A long flight or road trip with kids can be tiring, but having a few activities ready can make things a little easier.
Secret grab bags
Take small, inexpensive toys or novelties and wrap them as if they were gifts. Place the wrapped gifts in a bag and let your little traveler pick out a new gift every few hours or so. Having something to look forward to will help kids endure those long hours. Also, unwrapping gifts is fun and will occupy them longer than if you just handed them the toy.
Water reveal books
Water reveal books are basically painting books that use a refillable water pen to reveal fun colors and pictures on thick cardboard pages. The books don’t use paint or dye, so when the page dries, the picture will disappear, and your child can paint right over it. They are perfect for toddlers who want to paint, but parents don’t want to deal with paint on clothes and airplane seats.
Audio storytelling
Listening to interesting audiobooks, mystery podcasts for kids, or full cast radio dramas will occupy kids’ minds (and cut down on screen time and motion sickness). Kids can listen to stories read by entertaining actors and use their imaginations as they follow along, while having the bonus of keeping their eyes closed for long periods of time on the road or in the air.
Magnetic game boards
Chess, checkers, and dot-to-dot boards with magnetic numbers keep players’ game pieces from sliding under seats. Children as young as 3 years old can play alone or with siblings without losing a key piece every time the vehicle turns or experiences turbulence. The game boards lay flat, so they fit easily into an airplane seat pocket.
Interactive travel journals
Give your older children their own travel notebook and some glue sticks, tape, and colorful pens and markers. They can paste in ticket stubs and brochures, draw local architecture, track flight miles, and journal daily memories. Not only will it keep them busy while waiting around during travel, but they’ll have their own custom souvenir from the family trip when they’re finished.
Reusable window clings
Kids will love playing with peel-and-stick window clings on the glass of your car or plane window for hours. These static vinyl clings allow kids to create scenes, move characters, and reinterpret stories as the landscapes change, without any residue when you’re done playing. The stickers don’t take up any luggage space and can be reused when you return home.
Sticky note challenges
A full pack of sticky notes turns into hours of quick, quiet activities when placed on the back of an airplane seat or car window. Write letters or numbers on the notes or draw simple pictures, then have your child match, sort, or organize the notes into patterns on the window. Best of all, they come off easily without ruining anything, so clean-up is easy.
Dry erase activity books
Dry erase books are wonderful because they have endless possibilities. They usually come with mazes, dot-to-dots, word searches, and places to draw. Pair them with some odorless dry erase markers and a small piece of felt eraser, and kids can fill them in, erase, and do them over again. It’s a great way to occupy kids for multiple stages of your trip.
Scavenger hunt lists
Print out a bingo card or checklist of things to look for out the window. You can include items such as different license plates, windmills, water towers, construction vehicles, and airplanes. Reward them with a small prize or sticker when they complete a row.
Lacing and threading cards
Cardboard pieces with shapes cut out and holes punched around the edges are perfect for kids to practice their fine motor skills. Give them yarn or shoelaces and watch them try to thread them in and out of the cards. This will keep them occupied for hours if given enough shapes and colors to try.
Travel-sized LEGO trays
Place a collection of LEGO bricks inside a plastic pencil box and line the bottom with a LEGO baseplate. Your kids will have a portable tray to build characters and scenes without pieces rolling off their laps. When it’s time to put the LEGO bricks away, they’ll snap neatly back into the container.
Handheld water games
Buy your little ones a handheld water pitcher game. There are many arcade games where children press buttons to move water around and slide plastic rings onto pegs. Water pitchers are silent, battery-free, and instantly gratifying. They’re also small enough to toss into your backpack and don’t take up much room.
Tactile modeling clay
Silicone play foam and wax stick play dough won’t leave crumbs or residue on airplane tray tables when your kids get creative. The colorful mediums can be twisted, pulled, and sculpted into endless shapes without drying out. Best of all, they are sticky to themselves and not your car seats.
Trivia and Would-You-Rather
Carrying a deck of child-friendly trivia cards or Would You Rather cards will keep everyone amused. They don’t take up any room in your luggage and will foster communication between you and your kids. Not only that, but you’ll be amazed at the stories and laughter you’ll share playing a simple game of “Would You Rather”.
Picture book puzzles
Search-and-find books with thick pages full of small details help children find things hidden in complicated illustrations. Children tend to focus and explore books with small hidden treasures for longer. They are great to use during quiet time when your child needs something low-key to relax before nap time.
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