Car journeys with children – 15 ideas to keep them entertained for a relaxed holiday trip

The holiday plans are finalised, the car is packed and everyone is really looking forward to it. But after just a short while on the motorway, many children’s patience is put to the test. Long car journeys can quickly become tiring – for the little ones as well as for their parents.

With the right preparation, a variety of activities to keep them occupied and a well-planned route, the journey will be much more relaxed. If you’re also travelling with a maut1 Toll Box, you’ll avoid long queues at many toll stations and can continue your journey without unnecessary stops.

Why good preparation is so important

Children have a natural urge to move around and find it difficult to sit still for several hours. That’s why it’s worth planning the journey well in advance.

The following points will help with this:

• Plan regular breaks

• Take plenty of drinks and snacks with you

• Prepare a variety of activities

• Keep toys within easy reach

• Plan your route in advance, including any toll roads

The more relaxed the parents are, the more pleasant the car journey tends to be.

1. Guessing number plates

A simple game that’s great fun. Who’ll be the first to spot a number plate from Italy, France, Austria or Croatia? There are loads of international vehicles to spot, especially on the way to your summer holiday.

2. Travel bingo

Before setting off, you can prepare some small bingo cards. Typical squares include, for example:

• Tunnel

• Campervan

• motorbike

• lake

• castle

• cow

• police car

The first person to complete a row wins.

3. Audio plays and children’s podcasts

Audio plays are among the most popular pastimes on long car journeys. They stimulate the imagination and often ensure longer periods of quiet in the back seat.

4. Magnetic games

Magnetic jigsaws or travel games are ideal for on the go. As the pieces don’t keep falling off, there’s no frustration or chaos in the car.

5. Sticker books

Reusable sticker books provide creative fun for many kilometres and often keep children occupied for much longer than traditional colouring books.

6. Colouring and puzzle books

Whether it’s colouring pictures, mazes or spot-the-difference puzzles – little puzzles provide variety whilst also helping to improve concentration.

7. Surprise bags

Pack several small toys or snacks individually. A new surprise can be opened every 30 to 60 minutes. This keeps the excitement going throughout the entire journey.

8. I Spy

This classic game still works a treat even after decades and requires absolutely no preparation.

9. Making up stories together

One person starts with a sentence, then each family member continues the story. This often results in some particularly funny holiday stories.

10. Counting cars

Who can spot the most red cars within five minutes? Alternatively, you can count campervans, motorbikes or electric cars.

11. Music quiz

Someone plays a song and everyone tries to guess the title or artist as quickly as possible. This game is particularly fun with a family playlist.

12. I’m packing my suitcase

The classic memory game for the whole family: one person says, ‘I’m packing my suitcase and taking with me …’ plus an item; the next person repeats all the items mentioned so far in the correct order and adds a new one, until someone makes a mistake.

13. Photo challenge

Older children can take photos of unusual vehicles, mountains, tunnels or beautiful landscapes whilst on the move and later put together a little holiday album.

14. Creating a travel diary

A small notebook provides space for drawings, initial holiday experiences or tickets stuck inside. This also creates a lovely holiday keepsake.

15. Colour challenge

Who can spot something green, blue, yellow or red first? Particularly popular with younger children.

Taking regular breaks makes all the difference

Children need to be active. That is why, wherever possible, long journeys should be broken up by a break every 1.5 to 2 hours.

Rest areas with the following are ideal::

• Playground

• Green spaces

• Picnic areas

• Shaded areas

Just 15 to 20 minutes of exercise can help make your next driving lessons much more relaxed.

The right snacks for when you’re out and about

Hunger can quickly make children grumpy. That’s why it’s worth preparing some healthy snacks.

The following are well suited:

• Apple slices

• Cucumber sticks

• Carrots

• Cheese cubes

• Rice cakes

• Grapes

• Small sandwiches

Snacks that are high in sugar or very sticky should be avoided where possible, as they often cause restlessness and make the vehicle even messier.

Fewer distractions mean greater safety

The most important passenger is sitting at the wheel. A calm and relaxed atmosphere helps you to focus on the road.

Useful measures include:

• Opt for quiet games

• Resolve disputes at an early stage

• Avoid noisy toys

• Listen to music at a comfortable volume

• Leave organisational tasks to the passenger

Ultimately, this benefits all fellow passengers.

The best way to keep busy? Less downtime.

Even the best games and the best preparation only help until the next long wait. During the holidays in particular, traffic jams stretching for kilometres build up at many toll stations. For children, this means more time spent sitting still, boredom and, often, bad tempers.

With a maut1 Toll Box, you can pay tolls automatically in many European countries and use dedicated toll lanes. This saves you valuable time, avoids unnecessary stops and allows you to continue your journey in a much more relaxed manner.

Checklist for a family holiday

It’s a good idea to carry out a quick final check before setting off:

Child seats correctly secured
Drinks to hand
Snacks packed
Audio plays or audiobooks downloaded
Favourite cuddly toy on board
Games ready
Breaks planned
Travel documents complete
maut1 Toll Box fitted and ready for use

Conclusion: Arrive feeling relaxed rather than starting off stressed

Long car journeys with children don’t have to be a trial. With age-appropriate activities, a variety of games, well-planned breaks and thorough preparation, the journey often passes more quickly than expected.

If you also minimise unnecessary interruptions and take the pressure off the driver, you’ll ensure that the holiday begins as soon as you set off. This way, the journey to your destination becomes a relaxing part of the trip – for children and parents alike.