When you need an hour of silence to navigate a tricky highway interchange, these are the games that keep kids engaged without amping up their adrenaline to "Fortnite-level" heights.

This is the gold standard for "cozy gaming." Instead of the frantic pace of battle royales, your kid is just... farming. They’re managing resources, talking to townspeople, and deciding whether to plant parsnips or pumpkins. It’s a masterclass in delayed gratification.

If they haven’t already spent 400 hours on their island, a road trip is the perfect time to check back in. It’s low-stakes, high-creativity, and visually soothing.

Think of this as digital LEGOs without the risk of stepping on a brick in the backseat. There are no goals, no timers, and no "losing." You just tap to build beautiful colorful towns on the water. It’s weirdly meditative for both kids and adults.

Ask our chatbot about more "cozy" games for neurodivergent kids

If you have multiple kids with multiple devices (or one shared Switch), games that encourage them to look at each other—rather than just their own screen—are a win.

It’s a classic for a reason. With "Smart Steering" turned on, even your four-year-old can stay on the track and feel like a pro. It’s the ultimate "pass the controller" or local wireless game.

The latest in the Mario Party franchise is actually great for travel because the mini-games are short. It keeps the energy high, but the "rounds" provide natural breaking points for when it's time to stop for lunch.

You don't even need a console for this. One person holds the phone to their forehead, and the rest of the car shouts clues. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s the best way to kill 20 minutes of traffic.

If they’re going to be on a device, they might as well be building a skill. These apps move the needle from passive consumption to active creation.

Put them in "Creative Mode." Give them a challenge: "Build a replica of the hotel we’re staying at tonight." It turns a time-waster into a spatial reasoning exercise.

If you have a laptop or iPad with a keyboard, Scratch is the best way for kids to learn the logic of coding. They can build their own simple games while you're driving through Nebraska.

For the older kids (10+) who are artistic, this 2D animation app is incredible. It’s professional-grade but intuitive enough for a pre-teen to start making their own cartoons. It’s a steep learning curve, which is exactly what you want when you have 6 hours to kill.

Screen fatigue is real. When everyone’s eyes are tired, but the "Are we there yet?" chants are starting, hit the speakers with high-quality audio content.

National Geographic Kids absolutely nailed this. It’s Greek mythology told with a lot of humor and "kid-friendly" edits (because let's be honest, the original myths are messy).

Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz explain science in a way that is genuinely funny for parents too. It’s high-energy and keeps kids asking questions.

If you haven't done the audiobook version of this, do it now. Even if they've seen the movie, the book is a different experience. It’s a beautiful story about nature and technology—very on-brand for a Screenwise family.

Find more family-friendly podcasts for long drives

Technology will fail. Batteries will die. Chargers will be forgotten. You need the analog heavy hitters.

It’s a simple slap-card game. It’s fast, it’s hilarious, and it fits in a pocket. Just maybe wait until you're at a rest stop or a restaurant, as "slapping" in a moving car can lead to accidental sibling injuries.

The ultimate travel game. It’s a circular tin of cards where you have to find the matching symbol. It builds visual perception and it’s impossible to play just one round.

For the older kids who like a bit of strategy and "edgy" (but safe) humor. It’s basically Russian Roulette but with goats and magical enchiladas.

At this age, "games" should be simple. Avoid anything with complex menus or "game over" screens that cause meltdowns. Toca Life World is great because it’s just a digital dollhouse. Focus more on physical toys and simple audio stories.

This is the sweet spot for Minecraft and Roblox. Just be careful with Roblox in a car—if the Wi-Fi drops, the kid drops into a spiral. Stick to offline-capable games like Mario Kart.

Your middle schooler wants to be on Discord or texting friends. That’s okay, but encourage them to use the time for something "deep" like Stardew Valley or a long-form audiobook. This is also a great age to introduce them to The New York Times Games for things like Wordle or Connections.

Learn more about the "Connections" craze and why it's great for teens

The reason kids have "tablet tantrums" when you reach your destination isn't because they're "bad kids." It's because many mobile games (especially the "free" ones) are designed to keep them in a high-dopamine loop. When you take the screen away, their brain experiences a sudden drop, leading to irritability.

The Pro-Move: Give them a 5-minute warning, then a 2-minute warning. But more importantly, try to transition them from a "high-intensity" game (like a racer or shooter) to a "low-intensity" activity (like an audiobook or a physical book) for the last 15 minutes of the drive. It helps their brain "ramp down" before they have to interact with the real world.

Travel is stressful enough without a digital civil war in the backseat. By choosing "High-WISE" games—ones that encourage creativity, social interaction, or calm—you turn the travel time into part of the vacation rather than just a hurdle to get over.

Mix the tech with the classics. Let them have their Roblox time, but follow it up with a round of Spot It! or a chapter of The Wild Robot.

Ask our chatbot for a personalized travel entertainment plan based on your kids' ages