Family car journey games such as I spy at risk of disappearing as children prefer electronic gadgets to beat boredom, finds Hertz Family Travel Report

* 73% of parents say their children would rather play on tablets and games consoles than join in with traditional car games

* Families go on more car holidays than ever as modern technology makes it easier to keep youngsters entertained

LONDON, Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Traditional car journey games such as I spy are at risk of dying out because children prefer playing with electronic gadgets to entertain themselves during family holidays, according to research by Hertz, the world's leading general use car rental brand. 

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As the school summer holidays begin, the Hertz Family Travel Report reveals that only a quarter (27%) of children now favour old-fashioned distractions such as 20 questions or number plate games to pass the time during long car journeys with their parents. 

However, the findings suggest that while more than half (55%) of parents complain that their children become too fixated on their tablet computers and video games, three-quarters (73%) say it is easier than ever to take youngsters on road trips because the gadgets keep them better occupied. The trend may explain why three-quarters (75%) of parents say they can travel further afield on family road trips than when they were young. 

The poll discloses that motoring holidays are becoming more widespread, with 99% of people taking to the roads with their families at least once a year, up from 96% for the previous generation. 

Parents named digital entertainment for children as the biggest difference between today's outings and those of their own youth, with half identifying it as the most significant change in travel habits. 

Commenting on the findings, Dr David Holmes, a leading British psychologist and author, said: "Gadgets and video games present a double-edged sword for parents. On one hand, they can take the stress out of long journeys as they are brilliant at keeping youngsters entertained and reducing the cries of 'are we there yet?'. However, in an age where children spend so much of their lives staring at screens, games like 'I spy' are important ways of interacting with youngsters, encouraging them to absorb their surroundings and expanding their vocabulary."