Long road trips can be exciting adventures, but keeping a teenager entertained in the car for hours—or even days—can be a challenge. Unlike younger children who may be content with simple games and frequent snack breaks, teens crave engagement, autonomy, and stimulation. Without proper planning, a road trip with a bored teenager can quickly become a test of patience for everyone in the vehicle.
To help make your journey smooth and enjoyable, here are some practical and creative ways to keep a teenager entertained, engaged, and even excited about a long drive.
1. Let Them Take Control of the Music
Music is a major part of any road trip experience, and letting your teen be the DJ can make them feel involved. Set up a road trip playlist together before the journey, including a mix of their favorite songs and some family-friendly classics.
If you have multiple passengers with different music tastes, consider rotating who chooses songs every 30 minutes to keep things fair. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music offer collaborative playlists, so your teen can add songs in real-time.
Bonus idea: Introduce them to “road trip karaoke” by playing sing-along classics. Even if they refuse at first, they may eventually join in.
2. Audiobooks & Podcasts
If your teen enjoys stories, an audiobook can turn a long drive into an immersive escape. Choose books in their favorite genre—whether it’s a thrilling mystery, fantasy adventure, or young adult romance.
Podcasts are another great option, especially for teens who love learning new things. True crime, history, comedy, or science podcasts can make hours fly by. Some popular podcasts for teens include:
- Stuff You Should Know (interesting facts on a variety of topics)
- Radiolab (science and philosophy)
- Crime Junkie (true crime for mystery lovers)
- The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel (fictional mystery, great for younger teens)
3. Download Fun Apps & Games
Teens are glued to their phones, so use that to your advantage by downloading road trip-friendly apps before departure. Some ideas include:
- Trivia & Word Games: Heads Up!, Trivia Crack, Wordscapes
- Multiplayer Games: Among Us, Uno, 8 Ball Pool
- Classic Console Games Adapted for Mobile: Minecraft, Stardew Valley, The Sims Mobile
If you’re concerned about excessive screen time, suggest games that don’t require looking at the screen constantly, like GeoGuessr (where they guess locations based on images) or Sky Guide (a stargazing app that works well at night).
4. Create a Travel Journal or Scrapbook
Encourage your teen to document the journey by keeping a travel journal or scrapbook. They can take pictures, jot down funny moments, record interesting sights, and even sketch things they see along the way.
If they prefer digital documentation, apps like Day One or Journey allow them to create a digital travel diary with photos, notes, and even voice recordings.
Pro tip: If they’re into social media, suggest they make a mini travel vlog or an Instagram story series about the trip!
5. Plan Interactive Road Trip Games
Sometimes, going old-school is the best way to pass the time. Classic road trip games are great for family bonding and can entertain even the most reluctant teenager. Some ideas include:
- Would You Rather? – Ask fun and ridiculous questions like, “Would you rather time travel to the past or the future?”
- 20 Questions – One person thinks of something, and everyone else asks yes/no questions to guess what it is.
- License Plate Game – Try to spot license plates from all 50 U.S. states or as many different countries as possible.
- Alphabet Game – Spot words on road signs that start with each letter of the alphabet, in order from A to Z.
6. Give Them a Sense of Control Over the Trip
Teens don’t like feeling like they have no say in what’s happening. Involve them in the travel planning by letting them help choose stops along the way.
Before the trip, give them a map or a travel app and ask them to research interesting roadside attractions, restaurants, or scenic viewpoints they’d like to visit. This makes them feel like a co-pilot rather than just a passenger.
7. Encourage Photography & Video Projects
If your teen is into photography or videography, turn the road trip into a creative project. Challenge them to take unique photos of landscapes, roadside attractions, or candid family moments.
For those who enjoy video editing, suggest they create a fun montage of the trip to share with friends later. Apps like iMovie, CapCut, or Adobe Premiere Rush make it easy to edit short videos on a phone or tablet.
8. Keep Snacks & Drinks Handy
A hungry teen is a cranky teen. Stock up on a variety of snacks before the trip to avoid unnecessary stops and complaints. Instead of just junk food, include healthier options like:
- Protein bars
- Nuts and dried fruit
- Cheese sticks
- Popcorn
- Trail mix
Having a mix of sweet and savory snacks will keep energy levels up and make the trip more pleasant for everyone.
9. Plan Occasional Pit Stops for Movement
Sitting in a car for hours can be exhausting. Plan stops at scenic rest areas, parks, or quirky roadside attractions where your teen can stretch their legs and get some fresh air.
If your route passes through interesting cities, let them choose a spot to explore for an hour—whether it’s a famous landmark, a cool local coffee shop, or a thrift store.
10. Let Them Sleep!
Sometimes, the best way to make the hours pass quickly is by letting your teen sleep through them. Bring a travel pillow, blanket, and noise-canceling headphones so they can get comfortable.
If they struggle to fall asleep in the car, suggest listening to calming music, white noise apps, or guided meditation podcasts.
Final Thoughts
Keeping a teenager entertained during a long car trip doesn’t have to be a battle. By incorporating a mix of technology, creativity, and classic road trip fun, you can turn a potentially boring journey into an enjoyable experience.
The key is to involve them in the process—give them choices, let them be part of the decision-making, and respect their need for independence. Who knows? With the right approach, your teen might even start looking forward to road trips!