Even if you’re a seasoned pro and have everything about your trip planned meticulously, traveling can be stressful. As a parent, you know that’s especially true when traveling with kids!
It’s hard enough for us, as adults, to be focused and at ease in the throes of getting from one place to another. It’s easy to understand how they feel.
They are kids.
Being confined and controlled is simply not within their scope of comprehension!
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How do I keep my child happy during travel?
As parents, we have to make sure every aspect of the trip goes according to plan. That means the first order of business, is to answer the big question. “How do I keep my kids happy, calm, and entertained, while I concentrate on getting from point A to point B?”
When my son was younger, we used a variety of things to keep him busy and smiling when traveling. And believe me, we traveled often enough to see the grandparents. Imagination was necessary!
With just a little pre-planning, you can have a great variety of entertaining things for your children, without having to pack a lot of things or anything messy in the process. This article is meant to help inspire you to get creative with distraction techniques, the next time you go on a trip with children.
Spoiler Alert!
I must admit, we are those parents that see the upside to allowing our son to use electronics while traveling. The “Are we there yet?” questions are fewer and further between when the kids have something on a screen to keep their attention.
Of course, compatible headphones or ear pods are highly recommended!
1. Amazon Kids Fire Tablet
The kids Fire tablet is such a good option for travel activities, because you can download movies and games to take on the go. There have been plenty of times when we have downloaded a few episodes of my son’s favorite tv show or movies, or games. We do this a day or so before the trip. We make sure the tablet is fully charged the night before, and he is good to go for a few hours before boredom starts to set in!
For the younger kids (ages 3-8), the more durable Fire 7 tablet is recommended. For older kids, the Fire 10 tablet is more suitable.
If you go to Amazon’s Apps & Games page, there are 1000’s of kids downloads you can browse by category and tablet model.
If you’re concerned about storage space, you can pick up an SD card for the kindle that will resolve that problem very inexpensively!
2. LCD Writing Tablet/Drawing Board
I wish we had these tablets when we were growing up! Tho, I suppose we had our own similar version in the Etch-A-Sketch. These tablets are of course, much more sophisticated and versatile, allowing you to draw or write in any direction, style, etc. This is definitely one way to keep the kiddos entertained through the tedious parts of travel!
3. Travel Journal
This journal does far more than simply keep the kids busy and entertained. It helps them to feel more included in the planning of the trip, and it gets them super excited about what is yet to come! With the fun interactive activities and journal prompts included throughout, the kids won’t have time to consider boredom!
4. Sticker Activity Book
Kids love coloring and they love stickers. This particular activity book comes with 14 different jungle theme pages, where kids can apply the corresponding stickers and color other parts in as they choose! It’s a great way for kids to pass the time in a car or on a plane, and it encourages their creativity!
5. Activity Books (3-7 years) and (9-11 years)
Most kids love activity books. I know I did when I was younger. I loved the diversity of an all-in-one type of activity book. If I got tired of the word finds, I could flip the page to a maze or connect the dot. It’s hard to get bored with so many options!
6. Wipe Off Activity Game Pad
Gone are the days of having to carry around a paper tablet and pencils! This cute little game pad comes with 17 pre-filled game pages and a page for free form drawing. It comes with 2 dry erase pens and hours of fun! Again, something else we could’ve used when we were kids!
7. Magnetic Games
Board games are always a lot of fun, especially when they are the popular old school games like Checkers, Chess, and Tic-Tac-Toe! The pieces are magnetic and the game boards are compact and easy to bring along on any trip. This is one of the best activity ideas for kids when traveling! It never gets old.
8. Handheld Games
We purchased this game for our son a few years back and he loves it. It wasn’t the first gift he went to that Christmas, but when he did check it out, he spent hours doing so! With several different modes of speed, multiple challenges and levels, this is one of the better hand held games we have come across! Great modern Rubik’s Cube alternative!
9. Mess Free Coloring Activity Set
This is an awesome travel game for kids who take their art seriously! When you can’t bring along their art kit, this is the second best thing. There are 18 coloring pages and 5 markers. The best part – the markers will only work on the special paper included! There are no worries about stains being left on clothes, seats, or hands. Completely mess free activity kids will enjoy for hours!
10. “Would You Rather” Joke Book
It’s almost like the game of “Truth Or Dare” and a joke book had a baby! I don’t know what it is about these silly questions that get the kids howling with laughter, but it does do that! My son has been known to ask his friends and even us, those weird choice questions from time to time. The important thing is that this book will definitely keep the kids cheerful and busy!
11. I Spy Cards or Scavenger Hunt Cards
Made specifically for traveling, these old school games will keep the kids entertained for hours at the same time they keep their attention on the actual trip! When you’re looking for an activity that doesn’t involve screen time, these card games are the perfect interactive go to!
12. National Geographic Road Trip Atlas
This is an awesome book I came across, that is perfect for all ages! It features maps, state symbols, roadside attractions, and fun facts for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It includes colorful photos throughout and the naturally engaging approach that National Geographic is known for. The best part is, the kids will learn to read road maps along the way…something everyone should know how to do even if GPS does exist!
13. Rubik’s Cube
What can I say about the Rubik’s Cube that hasn’t already been stated a million times over? Yes. It is a brainier teaser and sometimes, an infuriating one to boot! It will keep the kids occupied and silent for some time, though! Always a great activity to keep around for any occasion!
14. Audiobooks
My family prefers paperback books more than anything, when it comes to reading materials. That’s why I was so surprised to find that a lot of kids are getting into audiobooks! It make sense. You don’t have to worry about digging for or damaging books during travel. They get their favorite stories told to them while they still pay attention to their surroundings and the trip itself! Love it!
15. Wikki Stix
Wikki Stix have become quite the “new thing” in recent years. You can do so much with them! When the kids are bored with the activity books and coloring, hand them some of these bendy little sticks and see what they create. You can take them anywhere and it will keep the kids’ imaginations active!
16. License Plate Game
A game that has been around forever, and one that many have enjoyed a few times in their lives! This one was created by a dad and comes with a map for keeping track of the plates seen along the way. It keeps the kids engaged with the rest of the family and they get a bit of an education at the same time! The best part is…this particular version is FREE and printable!
17. 50 Things To Do On A Plane Avtivity Cards
There really isn’t a whole lot you can do when you’re on a plane, surrounded by other passengers and with very little room to move. Or at least, that’s what you would think! This interactive game says that conclusion is wrong. Someone out there came up with 50 different entertaining activities and ways to pass time on an airplane. This set includes activities for kids and adults alike, as well as games for 1 player or several. Easy to pack, takes very little space, and does it’s job of keeping everyone in good spirits!
18. Monopoly Deal Card Game
Yay! One of the most popular games of all time can be played in less time than an afternoon! The fact that it’s portable too, is even better! Like most families, we love the game of Monopoly and the fact that we can play a round in a brief amount of time, gives whole new meaning to game night. The rules are a bit different, but easy to learn, and Bonus: There is no board that can be shoved by sore loosers! They can always throw the cards, I suppose. Lol!
19. Kids Digital Camera
Any kid I’ve ever know, loves to be behind a camera from time to time. These kid proof cameras are digital, giving kids the entire experience of taking the photos and being able to see them immediately on a laptop. They come in different colors and will definitely keep the little ones entertained for hours.
20. Sussed? Card Game
The terminology just gets more confusing by day! I only just recently understood what the word “Sussed” means! For those of you who don’t know, it simply means to realize, understand, or discover something. I suppose that’s and accurate name for a card game that requires you to guess what others are thinking.
This particular card game includes silly questions and answer choices. Not only will you learn a little something about your family members, but you will find yourself laughing through the hectic travel part! Great modern game.
Final Thoughts
There are so many things to remember any time you travel. From making sure you have all of your documents and itineraries packed, to surveying the house 5 times on your way out of the door to make sure you didn’t forget something. It can be really overwhelming. The last thing you want to worry about is an antsy child that could distract you from keeping focused!
With some thoughtful planning and just a few of the activities mentioned above, you will be well prepared for your family trip, small or large. All of these activities can easily be packed in a small personal carry on, so the kids have access to all of their goodies. That leaves you to keep track of the more important things, such as getting your family to the right destination, safely and in good spirits 🙂
Do you have a specific activity or idea you rely on to get through traveling with children? If so, let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to share on social. Your friends might like these tips as well!
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I love the license plate game idea!!
Me too, especially since I think everyone kinda likes to notice license plates anyway, when traveling, regardless of age 🙂
There are so many fun ideas for traveling with kids! I loved playing the license plate game and had my own travel journal/activity binder that I could color each states plate when I was younger.
That’s awesome! “I Spy” was always a favorite when I was younger and we have definitely played that one with our own son on longer trips!
Great idea, for long flights! And kids!
And the parents 😉 Thanks for reading!
Great suggestions. My kids are all grown up now. Traveling when they were young always made me nervous but they usually did well.
We’ve never had much of a problem with our son, but certain activities and games certainly did make the travel time more fun!