Consider These 5 Products to Keep Your Kids Entertained in the Car with No Technology
As a kid in a military family during the 90s, I spent a lot of time in the back seat of the car, traveling from state to state. From 1993 to 1997, we drove from Michigan to Washington to Texas, adding over 4,000 miles to the car’s odometer. (We made some pit stops to see family along the way.) Tablets and touchscreens didn’t exist, so my older brother and I had to stay entertained for hours on end in more creative ways than simply watching a TV show on the back of a headrest.
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The effects of prolonged screen time
Concerns about excessive screen time have been on the forefront of many parents’ minds, with some looking to scientific research to help determine what is best for their children. A recent study published by The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health linked restricted screen time to higher mental performance. Of the 4,500 kids aged 8 to 11 that were assessed, those who used technology for no more than two hours per day did better on cognitive tests measuring memory, language, and thinking.
While some parents say it’s just easier to keep kids quiet by giving them a phone or tablet to play with, others are looking for more resourceful ways to promote cognitive development. Consider purchasing the following items to keep your kid entertained in the car without subjecting them to mindless hours of YouTube or Paw Patrol.
Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Activity Pad 3-Pack – $14.99
Photo: Amazon
Coloring can get messy in the back seat, especially if a bright red crayon gets left behind and ends up melting all over your car’s tan upholstery. Forego colored pencil shavings and broken crayons by purchasing this water coloring book 3-pack from Melissa & Doug. All you need is water to fill up the magic pen and your child will be able to color in the pages of each book. (Sometimes there are even hidden animals or items that show up while coloring!) After the obvious benefit of using a small amount of water that won’t stain your vehicle’s interior, the second best part about this toy is that when the pages dry, they’re reusable!
Magnetic Doodle Board – $11.99
Photo: Amazon
The mind of a child is incredibly imaginative. Let your kid draw their wildest dreams on this magnetic doodle board from Svance. The lightweight board is perfect for little kids, as it’s just over 10 inches long and can fit in most backpacks. It comes with a no-slip handle, a drawing screen with four color zones, a magnet pen with a rope, and an erase brush. Not to mention, the doodle board is BPA-free and non-toxic, providing a fun and safe way to foster your child’s creativity.
Hape Go-Fish-Go Magnetic Wooden Toddler Maze Puzzle – $12.99
Photo: Amazon
Brainteasers and puzzles are a great way to help develop your child’s fine motor skills. With the Hape Go-Fish-Go Magnetic Wooden Maze Puzzle, they’ll spend tons of time moving the multiple colored beads throughout the fish maze with the magnetic pen (attached by a rope to avoid losing it in the back seat). The puzzle is made of durable wood, has a handle for easy carry, and looks an awful lot like a popular clownfish from a Pixar movie, making it a long-lasting favorite among kids.
Dr. Seuss Audio Books
Some things seem to work for ages when it comes to keeping kids entertained, and Dr. Seuss has been enthralling children with his stories for decades. From The Cat in the Hat to The Lorax, there is a large collection of Dr. Seuss audiobooks available to listen to in the car during your next journey. If you don’t have an Audible subscription, you can either try it for free for 30 days or simply buy the audiobooks for a set price. The collection The Cat in the Hat and Other Dr. Seuss Favorites includes nine favorite stories.
Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Play Set – $14.99
Photo: Amazon
Melissa & Doug know how to entertain kids and this Puffy Sticker Play Set from the company features a variety of fun options for young ones to enjoy. The Safari book includes over 40 reusable puffy stickers as well as a double-sided glossy background (displays a jungle or savanna) with a variety of exotic animals on the pages. This item is great for kids ages 4 to 8 and features a handle on the top of the activity book, making it easy to transport to and from the car.
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Source: The Lancet
Ben never thought he’d be writing about cars for a living, but here he is, knowing more about the Kia Stinger than he’d care to admit. When he’s not devoting his time to researching engine specs and other oh-so-exciting car details, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and dogs. See more articles by Ben.