Driving with kids – Practical tips from the parents at your favorite nanny agency
Heading out on a road trip this summer? As a parent, you know that driving with kids can be unpredictable. One minute everyone is happy, the next someone has dropped their favorite toy or needs a snack right now. We asked the parents on our Smart Sitting team to share their favorite tips for making car rides smoother, safer, and… let’s be honest: bearable. Whether you're heading across town or planning a longer journey, these ideas can help make every trip a little easier.
Why driving with kids can be so distracting
Driving requires your full attention, but kids don't always understand that. Actually, kids pretty much never understand that.
Whether they need help reaching a toy or are just bored out of their minds (which usually occurs within the first five minutes of your five-hour drive), kids natural instinct is to reach out to the adults in the front seat – and not give in until they get what they wanted.
But for you in the drivers’ seat, even quick glances away from the road can become distractions.
Before we dive into our team’s best tips, a disclaimer: safety always comes first. Planning ahead with a few of these tips can help reduce how much you need to help out or intervene, but if your kiddo truly needs attention or intervention, it's always safer to pull over than to try to solve the problem while driving. Don’t reach back and try to fix something while you’re the one driving.
The Smart Sitting team's favorite tips for keeping kids happy in the car
Our nanny agency isn’t just a group of dedicated team members who constantly work to make childcare easier and better for parents – a bunch of us are parents ourselves, navigating the chaotic and wonderful world of parenting right alongside you. When we started talking about giving parents tips about how to make road trips more fun, we realized: we’ve already uncovered a few gold strategies ourselves!
1. Podcasts
“We love podcasts in our family, particularly educational podcasts.” – Suzie, President and COO
Podcasts came up several times as a parent driving favorite. Educational podcasts tailored to the kids ages, and for older kids, narrative-driven stories can be a huge hit that makes time go by super fast.
“For our little ones, it’s Miss Rachel and Caitie’s Corner!” Victoria, Marketing Director
2. Music Playlists
Another top tip that came up from our team was creating various music playlists for the car ride. Playing things the kids like might be an obvious choice, but you can kick up the engagement factor even higher.
“We make spotify playlists and then everyone gets a song turn. We also find songs with multiple parts and then each learn our part and sing them in the car together!” Dara, President and CEO
Safety tip: if there’s only one grownup in the car, make these lists ahead of time so you don’t have to look at your phone while driving. It’s also a great way to get the kids prepared for and excited about the upcoming trip!
3. Car Games
Playing games in the car is a classic as old as, well, cars. “I spy” is a classic, but you can kick it up a notch! Here’s our teams favorites:
Car bingo: make a list of things to find – road signs, animals, trucks, or landmarks – and cross them off when you do. First one to get them all wins!
Storytelling: set a theme for a story, then take turns adding to it until you’ve made up a whole story together. To include kids of all ages, let younger children help choose characters, while older kids can create the plot.
Rainbow car game: find a car of every color of the rainbow – find a red car, then an orange car, etc. Bonus points if you collect them in the right order (ROY G. BIV, anyone?)
Additional top tips from childcare experts
Snack boxes: pack a variety of easy, mess-free snacks in a divided container to keep little hands busy between stops.
Surprise toys: keep a few inexpensive toys or activities hidden away and bring them out when attention starts to fade.
Busy bags: fill reusable bags with age-appropriate activities like stickers, coloring pages, fidget toys, or small puzzles.
Let older kids help navigate: ask older children to watch for exits, landmarks, or street names to help them feel involved.
“Toys are a gamechanger – they help stave off the outbursts! And we always load up on snacks, but make sure it’s all safe stuff, you won’t find grapes in our car.” – Victoria, Marketing Director
Set Yourself Up for an Easier Drive
A little preparation before you leave can make a big difference.
Pack the essentials, including water, snacks, wipes, tissues, a change of clothes, and any comfort items your child loves.
If possible, plan longer drives around naps or regular meal times to avoid overtired or hungry passengers.
For toddlers and older children, let them know where you're going, how long the drive will be, and when you'll stop.
When traveling with babies, plan for more frequent breaks. Feed and change them before leaving, keep spare clothes within reach, and allow extra travel time so you don't feel rushed if they need attention.
On longer journeys, schedule breaks so everyone can stretch, use the bathroom, and burn off some energy.
Honestly, our top tip here is: remember you are no longer a single college student racing from one end of the country to the other on as few stops as possible (if that was never you, you can ignore this message!). Assume that a trip with kids is going to take twice as long as when traveling by yourself and it may make it easier for you to be more patient with the necessary stops along the way.
Is your nanny driving your kids?
If driving is part of your childcare provider's role, it's worth having a conversation before they ever get behind the wheel. You probably want to have it as early as during the hiring process.
Consider discussing:
Their driving experience and comfort transporting children.
Whether they'll use their own vehicle or yours.
Insurance coverage and vehicle maintenance.
Experience installing and safely using car seats.
Your expectations around school pickups, activities, errands, and approved destinations.
Phone use, emergency procedures, and what to do if an accident occurs.
Questions to ask about driving when hiring a nanny or babysitter
Are you comfortable driving children of this age?
Have you transported children in previous childcare roles?
Are you confident installing and using car seats correctly?
How would you handle a child becoming upset while driving?
What would you do if you were involved in a minor accident?
Are you comfortable driving in poor weather conditions?
Even if a nanny or sitter has driven kids before, take the time to show them how to install car seats in the car. This also goes for any city nannies who may be bringing your car seat to a cab or an Uber.
Find your family rhythm
Every child is different, and what works for one family may not work for another. Try a few different strategies, keep what works, and don't be afraid to adjust as your kids grow.
What you’re looking for may not be the perfectly quiet car ride (at some point you learn to set the bar at “At least no one vomited on anyone else” or “They only asked Are we there yet 3,000 times”), but one where everyone reaches the destination safely without you being completely frazzled.
And who knows, you may even have a bit of fun along the way! (Did you see that purple car? That’s the whole rainbow complete!)
Looking for a nanny or babysitter who can drive?
If you're looking for a reliable, experienced babysitter or nanny who can safely transport your children, we're here to help. Whether it’s school pickup back to the house or a long drive to the beach house, we can find the right person for you.
We carefully screen our childcare providers according to your needs and can help you find someone who fits your family's needs, whether that’s an injection of fun games for the back seat or a reliable driver who can handle the distractions of a zany bunch of toddlers and school kids without losing focus on the road.
Tell us about your family and your needs via the button below, and a Family Specialist will get in touch. They might even have a pro tip or two themselves.