Long car rides with kids can feel like a test of endurance. The temptation to hand over a tablet and enjoy the silence is real—but in our family, we’ve always taken a different approach.

Because we regularly drive to visit family in Los Angeles and Oregon, our kids have grown up with seven to eight-hour road trips multiple times a year. Early on, I made it clear to them that this time in the car was special: a rare stretch of togetherness in our otherwise hectic lives. There’s nothing else pulling us in different directions. No laundry buzzer, no homework deadline, no errands to run. Just us.

So we created a system. One that leaned into their curiosity, creativity, and ability to engage deeply without passive entertainment. Over time, we’ve built a toolkit of beloved audiobooks, simple creative supplies, and small comfort tweaks that make car travel not just bearable, but actually enjoyable—for all of us.

If you’re heading out on summer vacation, here are the things that have made all the difference for our family.

Audiobooks: The Secret to a Peaceful Backseat

A great audiobook can transform the mood of an entire trip—calming restless energy, sparking laughter, and pulling the whole car into a shared adventure. Over the years, we’ve found some truly wonderful stories, keeping everyone engaged without being too intense or overwhelming.

Family Favorites:

  • The Collected Stories of Winnie the Pooh – This production features Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, and other incredible actors who bring A.A. Milne’s stories to life while staying true to the original text.
  • The Ramona Quimby Audio Collection – Stockard Channing’s narration captures all of Ramona’s humor and heart.
  • A Little History of the World by Ernst Gombrich – Originally written in German and later translated into English by Gombrich himself, this beloved history book has been translated into over 40 languages. With beautifully told stories that bring major moments in human history to life, it’s engaging for children as young as six and remains captivating for listeners of all ages.
  • Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace – A gentle and nostalgic glimpse into childhood at the turn of the century.
  • A Year in Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem – Cozy, charming, and just the right amount of adventure for young listeners. If they love these stories, the delight continues in Adventures in Brambly Hedge.
  • Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson – My son, a math and science enthusiast, loved this even in Lower Elementary.
  • My Father’s Dragon (Trilogy) by Ruth Stiles Gannett – A fantastic pick for kids 6+, with just enough suspense to keep them hooked.
  • Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder – The first in Wilder’s beloved series, this classic offers a rich, detailed glimpse into pioneer life. We highly recommend listening to the books in order, though you may want to skip Farmer Boy (typically listed second), as it’s not part of Laura’s family story and includes a disturbing chapter about whipping. The Long Winter (book six) is a standout—a powerful story of perseverance through adversity that resonated deeply during the early days of COVID, reminding us of our own resilience.
  • Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – White’s own narration makes this one unforgettable, though my kids weren’t ready for it on a car ride until age eight. The last chapter never fails to bring tears to all our eyes.

 

Pro Tip: Many of these audiobooks are free with your public library card through Hoopla or Libby (The Overdrive App).

When the Book Ends

When we parents want to switch from books to music, our kids often want something more challenging to engage their minds. We are asking them to keep chill in their seats, and all that youthful energy needs to go somewhere. Usborne has a terrific collection of travel activity, code-breaking, and maze books that are compact and lightweight!


Simple Art & Creativity Kits: Open-Ended Fun Without Screens

After years of experimenting, I’ve found that a well-packed creative kit is the ultimate boredom buster on road trips. The key? Keep it simple, portable, and open-ended.

What We Pack:

One of my favorite moments was when, on one of our many drives through the mountains to Grandma’s house in Southern Oregon, my daughter secretly created an intricate paper diorama of Mount Shasta, complete with tiny trees and a winding road. All she used was paper, tape, and a pencil.

Montessori emphasizes learning through hands-on work and self-directed projects—and road trips offer the perfect chance for kids to build, create, and explore ideas freely.

Comfort Tweaks That Make a Big Difference

A few small adjustments can make a long car ride far more enjoyable for everyone:

  • Foot Support Matters – Dangling feet can lead to back discomfort and fidgeting. We stack duffels, blankets, or bags under their feet for better posture.
  • Lap Pillows Work Better Than Neck Pillows – A soft, oblong pillow offers support for drawing, napping, or just cozying up.
  • Save Something for the Destination – We bring along a colored pencil folio that stays packed away until we arrive—something special to look forward to.

Reframing the Road Trip: A Montessori Perspective

Instead of viewing road trips as something to simply get through, we’ve reframed them as a chance to engage in meaningful ways:

  • Following maps (instead of GPS) to track progress.
  • Drawing scenes from the window to document the journey.
  • Listening to stories together and discussing them.

Montessori encourages curiosity, deep engagement, wonder, and hands-on learning, and these principles don’t stop when school is out. Road trips don’t have to be just about passing the time—they can be a chance for kids to connect, create, and explore in new ways.

Whether you’re driving across the state or just to the grocery store, road time is an invitation—one that, with just a little preparation, can become a shared space of connection, discovery, and joy.