Long car journeys, flights or train trips can feel a lot longer with bored kids in the back seat. A well-chosen app can be a lifesaver – keeping little hands and minds busy while you get where you’re going in peace.
We asked MyKidsTime parents to share the apps their kids reach for again and again on trips away. Here are 15 of their favourites, covering everything from creative play and storytelling to fast-paced games for older kids.
At a glance, our 15 picks are:
1. Pou
2. Subway Surfers
3. Bubble PopStar
4. Minecraft – Pocket Edition
5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
6. Audible
7. Toca Hair Salon 2
8. Angry Birds Go!
9. Disney Junior Play
10. Where’s My Water? 2
11. Disney Junior Appisodes
12. Jetpack Joyride
13. Littlest Pet Shop
14. Style Studio: Fashion Designer
15. Draw a Stickman: EPIC
#1. Pou
Pou is a virtual pet app that’s easy for even young kids to get the hang of. Adopt your own alien pet, customise its look, and take care of it by feeding it, cleaning it and playing games with it. Kids can earn coins through mini-games to unlock new items for their Pou.
Available on Android and the App Store.
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#2. Subway Surfers
This one is essentially a game of chase. Dash as fast as you can, dodge the oncoming trains, and help Jake, Tricky and Fresh escape the grumpy inspector and his dog. Surf on a hoverboard, use a jetpack, and swipe your way to safety. It’s a hugely popular game with kids and is regularly refreshed with new cities to explore.
Available on Android and the App Store.
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#3. Bubble PopStar
Once you pop, you can’t stop! Bubble PopStar is a classic bubble/ball-breaker puzzle game – match same-coloured bubbles to pop them and rack up points. It’s simple to pick up, which makes it a good option for a range of ages, and a fun one for the whole family to share.
Available on Android and the App Store.
#4. Minecraft – Pocket Edition
Minecraft is a building game powered entirely by imagination – placing blocks, crafting tools, and going on adventures. The mobile version includes Survival and Creative modes, multiplayer over a local Wi-Fi network, and randomly generated worlds to explore, build in, and breed animals within.
It’s a nice change of pace from fast-action games, and remains hugely popular with kids of all ages. A free, lighter “Explorer” version is also worth trying before committing to the full app.
You might enjoy our Only Guide to Minecraft You Will Need
#5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Care for your very own Hungry Caterpillar! Eric Carle’s much-loved character comes to life in this interactive app. Kids can hatch their caterpillar from an egg, drag tasty fruit from a nearby tree and watch it munch away, then tuck it into bed when it gets sleepy. It’s a gentle, screen-time option that’s great for younger travellers.
Available on the App Store and Android.
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#6. Audible
The Audible app lets you listen to audiobooks on the go, and it’s a great option for keeping older kids settled on a long journey. You’ll need an Audible membership to download titles, but once you have a book downloaded it’s ready to listen to offline – no signal needed.
“This has been a saviour on longer journeys with my 8-year-old.”
Available on Android and the App Store (subscription required for downloads).
You may also like 15 of the Best Reading Apps for Kids
#7. Toca Hair Salon 2
Cut, curl, colour and style – any way you like – in Toca Hair Salon 2. Run your own hair salon with a choice of characters and a full set of styling tools, from a simple comb and scissors to a curling iron and straightener. Trim moustaches, spray mohawks bright pink, and give someone the curls they’ve always wanted.
Available on Android and the App Store.
#8. Angry Birds Go!
Any of the Angry Birds games tend to go down well with kids, and Angry Birds Go! puts a different spin on the format with a downhill racing game set on Piggy Island. Fling birds and piggies down the track at top speed, navigate twists and turns, and upgrade your ride from soapbox car to supercar along the way.
Available on Android and the App Store.
You may also like 10 Best Educational Apps for 8–12 Yrs
#9. Disney Junior Play
Younger kids can enjoy the world of Disney Junior Play, featuring favourite characters all in one place. There are games, puzzles, sing-along videos, dress-up fun and sticker book scenes to explore – a solid choice for preschoolers on a journey.
Available on the App Store.
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#10. Where’s My Water? 2
Join Swampy, Allie and Cranky on another adventure in this popular physics-based puzzler from Disney. Cut through dirt and guide fresh water, purple water and steam to help Swampy and his friends across a range of cleverly designed levels. It’s a fun, brain-teasing option that works well for the whole family.
Available on Android and the App Store.
#11. Disney Junior Appisodes
Preschoolers can watch, play and interact directly with favourite Disney Junior shows in this app – touching, tapping, swiping and talking their way through interactive episodes. Note that episode downloads can be quite large, so it’s worth downloading in advance of travelling rather than relying on a mobile connection.
Available on the App Store.
#12. Jetpack Joyride
Suit up with a selection of jetpacks and take to the skies as Barry Steakfries, the hero of this action-packed runner from the makers of Fruit Ninja. It’s fast, funny, and easy to pick up for a few minutes at a time – handy for shorter journeys or waiting-around moments.
Available on Android and the App Store.
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#13. Littlest Pet Shop
Collect your favourite pets in this app based on the Littlest Pet Shop toy line. Help Blythe and her friends adopt, care for and entertain a huge range of pets – washing, feeding and playing with them, and building houses and play areas along the way. There are dozens of pets to collect, including dogs, cats and bears.
Available on Android and the App Store.
#14. Style Studio: Fashion Designer
Best suited to older kids with an interest in fashion, Style Studio lets your child create their own line of designs, from casual chic to haute couture. Dress a model in your designs, add props, and lay out your very own magazine cover.
Available on the App Store.
You may also like these 10 Fun Fashion Designer Games for Kids
#15. Draw a Stickman: EPIC
Dive into the adventure of Draw a Stickman: EPIC! You draw your own stickman, and he becomes the hero of the game. Draw your way around the obstacles the evil Zarp throws at you – sketch a flame to light a fuse, then run before it goes boom, ward off dragons, or supercharge a toaster with a lightning cloud. There’s plenty to keep imaginative kids busy, with a sequel to move on to once they’ve finished.
“My 8-year-old adores this game – if you haven’t tried it, do, your kids will love it!”
Available on Android and the App Store.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these apps free to download?
Several of the apps on this list are free to download, sometimes with optional in-app purchases, while others are paid apps. Check the listing on the App Store or Google Play for the current price and whether in-app purchases apply before downloading.
Do these apps work without wi-fi or mobile data?
Many games, once downloaded, will work offline, making them handy for flights or areas with poor signal. Apps that rely on streaming content, such as audiobook or video apps, generally need an internet connection to download content in advance, so it’s worth doing this before you set off.
What age are these apps suitable for?
This list includes a mix of apps for different ages, from gentle, interactive apps for toddlers and preschoolers through to games better suited to older kids and tweens. Always check the age rating and content description in the app store, and try an app out yourself if you’re unsure.
How can I stop my child running up a bill with in-app purchases?
Turning off in-app purchases, or requiring a password for purchases, in your device’s settings is a simple way to avoid unexpected charges. It’s worth doing this before handing over a phone or tablet for a journey.
Related Articles
If this list was useful, you might also like:
- 10 New iOS Apps for Kids
- 10 Best Educational Apps for Kids
- 20 of the Best Educational Apps for Preschoolers
- 15 of the Best Reading Apps for Kids
- 10 Fun Apps for Tweens
- The Only Guide to Minecraft You Will Need
Keep the Ideas Coming
We don’t have a printable for this one, but if you’d like more ideas for keeping kids entertained on the go, take a browse through our other apps and entertainment picks, or save this page so you have it handy before your next trip.
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What apps do your kids like to use when travelling? Let us know in the comments below.
