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Planning a family road trip? Audiobooks are one of the easiest ways to make long car rides calmer, happier, and surprisingly fun. A great story can keep kids entertained for miles, spark their imaginations, and turn travel time into something the whole family looks forward to.
This guide brings together some of the best audiobooks for kids and families — from timeless classics to adventure-filled series perfect for older listeners. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, grade-schoolers, or big kids, you’ll find options to keep everyone engaged, screen-free, and along for the ride.
Planning a long drive? You might also like our roundup of
👉 50 Best Car Games For Kids
Quick List: Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips
- Harry Potter Series – Epic fantasy for the whole family
- The Chronicles of Narnia – Classic adventure and imagination
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians – Action, mythology, humor
- A Series of Unfortunate Events – Dry humor and clever storytelling
- The Hobbit – Classic fantasy quest
- The Secret Garden – Gentle, quiet storytelling
- Winnie-the-Pooh – Perfect for toddlers and young kids
- Charlotte’s Web – Heartfelt, timeless, great for all ages
- Ramona Quimby Audio Collection – Funny, relatable family stories
- Magic Tree House Series – Historical adventures for younger listeners
Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips
1. Harry Potter Series (J.K. Rowling)
Immerse children in an enchanting world of magic, friendship, and bravery. This series encourages imagination and teaches values like loyalty and teamwork.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia Series (C.S. Lewis)
Transport kids to a realm of talking animals and epic adventures, promoting courage and wonder. Themes of good versus evil and redemption support character development.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series (Rick Riordan)
Introduces Greek mythology through thrilling quests, fostering curiosity and problem-solving. Kids learn about friendship, loyalty, and self-discovery.
To complement your family’s audiobook collection, discover top children’s book picks for every stage of development, thoughtfully organized to nurture curiosity, empathy, and confidence in young readers.
4. A Series of Unfortunate Events Series (Lemony Snicket)
Venture into the dark and mysterious world of the Baudelaire siblings in the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series. Narrated by the author himself, this gothic tale follows the orphans as they encounter eccentric characters, unravel family secrets, and face the sinister Count Olaf.
5. The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)
Children join Bilbo’s quest, experiencing courage and cleverness. This classic sparks a love for fantasy and critical thinking.
Whether listening or reading, families benefit from our curated selection of the best books for kids by age.
6. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
The story centers on friendship, nature, and transformation, offering gentle lessons in empathy and growth. Ideal for calm, reflective listening.
7. Winnie-the-Pooh (A.A. Milne)
Wholesome tales of Pooh and friends foster kindness, imagination, and comfort. Perfect for younger children and family bonding.
8. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
In Wilbur and Charlotte’s heartfelt story, kids learn compassion and loyalty. It also teaches the value of selflessness and empathy.
Explore age-appropriate and classic children’s books tailored to support language development and imaginative play, perfect companions for the audiobooks that bring stories to life on road trips.
9. Matilda (Roald Dahl)
Matilda’s cleverness and courage encourage kids to value learning and individuality. Witty narration appeals to older children.
10. The Mysterious Benedict Society Series (Trenton Lee Stewart)
Join the thrilling adventures of four gifted children who form a secret society to combat a nefarious plot. Great for challenges and brain teasers.
11. The Land of Stories Series (Chris Colfer)
Delve into the enchanting world of fairy tales come to life with “The Land of Stories” series. These books follow twins Alex and Conner as they traverse magical realms filled with beloved characters from classic stories.
12. The Wingfeather Saga Series (Andrew Peterson)
Embark on a high-flying adventure with this series. With its rich world-building, memorable characters, and themes of courage and sacrifice, this series is a thrilling choice for a long car ride.
Make your next road trip even better with these road-tested travel tips for families with kids.
13. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Series (Maryrose Wood)
Witty, whimsical mysteries teach resilience and adaptability. Children enjoy quirky characters and humorous adventures.
14. The Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L’Engle)
Witty, whimsical mysteries teach resilience and adaptability. Children enjoy quirky characters and humorous adventures.
15. The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter (Beatrix Potter)
Narrated with warmth and charm, this collection takes young listeners on delightful adventures, teaching valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and kindness.
16. The Magic Tree House Series (Mary Pope Osborne)
These books take children to different historical periods and mythical realms, sparking their curiosity and imagination while imparting knowledge about history, science, and culture.
17. The Ramona Quimby Audio Collection (Beverly Cleary)
Follow the mischievous and endearing Ramona Quimby in this beloved series. Narrated with humor and empathy, Ramona’s adventures resonate with young listeners.
18. James and the Giant Peach (Roald Dahl)
Join James and his newfound insect friends as they journey inside the peach and encounter thrilling escapades and delightful surprises. It teaches friendship and courage.
19. The Witches (Roald Dahl)
Darkly funny tale exploring courage and resourcefulness, helping kids confront fears in a playful way. It follows a young boy who uncovers a diabolical plot by the Grand High Witch and her wicked coven.
20. Paddington Treasury (Michael Bond)
Join the lovable and marmalade-loving bear from Peru in this delightful collection of Paddington Bear stories. Paddington’s London escapades foster kindness, curiosity, and family values. Gentle, humorous stories are perfect for younger listeners.
21. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl)
This classic tale takes listeners through the magical and mysterious world of Willy Wonka, filled with Oompa-Loompas, Everlasting Gobstoppers, and a chocolate river. With its imaginative storytelling, quirky characters, and lessons about kindness and honesty.
22. The Borrowers (Mary Norton)
Narrated with a sense of wonder, this captivating story follows Arrietty Clock, a tiny Borrower who lives beneath the floorboards of a human house. This promotes creativity, friendship, and bravery. Children experience empathy through Arrietty’s eyes.
23. The Neverending Story (Michael Ende)
Embark on an epic journey through the magical realm of Fantastica. This beloved tale follows a young boy named Bastian as he discovers a mysterious book that transports him to a world of dragons, sorcerers, and fantastical creatures.
24. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
Narrated with whimsy and humor, this classic story follows Alice as she encounters peculiar characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. It has imaginative storytelling, witty wordplay, and imaginative landscapes.
25. The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)
Narrated with warmth and charm, this beloved classic follows the escapades of Mole, Rat, Badger, and the eccentric Mr. Toad.Together, they navigate the joys and challenges of friendship, while exploring the beauty of the English countryside.
Best Audiobooks for Toddlers & Preschoolers
These gentle, engaging stories work well for little listeners who need simple plots, shorter chapters, and warm narration.
- Winnie-the-Pooh (A.A. Milne)
Sweet, cozy stories that are easy for young children to follow. - Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
A gentle, heartwarming story with simple language and emotional depth. - The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter
Short, charming animal stories perfect for younger attention spans. - Paddington Treasury (Michael Bond)
Light, humorous adventures with a lovable main character. - Magic Tree House Series (Mary Pope Osborne)
Short chapters + fun adventures = excellent car-ride listening for little ones.
Optional toddler-friendly lead-in line you can use:
These stories are soothing, easy to follow, and perfect for keeping little passengers happy on longer drives.
Adventure Audiobooks Kids Will Love
For kids who love action, quests, mysteries, and cliffhangers, these adventure-packed choices make long miles fly by.
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians (Rick Riordan)
Fast-paced quests with humor, friendship, and Greek mythology. - The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)
A classic fantasy journey filled with danger, courage, and magical creatures. - The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart)
Smart, puzzle-filled adventures with plenty of twists. - The Land of Stories (Chris Colfer)
A magical world of fairy tales brought to life. - The Wingfeather Saga (Andrew Peterson)
Rich world-building and heroic storytelling. - A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
Dark humor, clever narration, and a constant sense of mystery. - James and the Giant Peach (Roald Dahl)
Whimsical adventure with quirky characters and imaginative scenes. - The Neverending Story (Michael Ende)
Epic fantasy quest perfect for older kids. - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
Whimsical, chaotic, imaginative — great for kids who love strange, silly adventures.
Why Audiobooks Work So Well on Family Road Trips
Audiobooks do more than pass the time — they make long drives feel easier, calmer, and a lot more fun. Here’s why families love listening on the road:
Engaging for All Ages
From Winnie-the-Pooh to Harry Potter, audiobooks offer something for toddlers, big kids, and adults. Great narration keeps everyone listening together.
Helps Kids Imagine & Learn
Without screens, kids picture the story in their minds. It naturally boosts vocabulary, comprehension, and creativity.
Shared Family Experience
Listening as a group turns the car into a little book club. Kids love talking about characters, predicting what happens next, and following a story together.
Reduces Travel Stress
A good story makes miles go faster. Audiobooks help calm the car, cut down on “Are we there yet?”, and keep kids occupied without constant entertainment.
Educational Without Feeling Like It
History, science, adventure, friendship — audiobooks sneak in learning while keeping kids genuinely entertained.
Audiobooks turn long car rides into shared adventures, making family travel more enjoyable for everyone.
More Family Travel Resources
- 50 Best Travel Activities for Toddlers
- 50 Best Airplane Activities for Toddlers
- 50 Fun Car Games Your Kids Will Love to Play
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
