One of the best ways to keep your kids entertained on a road trip is with a good audiobook. Audiobooks are engaging without requiring your kids to look at anything, which can be especially good for kids that get car sick.
Whether you have toddlers who want to listen to Winnie-the-Pooh, older kids who want to listen to something spooky, or kids of all ages who need a good middle ground, you’ll find a great audiobook recommendation here!
GoWhee parents know the value of keeping their kids happy while they travel, so we’ve chosen only the best family-friendly audiobooks on our list.
If you have preteen kiddos, you may be looking for something with a bit more action. In that case, we recommend the award-winning series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The first book, The Lightning Thief, runs for a solid 10 hours, so you’ve got plenty of material to keep you entertained!
Time To Listen: 10 hours and 2 minutes
Narrated By: Jesse Bernstein
Buy On Audible | $31.93
The Chronicles of Narnia series has remained one of the finest examples of fantasy literature since its writing. The first book, The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe will allow listeners of all ages to develop a love of literature, and there’s no better time to start than when you’re all in the car!
Time To Listen: 4 hours and 21 minutes
Narrated By: Michael York
Buy On Audible | $21.67
Following the adventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, How to Train Your Dragon is a charming, humorous listen that’ll appeal to your younger kids. Narrated by the talented David Tennant, we strongly recommend giving it a listen!
Time To Listen: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Narrated By: David Tennant
Buy On Audible | $19.39
The Harry Potter series is a classic for children and adults alike, so it’s only natural that it’d be available in audiobook format! To pass the time out on the road, dive into the much-favorited books with the first entry, The Sorcerer’s Stone!
Time To Listen: 8 hours and 18 minutes
Narrated By: Jim Dale
Buy On Audible | $29.99
It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but the majority of people haven’t ever taken the time to read it! If you’ve been meaning to check out this literary classic, why not listen to it with your family to liven up a long car ride?
Time To Listen: 3 hours and 49 minutes
Narrated By: Anne Hathaway
Buy On Audible | $14.95
Best for those with younger kiddos, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a quick, easy-to-follow book if you’re on the road for long, but not too long. If your kids appreciate the first, you can move on to the other books in the series, and trust us, there are plenty of them to go around!
Time To Listen: 1 hour and 57 minutes
Narrated By: Ramon De Ocampo
Buy On Audible | $7.95
We recommend The Hobbit to parents of preteens and early teens who already have a taste for literature. Though it may be a bit harder to understand for some, if your kiddos are up to it, we can’t recommend it enough. If they enjoy it, you can pick up the sequel trilogy, Lord of the Rings, a staple of classic fantasy that defines literature to this day.
Time To Listen: 10 hours and 25 minutes
Narrated By: Andy Serkis
Buy On Audible | $27.99
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Not only is Redwall an excellent book series for children of all ages, but its audiobook version has a touch of theatre to it as well. Though other audiobooks are read by the authors, Redwall also features a full cast of voices to keep the story engaging and varied.
Time To Listen: 10 hours and 41 minutes
Narrated By: Brian Jacques, Full Cast
Buy On Audible | $28.00
Another of the audiobooks read by the authors, some younger parents may even remember Mary Pope Osborne’s The Magic Tree House from their own childhood. With this anthology of Magic Treehouse novels, you can pass this nostalgic series down to your own children.
Time To Listen: 6 hours and 1 minute
Narrated By: Mary Pope Osborne
Buy On Audible | $33.60
Kicking off the Series of Unfortunate Events books, A Bad Beginning is a heartbreaking yet touching tale of family bonds persevering through all odds. Whether just for entertainment or to begin some deeper discussions about your own family, this book is perfect for passing the time during your next road trip.
Time To Listen: 2 hours and 29 minutes
Narrated By: Tim Curry, full cast
Buy On Audible | $17.10
For those who are looking for something a bit more on the macabre side, take a look at Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. Though it’s definitely not for everyone, especially small children, it’s the perfect book for families who love a good thrill and will keep everyone completely engrossed from start to finish.
Time To Listen: 3 hours and 35 minutes
Narrated By: Full Cast
Buy On Audible | $19.38
A comforting, laid-back anthology of children’s stories, The Collected Stories of Winnie-the-Pooh is the perfect story to set a more relaxed theme for your road trip. If you feel like your family could use a moment to slow down and appreciate the small things in life, we recommend this book.
Time To Listen: 4 hours and 27 minutes
Narrated By: Stephen Fry, full cast
Buy On Audible | $28.00
Charlotte’s Web explores deep, adult themes such as bonding, grief, and loss in a simple way that can start some interesting discussions. This book broaches some of the topics we just can’t figure out how to explain to our young children, and does so without being shocking or upsetting.
Time To Listen: 3 hours and 34 minutes
Narrated By: E. B. White, George Plimpton
Buy On Audible | $21.00
Whether you’ve read the original, grew up with the movie, or saw it on Broadway, Matilda is a children’s classic that everyone should be able to experience. Aside from being humorous and entertaining, it’ll also teach your kids to stand up for themselves and what is right, a valuable lesson for just about anyone.
Time To Listen: 4 hours and 18 minutes
Narrated By: Kate Winslet
Buy On Audible | $19.19
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New York isn’t the only city with a Thanksgiving parade! Reserve a room in Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel and experience everything Chicago has to offer, from parades to shopping, and even live music!
Key Information: Rooms start at $99 a night – Grab and go food options.
Good To Know: Check out one of Chicago’s many live music spots after the parade– many are family-friendly.
There’s nothing quite like spending Thanksgiving by the beach, and South Carolina is here to deliver! Book your turkey day getaway at the Wild Dunes Resort, and enjoy the local beaches, dining, and history!
Key Information: Family rooms start at $270 a night – Get Thanksgiving dinner delivered to your room!
Good To Know: Take a ferry ride to Fort Sumter National Monument, and grab a sweet treat afterward at Beardcat’s Sweet Shop.
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A touching tale of family life on the high frontier, Little House in the Big Woods has been a beloved book for generations since its 1932 release. Persisting through the challenges that come with frontier life, this story will allow families to reflect on and strengthen their own relationships.
Time To Listen: 3 hours and 41 minutes
Narrated By: Cherry Jones
Buy On Audible | $19.38
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A story of persistence, strength, and intrigue, Holes follows a young Stanley Yelnats after he finds himself wrongly imprisoned and forced to labor away by digging holes. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye, with listeners of all ages sure to be enraptured as the mystery begins to unfold.
Time To Listen: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Narrated By: Kerry Beyer
Buy On Audible | $21.00
The beginning of the immensely popular Warriors series, Into the Wild by Erin Hunter is perfect for novice and experienced bookworms alike. A tale of trust, betrayal, and of course, cats, your kiddos won’t want to stop listening.
Time To Listen: 7 hours and 29 minutes
Narrated By: MacLeod Andrews
Buy On Audible | $21.67
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