Keeping Kids Busy in the Car

Written By Nicolle Santaromita

We have taken many eight-hour car rides with my daughter in her five years of life.  I never hand her a screen as I would rather her neck not be looking down, her eyes staring at a screen and her mind numb for a long length of time.  We actually don’t own a tablet or Ipad so I keep the back seat stocked with items that can keep her busy during the car ride.  I will share some of the things I loved when she was a baby as well as what I love now.

Baby/ Toddler Supplies

Here are the basics to keep baby comfy!

  • Car Seat Cover (for winter)

  • Head strap (for sleeping)

  • Foot rest

  • Backseat car organizer

Fun Stuff for Toddlers

These are my favorite ways to keep a toddler occupied in the car

  • Buckle Pillow

  • Lacing Toy

  • Busy Board

  • Window Clings

  • Magnetic Blocks

  • Magnetic Story: Bluey/ Eric Carle

  • Puppets/ Finger Puppets

Fun Stuff for Kids

  • car table (best!)

  • pencil pouch of art tools

  • coloring books

  • whiteboard

  • Writing Tablet

  • See and Spell

  • wordless books or any books

  • Hidden Pictures in Highlights

  • Wikki Stix

  • Imagine Ink

  • steel tongue drum

  • dry erase workbooks

  • Tape Activity Book

  • audio books

  • old camera

  • Reusable stickers and scenes

  • magnetic puzzles and shapes

And of course at any age, there must be plenty of snacks and drinks! You can get no spill containers if necessary. I find that my daughter enjoys anything if we play with her so, we have some little games we do too. For example, on her writing tablet we play Guess My Picture (exactly what it sounds like) and we play a game where we rotate around the car choosing a song to play on the radio which is fun because as you’re waiting for your turn you are trying to think of a great choice. Chloe loves using my old pre Iphone camera to snap shots as we drive and she likes to make up stories to go with her books or play pretend.

I know it is easier to turn on a screen for her and scroll on my phone but I view a long car ride like any other day and I would never allow her to sit on a screen for hours at home. When kids sit on screens it affects their mood, behavior and health. If you don’t notice a difference in your child it’s most likely because you don’t see them off screens for long enough periods of time to have an impact. Choose your kids’ health over your convenience and throw this stuff in your backseat so your family is always ready for a car ride!

Nicolle Santaromita
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