In the car, plane, or public transport, have fun with your family with creative ideas that foster digital balance. Games, discussions, and breaks turn every trip into authentic, inspiring moments that are easy to integrate into family life.
- Why travel screen-free?
- Kid-friendly games and discussions
- Quiet activities for all passengers
- When boredom works in your favour
- Snacks and organization for Zen travel
Why travel screen-free?
The seatbelts aren’t even buckled yet, and the kids are already asking for the tablet. And teens? They’re already stuck to their phone. Sound familiar?
These habits quietly became the norm. There’s a perfect opportunity here to transform the hours spent together into lovely family moments, away from the everyday hustle and bustle and from the digital world.
What research says about attention in motion
Naître et grandir experts show that moments of inactivity are good for the imagination and fuel children’s creativity. When a child has nothing specific to do, their attention is naturally drawn to what they would usually ignore, like an insect or a drop of water sliding down a window.
These small discoveries then fuel the child’s personal narrative. Their ability to occupy themselves alone also reinforces their sense of autonomy and initiative.
The approach used by Videotron and CIEL to achieve organic digital balance
At Videotron, we support families in their quest for digital balance. The team at the Centre pour l’intelligence émotionnelle en ligne (CIEL) notes that teens are also rediscovering the benefits of disconnecting. The goal is not to ban technology, but rather to create spaces where technology is not necessary.
Games and creative discussions for kids and teens
Memory and word games
The alphabet game is a classic family favourite. Pick a category (fruits, countries, animals) and find an item for each letter (A = apple, B = banana, etc.). This game is good for both memory and vocabulary.
Yes/No: This well-known traditional game requires a great deal of concentration. Ask trick questions that the other player would usually answer with yes or no … only those words are banned!
Who am I?: A classic in logic and in the process of elimination. One person thinks of a character, and the others ask questions to guess said character.
Creating together
The following creative activities can naturally transform the atmosphere in the car:
Chain story: One person starts the story, the next person continues, and so on. You’ll be amazed by the collective imagination that comes into play.
Creating a superhero: Together, invent the superhero’s powers, costume, and purpose. Kids love creating their own little worlds, and you will learn about their fears and aspirations through their creations.
This or that?: Pizza or burgers? Mountain or beach? These fun choices say a lot about different personalities and are conducive to spontaneous discussions about everyone’s preferences.
Pause jasette
The card game created by Videotron and CIEL, Pause jasette, opens the door to discussions about digital habits between teens and their parents. Designed with every generation in mind, the game is ideal for both short and long family trips.
Seeing the road differently
Visual treasure hunt: Prepare a list of items to look for based on your trip: red car, bridge, dog, billboard. Adapt the hunt to your kids’ ages and the area you’re passing through.
Master of silence: Need a bit of quiet time? Make it a game. Who can stay silent the longest? The perfect game for when you need to concentrate.
Podcasts and music: Explore podcasts for kids, based on their age. Audio helps imagine things differently, allowing everyone to create their own mental representations.
Quiet activities for all passengers
Reading, colouring, activity books according to age
For kids who don't suffer from motion sickness, a quiet activity kit works wonders: books adapted to their reading level, colouring books with themes they like, activity books with stickers.
Portable mini-worlds
Children’s favourite figurines, dolls, and toys are perfect for creating play worlds even in the confined space of the car. Choose toys with no small parts, to avoid losing them under the seats.
When boredom works in your favour
What research tells us about the benefits of observation
Inactivity is not a barrier to successful travel. On the contrary, research from Naître et grandir reveals that mental pauses encourage innovation in young people and strengthen their resolution skills. These moments become great opportunities to explore their personal aspirations and get to know themselves better.
Periods of calm also transform their perception of the world. A child develops a particular visual acuity and enriches their repertoire with personal stories by drawing inspiration from the passing landscape.
IRL: the testimony of a teenager who changed his habits
A 17-year-old shared his experience during a focus group, with Emmanuelle Parent of CIEL, on our relationship with phones.
The teen gradually changed his habits on public transport to, in his own words, "restore his attention."
His approach was done in stages: first replace TikTok videos with podcasts, then simply choose to observe the passing landscape through the window. This development shows that even teenagers can rediscover the benefits of contemplation and develop their own digital balance strategy.
The experience of a parent who introduced the "no screen" rule in the car
As a guest on the second episode of the podcast Pause qui peut, a CIEL and Videotron collaboration, PY Lord testifies to the introduction of a new rule: no screens during car rides with his teenagers.
PY Lord shares how he implemented the rule, the initial reaction of his teens, and the meaningful discussions that followed. His experience perfectly illustrates the challenges and benefits for families of creating screen-free spaces.
The episode also touches on crucial topics such as losing track of time when using social media and the phenomenon of doomscrolling. Exchanges that provide concrete leads to better understand our relationship with digital technology.
Listen to PY Lord's full story and discover the practical tips shared in this episode of Pause qui peut.
Snacks and organization for Zen travel
Be snack-savvy
Another tip to help pass screen-free time on the go? Plan for easy-to-eat and low-mess snacks. Distribute them at different times during your journey. Avoid foods that make you thirsty or that may stain. Consider hand wipes and keep a water bottle on hand.
Adjust the duration and rhythm of breaks
Schedule regular stops according to your child’s age. Toddlers need to move more often than older kids. Take advantage of breaks to change activities, stretch your legs, or simply get some fresh air.
Changing travel habits
Family time on the go is an integral part of any trip. When you alternate creative play, spontaneous discussions, and moments of silent observation, you create lasting memories for the whole family.
Your new travel habits will fit naturally into your family routines. They will turn every departure into an adventure that begins as soon as you buckle up.
To go further
Find more tips and tools in Videotron's Family Space to help parents better guide digital usage and keep the whole family safer online.
Also read
Mis à jour 22-05-2026
Version 2.0
