Road trip playlist help - 6 hour drive with 3 kids

Dec 11 min read

We're doing a drive up to see family and I need a playlist that won't drive me insane but will actually keep the kids engaged. Right now it's a mix of Disney stuff and some indie bands but it gets old fast. Looking for podcast recommendations too if anyone's got good ones for ages 7-12. Preferably things that are actually entertaining and not just educational fluff.

12 comments36 views

Comments(12)

EEd P.Regular20h ago

Get some audiobooks in there too. Percy Jackson audiobooks will keep them engaged for hours. Seriously

RRandy S.Regular20h ago

6 hour drive is brutal. Mix up the playlist with like 3-song blocks of different stuff so it doesn't get too repetitive. Podcasts should be 20-30 min episodes max for that age

JJason K.New Dad2h ago

DON'T save new stuff for the drive. Test the playlist first or you might hate it after 4 hours. Speaking from painful experience

PPhil C.Regularjust now

Stuff You Should Know has some pretty solid episodes for older kids. Not perfect for 7yo but 11yo would probably dig it

FFritz N.Regular17h ago

Spotify has playlists called like 'Disney & Indie' that might actually work for your mix? I hate driving in complete silence but full Disney songs give me a headache by hour 2.

BBob M.Regular16h ago

Hardcore recommend Wow in the World - it's NPR science stuff but way more kid-friendly. Plus if you play it they'll learn something and you won't feel guilty about not 'enriching' them during car time lol

SSteve Q.Regular9h ago

For 7-12yo crowd I'd suggest Brains On! from NPR - it's actually funny for adults too and covers wild topics like 'what if we ran out of pizza' or real science stuff. My kids request it specifically.

FFritz N.Regularjust now

Add some songs that get them singing together. Silly stuff like Weird Al. They'll fight about it but at least you'll be entertained watching them argue

DDanny R.Regularjust now

For 7-12yo definitely try Brains On! podcast - it's actually funny for adults AND covers weird questions kids care about

VVic G.Regularjust now

Audiobooks might actually be better than music for a 6 hour drive? Try the Percy Jackson series - my 9yo is OBSESSED and it kept him quiet for like 3 hours straight.

JJoel F.Regularjust now

What about mixing music with games? Like license plate games or the alphabet game? Breaks up the monotony and involves everyone instead of just passive listening.

SSam F.New Dadjust now

Don't sleep on Stuff You Should Know Junior - it's the same podcast as the regular version but made for kids. Topics are actually interesting and it's long enough to cover decent chunks of driving.