Yes, we’ve been talking about summer schedules and travel snacks, so its only natural that I share games and activities to keep kids busy on the plane or in the car or train.
Games and activities, like snacks, are a great way to keep young and older children engaged and makes the journey so much more pleasant and quicker.
So, without much ado, buckle up {because this is a BIG list} and get ready for some fun travel game and activity options for kids of all ages and at all stages:
Baby Travel Games
Keeping a baby engaged during travel is actually not that difficult. Its when they start talking, asking, fidgeting that the trouble starts. Just kidding. No, seriously.
Any ways, if you have a baby as a co-passenger and want to keep her happy and engaged, here are some great options:
1. Car Travel Activities for Babies
This post by Laurel at Moms Minivan has lots of options to help entertain a little one. I personally, loved the Car Seat Activity Center toys.
This post from the folks at Sticky Fingers Travel covers quite a few options that Laurel’s already talked about. Yes, entertainment options are limited when you have a baby traveling with you. Lucky for you, she’ll probably sleep through most of the journey. However, a few good ideas that stuck with me were “Where is Your Nose” since that is something we played a lot of when our daughter was a baby.
Toddler and Preschooler Travel Activity Kits and Games
Ahh, the terrible twos and threes. Actually, they really aren’t that terrible, if you keep them busy and occupied. Trust me, a toddler with nothing to do will make you want to tear your hair out on that flight.
3. Fun Toddler Activities for Road Trips and Car Rides
This post from our archives shares what simple activities kept our toddler occupied as we traveled across the country.
From The Stir, this post has fun ideas such as Treasure Bottles and Photo Contests to keep preschoolers busy during long journeys.
5. Car Travel Games for Toddlers
Another great one from Laurel, this one has tons, literally, tons of fun stuff toddlers and preschoolers could do while on a road or plane trip. Aluminium foil modeling, anyone?
6. Ways to Entertain a Toddler on a Plane
Stuck for inspiration and ideas as you get ready to board a flight with your preschooler in tow? There are 50 ideas in this post to help you keep your kids entertained on a flight, without violating any TSA restrictions or losing your sanity.
7. iPhone and iPad Apps for Little Kids
Now, before I share this post, I debated long and hard with myself. I’m not a fan of giving a toddler an expensive gadget. But there are parents who’re okay with this. So, if you’re comfortable handing your toddler your iPad, you’ll love all these kid-friendly apps to keep them engaged through a journey.
8. Top Toys for Traveling Toddlers
Keep meltdowns at bay with a stash of your toddler’s favorite toys. For us, it means carrying a doodle board, some favorite cars, a couple of dolls and yes, something to snuggle with and nap. But if you’re stuck for ideas, this post will give you some hints on what to pack in the toddler travel toy bag.
Kindergartener Travel Games
Now that our daughter has started school and have moved up to slightly more advanced creative games and activities, here are some options that we will be trying out:
Here are some simple, old-fashioned but super fun games to print out and play with kindergartners in a car or plane. Connect the Dots was a favorite of mine growing up and I’m hoping my daughter will love it too when we travel this summer.
10. Fun Travel Activities and More for School-Aged Kids
Want to practice word-building while traveling? Try this fun Sign Word Change game on your next road trip. Or you could play the Geo Word Game. Yes, there are plenty of fun, interesting games that the whole family can play together in this post at the Family Education site.
Yes, activity books for kindergarteners are a lifesaver. While I make it a point to carry a stash of printables that she can color in, a board that she can place the sheets on , this particular Car Travel Activity Book recently caught my eye. It is really cute and you can later staple everything together and slide it into a folder for a fun keepsake.
12. Simple Kindergarten Travel Games
I particularly liked the Scavenger Hunt ideas listed according to City, Suburbs, Rural and Toddler.
Travel Games for Tweens, Teens and Grown-Ups
13. Creative Travel Games for Kids
I think these word-building and math-related creative games are perfect when traveling with young children.
14. Printable Tween Travel Games and Puzzles
Have a child who loves word searches or crossword puzzles? Print these neat travel-themed puzzles to keep their grey cells ticking while the miles fly past.
15. Entertaining Kids on Planes
Written by two moms who have 6 kids between themselves aged 10 and under, this post covers a lot of ground with fun things that children aged 6 and up can easily do and enjoy while on a plane. I am totally doing the Map Quest with my daughter the next time we fly. Yes, she is only 4, but I’m sure, she’ll enjoy it.
16. 5 Travel Activities for Kids
Great tips and ideas for kids of all ages, actually. Love the idea of turning the car into a classroom!
17. Car Games for Kids and Adults
Some really fun and unusual road trip games for older kids and grown-ups. I can just imagine how much fun a game of Car Cricket will be!
18. Memory Car Games for Teens
A cool video that demonstrates fun word coupling and memorizing games to keep teens busy.
19. Road Trip Games for Kids and Grown-Ups
Some great ideas here, including City, Country, River. We used to play a pen-and-paper version of this as kids. Lots of fun!
20. More Road Trip Games for Adults
While this is written from a tour guide perspective, I don’t see how one can’t adapt it to a regular car trip with adult friends. Chain games, anyone?
What fun travel games do you have to share? Tell us in the comments
Photo Credits:
Photo 1: Michael
Photo 2: Ma1974
