Are Your Kids Glued to a Screen the Whole Journey? You're Not Alone
Screen on. Headphones in. Completely checked out.
If that sounds like your kids the moment you get in the car or board a plane, you are absolutely not alone. It's one of the most common frustrations I hear from families — and honestly, one of the things that inspired me to create Colour the World in the first place.
I grew up in a time before tablets and smartphones, and every summer my family used to drive all the way from Leeds to the south of France — a seriously long journey with two kids in the back seat and no screens in sight! My sister and I had to get creative, and looking back those car games are some of my favourite holiday memories.
One of our favourites? We'd each pick a colour and then race to spot cars or lorries in that colour — whoever spotted the most in 30 minutes won. No prize, just the glory! We also used to try and get lorry drivers to give us a thumbs up as we passed — some of them played along brilliantly, which made us absolutely hysterical. Simple things, but they kept us entertained for miles and miles.
I'm not saying screens are the enemy — sometimes they're a lifesaver on a long journey! But when screens become the default from the moment you leave the driveway, children miss out on so much. The conversations. The silly games. The anticipation of arriving somewhere new.
The good news? There are some really simple ways to change this. Here's what I've found works brilliantly for families.
1. Turn the journey into part of the adventure
Kids disengage when they feel like passengers. Give them a job! Let them be the navigator, the fact-finder, or the official holiday photographer. When children feel involved they're far less likely to reach for their phone every five minutes.
2. Bring back the car games
Classic games like I Spy and 20 Questions never get old — but give them a holiday twist! I Spy things you might see in France, or 20 Questions with a Spanish animal. It gets kids thinking about the destination before you even arrive.
And if you want to try our family favourite — pick a colour each and see who can spot the most cars or lorries in that colour in 30 minutes. No prize needed — trust us, the competition is enough! 😄
Don't forget to get the lorry drivers to give you a thumbs up either — you'd be surprised how many will play along! 🚛👍
3. Pack a holiday activity book
A well chosen activity book does so much more than just pass the time. The best ones teach children about where they're going — the landmarks, the language, the food, the culture — so by the time you arrive they're genuinely excited rather than overwhelmed.
Look for books that mix colouring with puzzles, quizzes and creative challenges so there's always something different to turn to. Variety is key on a long journey!
4. Bring a journal or notebook
Encourage older children to write or draw what they see along the way. A simple notebook becomes a travel diary they'll treasure — and it keeps them quietly occupied for longer than you'd expect!
5. Set screen free zones
Rather than banning screens completely — which rarely works and causes arguments — try setting screen free zones instead. The first hour of the journey is screen free. Or screens go away for 30 minutes every couple of hours. Having a clear rule that everyone knows about in advance works much better than trying to wrestle a tablet away mid-journey!
6. Pack a surprise activity bag
Wrap up a few small surprises to open at intervals during the journey — stickers, a small puzzle, a new colouring book. The anticipation of "what's in the next one?" keeps excitement levels high and gives children something to look forward to that isn't a screen.
7. If you do use screens, make them count
Download educational documentaries or travel shows about your destination so screen time becomes learning time. A ten minute clip about the Eiffel Tower before landing in Paris goes a long way — and it means when they do look up from the screen, they're actually more curious about where they're going.
The bigger picture
Journeys are part of the adventure. Some of the best family memories happen in the car, on the train, or waiting in the departure lounge — not just at the destination. When we hand children a screen the moment things get boring, we accidentally teach them that boredom is something to be escaped rather than something to get creative with.
And creativity, curiosity and a sense of adventure? That's exactly what we want to nurture in our little explorers.
At Colour the World, our travel activity books are designed to do exactly that — keeping children entertained AND learning about the country they're visiting, whether they're on a plane, in a car, or dreaming of adventures from home.
🎁 Before your next adventure — grab our free screen free car journey activity pack. 5 fun activities for little explorers, instant download, completely free. 👉