Are we there yet? Oh the joys of traveling with kids! Guess what? It doesn’t have to be painful. A little planning and prep can go a long way in making the journey as enjoyable for your little one as the destination. Here are some ideas for packing the ultimate travel activity kit for your kids.
Art Supplies
Some crayons and a coloring book can go a long ways when it comes to keeping your child busy on the go. Not only are these staples easy to pack and relatively mess-free, but coloring is good for your child’s mind, too! Here are some other art products that are great for on-the-go fun:
- Crayola Color Wonder Travel Tote Mess-free magic markers and special paper in the perfect carrying case.
- Travel AquaDoodle Just add water to the pens for clean drawing on the go.
- Fisher Price Doodle Pro Travel Another mess-free option that provides fun for all ages.
- Alex Toys Markers To Go Comes with 100 markers in a nifty, compact carrying case.
- Kids On the Go Art Lap Desk Provides a desktop for art on the go AND it holds all your supplies.
Books
Make sure you bring along a few of your child’s favorite books, but throw in a couple of new ones, too! If buying books isn’t in your budget, make a trip to the library in advance. Even if they don’t spend the whole journey reading, there really is no better way to pass up the travel time.
If your child is old enough, consider starting a chapter book with them on your travels! Reading out loud is a great way to engage with them and pass the time. Classics like Charlotte’s Web and The Wizard of Oz are good ones to start with.
Technology
Cut yourself some slack and consider loosening technology time limits when you’re on the go. If anything, do it for your sanity! A portable DVD player and your child’s favorite cartoon or movie can go a long way when it comes to making your trip whine-free. Or, hand over your smartphone or tablet and let them play educational games. Consider investing in a good pair of child-sized headphones so that you can enjoy some quiet time, too!
Games
Not only are there hundreds of ideas for awesome travel games online, but nowadays you can even buy family classic board games in portable, easy to manage travel versions. For older kiddos, check out this travel Scrabble game or a travel version of Trouble. For young ones (babies & toddlers), bring a blanket for naps that can also make for some peekaboo fun!
Some Special Surprises
Do you want to know a trick to some extra fun travel time? Bring along a handful of wrapped gifts for your kiddo! Hit up discount bins or dollar sections at your local store to find knick-knacks that would excite them. You can also consider wrapping up things that you already own and make it “surprise activity time.” Pull out a wrapped gift at various points along your journey to keep the excitement going. The mystery alone will be enough to keep a smile on your child’s face.
Putting It All Together
What you choose to pack in your child’s travel activity kit depends a lot on your mode of transportation and the amount of space you have to work with. Here are some ideas for flying and car travel.
By Air
If you’re taking a plane to get to your final destination, you’ll probably be focused on packing as light as possible. We recommend dedicating one backpack or a child size rolling suitcase to kid activities and snacks – something you can easily fit under the seat in front of you. Check out these options:
By Car
If it’s a road trip you are planning for, consider something that is easily accessible – something that can be put on the floor in front of your child or between two car seats. Here are a few options we love:
Photo Credit: Dreams To Do
Great ideas for packing the ultimate travel activity kit for our kids. It is good to think outside the box to make the journey as enjoyable for our little ones !
Thanks, Nicole!