Family road trips can create some of the best childhood memories. But for parents of toddlers, they can also feel like an endurance test. Little ones have short attention spans, and when strapped into a car seat for hours, unable to move much, boredom and restlessness can quickly turn a peaceful drive into a chorus of “Are we there yet?”

Many parents reach for a tablet or phone as the easiest solution. But while screens can be useful tools in moderation, research shows that excessive screen time can disrupt attention, emotional regulation, and language development in young children. The good news? With the right strategies, your toddler can stay engaged, calm, and even happy on the road — no screens required.

1. Why Avoiding Screens Matters: What Psychology Tells Us

Several studies highlight the importance of minimizing passive screen time in early childhood. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends limited use of screens for children under five, emphasizing interactive and real-world activities as key to healthy cognitive development.

• Attention and focus: One of the most compelling reasons to limit screen time for toddlers comes from a 2019 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, which explored how early media exposure can shape later cognitive development. Researchers followed more than 2,400 children from toddlerhood into early school years. They found that higher levels of daily screen use at ages 2 and 3 were linked to poorer performance in attention and executive functioning tasks by age 5.
• Language and social skills: Children develop language best through active interaction with caregivers, not passive watching. Conversations, songs, and games during car trips support vocabulary growth, but the child should actively participate in them, not simply watching.
• Emotional regulation: When kids learn to manage boredom through play or imagination, they build self-regulation skills that last a lifetime. This also means that children explore different ways to entertain themselves without the need of their parents to participate. They become more independent and creative and the best part is that they also will start to develop preferences for different activities (drawing, singing, counting etc).

In other words, a car journey is a perfect opportunity to stimulate their mind, build connection, and encourage creativity.

2. Prepare a ‘Car Adventure Pack’

Before you leave, prepare a small bag or box filled with items that encourage open-ended play:

• Soft toys or finger puppets – > Great for storytelling or imaginary play.
• Stickers and reusable activity books – > Help little hands stay busy.
• Simple puzzles or shape sorters – > Promote problem-solving.
• A favorite blanket or comfort item – > Helps your child feel secure.

Rotating items throughout the journey prevents boredom from setting in. This aligns with research from developmental psychologists like Jean Piaget, who emphasized how toddlers learn through active exploration of their environment. Piaget believed that toddlers learn best through active exploration and hands-on interaction, not passive observation. He described this period (roughly ages 2-7) as the preoperational stage, during which children build knowledge by manipulating objects and making sense of their surroundings.

3. Engage Through Songs, Stories, and Conversations

Your voice is your most powerful tool.

• Sing nursery rhymes together. Repetition strengthens memory and language processing.
• Tell interactive stories: Pause and let your toddler fill in words or make sound effects. This boosts narrative skills.
• Play ‘I Spy’ (toddler version): Instead of colors or letters, focus on objects or animals (“I see something big and green!”).

According to research on “serve and return” interactions (Harvard Center on the Developing Child), these back-and-forth exchanges stimulate brain connections and support emotional bonding. The idea is simple: when a child “serves” by making a sound, pointing at something, or asking a question, and the adult “returns” by responding - with words, gestures, or facial expressions - this back-and-forth exchange does far more than pass the time. It builds the architecture of the developing brain.

4. Incorporate Sensory Play

Sensory engagement helps keep toddlers regulated and calm, especially during long stretches.

• Bring textured objects like soft fabric squares, Velcro strips, or silicone toys. - > When toddlers engage in activities that provide gentle pressure or movement - like squeezing a soft toy, pressing on textured fabrics, or manipulating stretchy objects - it sends signals to the brain that can help reduce feelings of anxiety and restlessness.
• Offer snack breaks with healthy finger foods (e.g., fruit slices, cheese cubes) - > The act of eating provides sensory input and resets their mood.
• A small water bottle with a straw can help them stay hydrated and focused.

Sensory experiences provide what occupational therapists call “proprioceptive input,” which can be soothing for toddlers and reduce restlessness. Long periods of sitting still can lead to sensory overload or boredom, both of which cause fussiness. Proprioceptive activities give the brain a steady, calming signal that helps balance the nervous system and improve focus.

5. Schedule Movement Breaks

No matter how well-prepared you are, toddlers aren’t built to sit for hours. Plan short stops every 1–2 hours:

• Let them run on the grass, do jumping games, or chase bubbles.
• Keep a ball or small playground toy in the trunk.
• These breaks help regulate their energy and emotions.

Physical activity is crucial for emotional regulation and attention. According to the CDC, even short bursts of movement support better mood and behaviour in young children.

6. Model Calm and Flexibility

Toddlers mirror the emotions of their caregivers. If you stay patient, upbeat, and flexible, they’re more likely to follow your lead.

• Keeping your tone cheerful and calm.
• Acknowledging their feelings (“I know sitting for a long time is hard”).
• Celebrating small successes (“You played so nicely with your puppet!”).

Emotional co-regulation refers to the way caregivers and children work together to manage feelings - especially strong emotions like frustration, anxiety, or excitement. Since toddlers are still developing the brain systems responsible for controlling their emotions, they rely heavily on adults to help them feel safe and calm.

Entertaining a toddler without a phone on a long car journey requires a bit of planning, but the payoff is worth it. By engaging their imagination, senses, and need for connection, you not only make the trip smoother - but you also nurture their cognitive and emotional growth.

And when your child proudly sings along to a song, invents a silly story, or spots a cow on the side of the road, you’ll be creating joyful memories together - no screen required.

References and Sources

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations on Screen Time
   American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162591.
   https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-2591
   — Guidelines emphasizing limited screen time for children under five and promoting interactive, real-world activities for healthy development.
2. 2019 Study on Screen Time and Cognitive Development
   Madigan, S., Browne, D., Racine, N., Mori, C., & Tough, S. (2019). Association Between Screen Time and Children’s Performance on a Developmental Screening Test. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(3), 244–250.
   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2722666
   — Found that higher screen use at ages 2-3 was associated with poorer attention and executive functioning by age 5.
3. Jean Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
   Piaget, J. (1952). The Origins of Intelligence in Children. New York: International Universities Press.
   — Describes the preoperational stage (ages 2–7), emphasizing active exploration and hands-on learning as essential for cognitive growth.
4. Serve and Return Interactions (Harvard Center on the Developing Child)
   Harvard University Center on the Developing Child. (n.d.). Serve and Return.
   https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/serve-and-return/
   — Explains how back-and-forth interactions between caregivers and children build brain architecture and emotional bonds.
5. Proprioceptive Input and Sensory Integration
   Ayres, A. J. (1979). Sensory Integration and the Child. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
   — Occupational therapy framework describing proprioceptive input as calming and regulatory for young children.
6. CDC on Physical Activity and Emotional Regulation in Children
   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). How Physical Activity Benefits Children’s Mental Health.
   https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm
   — Highlights the importance of movement breaks and physical activity in improving mood and behavior in young children.
7. Emotional Co-regulation in Early Childhood
   Thompson, R. A. (1994). Emotion Regulation: A Theme in Search of Definition. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 59(2-3), 25–52.
   — Discusses emotional co-regulation as the interactive process by which caregivers help children manage emotions during early development.