If you’re driving somewhere, it’s always a good idea to try and keep the kids entertained. Because, if they’re entertained, they’re quiet. And, if they’re quiet, they’re not saying: “Are we there yet?”, before you’ve even pulled out of the driveway.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up a few gadgets that do a great job of keeping young minds occupied – even after hours on the road.
A gaming machine that’s hard to beat
In a nutshell: A powerful and portable games console that plays some of the greatest games ever made
The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular game consoles of all time, and it’s easy to see why. Games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are fun, and challenging enough to keep most kids satisfied for hours. The 6.2-inch HD display is big and bright, and by sharing the Joy-Con controllers, two players can go head-to-head at any time.
A tablet for all-round entertainment
In a nutshell: A tablet made for kids, with easy access to everything they love
An ideal first tablet, the Amazon Fire 7” Kids Tablet has a special user interface, designed especially for kids. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they’re able to find their favourite Disney video, Dora book or Angry Birds game.
You also get a free one-year subscription to Fire for Kids Unlimited, with thousands of books, movies, TV shows, games and educational apps to choose from. There’s stuff to suit all age groups, from 3 to 12 years old.
The tablet is wrapped in a kid-proof case with sturdy rubber bumpers, keeping it safe from drops and knocks. And, for even more peace of mind, a special 2-year worry-free guarantee is included. So, even if the tablet does break, Amazon will replace it for free – no questions asked.
Headphones to keep them even quieter
In a nutshell: Wireless headphones with built-in protection
Okay, so the kids are being kept entertained in the back of the car while you’re concentrating on driving. But, are they being kept quiet? If the noises coming from their console or tablet is driving you round the bend (no pun intended), then it’s probably worth treating them to some headphones.
These JBL JR300BT Wireless Bluetooth Kids Headphones can be paired up with any device that supports Bluetooth, like their favourite smartphone or the Amazon Fire 7” Kids Tablet. Your child can then listen to their music, game or video without the hassle of wires getting in the way.
Best of all, you’ll never have to worry about the sound being too loud. These headphones have a limited volume that prevents them being turned up to a dangerous level. They also come with a sticker set, so youngsters can get creative and customise them just how they want.
Looking for headphones to go with the Nintendo Switch? The thing to remember is that it doesn’t support Bluetooth, so you’ll need wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack. We recommend the JVC HA-KD7 kids headphones. Just like the wireless headphones we’ve mentioned above, they come with a volume limiting feature to protect younger ears, and a set of fun stickers to decorate with. The cable is also nice and short, preventing the headphones from tangling and making them extra safe.
Keep everything powered up
In a nutshell: Keep your kids’ favourite devices powered up on longer journeys
The PNY Slim 20000 Portable Power Bank comes fully charged out the box, and has enough juice to charge phones, tablets and other devices many times over. If you’ve got a couple of kids to keep entertained in the car, no worries at all – you can charge two devices at the same time.
This 20,000mAh power bank is one of the most powerful you can buy. It can charge the Nintendo Switch four times over, giving your kid more than 12 hours of playing time – enough for most car journeys, surely. And, it can charge an Amazon Fire 7” Kids Tablet more than six times over, which works out at a whopping 48 hours of battery life. Plenty to keep everyone happy.
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