Car games without a screen: 15 ideas by age
Games for the back seat that need nothing, or almost nothing. Sorted by age, because what makes a two-year-old laugh will bore a six-year-old in a minute.
For 1- to 3-year-olds
- Sing-along with actions. Wheels on the bus, Old MacDonald, anything with sounds and hand movements.
- Peekaboo from the front seat. The passenger hides behind a muslin or the headrest. Endless.
- What does the animal say? You point at a cow in a field, they moo. Later they point, you moo.
- Window clings. Reusable stickers on the side window: moved, peeled, stuck again.
- Feely bag. A small cloth bag with a few objects to feel and name before pulling them out.
For 3- to 5-year-olds
- I spy, with colours. "I spy something green" works long before letters do.
- Count the cars. Everyone picks a colour; who sees the most cars of their colour by the next town?
- Story chain. Each person adds one sentence. The sillier, the better.
- What's in the box? Think of an animal; the others ask yes or no questions.
- Quiet game. Who can stay silent longest? A good one for the last ten minutes.
For 5- to 7-year-olds
- Alphabet game. Find something for each letter, in order, on signs or outside.
- 20 questions. One person thinks of something, the rest have 20 yes or no questions.
- Travel bingo. A card with things to spot: a tractor, a bridge, a red lorry, a horse.
- Number plates. Spot plates from other countries, or make words from the letters.
- Would you rather. Would you rather fly like a bird or swim like a fish? Every answer needs a reason.
When games run out: a small back-seat kit
Even the best games last a while, then someone gets tired. That's when a small kit within reach of the car seat helps. A box or bag on the seat beside them, or a seat-back organiser, with a few things they haven't seen yet.
Good in a car
- Magnetic drawing board
- Sticker books and window clings
- Lacing cards or a busy board for toddlers
- Small figures or a toy car
- Audio stories for the whole family
Not in a car
- Felt-tips without lids, or anything that stains
- Hard toys that can fly in a sudden stop
- Reading and small details if they get carsick
- Small parts for under-threes
Car sickness: what helps
- Look out of the front or side window, at the horizon, rather than down at a book.
- Fresh air, a cool car and light snacks rather than a full stomach.
- Audio stories and games where they look outside work better than stickers or drawing.
- Ask a pharmacist about remedies for children before you go, as many aren't suitable for under-twos.
Quick answers
What car games can you play with a 2-year-old?
Songs with actions, peekaboo, animal sounds and window stickers. At two, games are short, so switch often and keep a few new things in a bag.
How do I keep kids entertained in the car without a tablet?
Mix games that need nothing (I spy, story chain, counting cars) with a small kit of new activities and audio stories. Stop every two hours for a proper run around.
What are good car games for a family?
The alphabet game, 20 questions, travel bingo and would-you-rather work for kids from about five and grown-ups alike.
Want it ready-made?
Our boxes are made for the back seat too: quiet, screen-free activities for your child's age, to hand out one at a time. From €59, packed by hand for your child's age and delivered before you go.
Build their box