Keeping kids entertained during those long stretches between destinations can make or break your Big Lap experience. You’ll cover thousands of kilometres with little ones in tow, and the difference between a peaceful drive and a meltdown filled nightmare often comes down to having the right gear within arm’s reach.
The key is variety. What captivates a 4 year old for the first hour might be completely ignored by hour three. You need products that genuinely engage different age groups, work in the confined space of a moving vehicle, and won’t drive you completely mad with noise or mess.
This roundup covers the products that consistently deliver during those marathon driving days. We’ve organised them by category to help you build a comprehensive entertainment arsenal that’ll keep everyone happy from Darwin to Melbourne.
Travel Tables & Activity Surfaces
A stable surface transforms your back seat into a proper activity zone. Kids need somewhere to colour, eat snacks, and play with toys without everything sliding around every time you take a corner.
Look for travel trays with removable surfaces you can wipe clean. Spilled juice and crumbs are inevitable, and you’ll appreciate easy cleanup at rest stops.
Screen Time Solutions
Let’s be realistic: screen time happens on long road trips. The goal is making it work well for everyone without turning your vehicle into a wifi nightmare or dealing with constant battery anxiety.
$249
$35
For families with multiple kids, consider the Portable DVD Player with Dual Screens ~$180. Yes, it’s retro, but DVD players don’t need internet and the battery life is excellent. Load up on $5 movies from discount stores and you’ll have hours of content that doesn’t drain your mobile data.
$89
Creative & Craft Activities
Creative activities buy you serious quiet time, but they need to work in a moving vehicle. Forget anything with loose beads, glitter, or complex setup requirements.
$15
Sticker books deserve a mention here. The Usborne 1000 Stickers series ~$12 provides hours of quiet activity. Kids love the sense of completion, and you get genuine peace. Buy several different themes and rotate them to maintain novelty.
$25
Games & Puzzles
Traditional games need modifications for car travel, but the right ones can engage kids for surprisingly long periods. Focus on magnetic versions or games with contained pieces.
$16
$22
For younger children, consider Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pads ~$8. The stickers reposition easily, and themes like vehicles or animals tie into what kids see during your travels.
Pack games in order of difficulty. Start with easier activities when kids are fresh, then move to more challenging puzzles as their attention wanes.
Audio Entertainment
Audio content works brilliantly in cars because it doesn’t require kids to look down, doesn’t cause motion sickness, and can engage the whole family simultaneously.
$99
$59
Don’t overlook audiobooks from your local library. Many libraries offer digital lending through apps like BorrowBox or OverDrive. Download several before you leave home and you’ll have hours of professional narration without ongoing costs.
The Spotify Family Plan ~$18/month includes extensive children’s content, from nursery rhymes to adventure stories. The offline download feature works perfectly for areas with poor mobile coverage.
Comfort & Rest Items
Comfortable kids are generally happier kids. These items help children rest properly during long stretches, which means better behaviour when you reach your destination.
$35
Window shades make an enormous difference for passenger comfort and screen visibility. The Static Cling Window Shades ~$15 install without suction cups that mark your windows and provide adjustable coverage for different sun angles.
Organisation & Storage
Keeping entertainment items organised and accessible prevents the constant “I can’t find it” meltdowns and makes rotation easier for parents.
$39
$25
Consider a dedicated entertainment bin that rotates between the vehicle and caravan. Load it with activities for driving days, then move it to your accommodation for rainy afternoons. The Sistema Storage Box with Dividers ~$18 works perfectly for this purpose.
Pack a “surprise box” with small, wrapped activities to unveil during particularly challenging moments. Sometimes the excitement of unwrapping something new buys you that crucial extra hour of peace.
- Invest in a quality travel tray first — it transforms your back seat into a usable workspace
- Audio entertainment works better than screens for long distances and doesn’t cause motion sickness
- Choose mess free creative activities like water drawing books and Color Wonder markers
- Comfort items like proper pillows and window shades improve behaviour by helping kids rest better
- Organisation systems with clear compartments prevent lost items and reduce frustration
- Have backup entertainment ready for those inevitable “I’m bored” moments
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