Best Road Trip Apps

Road trips can be an opportunity for family bonding, and sometimes a time for whining -- these apps can help with both. Put a modern twist on classic car activities with apps like Wheels on the Bus. Play word games, figure out some puzzles, or even build robots without packing a single piece of machinery! With a phone or tablet, your kids can express their creativity (no markers to keep track of), play games together (no pieces to lose), and collaborate -- all on the go! And, for the most part, once you download these apps, you won't need to worry about having access to Wi-Fi or using data. You might even skip the dreaded question: Are we there yet? And for more travel fun, check out our list of Best Kids' Apps to Download Before a Flight.

Busy Shapes 2 Poster Image
APP

Busy Shapes 2

age 2+

Simply brilliant puzzler develops critical thinking.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2017)
LEGO DUPLO WORLD Poster Image
APP

LEGO DUPLO WORLD

age 2+

Branded blocks build early skills with co-play, mini-games.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2019)
Khan Academy Kids Poster Image
APP

Khan Academy Kids

age 3+

Creative early-learning activities engage and inspire.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2021)
Sago Mini Road Trip Poster Image
APP

Sago Mini Road Trip

age 3+

From packing to taking pictures, preschoolers drive the fun.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2014)
Wheels on the Bus Poster Image
APP

Wheels on the Bus

age 3+

Classic kids' song becomes interactive in darling ways.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2010)
Drawing Pad Poster Image
APP

Drawing Pad

age 4+

Great drawing app is a window to self-expression.

Devices: iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2010)
Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos Poster Image
APP

Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos

age 4+

Classic reborn as fee-based e-library with great selection.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2012)
Tales Untold Poster Image
APP

Tales Untold

age 4+

Fun, well-crafted audio stories entertain parents and kids.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2015)
Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens Poster Image
APP

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens

age 5+

Fairy tales inspire fun, challenging puzzler.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2016)
Barefoot World Atlas Poster Image
APP

Barefoot World Atlas

age 6+

Delightful way to learn about animals, people, and more.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2012)
Kahoot! Big Numbers: DragonBox Poster Image
APP

Kahoot! Big Numbers: DragonBox

age 6+

Clever math resource-management game requires some patience.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2021)
The Robot Factory by Tinybop Poster Image
APP

The Robot Factory by Tinybop

age 6+

Stellar sandbox tool drives kids to improve designs.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2015)
This is my car - Mechanics for kids Poster Image
APP

This is my car - Mechanics for kids

age 6+

Hands-on, info-packed app with only a couple of flaws.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2014)
Toontastic 3D Poster Image
APP

Toontastic 3D

age 6+

Same great easy animated story creator, new 3D graphics.

Devices: Android, Chromebook (2017)
Art Set Poster Image
APP

Art Set

age 7+

Deluxe creative tool will wow artists young and old.

Devices: iPad (2011)
Me: A Kid's Diary Poster Image
APP

Me: A Kid's Diary

age 7+

Creative space acts as unique digital diary.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2016)
Rory's Story Cubes Poster Image
APP

Rory's Story Cubes

age 7+

Simple app encourages creativity, storytelling.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2009)
Minecraft Poster Image
APP

Minecraft

age 8+

Worthy spin-off of popular PC game encourages creativity.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2011)
Stack the States Poster Image
APP

Stack the States

age 8+

Surprisingly fun geography education game.

Subwords Poster Image
APP

Subwords

age 8+

Fusion between trivia and word game engages spellers.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2018)