We all remember those summer road trips — the long, hot drives to grandparents’ houses, holiday spots, or Mum and Dad’s friends’ places. Maybe you sat alone in the backseat, idly kicking the front seat to the consternation of your parents, or maybe your siblings were beside you, bickering, inventing games and driving your parents a little bit crazy!

These days, it’s tempting to keep kids quiet by handing them a screen – but let’s be honest: the very best road-trip memories come from imagination, games, stories and family interaction.

If you’re keen to keep things screen-free this Christmas, here are five creative ways to make the drive fun — with a few book and activity ideas from Bright Kids Books that are perfect for the backseat.

1️⃣ Pack a Screen-Free Entertainment Bag

A well-stocked “road trip entertainment bag” is an absolute lifesaver — but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Think:

• Activity books

• Colouring pads

• Stickers

• Simple toys

• A snack pouch

• A few small surprises to pull out along the way

Two bundles that work especially well for travel (because they come with everything included — no extra markers or craft supplies needed) are:

Disney Activity Bundle

Includes colouring pads, scratch-art books, markers, and themed activities — everything is self-contained, so nothing rolls around the car. Your kids will love all the official Disney Doorables artwork, stickers and colouring books!

👉 https://brightkidsbooks.com.au/product/disney-activity-bundle/

Taylor Swift Colouring & Activity Bundle

Perfect for little Swifties, with its own colouring tools and a scratch-art stylus — great for keeping small hands and small attention spans busy!

👉 https://brightkidsbooks.com.au/product/taylor-swift-colouring-and-activity-bundle/

Pro Tip:
Put the bag within arm’s reach, and rotate items every 30–45 minutes to keep things feeling fresh.

2️⃣ Bring Back Car Karaoke & Classic Games

Not every moment needs a book — some of the best road-trip memories come from old-school car games.
Here are a few great ones:

• Car Karaoke: Create a playlist that everyone can sing along to.

• I Spy: Still undefeated. Add themes (“I spy something from nature”).

• Alphabet Hunt: Spot letters on signs, trucks, shops, etc.

• Number Plate Stories: Make up a story based on the letters in number plates.

Simple and fun!

3️⃣ Try Search-and-Find Books for Quiet Focus Time

When you need a quieter stretch — especially if the driver is getting close to the limit and needs a break from complaining and hijinks — a search-and-find book is ideal.

These books keep children absorbed for long periods without needing sound, setup, or motion—they simply look through the pages and spot the items.

A fantastic option is the:

Nocturnal Creatures Search and Find

Full of Australian nocturnal animals and hidden challenges, this keeps kids spellbound during long highway stretches:

👉 https://brightkidsbooks.com.au/product/nocturnal-creatures-search-and-find/

This is also great for siblings — they can compete or work as a team.

4️⃣ Turn Storytime Into a Travel Game

Books don’t have to be a sit-down activity — they can be the basis for imaginative games:

• “Story Relay”: One person starts a story, the next continues it.

• “Plot Twist!”: Every time you stop at traffic lights, kids add a twist to the story.

• “Character Hunt”: Challenge kids to spot objects outside that relate to characters or events in a book they’re reading.

A brilliant one for this is the Beach Adventures Kids Book Pack — full of holiday-and-treasure-themed stories that are easy to relate to during a summer drive.

👉 https://brightkidsbooks.com.au/product/beach-adventures-kids-book-pack/

5️⃣ Bring a “Self-Contained” Toy Book for Younger Kids

If you’re travelling with toddlers or very young children, you want something sturdy, safe, and engaging — not something with a million pieces that are going to be yeeted all over the car.

This Book Is a Toy

This brilliant title is exactly what it sounds like:

• Thick, durable pages

• Can take a beating in the car

• Functions as both a toy and a book

• Great for tactile play

👉 https://brightkidsbooks.com.au/product/this-book-is-a-toy/

Young kids can flip, tap, chew (let’s be honest), and explore without needing screens or supervision.

Christmas trips can feel long and stressful — but with the right mix of books, creative tools, and classic games, the drive becomes part of the holiday magic. Let’s be honest, we remember these trips so vividly because of the combination of fun, boredom and chaos they entailed. A trip spent staring into a screen will not have the same impact.

Whether you pack an all-in-one activity bundle, a sturdy toddler toy-book, or a game-ready search-and-find adventure, keeping kids screen-free isn’t just possible — it’s fun. And who knows? These moments might become the ones they remember most.