Fast food nation – the rise of the kids car seat dinner
- Four million parents are feeding their kids meals in the car each month, with breakfast the most commonly served in the car seat
- On average kids that eat meals in the car do so seven times a month
- A quarter of parents blame not having time to eat between activities and a fifth of parents say they don’t always have time to eat at home
Nearly four million1 parents are now feeding their children breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the car reveals new research from Churchill motor insurance2. Kids that eat car seat dinners on average do so seven times a month. Mornings are often hectic, with many parents and kids getting ready for work and school, so it’s perhaps not surprising that breakfast is the most common meal kids eat in the car – three times a month on average, compared with twice a month for both lunch and dinner.
Many parents are turning to mobile mealtimes to keep up with busy family schedules. Work, school, sports, and extracurricular activities mean one in five (21 per cent) time-strapped parents are finding it difficult to find the time to squeeze in traditional sit-down meals at home. Almost a third of parents (30 per cent) see eating in the car as a treat for their children, a quarter (25 per cent) do so due to lack of time between activities, and 22 per cent cite being in a hurry as the reason.
Table one: Reasons parents opt to feed their children in the car
| Reason why parents feed their children meals in the car | Percentage |
| As a treat | 30 per cent |
| We do not have time to go home to eat between activities | 25 per cent |
| They are hungry after school / nursery/activities | 23 per cent |
| We are always in hurry | 22 per cent |
| We do not always have time to eat at home | 21 per cent |
| It is just more convenient to eat in the car | 20 per cent |
| We would be home too late to eat dinner otherwise | 19 per cent |
| To keep them occupied whilst we are in the car | 18 per cent |
| They prefer eating in the car to eating at home | 15 per cent |
| We do not always have time to cook at home | 15 per cent |
| I do not have a dining area available | Eight per cent |
Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025
Many parents plan ahead, bringing food prepared or brought from home (42 per cent), while 41 per cent feed their children meals from drive throughs and around a third (31 per cent) purchase food from a café, bakery, restaurant or fast-food outlet. On top of meals eaten in the car, 42 per cent of parents also give their kids snacks to eat in the car.
Table two: Where the food comes through being eaten in the car
| Where parents get the food that they feed kids in the car | Percentage |
| Food I made at home / brought from home | 42 per cent |
| A drive through | 41 per cent |
| A café, bakery restaurant or fast-food outlet, which did not have a drive through | 31 per cent |
| Purchased from a supermarket | 30 per cent |
| A service station | 26 per cent |
| A garage / filling station | 21 per cent |
Source: Churchill motor insurance 2025
Laura Oduntan, founder of the 5am mama and mumfluencer, commented: “As a mum of two girls, I know first-hand how hectic family life can be. I try to prioritise family meal times, but sometimes it’s just not possible between gymnastics, birthday parties, work commitments and the school run.
“It’s no wonder Churchill’s new research shows that one in five parents are struggling to fit in traditional sit-down meals.
“I’ve definitely been there, eating breakfast on the way to school is sometimes the only way we make it on time!
“But I’m always aware that safety has to come first, and I’ve learnt to keep things simple, avoid choking hazards and distractions, making sure the girls are sorted before we set off.
“Life isn’t always picture-perfect, especially when juggling family life, but we make it work and sometimes that means a car picnic.”
Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, added: “Backseat distractions from hungry children can be challenging for drivers, but it is crucial to stay focused and prioritise safe driving. Finding the time to balance work, family commitments, and children’s busy social lives, including sports clubs, birthday parties, and after-school activities, can make makes traditional family mealtimes difficult. So, it is no surprise that meals on the go have become a necessity for many time-strapped families."
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For further information please contact:
Direct Line Group:
Unni Henry
PR Manager
Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk
Notes to editors
On a nationally representative survey of 2000 UK adults, 147 are letting their children eat meals in their cars at least once a month. 147 / 2000 * 54196443 (UK adult population) = 3,983,439 (rounded to 4 million)
The research was conducted by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults. The data was collected between 31st January and 4th February 2025. Opinium abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles and is a member of the British Polling Council.
Churchill
Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.
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Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
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