31 March, 2026
Car journeys and kids are among the most stressful parts of parenting
Over half of parents dread long journeys with kids in the back, describing it as one of the most stressful parts of parenting.
86% report making a well-timed pit stop to help make long journeys with under 7s go smoother.
With over 84% of parents with kids planning to travel this weekend, the Britannia Rescue Soft Play Guide launches to help drivers avoid traffic tantrums and backseat breakdowns.
As 84% of UK parents get ready to hit the road this bank holiday weekend, breakdown provider Britannia Rescue is hoping to save drivers from the stress of car journeys with young kids. To help prevent traffic tantrums and backseat breakdowns, a new guide featuring some of the best soft play centres near major motorways in the UK launches, listing the perfect pit stops to break up long journeys.
Families across the UK are set to travel an average of 148 miles this bank holiday weekend, spending an average of four hours in the car with children, so it comes as no surprise that a third (32%) dread long journeys with their kids, with over half (53%) even going as far to say it’s one of the most stressful parts of parenting.
The new research reveals the most testing parts of a long journeys with kids – more than half (51%) of parents said it’s keeping them entertained, while a third (32%) said it’s constant complaints and car sickness (also 32%). With the average parent pestered for snacks four times during a journey and dealing with at least four ‘I’m bored’ moans from the backseat, this new guide collates the best places for caregivers to grab some much needed road trip respite.
In fact, 86% of parents report making a well-timed pit stop to help make long journeys with under 7s go smoother. That’s why the new Britannia Rescue Soft Play Guide features reviews of centres across the country, from Edinburgh and Newcastle, to Bristol and London. Each have been reviewed by undercover parenting influencers and awarded marks for fun factor, parental perks, nap enhancement and overall roadside respite.
Kelly Brady @the_manc_family, parenting influencer says “Every parent shares the same dilemma of keeping the kids entertained over the long weekends and school holidays, and while going on a road trip is a great way to do this, it adds another layer of stress. As a parent to energetic children this guide is the perfect resource to rescue parents and help them plan in pit stops that will make travelling in the car smoother and a more enjoyable experience for the whole family - so the journey is just as fun as the destination.”
Jag Kullar, Head of Trading at Britannia Rescue adds “Rescuing drivers and parents is at the heart of what our 24/7 car breakdown service cover offers, and we’re proud to have been awarded ‘best breakdown service of 2025’ by What Car?*. We know that long car journeys with tired, bored and unsettled children are a tension point shared by so many. That’s exactly why we created this guide, as a valuable resource to help relieve some of the stress that goes into travelling across the country with young kids and also make breaks an enjoyable part of the trip for all of the family."
The Britannia Rescue Soft Play Guide is a free downloadable PDF with the full list of soft play centres including:
- Adventure Forest - Manchester
- Clown Town - London
- Conifox - Edinburgh
- Fun Shack - Newcastle
- Little Centurions - Cheltenham
- Mambo Play - Cardiff
- Play Zone - Swansea
- Snakes & Ladders - London
- Space World - Liverpool
- The Play Shed - Bristol
Notes to Editors
Media contact:
Natasha Gibbs – External Communications Manager
[email protected] / 07385 088 473
Research conducted by 3Gem of 1,000 UK parents with children under the age of 7
*https://www.britanniarescue.com/magazine/breakdown/best-breakdown-service.html
The Britannia Rescue Soft Play Guide PDF can be downloaded here
About Britannia Rescue
Britannia Rescue is part of Allianz UK.
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