Share the ways you keep your children entertained on long journeys with Vodafone

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Every parent has their own special way of keeping long journeys fun – whether it’s through using devices to watch videos, or involving the whole family through songs and games. As the summer holiday season is in full swing, Vodafone want to know how you keep your children occupied on long trips.

Here’s what Vodafone has to say:
“It’s a glorious summer’s day. You’re stuck in the car and there’s 100 miles still to go. The kids are getting restless. But you know the perfect way to keep them entertained. A sure-fire way to keep them distracted just a little bit longer. That back-pocket ace card that you can play during times like these.

We want to know your secret!”

What’s your trick to keeping your children entertained for most of the journey? Are you a key part of the entertainment (think a family game of ‘I Spy’), or do you let them get on with it and hope for the best? Are there any particularly memorable journeys you’d like to share?

From young children to teens, what are your tips and tricks in keeping them entertained? Share on the thread below and everyone who does will be entered into a prize draw where 1 MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I Spy
What Am I? (guessing what/who someone is by asking questions that can only be answered yes or no)
A card game where you have 3 cards each with various things to spot (driver wearing glasses, green lorry, building with steps to the door, etc). Each card has a points value so whoever has the most points at the end of the journey wins.
Factoring in somewhere interesting to stop halfway like a pub lunch or a country park, so it’s not just en endless series of motorway services.
Trying to make up words or sentences using the number plate in front.
Planning what we are actually going to do when we get where we are going.
When DS doesn’t want to do any of those we talk about what we are going to have for dinner or start on the snacks .

We invented the 'for sale sign game' you were 'it' until you saw a house for sale sign at their side of the road, then the other was it. It really keeps them interested and we have had many a close call - the game ends when I park up.

My eldest listened to audiobooks for most of our recent flight. The younger one liked reusable sticker books, pens and paper and some CBeebies apps. And loads of snacks are a must!

We have always used the 'I-spy- books where you tick off the things you see - there have 'I-spy' in the airport, on a train, on the motorway, on a car journey, in the countryside and every child I have given them to spends ages doing them.

I just avoid really long journeys! :)

We have just discovered the 'shopping' game where you list things you've bought at the shops - think my older one mainly just enjoys the idea of being able to buy only chocolate, sweets and pizza!

Lots of snacks and stops. Let them be in charge of the maps. They like looking for signs and mileage. And kindles and music are always a hit

We did have the car DVD players, but they made dc1s travel sickness much worse, as did using the tablet. We use audiobooks now. And avoiding long car journeys where possible.

As a non car sickness sufferer I read to mine, of not driving. Best ever was the curious case of the dog in the nighttime.

I make up a bag for each Ds. I put in drawing pads, pencil cases, stickers, a reading book, a clip on light, a fully charged iPad and headphones, a small toy (like Lego, a transformer, a dinosaur etc) a list of things to look for in the journey, and some fun games like I spy, the alphabet game, the would you rather game. They also have snacks, drinks, wipes and their favourite teddy & blanket. I then have audiobooks in the car to change things up if necessary and their favourite playlist ready to go just incase they reach meltdown (about to kill each other 🙈😆) levels. Everything they need for a long journey 😊

We do sums! So if they ask the time, I'll say it's a third of an hour plus 20% of 10 since you last asked. Keeps minds busy for a bit.

Pub cricket (one run per leg in the name of the pub - so two for the King George VI, four for the Red Lion, etc.), but only works on A roads, not motorways.

We have an arsenal of back up plans hidden in the car. Special car books, a steering wheel for DS, a toy phone and keys etc. We also have a special 'stuck in the car' playlist for DS which has songs like "windmill in Amsterdam" on which he loves to sing at the top of his lungs.
In an emergency, we break out the CBeebies magz

My youngest hates he car, so I try to time any longer journeys to be leaving when he naps. The less driving while he is awake the better. Then snacks, snacks and more snacks. Luckily my eldest loves heavy vehicles, so lots of spotting lorries, construction areas etc.

The DVD player was brilliant when my son was younger. Now he likes listening to music or playing on his iPad. We also play I Spy, sing, play guess that tune, test each other with maths questions and eat lots of snacks!

I travel to my parents (2+ hour journey) every couple of weeks with a 7 year old and an 18mo.

I find audio books are great. My 7 year old loves the how to train your dragon series and happily listens to them over and over.

My little one still has a nap - thankfully! But when she’s awake we either listen to a Spotify list of kids songs (heads shoulders knees /twinkle twinkle etc!) and we sing along. I also have snacks - a must. A wee box of raisins keeps her occupied for miles!

Lots of snacks and playing yellow car. And on a long journey they get their tablets for a bit too.

Audiobooks definitely! Our children get car sick so DVDs and books aren't a great choice. We have been enjoying the Road Dahl audiobooks this summer. We also usually break the journey somewhere interesting rather than try and do it all on one go.

My two children have an in car DVD player each - this really is the best thing for long journeys. We also have a variety of snacks too, play I-spy and get asked a bazillion questions too.

We do a long car journey every year (approx 7 hrs) so I always bring the in-car DVD screens, but also have a box of food/snacks and drinks in the back for my DDs to dip into when they want. I also pack puzzle books and reading books. They often play games like i-spy in the car, or spotting trucks I don't find it stressful so long as my girls are entertained and kept fed!

We love top trumps and have many packs and it's a lot of fun and can take their mind off the journey. Also a tablet loaded with movies and some headphones gives me peace when I need to concentrate from the bickering, (this is the only time they are allowed to 'cut themselves off' from the outside world. Thanks you.

Toddler is 21 months old and has short-ish attention span but generally plan to drive around naps but if can't do that, and have to entertain for an hour, I allocate about 10 mins per activity and have a bag at the front with items to stimulate (some books, electronic hippo toy, toy smartphone/remote control, etc)

Our kids get car sick with screens now so listening is our go to activity. We have travelled with teens to south of France and back with podcasts. Older DS loves the Peter Crouch one. DD loves the Rebel Girl stories. Also both made music playlists in advance.
We also have a few quiz books to do as a family.

Oh dear... for us it's basically a phone each (sometimes preloaded with netflix downloads). Sometimes we take a book of magazine or water colour pads.,, but mainly it's the phone and the huge amount of toca boca apps they have on there that keeps them entertained! Usually charger cables are also an essential.

Lots of different toys. But can't beat having Peppa or paw patrol downloaded ready to watch.