Revealed: The stress of keeping kids entertained on long journeys

More than one third of UK parents say that keeping their children occupied on a long journey is a challenge, while 52% admitted to finding it stressful, according to new research.

The study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also revealed that 85% of UK parents say they wouldn’t even consider a journey of over two hours. No-limit screen time and more sweets than usual were found to be the best way to survive family road trips.

To celebrate its family-friendly EV, the ID. Buzz, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles put comedian and actor  James Buckley through his paces to see if he could keep four children occupied on a long car journey.

The former The Inbetweeners and White Gold star is part of a campaign to celebrate parents and the challenges they face on long journeys.

James is seen driving the ID. Buzz, crowned What Car? Car of the Year 2023, with four children aged 5-13 on a road trip while ad-libbing jokes for his junior explorers.

“That was without a doubt the toughest gig I’ve ever faced,” admitted James.

“I have two kids of my own, so I know how tricky long trips can be, but four kids, with no electronic devices for hours, it was tough to keep them entertained.

“However, the ID. Buzz did the trick, with the Park Assist Plus being the absolute highlight for everyone. No one could believe it when I took my hands off the wheel and it parked all by itself.”