After being woken up by an over excited toddler at 5am, everyone is finally fed, dressed and ready to go. With the kids safely strapped in the car, there’s nothing for it but a life-sized game of Tetris to try and fit all of the luggage into the boot. The CD player is booming The Singing Kettle’s anthems and everyone is singing along.

15 minutes into the journey, we’ve already been back to the house to save a couple of long lost, forgotten toys. The singing has long stopped and the back row are getting wriggly. The pre-packed lunch for halfway has already been raided for juice and snacks. Then it happens…those four dreaded words, ‘Are we there yet?’

Keeping kids happy on a long journey, whether on plane, car or boat, is something every parent dreams of. With tedious stretches of motorway and long waits in airports, it’s tricky to keep little ones entertained for any length of time. We’ve compiled a list of a few of our favourites for you to try.

1. Plan your journey around sleeping patterns
2. Play games
3. Avoid sugar
4. Schedule in play stops
5. Singalong songs
6. Portable DVD player
7. Travel presents

Plan your journey around sleeping patterns

Try and plan your trips around the times your toddler usually sleeps. Leave shortly before bedtime or just before an afternoon nap and try and keep the car as quiet as possible. With a blanket, the little ones will hopefully slip off into a deep sleep throughout your journey.

Play games

Inventive games will keep small children amused – as long as you play too! Remember, enthusiasm is contagious – so if your child thinks you’re enjoying yourself, then they will too.

Imaginative games are priceless on long haul journeys as you don’t need to bring anything to play. Simplified versions of classic car games, such as I Spy, work a treat, or even trying to count the red and blue cars.

Reward play is also great at keeping children’s attention. When having a healthy snack, tell your child that they aren’t allowed to have another grape until they find a bird in the sky, or a green car. They’ll be so busy looking out of the window that time will fly by.

Avoid sugar

When packing in-car treats, avoid sugar where possible. Pack water or sugar free juice and don’t allow any sweets or chocolate. Not only will your car remain sticky hands free, but your passengers won’t be hyper and screaming to get out and run around!

Schedule in play stops

Make sure to schedule in some essential toilet breaks. These can easily be turned into play stops to keep everyone entertained. Most service areas have grassy patches where little ones can stretch their legs and a quick game of playing jungle animals will soon have everyone tired out again!

Singalong songs

Music is an essential part of keeping kids happy in the car. A careful selection should see you through to your destination. The best songs are ones that the whole family can sing along to as this engages children. Songs with small movements are also good to keep little joints from getting stiff and sore.

Have a look at our top 10 coolest children’s albums for some suggestions.

Portable DVD player

For especially young children who are perhaps too young to settle with a simple travel toy, a portable DVD player attached to the back of the seat in front could be the best thing you ever bought. Sticking on a couple of episodes of your child’s favourite TV program will distract their attention until you reach your destination.

Travel presents

A week or so before going on your journey, go shopping for some small, quiet and easy to pack gifts for the journey. Ration these gifts over the travel time of your journey and present them one at a time to your child every hour or so. Your little one will be distracted by the gift for an hour and when they start to get fed up, it’s time for another present! For extra fun for your toddler, wrap these up in a few layers of colourful paper.

Hopefully the above methods help you peacefully arrive at your destination, by the time you have to travel home you’ll be an expert at long haul travelling!

Photography:Jenny Cu @Flickr