12 Strategies to Keep Kids Entertained During Holiday Travels
Traveling with kids during the holidays can be an adventure or an endurance test. Parents often battle long car rides, airport delays, and packed itineraries to keep little ones from becoming cranky travelers. With some planning, holiday trips can be a goldmine of family happy memories.
A little creativity goes a long way, from the road to the train to the sky, helping keep kids entertained and parents relaxed during travel. Below are some practical tactics to turn restless hours into an enjoyable experience for everyone in the family.
Encourage Quiet Time
Schedule some free time on travel day to keep things relaxed and stress-free. Encourage kids to read, doodle, or simply unwind with soft music. These quiet moments allow everyone to recharge—helping kids reset their energy levels and giving parents a much-needed breather. It’s a simple way to ensure everyone starts the journey feeling calm and refreshed.
Bring a Surprise Bag
Pack a small bag of inexpensive toys, puzzles, or crafts your kids haven’t seen. Think of it as your secret weapon. When the grumbles begin, whip out a new surprise. It’s a great novelty factor, and watching their faces light up is great.
Create a Travel Journal
Let each child have a travel journal. Add crayons, stickers, and glue sticks so they can record their adventure with drawings, tickets, and postcards. Besides, it keeps their hands busy, and you see the trip through their eyes.
Audiobooks
Hands-free is sometimes the best entertainment. Before you set off, download a few kid-friendly audiobooks or storytelling podcasts for them to hear. These can entertain the kids while parents get a break. Bonus points if the whole family will listen together.
Pack a Snack Station
The enemy of peaceful travel is hunger-induced crankiness. Set up a mini snack station with a bunch of different things. When hunger strikes, choose mess-free options like granola bars, dried fruit, and crackers, and let them pick what they want.
Travel Games
Road trips and flights have no better friend than classic travel games like “I Spy” or “20 Questions.” Make bingo cards or a scavenger hunt themed to your route for some fun. This is an old-school solution, but it works like a charm.
Screen Time With a Twist
Tablets are a lifesaver, but make screen time special. Load a few movies, educational apps, or games they haven’t played before. It can be used as a reward or distraction while on long stretches of travel. Don’t forget to pack headphones for everyone’s sanity!
DIY Art Kit
Put a small container together with art supplies such as washable markers, mini coloring books, and stencils. For kids a little older, try cross-stitch kits or origami paper. A dull moment becomes a masterpiece when you sprinkle a little creativity across the canvas.
Involve Them in the Planning
Let your kids help with the trip, for instance, picking a playlist for the car ride or choosing what snacks to take along gives them a sense of control, and reduces complaints. You’ll also learn what they’re most excited about on the journey.
Stretch Breaks
Kids have a lot of energy and don’t sit still for hours, so plan to take stretch breaks often during road trips. A rest stop at a quick game of tag can mean all the difference. On flights, walk up and down the aisle when possible.
Pack a Comfort Kit
Little ones can find travel overwhelming, so stuff their comfort kit with their favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or pillow. Having a little bit of home with them is a great way to ease nerves and make naptime on the go so much easier.
Themed Activities
Adjust your activities to your destination. If you’re going to the beach, take seashell coloring books along. If you’re visiting the mountains, try wildlife bingo. It keeps them busy and gets them excited for the trip ahead.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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