4 ways to keep the children busy on a long journey

*A collaborative post*

In just a few weeks, it’ll be the end of the Spring term. Most schools will break up for two weeks and school children all over the UK will be on their Easter holidays. It’s a time when some parents will pack their bags for an end of term getaway and escape their usual everyday routine for some fun with the kids. But how do you keep the children busy on a long journey? Here’s some ideas.

Pack their bags

One of the ways to keep children busy on a long journey is with their familiar possessions. Pack them each a backpack full of their favourite toys, portable consoles, headphones, pens and pencils, a notebook and some snacks. They’ll soon busy themselves with playing their games or munching through their snacks that they won’t even realise the time. Top tip – pack extra snacks to keep the peace!

Try a different way of travelling

If you and your family always travel via car, why not take the train. If you’re off to the seaside, there are lots of major train stations around the country which could take you from north to south, east to west. In the south east, there are several trains going from London Bridge to Brighton during the day and you could jump on a train with the family and head down to the seaside. The different journey will keep them entertained with new scenes to admire through the window and there’s always something to look at on board the train.

Turn your car into a cinema

If you know you have a distance to travel in the car, download a new movie to your tablet and turn your car into a moving cinema. The children will love to watch a new movie on the go. Pack their pillows and a blanket and let them comfortable as they watch the film. Don’t forget the mini bags of popcorn so they don’t have to share!

Travel through the night

It’s not always possible to do so but if you can, travel through the night to your destination. Children will of course, be excited to be travelling so won’t fall asleep quickly but if they’ve been awake all day and their usual bedtime has passed, it won’t take too long for the backseat to fall silent. Once they’re asleep, you’ll have a peaceful journey ahead.

What other ways do you entertain the children on long journeys?