazon

Plush Elephant Music Toy

This cute little elephant is not just cuddly, it lights up and plays music, making it a great toy for babies and younger children and will entertain them as they ride along during a long road trip.

Buy it on Amazon

Hanging Rattles Toy

Attach these rattles to a crib, car seat, or stroller so that your little one can have fun on the go; these are one of the best baby toys for the car.

You can easily transfer this toy to all three so you can take it wherever you go on your family road trip.

Buy it on Amazon

Teething Rattles

This fun set of silicone teething rattles makes for one of the best travel toys for infants, keeping them entertained and comforted throughout the trip.

The teethers are made of non-toxic material and have smooth polished edges for safety. Lots of pieces, so if one does get lost or dropped, you’ll always have a backup!

Buy it on Amazon

Cloth Books

A fun and educational soft toy for ages 3 months and up, these cloth books are soft in touch and make the crinkle paper sound that babies love.

Your baby can chew, crinkle, and play with the colorful books as you travel, with handy clips for attaching to car seats and strollers.

Buy it on Amazon

Pink Glo Worm Stuffed Lullaby Toy

This cute little pink glo worm will sing soothing melodies to your little one as you travel. When his belly is pushed, the glo worm’s face lights up and will sing gentle lullabies, ideal if you need to rock your baby off to sleep in their car seat while you’re on the move.

Buy it on Amazon

Soft Silicone Teething Toys

Another teething toy set that’s perfect for road trips, these silicone toys are shaped like tools. They also attach to a clip so that you can keep them close no matter where you go.

Buy it on Amazon

You can find even more inspiration for baby car toys over here

Top Tip: If your baby’s toys don’t come with a clip, you can still buy these toy teethers to easily attach them to your infant car seat and stop the dropping game once and for all!

Best Road Trip Toys For Toddlers

Your toddler is ready for some more interactive games and activities in the car, but they still need to be safe for your tot to handle unsupervised while your eyes are on the road. All of these road trip toys make great interactive and sensory distractions for toddlers on long drives:

Busy Board Toddler Backpack

Your toddler will love playing and manipulating each and every aspect of this fun toddler busy board backpack.

What’s great is they can even fit a few of their other favorite toys inside too for their very own travel bag.

Buy it on Amazon

Squishy Drawing Pad

Filled with sensory beads and non-toxic gel, this drawing pad will allow your young toddlers to make an endless number of creations throughout the trip with just the touch of a finger, no other tools required.

Buy it on Amazon

Search and Find Game

While your toddler is enjoying the ride, keep them busy with this fun search-and-find game. The double-sided activity mats will keep your older toddler entertained for hours.

Buy it on Amazon

LCD Writing Tablet

Your toddler can use a fun doodle pad board (aka sketch board) throughout the trip to draw and engage in imaginative play, perfect for small hands gaining dexterity.

Buy it on Amazon

Popit Fidget

Fidget toys are perfect as toddler travel toys, keeping little hands entertained. Such a simple game, they come in lots of fun shapes and colors, and they take up very little packing space.

Buy it on Amazon

Wooden Activity Cube

This small wooden activity cube will help keep your toddler’s hands busy for hours. They can move the different pieces and work on various motor skills with the toy.

Buy it on Amazon

Smart Teddy

Take this interactive smart teddy with you on your road trip to keep your toddler entertained. The app on your phone can control what’s on the teddy and the kids will have fun listening to stories and other learning activities.

Buy it on Amazon

Reusable Sticker Pad

Stickers are always a winner with little kids. Your toddler will love giving the farm animals different faces as they play with this reusable sticker book. The pad contains 10 different farm scenes and 76 reusable cling-style stickers to make the face.

Buy it on Amazon

Magnetic Maze Puzzle Game

As you are traveling in the car, your toddler can have fun trying to move the ball in the maze with the attached magnetic pen. It has a colorful sea theme to it which will make it easier to hold their attention throughout the trip and an easy carry handle.

Buy it on Amazon

Buckle Pillow Toy

This cute owl pillow is not only soft and cuddly, but turns him around, and there are several different activities your toddler can play with on your family road trip.

Your toddler will be able to snap, button, and buckle the different items on the pillow, making this buckle toy perfect for problem solving and cognitive skills.

Buy it on Amazon

You’ll find even more road trip toy ideas for toddlers over here

Best Road Trip Toys for Preschoolers

Your preschoolers will have more dexterity, and toys can hold their attention span for longer periods of time.

We’d recommend on a long journey you also invest in a car seat travel tray so that your child has a comfortable play space with a play surface they can spread all their toys out on, and handy pockets to stop items rolling away.

Disney Eye Found It Card Game

As they explore the different Disney scenes when trying to find the character and scene images, your preschooler will not only be working on hand-eye coordination but also counting on the road trip. The perfect educational preschooler toy to pack for a road trip.

Buy it on Amazon

Preschool Busy Book

This busy book is perfect for entertaining your little one throughout the car ride. It’s a sturdy book, so you can easily take it in the car, and your preschooler will have fun working on the activities while honing their fine motor skills using the erasable marker pens.

Buy it on Amazon

Fire HD Tablet

You can’t go wrong with a tablet when it comes to traveling in the car! So much can be done on the tablet and your little one will love watching shows, playing games, and more. Just make sure you’ve downloaded what you need before setting off in case you don’t have wifi!

Buy it on Amazon

Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Pages

A coloring book with a difference! Available in a variety of different designs, as you travel in the car, your little artist can color the sheets of paper without you having to worry about a mess.

Each kit contains 18 Blippi coloring sheets and five magic markers.

Buy it on Amazon

Go Fish Alphabet Card Game

Go Fish is a fun game for any age, and this set helps your preschooler learn the letters of the alphabet, both capitalized and lowercase.

Card games are great travel toys that your younger children can also play with older siblings, helping them out.

Buy it on Amazon

Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle

Need an activity your child can really focus on? Your preschooler will have great fun trying to get the colored balls in the matching garage with the magnetic pen. This is a great option if you’re seeking a more challenging STEM toy for car travel or anywhere you’re heading on vacation.

Buy it on Amazon

Dot to Dot Workbook

A quiet but fun road trip activity your preschooler can do throughout the ride, this dot-to-dot workbook is fun and educational.

Ideal for the 3 to 5-year-old age group where critical thinking is involved, and they have a fun coloring page to complete, too once the dot-to-dot is complete.

Buy it on Amazon

Travel Memory Game

Seven double-sided cards are included in this memory game. Each card has different images so your preschooler can stay entertained throughout the trip. An ideal car game if you have siblings who want to play along together.

Buy it on Amazon

EZDesk Travel Activity Kit

Full of fun activities your preschooler can do while in the car, this activity kit will have them coloring and designing a variety of different things.

With it’s own carry case and handle its the ideal travel toy than can come from car to roadside stop.

Buy it on Amazon

Travel Tangram Puzzle

Mix, match, and style the different pieces in this fun travel tangram puzzle.

This is a fun travel game, and it allows children to get creative with shapes, ideal for the older preschooler with magnetic pieces that (shouldn’t!) get lost!

Buy it on Amazon

Best Road Trip Toys for Elementary School Age Kids

A wonderful age for road-tripping with kids – though you’ll need plenty of ideas to stave off the chorus of “are we there yet”. Try these wonderful travel toys and educational games, perfect for your slightly older kids on your next family road trip:

Handheld Game Set

This small little game system is a powerful little portable machine that has 100 preloaded classic retro games to play. If you don’t want the expense or arguments of a full-size tablet, this is a wonderful hand-held compromise.

Buy it on Amazon

Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio

If your child loves fashion and creating their own style, they will love this fun fashion sketch pad with stencils and stickers. It comes in plenty of different designs from clothing to bedroom design or even design your own unicorns.

Buy it on Amazon

Flashing Cube Memory Game

Even though your child is stuck in the car throughout the road trip, doesn’t mean they can’t have fun! This flashing cube has 4 quick-fingered games that they can learn to master on the ride.

Buy it on Amazon

Nintendo Switch Lite

A fun game system for on-the-go, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a popular road trip accessory. On the go, they can play their favorite games as they wait to get to their destination, in a small and lightweight unit (don’t forget a storage case too!)

Buy it on Amazon

Secret Decoder Activity Set

Kids will love cracking the codes by uncovering hidden clues and secret messages throughout the pages. It’s also a fun way to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking, bound to keep them occupied for many hours while you’re on the road.

Buy it on Amazon

Scratch Paper Art

The magic rainbow scratch-off paper kits are fun for kids of all ages, but they work best for your elementary-aged child.

This kit has everything you need for hours of fun, including 50 pieces of scratch paper and 4 stencils to follow, or create your own colorful designs.

Buy it on Amazon

Wax Craft Sticks

Get creative in the car by designing some cool things with wax. This fun set is perfect for road trips and will allow your child to get creative with their hands, even on the go.

No sticky mess, you get over 300 sticks in a set of different lengths so the only limit is your child’s imagination!

Buy it on Amazon

Travel Board Tic Tac Toe and Checkers

This set is perfect for traveling with friends or siblings. The magnetic game board will let your children play checkers and tic tac toe throughout the car ride. Super simple family games that never go out of fashion!

Buy it on Amazon

Colorful Tangram Jigsaw Puzzle

While on the road, children can have fun with this challenging jigsaw game puzzle. The 40-piece game set will keep them busy for hours as they put together the puzzle.

Designed with road trips in mind, they include clues for everything you will likely encounter on your family road trip!

Buy it on Amazon

Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game

Scavenger hunt games are always fun for kids and this card pack will keep them entertained as they search for the objects found on the cards.

Buy it on Amazon

Best Road Trip Toys For Tweens and Teens

Don’t want your older kids simply plugged in for hours on end? Plenty of fun and creative road trip toy ideas are perfect for all those family members 10 years+ who still need busy hands and minds.

Flipslide Handheld Game

Flip, slide, and match the cubes as you are timed with this travel game. The game has 4 game modes, each with a different level of challenge, perfect for passing the time on car rides.

Buy it on Amazon

Triangle Peg Games

Remember the wooden strategy game we played at some of our favorite restaurants?

These pegboards can be taken anywhere so that your tweens and teens can play anywhere they go. Great for strategizing and stretching the mind.

Buy it on Amazon

Nintendo Switch

A Nintendo Switch can be a lifesaver when it comes to killing time while your tween or teen is traveling in the car.

They can use the same game system they use at home with portable remote controls that simply clip in to have some fun on their road trip adventure. Don’t forget a carry case to keep their console and game chips safe.

Buy it on Amazon

Travel Blurt Game

This is a game that siblings can play together, or you can get the whole family involved during the road trip. It’s hilarious and fun to see what kinds of things will be blurted out.

Buy it on Amazon

Handheld Magnetic Word Game

A travel edition of our favorite word game. Magnetic toys always make a good road trip toy. This set even includes a travel storage pouch to carry it anywhere. A great brain teaser toy for your tweens and teens looking for road trip activities that engage the brain.

Buy it on Amazon

Boredom Buster Activity Pack

This activity book for teens has 180 different brain games and puzzles they can do while in the car. Each brain game is challenging but fun and pitched at your older child.

Buy it on Amazon

The Ultimate Magnetic Puzzle Game

Nothing beats the feeling you get when you solve a challenging puzzle. This magnetic puzzle game is an impressive game that can be played in the car for some challenging fun.

Buy it on Amazon

Fast Sling Puck Game

This fast-sling puck game is a portable hockey game that fits on the table while you are taking a break at a roadside stop. Depending on the room you have in the car, it might be able to fit on their lap while in the car.

Buy it on Amazon

Magnetic Board Game Pack

This pack includes 12 different retro fun games that your tween or teen can take on any family vacation. It’s great for elementary-aged children as well, but we like it more for tweens.

Buy it on Amazon

World’s Largest Word Search Book

If your child enjoys doing word search puzzles, they will love working on this activity book while on a road trip.

With over 1,000 puzzles, your teen or tween will have plenty of puzzles to help them pass the miles.

Buy it on Amazon

We hope you’ve managed to find something in this road trip toy selection to suit every member of your family.

Other Ways To Pass Time In The Car

In addition to all the incredible games we’ve covered in this guide (yes, over 50 road trip toy ideas!) you may also want to prepare for your next family trip:

• Download some audiobooks that all the family can listen to together or a podcast series suitable to your age group.

• Family singalong. I know, I know, the 17,000th rendition of their favorite nursery rhyme might be driving you around the bend, but little kids love nothing more than mom and dad joining in. Change the words, and sing in a funny voice; it’s bound to get some giggles from the back. (Psst, there’s quite possibly an age limit on this one though, you don’t want your tweens and teens disowning you at the next roadside stop)

• Easy word games. You don’t need a fancy toy to keep the kids entertained all the time. Plenty of imaginative games in the car can be played verbally without any props. Try “would you rather” questions, alphabet listing games, or good old I-spy!

• Older kids can easily engage in road trip trivia games – from quizzes to conversation starters, easy apps you can download, or DIY games you can make up as you go.

What are your go-to toys and games for a family road trip?

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post 50+ Unbeatable Road Trip Toys For Long Car Journeys appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Kids’ motion sickness usually begins with an upset stomach. A cold sweat, loss of energy, and appetite may follow. Sometimes this progresses to vomiting.

Your child might not be able to say how they feel exactly but will demonstrate it by becoming pale and squirmy, then lots of yawning and crying.

What Exactly Is Motion Sickness?

Any form of movement can cause motion sickness, car sickness in kids being one of them. It occurs when your child’s brain receives conflicting messages.

When your kid is in the car, their body will sense that they are moving, but if they cannot see outside the window, their eyes tell them that they are not moving.

Motion sickness will not affect all kids in the same way. And while the problem does not seem to affect most infants and toddlers, children aged 2 to 12 are particularly susceptible.

If your kid develops car travel sickness, stop the car at the soonest possible opportunity and let your little one get out and breathe fresh air.

Here we’re going to share our top tips on how to prevent motion sickness, along with advice on how to clean up your car should the motion sickness get the better of your child.

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Steps To Prevent and Treat Kids Motion Sickness

To prevent car sickness in children, you need to pay attention to what your kids eat or drink before a trip. You should avoid greasy, heavy, or sugary foods if your kid becomes nauseated.

On the flip side, some kids get car sickness on an empty stomach. If that is the case, give them a small bland snack or meal. Encourage them to take sips of water instead of chugging it all at once.

Other strategies for coping with motion sickness in children include:

Provide Air Ventilation

 If your kids start to feel ill, adequate fresh air can relieve car sickness. You can open the window or sunroof a bit to allow fresh air to flow. This way, you will settle the queasiness.

If you have air fresheners in the car, consider removing them from the car before your trip. Mostly scents and odors cause sensitivity that might also lead to feeling ill.

Seating Position Matters

Whilst with adults, being the driver of sitting in the passenger seat can greatly help with motion sickness, your child under 12 doesn’t have this option.

If they are prone to motion sickness, have them sit in the middle seat instead of the side seats so they can have a clear view of the windshield. Encourage your kid to look at things outside of the car so they are looking directly ahead.

Reduce Sensory Input

Steer clear of books, games, and movies during your road trip, as they also contribute to travel sickness in children. Instead, you can play games that involve them looking out of the car window instead of activities that require them to look down.

Time Your Travel Right

If your road trip goal is getting to the destination than sightseeing, you should start your trip late at night. This can also be very early in the morning or when your kids usually have their naps. This will allow you to cover a good portion of the trip as the kid sleeps.

Choose Bland Foods Over Spicy Or Foods

If your child needs to eat before you begin your trip or will be snacking along the way, then they should eat bland, easy-to-digest snacks that will not upset their stomach. Avoid sugared snacks and drinks as they can be harder on the stomach prompting stomach upsets which can trigger motion sickness in kids.

Dry cereal, non-spicy crackers or toast, and plain snack bars are safer choices as they are easy to digest. And if you plan to travel after meals, give your kid time to digest their food before moving again.

Avoid Winding Roads

Although sometimes it can be unavoidable, if there’s a way to reach your destination taking a straighter road rather than a winding, mountainous route, this may help your motion sickness sufferer.

If there’s no option, only drive short stints at a time. Pull over regularly when its safe, at viewing points, for example, and have them get out of the car and focus on the horizon before continuing your journey.

Think About What Your Child Can See From Their Car Seat

With younger tots who many not be looking out the windows yet, do you have things hanging in the car that moves when going around bends etc? The moving objects can make it difficult for your child to focus and cope with the vehicle’s motion. You can instead have more static objects for your baby to look at.

Let Your Child Keep Their Head Still

Have your kid press their head into a headrest. This will help keep their head still and concentrate. Your kid keeping their head still will also allow them to look at one place far away, such as the horizon. The head should be well-supported in the car seat.

Clothe Your Kids In Cool Clothing

Feeling overheated can exacerbate the nausea. Choose cool clothing that can be stripped down in layers when they are feeling overheated.

Ask Your Doctor If It’s OK To Give An Over-The-Counter Medicine

Although opting for medication is not the best, it sometimes becomes inevitable. The key is ensuring you follow the dosing directions and use medications only as needed.

Give the medication to your kid about an hour before travel begins so it has time to begin working. Read the product label carefully to help you determine the right dose and be prepared for side effects like drowsiness (not great if you have activities you are stopping for en route or at your destination)

Popular brands include dimenhydrinate (Gravol) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Tummy drops are another organic over-the-counter solution that won’t leave your child feeling groggy.

Not that motion sickness patches are not recommended for children under 12⁽¹⁾.

Try Essential Oils

Many parents swear by the benefits of using essential oils in the treatment of nausea caused by motion sickness. Blends that include chamomile, spearmint and ginger are all known to support digestive regulatory and can bring relief to motion sickness sufferers.

You can roll them on your child’s wrists or through the use of an inhaler as directed.

Use Acupressure Bands

Another method that is safe to try with children is acupressure bands. They go on your child’s wrist and apply pressure to the P6 joint, just below the wrist. This stimulates the median nerve, interrupting the signaling between your brain and belly that say’s I’m feeling sick⁽²⁾.

They need to be a snug fit so look for motion sickness bands specifically made for a child’s small wrist.

If you have tried all the above preventive measures and nothing seems to work, you should remove your kid from the car and have them lie down on their back for a few minutes. You can dampen a cloth and place it on their forehead, which also helps prevent and heal motion sickness for toddlers.

How To Clean Up Car Sickness

Sometimes it is unavoidable that your child will be unwell, resulting in a stinking car. How do you get rid of the smell of sick from the car?

1. Try to clean up the sick from the car as quickly as possible before it has time to soak into the car upholstery

You can do this by wiping the interior of the car, thus removing stains that might produce odor. Using a soft cleaning cloth, dampen it with an all-purpose cleaning spray and wipe down where the vomit might have come into contact. You will need to be keen while doing this so that you do not miss any spot that might have been spilled and now produces the odor.

If your car seats are leather, use an appropriate leather cleaner, but you can also vacuum or shampoo if you are not dealing with leather.

2. Use baking soda directly on the area

Sprinkle the baking soda all over the affected area and leave for ten minutes to soak up. Baking soda is high in alkaline, so it helps to break down the acids in the sick and removes unpleasant odors.

After you have let the baking soda sit for 4-5 hours, you can use a regular vacuum cleaner to vacuum up the baking soda.

Always sprinkle the baking soda on dry surfaces, as it forms tough to remove paste when sprinkled on wet, stained surfaces.

3. Get a clean cloth, soak it in white vinegar, and scrub where the sick stain is

The white vinegar will react with the baking soda, and this will help to work off the smell.

Remember, when applying vinegar to remove the odor in your car, steer clear from anything electrical, like the window buttons.

4. Continue to repeat the above steps until you have eliminated the smell

It might take 2-3 times, depending on the extent of the sick. You can also use activated charcoal, as it is a natural way to eliminate the horrible smell in a car. Get charcoal bags or a chunk of charcoal and leave it in the car for a few days. Remember that the more charcoal you use, the quicker it will eliminate foul odor in the car.

5. After you have tried all the above methods and the smell of sick still prevails

You should take it for professional cleaning. Professional cleaners use heavy-duty products, cleaners, and tools to clean your car thoroughly.

More Road Trip Tips With Kids

We hope that this family travel guide helps you deal with the unpleasantness of motion sickness in children should it strike during your next family road trip.

You may also want to check out our guides to:

• Road Tripping With A Toddler – A survival guide to travelling long distances with tots in your car.

• 14 Essentials For Kids On A Road Trip – Don’t leave home without considering these essential items for your children on a road trip

• How to Road Trip With a Puppy – making sure your furry kids are happy on the road, too!

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post How To Deal With Kids’ Motion Sickness On A Road Trip appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Got a long drive ahead? Wondering how on earth your going to keep the kids entertained mile after mile? We all know that long hours on the road can be challenging, especially for your littlest passengers.

It simply isn’t a family road trip without some games up the sleeve. Family road trips with games are not only fun and exciting, but they also offer many incredible benefits. These benefits include:

• Promoting family bonding
• Building patience
• Enhancing language development
• Enhances visual skills etc

So, if you’ve got a family road trip ahead, play one of these fun games to keep everyone entertained during the long car ride. These family car games promise to dodge boredom – for a few hours at least (we still wouldn’t be scrimping on the toddler toys or snacks!)

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Best Family Car Games With Young Kids

The prospect of entertaining kids on a long road trip is enough to deter even the bravest parent from traveling. Young kids can stir crazy, whine incessantly, drop things a million times, and refuse to nap.

The deal is that you practice and prepare for fantastic road trips with even the most spirited of kids. The more you do it, the more your kids will know what to expect, and the more prepared you are as a parent with different kids’ car ride games for them to enjoy, then the more you can relax and enjoy the trip.

The best games for kids on road trips are simple, mess-free, and ones they can enjoy without supervision. Here are the best road trip games we have come up with for your young kids!

What Colour Is It?

The adults in the family get to list a bunch of things that are the same color. For example, the adults can shout “apples, fire engines, stop signs..” they keep going until the children figure it out and call “red!” The longer the list you have prepared, the better, as road trips are long.

I Spy

Keeping in mind that this classic game should fit your young kids, it is better to keep this “I spy” game to things that can be found inside the vehicle. The first person selects something inside the car without revealing what it is to the rest of the players in the car.

They must repeat the phrase “I spy something that begins with the letters c..” as it relates to the answer. The other passengers then try to guess what it might be.

If your toddlers and preschooler’s still can’t spell, why not do I-spy colors instead?

Category ABC’s

Category ABC is the most straightforward name game that is great for car trip games for kids. The first player chooses a category and names something that begins with the letter A, B, and so on until someone is stumped.

In My Suitcase

In my suitcase game, you will sprinkle a fun memory game into your car game for family road trips. The first player says, “I am going on a vacation, and I packed..” Finish with a sentence that begins with the letter C.

The second person repeats the sentence, repeats what the first person is bringing, and adds an object starting with the letter D. This keeps going with the alphabetical letters until someone forgets an item the quickest.

You can simply this activity for toddlers to join too.

The Alphabet Game

One passenger chooses the right-hand side of the road and the other the left side. Each of them keeps an eye out for road signs or license plates with letters of the alphabet. The objective of this game is to find a word for each sign or license plate you pass. The sign or license begins with each letter of the alphabet starting from the beginning.

Call them out as you drive by, and the first one who gets to Z wins.

Best Family Car Games With Tweens & Middle Schoolers

There’s nothing better than seeing your tween laughing and playing with their friends in the backseat of the car. This is mainly in the digital age that we live in, with many tweens spending soo much time on their phones and other electronic devices.

When raising a tween, you’ve got to take those bonding moments where you can get them, right? Try out these fun road trip games for tweens to keep your tween crew entertained.

20 Questions

Twenty questions are one of the fantastic games for car travel, especially if you are driving through long stretches of rural areas. The first person thinks of a person, place, or thing. Everyone in the car asks “yes” or “no” questions about what it is or who it is you may be thinking of.

No two people should ask the same questions, and no one can answer more than 20 questions. Whoever guesses the mystery first goes next.

Name That Tune

Most tweens love music, so challenge their knowledge by playing this radio game. The general rule of the game is that everyone in the car is competing to see who can guess the names of the most songs. Whoever guesses the most songs by the end of a round wins.

The Word Game

Bring some pencils and paper to play this fun word game with your tweens. Choose one person who will keep the time. The timekeeper will also pick the letter to be used to make the words. The chosen person shouts out the word, and everyone writes down as many words as possible that start with that letter.

Once the set time is up, whoever has the most words wins. Once the players have their group of words, spice up the game. Set the time for another minute. And each player must write a sentence with as many words from their list as possible.

Two Truths And One Lie

If the tweens in your car trip are new friends and trying to learn more about one another, then two truths and lies will set the pace. Each person takes turns to be “it.” That person says three things about themselves, two of them truth and one that is a lie.

The other players then hold up their fingers -one, two, or three to indicate which statement they think is a lie. The “it” person then reveals the answer, and someone else in the group becomes “it.”

Do You Really Know Your Family?

Do you agree that tweens can go mute on a road trip till you wonder what is wrong? This game will help eliminate those awkward hours that make you regret the journey. Do you really know your family creates hilarious family memories as you compete and perform silly challenges together.

It is a fun card game that is super easy to learn and play, allowing the family to bond and know each other while sparkling exciting convos.

Loaded Questions On The Go Card Game

Loaded questions on the go are one of the best card games to play in the car for families. One player chooses a card and reads one of the four questions on the card. The other passengers in the vehicle must then write their answers on the score card and pass them to one player ( not the player who read the question).

That player reads the answers to the card reader, who must match each response to the player they think wrote it. For each correct answer, the player earns a point. The first player to earn eight points wins.

Best Family Car Games For Teens And Adults

Even adults (grandparents) and teenagers begin to get tired and bored on long road trips. The next car games for families will keep you and your teen awake and entertained.

Fortunately, Unfortunately

In this family card game, one person begins with an, “unfortunately”, statement and the next with a “fortunately” statement. For example:

• “Unfortunately, I think he needs to use the restroom.” “Fortunately, we are stopping soon.” “Unfortunately, he is also hungry,” and so on.

Remember, the more bizarre the statements, the more fun this game becomes.

Never Have I Ever

Another adult road trip game that reveals something about the players is “never have I ever”. Each person takes turns and says the phrase “never have I ever….” The following person guesses whether the statement is true or false. The person with the most accurate guesses wins this game, or you decide to play for fun.

Hum That Tune

One player starts off the game by humming a well-known song. The first person to guess the song correctly gets to be the next “hummer.” While this game sounds super simple, it’s often trickier than it seems making it one of the best games to play in the car with the family.

Arkadium

If you happen to be traveling with your grandparents, remember that they also need a little distraction on a long car ride. Comes in Arkadium to the rescue!

It’s a company that offers a variety of popular games, including mahjong, crossword puzzles, word games, and solitaire, all designed for adults and teens. It can either be played on a phone or tablet, offering much-needed relaxation.

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time is a fun game that involves using your imagination. Each player takes turns looking at a car and the occupant(s) and starts creating a fictional story about them. The storyteller should begin with “once upon a time.”

• For example, a teenager driving a red sports car might prompt, “once upon a time, a guy bought a car to impress his girlfriend.” The variation is for each passenger to take turns adding one sentence to the fictional storyline.

Before You Go – More Road Trip Entertainment Ideas!

Not found what you’e looking for yet in this selection? You may also want to try:

• The Best Road Trip Trivia Games
• Bordeom Busters; Keeping Teens Entertained on the Road
• 50+ All-Time Best Toys For Family Road Trips
• The Best Podcasts For All The Family To Tune Into On The Road
• Audiobooks For Every Age Group Perfect For Road Trips

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Games To Play In The Car With Family appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Keep your kids entertained and your car organized on your next family road trip with a car seat tray

Are you wondering what a car seat travel tray is and what the fuss is?

A car seat travel tray is your tot’s own personal activity area that will keep them entertained and busy during long journeys on a road trip.

Jump straight to our favorite trays here

A toddler’s attention span is normally short, but it shortens even more while on a road trip, and they are confined to a seat.

With a travel car seat tray, your toddler or child will be able to draw pictures, eat in the car, watch their favorite show on their tablet, and play games. It will help keep your young ones’ activities and mess in one place.

Put short: a car seat travel tray is a must for a long family road trip.

What To Look For In A Good Car Seat Travel Tray

When looking for the best car seat travel tray that will make your trip more manageable, there are some factors that you need to look out for. They are:

Car Travel Tray Portability

How portable is the car seat tray for travel? Portability is a factor you can’t overlook as it will come when your bub wants to rest, and the tray has to create space. Can it fold flat? Does it have a storage bag? Can it be zipped up and carried by your child when not in use without losing anything?

Car Travel Tray Design

There are plenty of different designs for car seat travel trays; which will suit you best?

Secured or over the seat

To ensure you buy the right tray for your kid, you need to ensure that it is compatible with every car seat. Some lap trays for the car can be secured to your child’s car seat and attached to the seats in front of them.

However, since lap trays for the car are made with different specifications, compatibility is not always guaranteed. In large SUVs, for example, the driver’s seat may be too far away from the rear seat, and your child may be unable to reach it. Likewise, a child in a center seat may not have a seat in front of them to attach the tray to.

Sidewalls

The stability of a car seat tray for travel is highly determined by its sidewalls. A car tray with high and sturdy sidewalls will help keep your kid’s playthings in one spot. This will save you the pain of having too often to bend over and pick up tiny things from the car floor.

Car Travel Tray Size

How large do you need your child’s car tray to be? Or rather, how wide is your tot’s car seat? These are some of the questions that will help you choose the right size for your young ones’ car trays:

• Do you plan to fit the tray inside other luggage once the trip ends?
• How many children will the car tray serve?
• How wide is your vehicle?

Car Travel Tray Practicality

Most car seat trays for travel can hold tablets, toys, and books. This means that you must consider which features will mostly appeal to your little one. There are some add-ons that you can consider for your little one. These include:

• Inbuilt cup holders
• Tablet holders (will it be the right size for your child’s device?)
• Dry erase board
• Mesh pockets and side pockets for snacks and stationery

Extra Inclusions

Most car seat travel trays are inexpensive, but some come with extra extras like coloring kits. Do factor this in when deciding the overall value for money investing in a car seat travel tray.

Car Travel Tray Maintenance

Anything designed to be near your little one is bound to be really dirty, and very first at that. Getting a lap tray for the car made from a material that does not stain easily and is machine washable, waterproof, and easy to clean will help.

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1. Best Car Seat Travel Tray: Kenley Kids Travel Tray

One of the reasons we love the Kenley Kids Travel Tray is its lots of storage space. It also comes with an adjustable padded strap for convenient transportation once you are out of the vehicle.

With its different-sized pockets along the exterior, your tot’s slim items have a place to be stored.

Key Features

• Waterproof, padded surface
• Removable pockets for additional space
• Has two available cup holders
• Its sidewalls are perfectly reinforced to keep your tot’s toys and snacks from spilling.
• Spacious zippered pockets
• Comes with a lifetime warranty
• Fitted with a medium-sized tablet pouch

Possible Cons:

• It has fewer color options
• Your young one has to push through the paper while coloring or drawing because of its padded surface

 

2. Best Car Seat Travel Tray: Lusso Gear Kids Travel Tray

The Lusso Gear Kids Travel Tray is the most popular among parents as it is jam-packed with great features for kids. We love it because it has a simple yet affected design. It also has a detachable tablet holder; therefore, it can be left when there is no need for it.

There is a lot of storage space on it, which will be kept in place thanks to its safety strap that fits around the car seat.

Key Features

• A detachable cup holder and multiple storage compartments.
• Comes with a built-in dry erase board which is huge, offering your tot enough space for hours of doodling fun
• Easy to clean thanks to its oxford material
• Has a sturdy tablet holder
• Plenty of space, dimensions are 16″ x 12.5″
• It has sturdy sides and back walls that help keep your tot pieces of accessories from rolling off

Possible Cons:

• Some parents complain the pockets are too small
• It does not include a carrying case/ bag
• It has no color options other than black

 

Buy it on Amazon

4. Best Car Seat Travel Tray: EcoZen Lifestyle Car Seat Tray

This EcoZen Lifestyle Car Seat Tray is sturdy for your tot to snack on and play super easy games. This tray is durable and simple, with extra long straps that allow it to fasten on any car seat. It is made from waterproof nylon fabric.

Key Features

• A soft flap that ensures your little ones’ things do not fall off the tray
• It has a padded front barrier and sturdy sidewall
• Dimensions are 16″ x 12″ x 4″ which should fit most standard car seats
• It has side storage pockets for convenient access
• The tray is capable of folding relatively flat for storage purposes
• Made with an easy-to-clean waterproof fabric
• Available in brightly colored pink or blue designs

Possible Cons:

• While it is a sturdy built, the sidewalls can tend to bend inwards if anything a bit heavy is sitting on top
• The bottle holder only works with quite small drink bottles or sippy cups

 

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5. Best Car Seat Travel Tray: Beloved Belongings Kids Travel Tray

If your tot is a predominant media viewer, then the Beloved Belongings Kids Travel Tray is the best car seat tray to get. This portable activity tray offers a viewing sleeve that fully encloses and protects an iPad, thus being a perfect option for your tot who can not hold the iPad for long.

Key Features

• It has an extra tall back for protecting the iPad sleeve when in use
• Generous mesh side pockets are perfect for small toys, crayons, markers, and other accessories
• It has a pouch that can be custom adjusted to any cup size
• Attaches with a nylon strap and a plastic buckle
• It has anti-sag walls with a thick zipper
• Waterproof and easy-to-clean
• It comes with bonus activity sheets and marker pens

Possible Cons:

• This travel tray may not create an even surface with all car seat types
• Larger tablets may not fit the media pocket without having bulky covers removed

 

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6. Best Car Seat Travel Tray: ZEAZU Kids Travel Tray With Bag

The Zeazu Kidds Travel Tray works well for both road trips and air travels. It comes as a sturdy tablet holder, has a tissue dispenser, and a paper storage compartment. You also get a carrying bag for convenient transportation. It is also great for eating snacks while on the go.

Key Features

• Made of a material that is durable and waterproof
• The surface is made from a dry-erase board
• It has an on-the-tray cup holder
• Easy strap attachment, it is compatible with most car seats
• It has storage areas for tissues, utensils, snacks, and wipes
• Includes a travel bag for ease of carrying and storage

Possible Cons:

• Its iPad/tablet holder does not accommodate cases. Therefore you need to remove the gadget’s case before using it
• It is slightly wider than other models, and may not fit if you have several kids side by side

 

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7. Best Car Seat Travel Tray: Kids Bright Toys Travel Tray

The Kid’s Bright Toys Travel Tray may appeal to your tot who feels they are a bit grown. It has a built-in tablet holder that keeps the touch screen accessible.

It’s a sturdy travel tray with three of its sides with an extended height, with the fourth, which is closest to your tot with a smaller lip. The smaller lip ensures that your young one is not hindered access to the playing area.

Key Features

• It has a pocket for your tablets to rest in
• The top of the tray is a hard plastic surface that helps keep it in shape
• It has mesh pockets, plus a zippered pocket for any valuables
• It’s waterproof and made from polyester
• Dimensions are 17″ x 14″ x 1″
• When your child is finished, it can be carried a shoulder back, ideal for those roadside stops
• It includes a soft pillow for it to rest comfortably on your tot’s lap

Possible Cons:

• Once unpackaged, it needs airing out to avoid lingering odor from the packaging
• It is on the bulky side compared to other models, so would suit an older preschooler or elementary-age child

 

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Are Car Seat Travel Trays Worth It?

Some of the major benefits of using a car seat travel tray on road trips include:

• Your child will have a smooth, flat surface to work with, expanding their play area and the types of games they can plan in the car.
• Most come with multiple storage spaces, so all the important things they need on the journey, from tablets to drink bottles, are within arm’s reach
• Not just car journeys, a good car seat travel tray will equally work well on planes, trains – anywhere you travel to really, ours even take them out for meals sometimes.

More Road Trip Gear Tips

Whilst a travel tray for the car might be key to your road trip entertainment plan, there are several other essentials you’ll need for kids on a family road trip. These include:

• Age-appropriate toys for the car as well as a few additional toddler-friendly activities up your sleeve
• An appropriately fitted car seat or booster for those too small to safely sit in a standard car seat
• Comfort items, such as well-fitted neck pillows or seat belt cozy
• Tools you’ll need for keeping your car clean and odor-free – including protective covers for your seats, a trash organization system, and basic cleaning gear

Never forget an important road trip item again! Jump over here to see our road trip essentials checklist – this page includes a downloadable PDF checklist you can tick off as you go.

Over to you, will a car seat travel tray help on your next family road trip? Have you had success using any of the brands we mention here?

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Best Kids Car Seat Trays for A Family Road Trip appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Keeping families entertained when you hit the road this summer

When you’re planning a family road trip, it’s best to have a selection of entertainment available. This not only provides much-needed variety, but it also takes the different ages and interests of your family members into consideration.

If you’re like us, you may not want your bub to be glued to their tablet for the duration of the drive, and there are only so many DVDs you can bring with you in the car.

So, what other options are there to keep your children engaged and also help you maintain your sanity?

One of our favorite ways to make a long car journey more bearable is by listening to podcasts. Each of our family members has specific podcasts they enjoy listening to individually, and we also have several that we like to experience all together.

In this article, we’ll explore features to look for in different podcasts, things to consider when choosing podcasts, the best apps to use for listening, and a selection of the best podcasts for family road trips by age.

No matter their age, everyone in the family is sure to find a topic or series they’ll love.

Why Listen to Podcasts in the Car?

They don’t take up space

With podcasts, you don’t have to remember to pack anything besides your smartphone. Since most newer vehicles come equipped with Bluetooth, the most equipment you’ll require is an adapter cord.

You can also download episodes if you’re going to be traveling in areas with little or no cell service.

There’s a Wide Variety Available

There are many different types of podcasts out there in the digital universe, and they vary in both subject matter and length. Some of the most common kinds of podcasts are:

• Interviews
• Panel Shows
• Non-Fiction Narratives (Think true crime)
• Storytelling
• Solo Podcast
• Conversational

Podcasts vs. Audiobooks

While both podcasts and audiobooks are forms of digitally produced content, they are different in many ways.

Types of Content

Audiobooks are typically professionally recorded versions of books, and the narrator mustn’t vary from the original text.

Podcasts, however, can be hosted by many different people with diverse knowledge backgrounds. Going off script is often common, and it adds to the entertainment value of the show.

Cost

While most podcasts are free, many audiobooks must be purchased individually or with a subscription to a digital platform like Audible. There are free audiobooks, of course, but not on the scale of podcasts.

Although most podcast listening apps are free, many of them contain ads. Depending on the app, the ads may help you find additional podcasts to listen to. Or they may become annoying because of their frequency. Often, you can upgrade to a paid version to skip the ads.

Concentration Required

As with printed books, it’s often important to listen closely so as not to miss important events in the story. With podcasts, this is not quite as essential. You can still get value out of the content without having to hear every word.

Duration

Audiobooks last for the duration of the book, and sometimes that means hours of recording. Podcasts, on the other hand, are typically broken up into smaller chunks of serialized content.

What to Look For in a Good Family Podcast

If you’re looking for family podcasts that everyone can listen to, there are a few factors to consider:

Intended Audience

Yes, you are attempting to find a single podcast that will appeal to everyone in your vehicle. However, you’ll want to make sure that the podcast’s content is appropriate for younger ages. Some podcast hosts can get a little off-color, and you may be uncomfortable exposing children to that material.

One great thing about podcasts for kids is that the whole family can get something out of each episode, so those are often a solid starting point.

Subject Matter

If you’re searching for family podcasts for road trips, the subject, well, matters. An older child may be interested in true crime stories, while your youngest might currently be obsessed with dinosaurs.

Try to find podcasts with a wide variety of topics to choose from to keep everyone engaged.

Family Podcast vs. Listening Individually

When looking for the best podcasts for road trips, some might be better to listen to as a family versus individually. This is why it’s important to take each person’s age and interests into account.

For example, if you have a teen who loves listening to math-based podcasts, but you also have a child in first grade, you may want to find a podcast that covers more general topics.

There also may be times on your road trip when you want younger children to nap, so it’s crucial that everyone is as quiet as possible. This would be another situation where it would be preferable for everyone to listen to their own material.

If you’re looking for devices and headphones that are best for listening to podcasts, we recommend the following:

Best Devices for Listening to Podcasts:

SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Go MP3 Player

Smartphone

Tablet or Laptop

Buy it on Amazon

Buy it on Amazon

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Best Headphones for Listening to Podcasts

When it comes to the best headphones for podcasts, almost any kind will do. We suggest choosing a comfortable wired pair for young children, as it may be a headache when Bluetooth is involved.

If you’re in the market for new headphones, here are our favorites for every age group:

For Toddlers and Preschoolers:

Noot Kids Wired Foldable Stereo On-Ear Headphones

Buy it on Amazon

For Grade Schoolers:

JLab Neon Bluetooth Folding On-Ear Headphones

Buy it on Amazon

For Tweens and Teens:

PurelySound E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buy it on Amazon

For Adults:

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus True Wireless Earbuds

Buy it on Amazon

Best Podcasts for Family Road Trips

We’ve gathered some of the best podcasts for each age group, so you don’t have to look far in order to find the perfect podcasts for kids, teens, and the whole family.

Best Podcasts for Toddlers

Toddler-friendly podcasts tend to be quite short in duration as we know how long they can concentrate for before swiftly wanting to move on to the next activity!

Sesame Street Podcast

Average Episode Length: 5 minutes

Your toddler can join in songs and stories with the entire Sesame Street gang and learn valuable lessons along the way. Each episode is between five and six minutes long, so it’s perfect for keeping your bub’s attention.

Circle Round

Average Episode Length: 20 minutes

Folktales from around the world come to life in each of Circle Round’s episodes. We love the cultural diversity of this podcast for kids, and your toddler will love listening to each magical story.

Wow in the World

Average Episode Length: 28 minutes

Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas are the hosts of this wild and wacky podcast about the powers of science and technology. You can even browse episodes by age group and topic, so this is a fabulous option for older children as well.

Best Podcasts for Preschoolers

Story Pirates

Average Episode Length: 35 minutes

The best part about this podcast is that the stories featured in each episode are written by kids worldwide. Story Pirates is all about celebrating the creativity of young people and emphasizing the power of imagination.

Noodle Loaf

Average Episode Length: 10 minutes

Noodle Loaf definitely belongs on the list of best funny podcasts for kids. Each interactive episode is filled with silly yet educational songs from musician Dan Saks, and it’s impossible not to laugh when joining in with songs like Peck of Pumpkin Poodle and Funky Shades.

Aaron’s World Podcast

Average Episode Length: 10-20 minutes

If your preschooler loves dinosaurs, you should check out Aaron’s World, a podcast all about prehistoric creatures, time travel, and even robots! Each episode is both educational and entertaining.

Best Podcasts for Grade School

But Why? A Podcast for Curious Kids

Average Episode Length: 25 minutes

The whole family can learn something new from this educational podcast all about kids’ most burning questions. Each episode tackles a child’s question, and the discussions are both exciting and humorous.

Tumble

Average Episode Length: 17 minutes

Tumble is an educational podcast all about the wonders of science. It’s hosted by science journalist Lindsay Patterson and teacher Marshall Escamilla, and they explore topics from How to Name a Galaxy to The Science of Snot.

Stories Podcast

Average Episode Length: 20 minutes

If you’re planning on any nighttime driving, this is one of the best bedtime podcasts for kids when it’s just not possible to pull over and read a book. Your child can listen to familiar stories, such as Peter Rabbit and Snow White, as well as entirely original tales.

Best Podcasts for Tweens

Young Ben Franklin

Average Episode Length: 15 minutes

It’s hard to imagine Benjamin Franklin as a 13-year-old boy, but this historically-based podcast does just that. Your tween will love following young Ben as he and his friends solve mysteries and search for treasure in colonial Boston.

Six Minutes Podcast

Average Episode Length: 6 minutes

Your tween won’t be able to listen to just one episode in this riveting podcast series about a young girl’s extraordinary quest for truth and identity. Join Holiday and her super cool hoverboard as she begins to discover exactly what she’s capable of.

Treasure Island 2020

Average Episode Length: 28 minutes

A classic novel comes to life in this modern retelling of Treasure Island, where an ordinary boy embarks on an unforgettable quest involving time-traveling pirates and a portal to the past. 

The Unexplained Disappearance of Mars Patel

Average Episode Length: 15 minutes

Mars Patel and his friends find more than they bargain for when they set out on a search for two missing friends. If your tween loves mysteries, they’ll soon become obsessed with this serial mystery that middle-grade kids perform.

Best Podcasts for Teens

#WhoWouldWin Podcast

Average Episode Length: 60 minutes

Have you ever wondered who would win in a battle between the Muppets and characters from Sesame Street? This is precisely the sort of question that hosts James Gavsie and Ray Stakenas debate in each hilarious episode.

Dear Hank and John

Average Episode Length: 45 minutes

Fans of John Green’s novels will become obsessed with this podcast hosted by John and his brother, Hank. They explore hilarious and interesting questions in each episode, such as why crisp packet wrappers are so crispy and what happens when a cemetery goes bankrupt.

Teen Girl Talk

Average Episode Length: 20-60 minutes

If your teenage daughter is crying boredom, introduce her to this made-for-girls podcast hosted by Franklin and Susie Cota. They talk all about movies, tv shows, and books for young adults and often go off the rails into something else entirely.

You may want to preview the content yourself, as each episode may contain sensitive or triggering material for some teens.

Best Podcasts for the Whole Family

The Past & The Curious

Average Episode Length: 30 minutes

Whether or not everyone in your family is a history buff, everyone can find something interesting in this podcast series. Your kids will quickly add this to their list of best podcasts for long drives as they learn about little-known historical figures such as Typhoid Mary and how bloomers changed women’s lives forever.

Short and Curly

Average Episode Length: 20 minutes

Every member of your family will have an opinion on the topics explored in each of Short and Curly’s podcast episodes. Join hosts Molly Daniels and Carl Smith as they debate questions like, “Is it ever okay to fight back against a bully?” and “Can you trust a robot?”

Brains On

Average Episode Length: 30 minutes

Molly Bloom invites new co-hosts each week with this science podcast for the whole family. Join them as they discuss the answers to listener-based questions that everyone can learn from. There’s always something new, engaging, and often humorous.

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Best Podcasts For Family Road Trips appeared first on Family Road Trip.

If you’re planning a family road trip with children of any age, you know that it’s best to have a variety of activities on hand. Digital versions of books are an excellent alternative to lugging a bagful for each child.

However, it’s not always possible to sit and read with your child, especially if you’re in the front driving and they’re in the back. There’s also the dreaded possibility of your child getting carsick due to reading, and that’s a mess that everyone wants to avoid!

The perfect solution we have found is audiobooks for our family road trips. The best thing about having the audio versions of our favorite books on our family vacation is that we can listen to them as a family or on our individual devices.

If you’re looking for listening recommendations for your next cross-country journey – or even the next town over -read on to discover our list of Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips. 

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Best Audiobooks for Road Trips – Tips and Suggestions

Finding and listening to audiobooks for road trips is fairly straightforward, but we do have some advice on how to have the best experience possible.

Family Audiobooks vs. Kids Audiobooks

Your child or children’s ages will ultimately determine what road trip audiobooks you choose, as it’s challenging for a toddler or early grade school to navigate a listening app and select something appropriate. You’ll likely need to plan on playing books for this age group aloud.

If your kids are in the higher elementary through high school ages, they may want to listen to books individually. However, we’ve found many great audiobooks for our whole family to listen to, and it’s fun to discuss what’s happening in each book and what we think will happen next.

Listening Devices and Headphones For Audiobooks

The most common way that many people listen to audiobooks is with their smartphone or tablet. One of the most popular and versatile tablets on the market is the Kindle Paperwhite, and several other Kindle variations are great for combining reading and audiobooks.

If your child is too young for a smartphone and doesn’t have a tablet, an MP3 player is an inexpensive alternative. You can download your favorite audiobooks for kids from your computer, and no internet connection is necessary.

When it comes to the best headphones for audiobooks, almost any kind will do. We suggest choosing a comfortable wired pair for young children, as it may be a headache when Bluetooth is involved. If you’re in the market for new ones, here are a few solid options:

For Toddlers and Preschoolers:

Noot Kids Wired Foldable Stereo On-Ear Headphones

Buy it on Amazon

For Grade Schoolers:

JLab Neon Bluetooth Folding On-Ear Headphones

Buy it on Amazon

For Tweens and Teens:

PurelySound E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buy it on Amazon

For Adults:

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus True Wireless Earbuds

Buy it on Amazon

Best Listening Platform For Road Trip Audiobooks

There are several audiobook listening platforms to choose from, but our family has had the best luck with Audible. The Audible Books app is very user-friendly, and you gain access to millions of titles with only a small monthly fee. Audible even offers a generous 30-day trial period, which we’ve outlined below:

Audible Premium Plus Membership

• One credit a month for a premium title that’s yours to keep (2 credits for Amazon Prime members)
• Full access to the Unlimited Plus Catalog (audiobooks, podcasts, guided wellness, Audible Originals)
• Email reminder before trial ends
• A monthly fee of $14.95 is payable after 30 days
• Simple online cancellation if you don’t want to continue after your free trial

We started our trial three summers ago and thought we’d later cancel it, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips

We’ve split our guide up to the best audio books into different age groups, plus those we think a family of mixed ages can also enjoy playing together.

Best Audiobooks for Toddlers

One of the best things about Audible’s narrated children’s books is that many of them come with actual illustrations, which your little kids can enjoy on their Kindle device while listening. This list of audiobooks is ideal for toddlers.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (Narrated by Buffy Allen)

Goodnight Moon

Length: 4 minutes

Margaret Wise Brown’s timeless classic about a little rabbit saying goodnight to all of his most-loved possessions is an excellent way to let your toddler know that it’s time for rest. Buffy Allen’s smooth narration is very calming and soothing, making it a good fit for a bedtime story. 

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Narrated by Peter Schickele)

Where the Wild Things Are

Length: 5 minutes

Parents of all toddlers can relate to Sendak’s endearing story of a tantrum-throwing Max and his journey to an island full of Wild Things. Your child will love the background music and Schickele’s different voices as they listen.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (Narrated by Gwyneth Paltrow)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Length: 11 minutes

Bill Martin’s lyrical and repetitive text perfectly pairs with Gwyneth Paltrow’s voice in this book about Brown Bear and all of the different animals he sees. The Audible book also comes with a “turn the page” version, so your child can follow along with a digital copy of the book.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (Narrated by Owen Jordan)

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Length: 6 minutes

The power of one’s imagination is brought to life in the story of young Harold’s nighttime adventures with his purple crayon. The background music can become a distraction with this one, but Owen Jordan’s narration is a treat.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (Narration by Jane Harvey)

The Snowy Day

Length: 5 minutes

This touching story about a little boy’s excitement over a snowy day can be enjoyed year-round. This should certainly go on your list of best kids audiobooks to listen to over and over again.

Best Audiobooks for Preschoolers

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Narrated by Jason Alexander)

Green Eggs and Ham

Length: 5 minutes

If you’re searching for fun audiobooks for road trips, look no further than Seuss’s classic about Sam I Am’s attempt to persuade a picky eater that green eggs and ham are indeed delicious. The sound effects and background music are perfect, and Jason Alexander does a masterful job with the characters’ voices.

Llama Llama Red Pajama and 19 Other Stories by Anna Dewdney (Narrated by Anna Dewdney and Cassandra Campbell)

Llama Llama Red Pajama and 19 Other Favorites: Llama Llama Mad at Mama; Llama Llama Misses Mama; Llama Llama Holiday Drama; and More

Length: 47 minutes

We love it when we can find audiobook bundles like this one, and it includes 20 of Dewdney’s best-loved books about dramatic Baby Llama and his many adventures. These books are just begging to be read aloud, making them ideal for long road trips.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak (Narrated by B.J. Novak and Busy Phillips)

The Book with No Pictures

Length: 9 minutes

What book is better suited for an audiobook than one without any pictures to begin with? This book is filled with laugh-out-loud stories and sounds, and Novak and Phillips bring the words to life.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin (Narrated by Adam Rubin)

Dragons Love Tacos

Length: 6 minutes

If your children love dragons, they enjoy this silly book about taco-obsessed dragons and the unfortunate consequences of spicy salsa. Rubin infuses humor and fun into his narration, and the music and sound effects greatly enhance the story.

Pete the Cat’s Super Cool Reading Collection by James Dean (Narrated by Teddy Walsh and Lewis Grosso)

Pete the Cat’s Super Cool Reading Collection

Length: 6 minutes

The cool adventures of Pete the Cat are a fun option for slightly older children, especially when they get to follow along with their own copies of the books. These stories work well as conversation starters about what Pete is doing and feeling, and you’ll arrive at your destination before you know it!

Best Audiobooks for Grade School

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (Narrated by Richard Armitage)

The Velveteen Rabbit

Length: 24 minutes

Your child may just have a renewed interest in their forgotten toys after listening to Williams’s timeless classic about the journey of a snuggly velveteen bunny from beloved toy to the magical world of Rabbitland. Richard Armitage does an outstanding job with the narration and brings each character to life with his different reading voices.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey (Narrated by Len Forgione, Dazjon Freeman, and Ben D’Amico)

The Adventures of Captain Underpants

Length: 1 hr

Children of all ages will laugh out loud at the antics of fourth-graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two silly class clowns. Together, they create the superhero Captain Underpants. Freeman and D’Amico bring the books to life with their energetic narration of Captain Underpants’ adventures.

Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne (Narrated by Mary Pope Osborne)

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Length: 41 minutes

Immerse your children in the world of The Magic Treehouse, a mysterious place where anything can happen – even travelling back in time to the age of dinosaurs. Join Jack and Annie as they embark on the journey of a lifetime and attempt to make it back to their own time before dark.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo (Narrated by Ron McLarty)

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Length: 19 minutes

This early chapter book introduces the reader to Mercy Watson, a one-of-a-kind pig who loves buttered toast and snuggling in bed with her owners. McLarty provides entertaining narration that meshes well with the music and storyline.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate and Patricia Castelao (Narrated by Adam Grupper)

The One and Only Ivan

Length: 3 hrs and 46 minutes

Themes of friendship, art, and hope are brought to life through the eyes of Ivan, a gorilla who has spent 27 years of his life in a glass enclosure at a shopping mall. Grupper’s narration tugs at the listener’s heartstrings and is a great conversation starter.

Best Audiobooks for Tweens

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson (Narrated by Bailey Carr)

Fever 1793

Length: 6 hrs and 12 minutes

Mattie Cook’s struggle to survive the historical impact of yellow fever in Philadelphia is eerily resonant given the current pandemic.  Carr highlights the strengths of Mattie’s character while also echoing the diverse accents in 1793 Philadelphia.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Narrated by Graeme Malcolm)

The Tale of Despereaux

Length: 3 hrs and 30 minutes

Sometimes the most unlikely characters become the biggest heroes, as is the case with Despereaux Tilling, an extraordinary mouse. Despereaux, along with several other unique individuals, embarks on unforgettable adventures.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (Narrated by Rebecca Soler)

Caraval

Length: 10 hrs and 36 minutes

The line between reality and illusion is blurred in the story of two sisters who get more than they bargained for when they attend the legendary Caraval performance. Your tween will be on the edge of their seat the entire time, making this one of the best audiobooks for road trips.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Narrated by Tatiana Maslany)

The Hunger Games: Special Edition

Length: 10 hrs and 35 minutes

Katniss Everdeen’s race for survival will keep your tween listening as she uses her wits, compassion, and determination to win the Hunger Games. Maslany breathes new life into Katniss’s character with her youthful and often lyrical reader of this dystopian hit.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio (Narrated by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd)

Wonder

Length: 8 hrs and 6 minutes

August Pullman’s humorous yet heartwrenching initiation into the world of middle school highlights the necessity of kindness and empathy in everyone’s lives. Auggie’s narrator fully immerses herself into his character and gives the novel absolute authenticity.

Best Audiobooks for Teens

In this list of the best audiobooks for teens we’ll look at some nonfiction books as well as modern classics to get your teens thinking and engaged on something fun for your road trip.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (Narrated by Lauren Fortgang)

Shadow and Bone

Length: 9 hrs and 21 minutes

Good audiobooks for road trips draw the reader into different worlds, and there are few worlds more interesting than the Grishaverse. Alina Starkov discovers an unknown power within herself and suddenly becomes her society’s savior, but nothing is as it seems. Fortgang does well with the voices of different characters, especially the villainous ones.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (Narrated by Ali Ahn)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Length: 8 hrs and 44 minutes

Your romance-loving teen will enjoy Jean Song’s misadventures in romance and the importance of the written word, making this an entertaining road trip audiobook. The narrator struggles a bit with distinguishing male voices, but not enough to detract from the audiobook’s overall value, overall a great listen for teen girls especially.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (Narrated by Trevor Noah)

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

Length: 8 hrs and 44 minutes

We believe that nonfiction should always have a place on your list of good audiobooks for road trips, and Trevor Noah’s memoir is an eye-opening account of the injustices of apartheid in South Africa. Noah’s performance earned him the Audie Award for Best Male Narrator in 2018, and after a short listen, you’ll understand why.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (Narrated by Kim Mai Guest, MacLeod Andrews, Shannon McManus, and Robbie Daymond)

Length: 10 hrs and 43 minutes

We love that this audiobook for teens has different narrators for all of the major characters, giving it an added layer of authenticity and entertainment value. When five strangers come together, and only four make it out alive, you’ll want to keep listening until the mystery is solved.

Best Audiobooks for the Whole Family

Perfect for listening to altogether, these are the best family audiobooks to keep the whole family engaged on the road:

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Narrated by Peter Coyote)

Hatchet

Length: 3 hrs and 42 minutes

Brian Robeson’s unforgettable story of resilience will captivate your whole family as he must use every bit of knowledge he possesses to survive in the Canadian mountains. Peter Coyote’s narration is both brilliant and poignant.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (Narrated by Jim Dale)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Book 1

Length: 8 hrs and 18 minutes

Our list of best audiobooks for families wouldn’t be complete without the magical world of Harry Potter. Jim Dale’s unparalleled voice talent brings every single character to life, no matter how minor. This is an outstanding audiobook choice that every family should invest in; really long drive? Why not download the entire Harry Potter series?

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Narrated by Michael York)

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia

Length: 4 hrs and 21 minutes

It’s no wonder that C.S. Lewis’s beloved tale of four siblings and their adventures in Narnia is an essential audiobook for family road trips as well. Even though this book is the second installment in the series, it works well as a stand-alone listen.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (Narrated by Lynn Redgrave)

Inkheart

Length: 15 hrs and 34 minutes

Your family will love this novel where the characters in books actually do jump right off the page! Redgrave’s narration immediately draws the listener into the story, which only works to enhance the novel’s overall message.

More Road Trip Tips and Inspiration

Now you’ve got your family road trip audio entertainment sorted, you may also be interested in:

Best Healthy Road Trip Snacks – over 40 ideas for ideal snacks to pack on a family road trip

Road Trip Trivia Games – a great way to stimulate some family conversation and put minds to the test

The best road trip toys perfect for taking on long journeys for every age group

First Aid Kit for Road Trips – we highly recommend you keep these important items at hand when undertaking a road trip – plus why road trip insurance is important

Road Trip Essentials – never miss an important item again, work your way through our list of pre-trip checks to make on your vehicle through to comfort items for the whole family with our FREE printable checklist

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Best Audiobooks For Family Road Trips in 2026 – Toddlers to Teens appeared first on Family Road Trip.

If you are traveling by car this summer and headed to somewhere special, having some good family road trip movies for the kids to watch is the perfect entertainment for the trip.

Family road trip movies make great entertainment because they make time go by faster, and they can be watched on tablets, phones, and portable DVDs. The most common ways to watch movies when traveling are probably the tablets and phones, and it works perfectly because they are portable and can be used anywhere.

So, get the movies ready to go before you get in the car! Here are some of the best family road trip movies that can be enjoyed while traveling.

As Amazon Associates, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made on this page.

Best Road Trip Movies to Watch BEFORE you Hit the Road

This collection of road trip movies have us dreaming (or dreading!) hitting the road with our loved ones. You may want to watch these before you hit the road. How many of these can you relate to?

National Lampoon’s Vacation

You knew this was going to be number one on the list! An oldies but a Goldie, this 1983 classic film follows the Griswald family on an epic American road trip to visit Wally World, that’s nothing but a disaster but packed full of laughs.

Fans of the National Lampoon series may also want to try the next-generation sequel set in 2015, Vacation.

Get it on Prime Video

A Goofy Movie

Disney’s favorite oddball Goofy and his teenage son Max are off on this cross-country adventure for a fishing trip to lake Idaho. As only Goofy knows how embarrassment for Max and misadventure are sure to ensue; will this be Max’s worst nightmare, or is Dad really not that bad?

Get it on Prime Video

Diary of A Wimpy Kids: The Long Haul

Based on the smash-hit book series by Jeff Kinney, Greg is up to his usual scheming trying to get to a gaming convention on the Heffley family road trip to attend Meemaw’s 90th birthday. Things inevitably go embarrassingly wrong for Greg.

Get it on Prime Video

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Furry trio Shadow, the wise golden retriever, Chance the fun-loving American bulldog pup, and Sassy the Himalayan cat head off across the Sierra Nevada Mountains to find their family in San Fransisco.

They are “sent to the farm” after their family needs to relocate and believe their family is in trouble. Another one you might want to pack your Kleenex for if you’re following along on this cross-country adventure.

Get it on Prime Video

RV

Who needs Hawaii when you can spend some quality time together on a cross-country road trip?! Bob Munro takes the family on a hilarious trip through the Rocky Mountains but he really has an ulterior motive, in order to save his job he must attend a meeting.

A classic tale of a dysfunctional family who find themselves and what’s important while on the road.

Get it on Prime Video

College Road Trip

Independent high school student Melaine can’t wait to hit the road with her girlfriends on a college visit trip, but the tables are turned when over-protective Dad James decides he’s joining the adventure.

Throw in a stowaway brother and his pet pig in the trunk, you can only guess what craziness will ensue. A great story about growing up and letting go, your older teens will no doubt find very relatable!

Get it on Prime Video

Cars

Life is indeed a highway! You’ll all be singing along to Tom Cochrane in this animated classic.

Hotshot rookie racing car Lightning McQueen is headed to his tie-breaker Piston Cup championship race in California. However, driver Mack falls asleep and McQueen finds himself lost on old Route 66 but finding himself and what makes a champion racer.

If this doesn’t want to make you pop in a car and head for the glory of the open road, nothing will! (see our favorite spots in Arizona to relive classic moments from the movie!)

Get it on Prime Video

Classic Family Road Trip Movies

Whether you’re looking to plug the kids into their portable DVD players and tablets, or something to snuggle in together and watch at night during your family trip, here are some classic adventure movies you simply can’t go wrong with having loaded ready on a device.

Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo is a family favorite movie for many of us and children tend to get so involved in the movie and Nemo’s adventure that time just flies by.

That’s a good thing when it comes to road trips! Equally lovable adventures ensue in the sequel Finding Dory – no doubt the motivation many of us dream of a California coastal road trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Get it on Prime Video

Toy Story

Toy Story is a classic kid’s movie that they will love watching on their road trip adventure. You may even find yourself following allow to this family favorite! Download the whole series for hours and hours of road trip entertainment!

Get it on Prime Video

Annie: A Royal Adventure

Annie has been a popular classic movie that both kids and adults have enjoyed throughout the years. This version takes the classic and makes it more up to time but still features little orphan Annie and her red hair on an exciting adventure.

Get it on Prime Video

Cheaper By The Dozen 2

Worried the Baker family is drifting apart, Dad Tom plans one last family vacation at Lake Winnetka.

What can go wrong when you have a family of 12 kids and take part in a competition with another family? Actually, a lot, which is what makes this movie a barrel full of laughs.

Get it on Prime Video

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip

Alvin and his brothers are headed out on an adventure as they race to Miami to keep their family together. Full of musical adventures and fun, Alvin always makes a road trip interesting.

Get it on Prime Video

The Muppet Movie

Watch as Kermit leaves his Florida swamp to seek out his Hollywood dreams in show business! The Muppets are a classic collection of characters that we can all love and enjoy and make the perfect road trip companion.

Get it on Prime Video

The Parent Trap

Follow along with identical twins separated at birth as they switch places to try and reunite their parents with this classic family film.

Get it on Prime Video

Little Rascals

Little Rascals is a ’90s film that many loved, and it follows the story of Alfalfa and his friends on their journey through being a kid.

Get it on Prime Video

Moana

One of the most popular movies for kids, following along with Moana as she sets sail will make a great road trip movie to watch. Moana is a movie about family, love, and courage.

Get it on Prime Video

Rio

Full of laughs, Rio made its debut in 2011 and has been a favorite for many children. The movie follows Blu, a macaw, who is loveable and friendly and thinks he is the only one of his kind left.

Get it on Prime Video

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

A funny musical that’s been a classic for years, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a fun movie that kids of all ages can enjoy.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the name of the magical car that’s found in the scrapyard that the kids convince their father to rebuild. Once rebuilt, everyone goes on a magical adventure as their dad tells the story of how the car got its powers.

Get it on Prime Video

Mr Bean’s Holiday

Oh Mr Bean! Misunderstandings and unfortunate mistakes seem to follow British TV star Mr Bean wherever he goes. You’ll laugh and cringe as he heads on his vacation to Cannes on French Riviera.

Get it on Prime Video

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Holiday misadventures abound, Kevin’s already been left at home when his family flew off to Paris, could they possibly forget Kevin AGAIN? From mistaken flights to fancy hotels and catching crooks, Home Alone 2 is largely set in New York, definitely a great one for getting you in the mood for a festive season vacation.

Get it on Prime Video

Enchanto

No, we don’t talk about Bruno! But if you haven’t been swept away yet by this Disney classic released last year, it’s time to get it downloaded as you’re in for a real treat.

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family living in Columbia and Mirabel, well, she’s just ordinary. But can she save the magic that surrounds their home?

Get it on Prime Video

Up

So many life lessons and just a beautiful story. Carl Fredricksen finally fulfills his lifelong dream, flying away to South America in his balloon-powered house, but doesn’t expect a stowaway boy named Russell to be joining his adventure.

Get it on Prime Video

Inside Out

A cross country move follows the emotions inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind. Moving to a new city can be tough; but can be San Francisco be all that bad? I think we all undeniably have a little Joy and Sadness sitting in our head’s HQ. Another one to bring the tissues!

Get it on Prime Video

Hotel Transylvania 3

Even hoteliers need a vacation, right? When Drac and his crew from Hotel Transylvania are taken on a luxury cruise ship vacation, it’s love at first sight with the cruise captain, Erika, but she has a secret… A hilarious follow-up flick that hits all the marks for family vacation entertainment.

Get it on Prime Video

Roar Trip Movies For Older Kids

These ones are recommended for mature audiences but should be added to your repertoire of classic vacation movies.

Dirty Dancing

Not specifically set on the road but screams everything about summer vacation in America in the 1960s. Ready to fly the coup, Baby is on her last family vacation at an affluent camp in the Catskills with her family where she strikes up a romantic interest in her dance instructor, Johnny.

Admit it, we’ve all tried “that dance move” in the water at some point in our lives, right?

Psst if you want to visit the luxurious lodge, you’ll actually find it in Pembroke, Virginia.

Get it on Prime Video

Around the World in 80 Days

Based on the Novel of the same name, a remake of the 1956 classic, the eccentric Phileas Fogg sets out on a daring challenge to circumnavigate the globe (sans modern-day commercial aircraft!) in just 80 days.

Get it on Prime Video

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

I think we all know the pain of holiday travel; When a snowstorm hits Wichita, uptight exec Neal finds himself inadvertently paired with the annoyingly upbeat Del Griffith, the shower curtain salesman to get home to Chicago. Worst of travel companions or an unlikely friendship found on the way home to Thanksgiving?

(NB Rated R! Save this for your much older kids!)

Get it on Prime Video

Little Miss Sunshine

Abigail is a 7-year-old that gets the opportunity to compete in a California beauty pageant. From Alburquerque to Redondo Beach follow the dysfunctional Hoover family dealing with crushed dreams, heartbreaks, and a broken-down VW bus. Laugh and cry along with this heartwarming family road trip movie.

(Another one that is surprisingly rated R, due to frequent profanity, but your mature teens should definitely enjoy it)

Get it on Prime Video

How to Watch Your Family Road Trip Movies

Whilst many modern family SUVs particularly do come fitted with in-built screens for the back seat, inevitably not everyone can see the screens, nor has the luxury of such a car. So how do you watch your favorite family road trip movies?

• A tablet is, of course, the number one choice for most families for video watching on the move.

• A portable DVD player; yup they still exist! Ideal if you only want to play movies and don’t need all the other functionality of a tablet

• A travel tray to help hold your tablet. We like the Lusso Gear Kids Travel Tray with a tablet holder and still allows play room.

• We’d also suggest a good set of wireless headphones for the car, or older kids can try Bluetooth earbuds.

• Never forget an important family road trip item again with our road trip essentials checklist.

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post 30 Classic Family Road Trip Movies You Need to See appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Did you know that every American school child in the 4th grade can get there hands on a free entry pass to over 400 national parks and millions of acres of federal lands in the United States?

Could you think of a better excuse to take a US road trip than the year your child is turning 10?

TL;DR? Jump ahead 4th Graders can simply apply here!

Every year, beginning September 1, all kids entering into the fourth grade have access to their own “Every Kid Outdoors” pass at www.everykidoutdoors.gov.

This pass provides free access to national parks across the country for your 4th grader – and your family!

Frequently Asked Questions on the 4th Grader Pass

Who can apply for the 4th Grader pass?

Any child that started the 4th grade from 1 September of that school year.

Whether you’re in a public or private school, a home schooler or road schooler, all children in the 4th grade or equivalent, in the United States, are eligible.

How do I get the 4th Grader pass?

The pass can only be applied for online, upon completing a fun and simple activity your forth grader will get a printable “Every Kid Outdoors” pass – start the activity here!

Is the 4th Grader pass valid for 12 months?

No, unless you get it on 1 September! Unlike the America the Beautiful pass which remains valid 12 months from purchase date, your 4th grader pass only remains valid through to 31 August of the academic year they are in the 4th grade.

What is the 4th Grader Pass valid for?

Not just National Parks, the 4th Grader pass also covers day use fees at:

• Bureau of Land Management
• US Fish and Wildlife Services
• National Parks Service
• Bureau of Reclamation
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• USDA Forest Service
• US Army Corps Engineers Sites (some sites)

Note that overnight camping fees, reservation fees and some special tours are not covered under the general parks entry fee.

Can I exchange the 4th grader paper voucher?

Yes, if you would like a memento plastic card in place of the paper copy, there are many national parks sites in each state that will issue these for you. See the listing here.

Will everyone in my family be able to enter with the 4th grade pass holder?

Entering by vehicle, everyone in the passenger vehicle is entitled to the free entry. If you are at a site that charges by person, or entering a National Park by bike, all under 16’s and up to 3 adults can enter with the 4th grader.

Making Best Use of your 4th Grader Pass

Here are some of our best tips for visiting national parks with kids:

Get Them Excited About Their Trip!

What better time to hand over responsibility for planning your next road trip then letting your 4th grader plan your next family adventure around their 4th Grader Pass?

What do they really want to see? Where can the pass take them? Don’t just think about the big National Parks, there may be many local monuments and landmarks closer to home that you can see on short weekend outings.

A great start is the book “National Parks: A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks” by Erin McHugh. We’ve frequently used this as a starting point to plan our next family road trip!

Participate in Junior Ranger Programs

One essential part of visiting a National Park with kids is taking advantage of the Junior Ranger program, available at most National Park Service managed site.

It’s a free service where children can complete tasks to learn about the park during their visit. Usually, you pick up an activity booklet at a welcome center or ranger station when you enter a park (though it’s also possible to download them and print them off online in advance at some parks).

They are not only a great learning resource, but help keep kids engaged during their National Park visit. The activities apply not just to fourth graders; some parks have two booklets for older and younger kids, or one booklet with activities broken down by age group.

When your kids have completed the requirements, they can take the completed booklets back to a ranger station and partake in a swearing in ceremony. Children are then awarded a certificate, and often some extra goodies like pins and badges for their effort.

Book Ahead!

Whilst your pass may be “free” it doesn’t entitle you to any queue jumping!

Many National Parks now need to run a timed reservation system in peak periods, in addition to requirements to pre-book camp sites and other facilities within National Parks.

It’s best to plan ahead at least 6 months before receiving your Every Kid Outdoors pass so you can maximize your 12 months, and understand when reservations may be required in advance.

Summer vacation may seem like the logical choice for many families in full time work and school to take on a National Parks road trip, but it’s also the busiest. Try to plan off-season road trips and experience some of the parks in different seasons if you want to miss the crowds.

If you truly want to skip the crowds – try these unique and least-visited national parks!

Leave No Trace

One of the fundamentals for exploring in nature, lead by example and teach your 4th grader the importance of “Leave No Trace”. This includes not feeding the wildlife, leaving rocks, plants and wildlife as you found it, taking your trash home with you, and listening to Park Ranger warnings and advice.

There really is no better time to hit the road with your family then when you’re child (or children!) hit the 4th grade. It is an ideal age for traveling with your children and so many adventures await all across the US National Parks system.

More USA National Park Inspiration

• Discover all the best national parks along the east coast of the USA

• Think you can tackle all the best west coast national parks on one road trip? Block some time out this year as we’ll show you how!

• Prepared to travel off-peak? These are the best national parks to experience in winter

• Spring can be the best season to see these popular national parks – with fewer crowds, brilliant wildflowers and before the overwhelming heat of summer at many locations

• Summer brings crowds for sure, but many national parks can only be seen in the warmest months, these are the best national parks to plan a visit on a summer road trip

• If you can delay your travels until the fall, you won’t regret the wait for these stunning US national parks that shine the best in autumn

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post How Do I Get My Free National Park Pass For 4th Graders? appeared first on Family Road Trip.