15 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained During Long Travel Days
Traveling with kids can be fun, but you need to keep them occupied during long trips. For little ones, the hours spent on planes, trains, or cars can feel like an eternity, whether you’re going to a nearby city or crossing state lines. It is important to keep them engaged so they don’t get restless and cranky on the trip.
Kids can enjoy long travel days, there are so many activities and strategies you can use. Everything from the right mix of entertainment to snacks to breaks is going to help you convert the long hours. Check out these tips for keeping your kids entertained and happy as you travel.
Pack a Travel Kit
Parents need a travel kit, it is a lifesaver. In a small bag, put a bunch of toys, books, coloring supplies, and other things that can easily be taken out to entertain those downtime moments. A favorite book, stuffed animal or a few action figures are a great source of comfort and a puzzle or game will keep them busy. Packing several options is a good idea so it doesn’t get boring.
Download Kid-Friendly Apps
On the road, smartphones and tablets are a parent’s best friend. Games, virtual puzzles, and more kid-friendly apps are plenty to entertain and educate. Download some mix of apps to keep kids entertained before the trip. For language learning, there’s Duolingo, and for imaginative play, Toca Life. As long as screen time is limited though, go for it.
Bring Snacks
A well-timed snack does wonders sometimes keeping your kids at bay. Bring along a variety of healthy and tasty treats, like fruit slices, granola bars, and crackers, as well as a couple of fun, sweet treats. Snacks do more than simply keep hunger at bay; snacks can also distract as well if your child starts getting antsy. Not to mention, it allows you to take a break and refuel.
Plan Frequent Stops
Kids can’t sit through long car trips, so plan some breaks along the way. Try to stop every 2 – 3 hours to stretch your legs, take care of bathroom business, and let the kids run around for a bit. A little physical activity is a good thing to prevent restlessness, whether it’s a rest area, park, or a quirky roadside attraction.
Engage in Storytelling
Storytelling is an age-old tradition and can still capture kids’ imaginations today. If you don’t know what stories you should tell your kids, try recording stories from your own childhood, or just make up some fun tales about their favorite characters or places. With older kids, ask them to make up their own stories and tell them to the group. It’s a good way to get their minds active and engaged with their surroundings.
Create a Travel Journal
Get your kids their own travel journal to write about the trip. They can sketch pictures of things they see, write down their top moments, or paste in souvenirs – ticket stubs, postcards, or seeds. This activity helps pass the time, sparks creativity, and reflects on the trip. It’s also a great keepsake for them to look back on later.
Listen to Audiobooks
For those traveling on a long flight or road trip, audiobooks work perfectly. Pick stories that are both age-appropriate and entertaining; classics such as fairy tales or well-known series work great. Audiobooks are a way for kids to enjoy the narrative without having to focus on a screen and relax. The entire trip feels like you have a personal storyteller with you the entire time!
Host a Mini Talent Show
Have kids put their creative powers to the test by holding a mini talent show. They can sing songs, tell jokes, perform a dance routine, or put on a puppet show. It can also be a fun activity for the whole family to bond and laugh together, and make the journey a little shorter.
Get Crafty
Another great way to keep kids busy on long travel days is to do craft projects. Items such as stickers, colored paper, and markers will keep it simple. You can help them create holiday decorations, draw scenes from the trip, or do postcards. The task is a hands-on activity that helps children focus and imagine, and they may find it distracting during the slower times.
Have a Road Trip Bingo Game
A road trip bingo game is a fun way to keep kids occupied on car trips, looking out the window. Bingo cards with pictures of things they might see along the route (cows, billboards, certain types of vehicles) can be printed out. When they see each item, they can check it off their card. The first to get a line wins a small prize.
Play Classic Games
There are classic travel games for kids of all ages — I Spy, 20 Questions, and the License Plate Game, for example. These games don’t need any preparation and can be played with no materials. Plus, they get kids to pay more attention to what’s around them. No thinking involved, just a good way to waste the time you have waiting around.
Create a Travel-Friendly Playlist
Make a fun playlist for your trip that everyone will enjoy. Add in some of your kids’ favorite tunes, and upbeat music that gets everyone ready for adventure. Singing along to songs you know helps keep things light and fun and a fun playlist can turn a long drive or flight into a mini concert!
Use Educational Games
Educational games turn travel time into learning time. There are so many ways to keep kids’ minds sharp while on the go, from math challenges to geography quizzes. If you’re going to a new place, get them involved by teaching them about the place they’re going. To help them remember or learn something, you can quiz them with landmarks, historical facts, or a local language.
Let Them Choose
Giving kids a little control during the trip can make them feel involved. Giving them a little bit of autonomy whether it’s picking what snack they’re having, or what audiobook they’re gonna listen to can go a long way. It’s a nice way to make the trip not feel like a chore, but more like a shared experience.
Create a Cozy Space
A long travel day can always be made more bearable with just a little comfort now and then. Make a cozy place for your kids to snuggle into with a travel pillow, blanket, or their favorite stuffed animal. Quiet moments will help them relax in a comfortable space. It could also help them nap, and that’s a win for everyone.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
