Long journey with kids? Best games, quizzes and BBC iPlayer shows for travelling with a family

If you've got a long journey ahead with kids and you're looking for the most entertaining content, look no further! CBBC has compiled a perfect guide for long trips filled with the best BBC iPlayer boxsets, games, and quizzes to enjoy with the whole family.

Did you know that if you don't have wifi or a data connection on your long journey with the family, you can download shows and films from BBC iPlayer before you set off?

All CBBC shows are perfect for children aged 6-12.

Series 5 Part 2 coming autumn 2024

Genre: Drama | Episode length: 25 minutes

Join Darrell Rivers and a cast of besties as they attend an all-girls boarding school, complete with midnight feasts, action packed lacrosse matches, pranks and even a couple of mysteries to be solved.

Check out Malory Towers on CBBC and iPlayer.

Want more Malory Towers?

Check out the brand new update to the A Year in the Life game or talk with fans of the show. 

Already seen Malory Towers?

You should check out A Kind of Spark! Join autistic girl Addie as she tries to figure out the mystery of the witches in her village.

Genre: Drama | Episode length: 28 minutes

Growing up in a care home brings all sorts of tough challenges, but the kids at Ashdene Ridge know that if they stick together, they can get through anything life throws at them.

Check out The Dumping Ground on CBBC and iPlayer.

Want more The Dumping Ground?

Can you catch the mole in time? Or will you be able to tell which of the DG gang said these phrases? 

Already seen The Dumping Ground?

You should check out Dodger! Much like the DG, Dodger has a rag-tag bunch of big personalities always getting into trouble but always sticking together and doing the right thing in the end.

Genre: Drama | Episode length: 28 minutes

Football is everywhere we looking recently, and for good reason! It's the nations best loved sport and if you love football then we bet you will LOVE Jamie Johnson, Series 7.

Becoming a football is an impossible dream, but that won't stop Jamie and his friends as they follow their hearts, make mistakes and score some absolute screamers.

Check out Jamie Johnson on CBBC and iPlayer.

If you finish watching Jamie Johnson you can see Jamie take on a coaching role in Jamie Johnson FC, at Hawx United Academy, where young footballers’ dreams come true - or get crushed. As talented new hopefuls enter the Academy, who has what it takes to make it?

Want more Jamie Johnson?

See if you can join Jamie's team in Rise of the Phoenix or see if you can manage the team to victory. 

Or see if you have you got what it takes to become the star player of HAWX Academy game. 

Already seen Jamie Johnson?

You should check out Mustang FC! A group of friends ditch the sidelines to start their local football club’s first all female team. 

Genre: Factual | Episode length: 28 minutes

Hilarious twin doctors Chris and Xand plus Dr Ronx explore the weirdest and most wonderful bits of medicine. From sneezes and snot to pimples and poo, nothing escapes their crazy experiments!

With all series currently on iPlayer, now is the perfect time to watch every episode.

Check out Operation Ouch on CBBC and iPlayer.

Want more Operation Ouch?

Pilot your way through the human body in 'It takes guts!' or check out this quiz from space.

Already seen Operation Ouch?

You should check out Horrible Histories. Join a cast of crazy, whacky and loveable historical heroes as they take you back through time to find out all the gross, gruesome and downright weird things that have happened through history.

Genre: Cartoon | Episode length: 11 minutes

Excitable penguin Oswaldo and his friends embark on many weird and wonderful adventures as they face the ultimate challenge, surviving school!

Let us tell you, there is nothing more weird but totally loveable than Oswaldo and his friends. And with episodes lasting just 11 minutes, this is the perfect show to pick up in a rush.

Check out Oswaldo on CBBC and iPlayer now.

Want more of Oswaldo?

Escape the robot Reaper3000 and collect all the pizza in Oswaldo: Laser Escape or see if you can spot all these differences.

Already seen Oswaldo?

You should check out Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese (try saying that ten times fast!). Join the hilariously bonkers adventures of an average family - a boy, a girl, a dog, a cat and... er... a piece of cheese. What could possibly go wrong?

Genre: Drama | Episode Length: 22 minutes

A talented group of teenage dancers battle for glory at the Regional Championships. But with enemies, frenemies and love triangles, the real drama happens off the dance floor. With eight series (and a few specials) currently out, now is the perfect time to give it a watch.

Check out The Next Step on CBBC and iPlayer.

Want more The Next Step?

Play as Emily’s assistant studio head and help bring The Next Step to victory at Regionals in this fun game or watch the cast reveal their secrets from the set.

Already seen it?

You should check out Gym Stars. Follow the journeys of young, hopeful gymnasts as they reach for the stars and try to go for gold. Warning: They’re incredible athletes!

Genre: Documentary | Episode Length: 15 minutes

Follow three young brothers who happen to own their own zoo and get up close and personal with Red Pandas, Camels, Gorillas, Lions and more fantastic animals. This show is the perfect mixture of cute animals, fascinating facts and the low down on "what actually happens at a zoo".

Check out One Zoo Three on CBBC and iPlayer.

Want more One Zoo Three?

Head to the rainforest and get ready to embark on an exciting new adventure in the Rainforest Run game, or look at the cutest darn animals you've ever seen in Cute Overload.

Already seen it?

Then check out The Zoo, a comedy series about life at a zoo, from the point of view of the animals.

Genre: Comedy | Film Length: 29 minutes

It’s “Wrong Trousers Day” on 1st July, and what better way to celebrate it then watching the oscar award-winning animated adventure featuring Wallace and Gromit. The duo are plunged into a hilarious tale of skulduggery involving an extraordinary pair of automated trousers and a villainous penguin.

Check out Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers on CBBC and iPlayer.

Want more like Wallace and Gromit?

You should check out Shaun the Sheep! Shaun, Bitzer and the flock are always getting into mischief on the farm. You could even find out which character you are most like or try to win a race in Race the Flock.

Genre: Comedy | Episode Length: 28 minutes

The historical sketch show with gruesome songs, fact-packed quizzes and a whole host of laughs. Expect everything from the Rotten Romans, Vile Victorians, Groovy Greeks and even more amazing historical eras.

There are 10 series (plus some specials) ready to watch, so now is the perfect time to watch Horrible Histories on BBC iPlayer.

Want more Horrible Histories?

Already seen it?

Check out Theodosia, the Egyptian themed show where Theodosia teams up with her friends to fight a powerful secret society set on destroying the world with ancient dark magic.

Genre: Comedy | Episode Length: 25 minutes

Follow intergalactic pop superstar Nova Jones as she tours the universe. But with her little sister as her manager and a whole host of colourful characters along the way, will she be able to keep her cool and sing her heart out?

There are three series worth of earworm worthy songs to dance and sing along to, so check out Nova Jones on BBC iPlayer.

Want more Nova Jones?

Already seen it?

Check out Almost Never, a show about the boy band The Wonderland as they try to make it, while juggling friends, family, school and relationships.

Genre: Anime | Movie Length: 68 minutes

A group of five Genesect settle in a sprawling urban habitat in a big city. However, their nest endangers the city’s power supply and they attack anyone who approaches. Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo sympathises with them, but their clash escalates. Can Ash and his friends stop these powerful Pokémon?

Check out Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened on BBC iPlayer. 

Find even more Pokémon on BBC iPlayer:

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Pokémon: XY

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl

Want more Pokémon?

Watch on BBC iPlayer | Genre: Entertainment | Episode Length: 2.5 hours

Joe Tasker, Shereen Cutkelvin and Stanley the Monster host the live entertainment show where anything can happen! With huge celebrities, games, the best cartoons and lots of slime. Why not chat with other fans in the Saturday Mash-Up Fan Chat or send us your stuff (which could make it on TV!).

Want a similar show?

Check out Blue Peter, the live show every Friday that is full of your favourite celebrities, challenges and fun makes.

Watch on BBC iPlayer | Genre: Drama | Episode Length: 27 minutes

Tracy and Jess seem settled into the cosy seaside town of Cooksea, but things take a turn when Tracy considers becoming a foster parent, and Jess might not be so ready to share her mum. Try figuring out Who’s ‘Dunnit’ or finding out which of The Beaker Girls you are most like.

Watch on BBC iPlayer | Genre: Cartoon | Episode Length: 21 minutes

Goku the mighty Saiyan continues his quest to become stronger, learning new powerful moves and fighting fearsome foes along with equally fearsome allies. Can you help Goku find all of the Dragon Balls?

Want a similar show?

Check out Pokémon: Sun and Moon. Join Ash, Pikachu and the gang as they explore the beautiful Alola region, full of weird and wonderful Pokémon.

Watch on BBC iPlayer | Genre: Animation | Episode length: 11 minutes

Danger Mouse explodes back into action and is instantly dismissed for destroying half of London. Can the world survive without Danger Mouse or will he come back to prove himself as the secret agent of the century. Become the ultimate secret agent in the Tech-cellent Adventure game or find out which character you are most like.

Want a similar show?

Check out Ninja Express. Imagine a delivery service that delivers anything, anywhere and anytime. Now imagine it being run by three little Ninjas with incredible powers!

Watch on BBC iPlayer | Genre: Drama | Film length: 60 minutes

Father and son Len and Joe Spud have very little, but they become overnight billionaires when Len invents a new toilet roll. Joe now has everything he ever wanted - except a friend

If you have younger siblings aged 0-6, then check out...

Genre: Cartoon | Episode length: 7 minutes

One of the greatest shows to watch on BBC iPlayer that the whole family can enjoy. You might watch it with your younger sibling but you'll end up watching it without them! Many parents also watch Bluey, even without their kids! 

Watch Bluey on CBeebies iPlayer now and play some great games and quizzes, and even make Bluey crafts all on the CBeebies website.

Download free CBeebies games and story apps for kids and find out how they can help your child learn while having fun.