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As a parent, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of planning a family road trip or a long haul flight with your children. But as the trip approaches, it’s natural to feel a bit of anxiety about how to keep your kids entertained for the duration of the journey.
After all, a long car ride or flight can be a real test of patience for both parents and kids alike. But never fear, because we’re here to help you make the most of your next family vacation with a selection of fun travel activities for kids that will keep them engaged and happy throughout the journey.
Incorporating fun travel activities for kids can have a host of benefits. Not only will it keep them occupied and prevent boredom, but it can also help to foster a sense of adventure and excitement about the journey. It’s a great way to make the trip more enjoyable for the whole family, and it can also serve as a valuable bonding experience.
As you plan your next family road trip or long haul flight, be sure to check out the affiliate links we’ve included in this article for some of our favorite travel toys and games.
These products have been hand-picked by our team and are sure to provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. So sit back, relax, and let’s get started on planning the best family vacation yet!
Fun Games and Activities for Older Kids
When it comes to fun travel activities for kids, older children can often be the trickiest to keep entertained. But with a little bit of creativity and planning, it’s definitely possible to make the trip fun for everyone. Here are a few of our favorite fun games and activities for older kids:
- The license plate game: This classic road trip game is a great way to keep older kids engaged and interested in their surroundings. The premise is simple: players keep a tally of the different license plates they spot on the road, and the first person to spot a certain number of different plates (or a certain combination of letters or numbers) wins. This game is a great way to encourage kids to pay attention to their surroundings, and it can also be a fun way to learn about different states or provinces.
- Mad Libs: These classic fill-in-the-blank stories can be a great way to pass the time on a long trip. They’re also a great way to encourage kids to think creatively and work on their vocabulary. You can find Mad Libs books at most bookstores, or you can even create your own using a template or online generator.
- Printable road trip games: Thanks to the internet, there are a ton of great printable road trip games available for free. These can include everything from crossword puzzles and word searches to coloring pages and scavenger hunts. They’re a great way to keep older kids entertained, and they can also be a fun way to keep kids learning during the trip.
- Travel journal for older kids: Encouraging older kids to keep a travel journal can be a great way to keep them engaged and interested in their surroundings. A journal can be a place for kids to record their observations, thoughts, and feelings about the places they’re visiting. Plus, it will serve as a great keepsake of their trip.
- Other great options for keeping older kids entertained during long trips include audio books, video games, and portable DVD players. Just be sure to set some limits on screen time and encourage kids to take breaks and enjoy the scenery.
With these fun games and activities for older kids, your next family road trip or long haul flight is sure to be a hit with your older children.
Fun Activities for Younger Kids
When it comes to fun travel activities for kids, it can be a bit more of a challenge to keep younger children entertained. But with a little bit of creativity and planning, it’s definitely possible to make the trip fun for everyone. Here are a few of our favorite fun activities for younger kids:
- Activity books and reusable sticker books: These are a great way to keep younger children entertained during long car rides or flights. They come in a wide variety of themes, such as coloring books, mazes, puzzles, and more. Additionally, reusable sticker books allow children to create their own pictures and stories which is a great way for them to express their creativity and imagination.
- The cookie sheet game: This is a great way to keep younger kids entertained during long car trips. All you need is a cookie sheet and some small toys or trinkets. Children can use the cookie sheet as a tray and create different scenes with the toys or trinkets. This is a great way to encourage children to use their fine motor skills and imagination.
- Road trip scavenger hunt: This is a great way to keep younger kids engaged and interested in their surroundings. You can create your own scavenger hunt or use a pre-made one. You can have them look for specific colors, shapes, or objects and have them cross them off a list. This is a great way to encourage children to pay attention to their surroundings.
- Audio books for younger children: Listening to an audio book is a great way to keep younger kids entertained during long car rides or flights. There are a wide variety of age-appropriate books available, such as classic children’s stories, fairy tales, and chapter books. This is a great way to encourage children to use their imagination and to keep them engaged in a story.
- When it comes to fun travel activities for kids, it’s important to keep in mind the age and interests of your children. Younger children may not be able to handle the same activities as older children so it’s important to choose age-appropriate activities. This will ensure that everyone has a great time on your next family vacation.
With these fun activities for younger kids, your next family road trip or long haul flight is sure to be a hit with your younger children.
Best Travel Toys for Young Children
When it comes to traveling with young children, having the right toys and activities can make all the difference. Here are some of our top picks for the best travel toys for young children:
- Travel tray for fine motor skills: A travel tray like this is a great way to keep young children entertained during long car rides or flights. It provides a stable surface for children to play with small toys or do activities such as coloring or drawing. This can help to develop their fine motor skills and keep them engaged.
- New toys for car trips: Bringing along new toys for car trips can be a great way to keep young children entertained. Children are often more interested in new toys and it can be a great way to keep them engaged for longer periods of time.
- Color wonder markers for car windows: These markers are a great way to keep young children entertained during long car rides. They allow children to draw on car windows without making a mess and they only show up on the special paper. This can be a great way to encourage children to use their imagination and to keep them engaged in an activity.
- Portable DVD player for long car rides: A portable DVD player like this can be a great way to keep young children entertained during long car rides. It can be a great way to keep children engaged in a movie or show and can also be a great way to keep them quiet during the trip.
When it comes to the best travel toys for young children, it’s important to choose toys that are age-appropriate and that will keep them engaged for longer periods of time. These are just a few of our top picks for the best travel toys for young children, but there are many more options out there. With the right toys and activities, you can make your next family road trip or long haul flight a hit with your young children.
Tips for Keeping Kids Entertained during Long Trips
Keeping kids entertained during long family road trips or long haul flights can be a challenge. Here are some tips for keeping kids entertained during long trips:
- Limiting screen time: While screens can be a great way to keep kids entertained, it’s important to limit screen time during long trips. Too much screen time can cause eye strain and can also make it harder for kids to sleep. A good rule of thumb is to set a limit of one hour of screen time per day during long trips.
- Incorporating healthy snacks: Snacks can be a great way to keep kids entertained during long trips. However, it’s important to choose healthy snacks that won’t cause a sugar rush or a crash. Some good options include fruits, vegetables, and whole grain crackers.
- Using game pieces and travel trays for fine motor skills: Game pieces and travel trays can be a great way to keep kids entertained during long trips. They provide a stable surface for kids to play with small toys or do activities such as coloring or drawing, which can help to develop their fine motor skills and keep them engaged.
- Encouraging good behavior with rewards: Positive reinforcement can be a great way to encourage good behavior during long trips. You can use rewards such as a special treat or a fun activity to encourage kids to behave well during the trip.
- These are just a few of our favorite tips for keeping kids entertained during long family trips. Every child is different, so it’s important to find what works best for your child. With the right preparation and a good attitude, you can make your next family road trip or long haul flight a success.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, incorporating fun travel activities for kids is an important aspect of making family road trips and long haul flights enjoyable for everyone. From the license plate game and mad libs for older kids to activity books and reusable sticker books for younger children, there are plenty of options available to keep kids entertained during long trips.
As we look ahead to planning our next family vacation, it’s a great idea to incorporate new activities and games to keep things fresh and exciting. Whether it’s a road trip scavenger hunt or a travel journal for older kids, there’s always room to try something new.
At the end of the day, the best way to make family trips fun for kids of all ages is to involve them in the planning process and to be open to trying new things. With the right preparation and a good attitude, you can make your next family road trip or long haul flight a success.
We would love to hear from our readers about their own tips and experiences for road trip activities. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media. Happy travels!
