Good audiobooks for road trips with kids
Looking for road trip audiobooks? Find here a selection of the Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips and enjoy a good story during long or short car trips.
What do you do to pass time during a long journey? Do you like to read, play games or be productive?
I get headaches and car sickness if I try to read, type, play, work or even set a destination on the navigation system with the car in movement. I can’t even play phone apps on the go – it is that bad!
If I try to be productive in the car I get instant headaches which can go on for hours and it is just not worth it. Same applies for buses and train journeys and sometimes during flights too, depending on the turbulence.
Unless I am driving, what I am left to do in a car trip is looking out of the window, listen to music and the eventually being the nagging passenger who obviously know better what the driver should be doing!
Nothing wrong with that! But Audio books are a great way to bring everyone together in the family without each doing their own thing on a tablet.
Where To Get The Best Family Audiobooks?
Audible is the best service to get audio books.
Audible is a membership service for audiobooks to listen wherever you are, not only good on road trips but also work or school commute or to entertain kids during vacation.
You can enjoy a 30 day free trial on Audible. On Amazon you can also get books on cd for kids.
Since we are getting ready for many road trips in the Spring break and Summer months I decided to search for the best audiobooks for families so everyone will enjoy.
Find our selection for great audiobooks for family road trips and adventures below.
Why Do People Enjoy Listening To Audiobooks?
Audiobooks are becoming more and more popular and there are quite a few reasons why:
- Audiobooks are inclusive. Anyone can listen to them regardless of age and reading skills.
- It allows you to multitask while you learn (which saves you time). This is a big advantage when compared to traditional book reading because you must concentrate on that task alone.
- Audiobooks are particularly handy when traveling by car not only because the driver can also be included but it also cater for passengers, like myself, who get carsick if they try to read on a vehicle in movement.
- It is convenient while traveling because it takes less space than a book.
Listening to audiobooks while driving is one of the best tips I have for anyone wanting to plan a great family road trip. Entertaining on the road is super important to keep everyone happy so make sure to have some of these stories to listen to in the car.
So read on for my suggestions of the best audible for family road trips.
Best Audiobooks For Family Road Trips
We will list here some of the bestseller audiobooks for family road trips. They are all child friendly but I have tried to separate them by age group so you can peruse the ones that suit your kids age first.
However, make sure to evaluate yourself if they are appropriate to your children, not all of them are PG.
Road Trip Audio Books For Preschoolers
Here is a list of some classics that the whole family will enjoy which are perfect for preschoolers too.
Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales
The complete tales of Beatrix P. Written by Beatrix Potter, read by Gary Bond, Michael Hordern, Rosemary Leach and Janet Maw.
Beatrix Potter’s fabulous stories are absolutely classic! Any child (and adult) will be delighted with the adventurous stories of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, The Flopsy Bunnies, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, and many more.
The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Julia Donaldson, read by Imelda Staunton.
Impossible not to love the adventure of the little mouse going through the forest and meeting a fantastic creature called Gruffalo.
Winnie-the-Pooh
Beautifully written and full of lovable characters, the Winnie-the-Pooh books are just a delight to read to listen to. It contains beautiful poems and important messages.
Excellent for children it will sure bring back memories of your own childhood. Perfect book as a family gift, for children or grand children.
Best Road Trip Audiobooks For Younger Kids
Finn Family Moomintroll
Finn Family Moomintroll Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Tove Jansson, read by Hugh Dennis.
We first learnt about the Moonintrolls on our visit to Helsinki, Finland. The author, Tove Jansson, grew up in Helsinki and wrote 9 novels set in the Moominvalley.
Tove Jansson has been awarded several times for her work and her books have been translated to more than 30 languages.
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by E. B. White, read by Meryl Streep and full cast.
One of the most loved books of all times this is a classic friendship tale between between girl, pig and spider.
It is age appropriate all kids who will definitely be caught up in the story.
Paddington
A Bear Called Paddington – Written by Michael Bond, read by Stephen Fry.
How not to love Paddington stories?
Paddington is an adorable character and this is a great classic for any age, perfect for families. If you are visiting London you will want to check the Paddington’s guide to London too.
Family, Friends and Furry Creatures
Family, Friends and Furry Creatures: Tom Gates, Book 12 Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Liz Pichon, read by Russell Tovey.
The Tom Gates books are series that kids just can’t get enough of. It is funny book for either boys or girls as the story does really capture their interest from start to finish. However, the grown ups will also have a laugh.
Matilda
Matilda Audio CD – Audiobook, CD, Unabridged. Written by Roald Dahl, read by Kate Winslet.
From all the pranks to the happy ending this book is amazing.
One of the best funny audiobooks. It is told in a humorous way full of wit and mischief that any kid will love. Yet it speaks about important family values and how willpower and education can help overcome life struggles.
The Railway Children
The Railway Children Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by E. Nesbit, read by Cori Samuel.
Thoroughly enjoyable story with hints of bravery, innocence and great fun. The children in the story had a great relationship with each other and were taught to persevere in undesirable situation. Not only a feeling good audiobook but also a great moral story for younger kids with endearing characters and good story line. The entire family will love to listen to the kids’ adventures.
Best Audiobooks For family Car Trips – Middle Grade Children
If your kids are a bit older you can enjoy these family friendly audiobooks here too.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Book 1 Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry.
J.K Rowling does such a great job getting the reader absorbed in the story and for the audio book it is no different. After one book you will want to listen to the next. The stories stories can be enjoyed by children as young as 6 years old, especially true for the first 3 books. The last couple of books will be best suited for older children.
The One and Only Ivan
The One and Only Ivan Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Katherine Applegate and Patricia Castelao, read by Adam Grupper.
A pleasant and well structured plot but with simple language that kids from elementary school grades will also enjoy. A great engaging read with messages of compassion, it makes you fall in love with all the characters.
One of the best audio books for 10 year olds or older kids.
The Penderwicks
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy Audio CD – Audiobook, Unabridged. Written by Jeanne Birdsall, read by Susan Denaker
This is a highly rated first book from Jeanne Birdsall set in the Berkshire Mountains. One of the best adventure audiobooks, it tells the story of the Penderwick family and their three week vacation. Birdsall transports us to the scene effortlessly by vivid text and series of minor/major conflicts.
Hatchet
Hatchet Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Gary Paulsen, read by Peter Coyote.
Interesting family road trip audiobook that incorporates persistent behavior, courage, and hope. It is a great story to inspire children to be the best they can be and to handle difficult situation.
Great Audiobooks For Tweens And Older Kids
The books below need parental guidance (pg rated audiobooks) meaning that they main contain language and stories that parents might not like for their young children to listen to (such as curse words or violence).
So I consider these to be the best audio books for tweens and/or older kids.
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wrinkle In Time Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Madeleine L’Engle, read by Hope Davis and Ava DuVernay.
This is the first book in The Time Quintet, which consists of A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, and An Acceptable Time.
A Wrinkle in Time bridges sci-fi and fantasy from a perspective of a life time about 50 years ago. It is definitely a good audio books for 12 year olds or around grade 7-8.
The Hobbit
The Hobbit Audio CD – Abridged, Audiobook, CD. Written by J.R.R. Tolkien and read by an ensemble cast.
Plenty of fun filled hours of listening to this entertaining dramatization was delightfully entertaining. One of the best long audiobooks great for adults and children alike.
Truly a well-written, funny adventure story with a lot of depth that is one of the best best audiobooks for family road trips with tweens and older children.
Ember Rising: The Green Ember
Ember Rising: The Green Ember, Book 3 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by S. D. Smith, read by Joel Clarkson.
Absolutely thrilling this latest episode in the Green Ember series has a number of battle scenes that will keep everyone engaged.
With brave heroes, battles and injuries this is not a book for the very young though. It is more appropriate for older children such as the last few books of the Harry Potter series.
Cinder
Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written by Marissa Meyer, read by Rebecca Soler.
With a few references to the classic this book brings humans and androids crowd together with a plot twist. A futurist setting, a deadly plague, ruthless aliens… this child appropriate sci-fi fairy tale retelling will keep everyone engaged.
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell Audible Audiobook – Unabridged. Written and read by Chris Colfer.
Magical and thrilling! Kids do seem to enjoy this engaging and quick-moving book.
Just a quick note that there are a few occasions where swear words are used and insinuations that are more appropriate for older teens.
Far far Away
Far Far Away Audio CD – Audiobook, CD, Unabridged. Written by Tom McNeal, read by W. Morgan Sheppard.
A very enjoyable and creative story about the brothers Grimm, ghosts, a small-ish town, and also love. Well written with good details and character development.
It does get a little creepy at the end, so better for older kids.
Any other audiobooks for kids you think I should add to the list? Let me know in comments below.
Some tips for making road trips more enjoyable:
The article belows have my best tips, things you need for long road trip and travel essentials for family.
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