How we fell in love with family Audiobooks

(And How They Saved Our Sanity on Road Trips)

When podcasts first started gaining popularity, I avoided them like the plague. Growing up, my dad loved talk radio—and I hated it. The idea of listening to people talk endlessly while

driving sounded absolutely unbearable.

Then I had children.

And as it turns out, there is something worse than political talk on a long drive: kids screaming and fighting in the back seat.

Sure, the Frozen soundtrack helped... for a while. But eventually, even “Let It Go” lost its magic.

Discovering the Magic of Audiobooks

Our friends were big podcast listeners—and audiobookers. They swore it was relaxing and fun for the whole family.

One of many day trips to the beach.

I didn’t get it.

But one day, on a trip to the coast, I caved and purchased Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on audiobook.

A magical thing happened—the kids went silent.

For the first time in forever (lol), the car was peaceful. The story was engaging, the narration was wonderful, and we all found ourselves listening intently. It turned out that I didn’t hate “people talking while driving” after all—it just had to be the right people telling the right story.

And from that trip on, we never looked back.

Listening for Free with the Libby App

Little House on the Prairie-- My personal favorite!

After a few months (and several purchased audiobooks later), we discovered something that made the experience even better: the Libby app.

Libby connects directly with your local library, allowing you to borrow audiobooks (and e-books!) straight to your phone—for free! It’s one of the best homeschool and family resources we’ve found.

Now, instead of buying each new title, we check out audiobooks from our library and listen on the go. Whether it’s a long road trip, a rainy afternoon, or quiet time during homeschool, audiobooks have become a beloved part of our family rhythm.

Our Family’s Favorite Audiobooks

Here are some of our tried-and-true favorites that have kept our whole family entertained and inspired:

Little House on the Prairie series

Sarah, Plain and Tall series

The Green Ember series

Charlotte’s Web

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

The Boxcar Children series

Magic Treehouse series

I Survived series

Story of the World — our homeschool history curriculum!

A Few of Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Podcasts

While audiobooks are our main go-to, we also mix in a few podcasts that our kids love:

Veggie Tales

God’s Big Story

Lamplighter Kids Stories

They’re short, engaging, and full of biblical values—perfect for those in-between moments in the car or around the house.

Why We Love Family Listening

What started as a desperate attempt to stop backseat chaos turned into one of our favorite

family traditions. Listening together has sparked conversations, laughter, and even tears. It’s a way for us to connect while learning and imagining side by side.

Whether you’re homeschooling, taking a long road trip, or just looking for a peaceful afternoon activity, audiobooks are such a simple and joyful way to make ordinary moments meaningful.

Has your family jumped on the audiobook wagon?

What are your favorite stories or podcasts to listen to together? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!

Bible verse of the day;

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7