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Traveling With Children How to Keep the Kids Busy on a Trip

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Going on vacation is an exciting thing for the whole family. What is not always fun, however, is the journey. When you are on your way and everyone is having difficulty being patient, it can seem like everyone has trouble waiting to get there. How can you keep your kids busy on a trip, no matter whether it is by vehicle, train, airplane or any other form? Here are some tips while traveling with children to keep kids busy.

 

Tips for Traveling with Children 

Get Creative Supplies

 

Kids on the floor with dad using a stencil art kit perfect for traveling with children.

 

Bring along the basics such as coloring books, crayons, paper and pens. Your child or children will have plenty of time to create and imagine, and this will give them an outlet. To encourage your children to use these supplies, consider buying a new special art kit especially just for traveling.

This Stencils kit includes a storage case that acts as a lapdesk on while traveling with children. It also includes drawing stencils, blank paper sheets, colored pencils, pencil sharpener, and 2 bonus clips.

 

 

Play Interactive Games

 

 

Always have ideas of games on hand that you can all play together. Some easy picks are games such as “eye spy” and scavenger hunts, where each person has a sheet of items they can check off as they find them during the trip.

You can also play games such as one where you take turns listing items to take on vacation that begin with the letters of the alphabet, in order. To take it up a notch, turn it into a memory game where each person has to remember every item listed before theirs, as well as making up a new one for their letter.

 

Travel Journal

 

A Kid's travel journal to take on family trips. This will keep them busy when traveling with children.

 

If your children are old enough to write, give them each a travel journal. Each child can write about their own vacation highlights. Younger children can draw pictures for their entries instead of using words.

I found a really nice Kids Travel Journal on Amazon. It has puzzles, games, maps of world, North America, and Europe. There are helpful words and phrases in other languages and world facts. There are even travel-related quotes from kid’s books.

 

Game Consoles

 

 

The Nintendo 2DS XL is great for traveling with children on a trip. This one is in black.

 

Game consoles have gotten a bad reputation, but long trips are one instance where they can be useful. Buy each child a new game that will keep him (or her) occupied for the long trip. Give him time limits, and enforce mandatory breaks in order to give his eyes a rest.

One of the hottest new game consoles for kids these days is the Nintendo 2DS XL. This one on Amazon even comes with preloaded.

 

Happy kids riding in a car and an airplane. Traveling with children How to keep the kids busy on a trip.

 

 

Music and Movie Player

 

MP3 player to make traveling with children easier.

 

Having a device to listen to music on is a great idea for all ages when traveling with children. Before you leave, fill the device with music of each child’s choice. If you are going on an airplane, your child’s own headphones can often be used to watch videos on board the aircraft when the airline has them available, instead of renting or buying a pair from the airline.

If you want one with a long battery life and sounds great check out this one the AGPTEK A02 on Amazon. It even comes in multiple colors and amounts of storage so traveling with children can be easy and simple too. (No fighting over who’s is who’s)

 

Portable dvd player is a great option to keep the kids busy when traveling with children.

 

Now if they prefer movies I found the DBPOWER Portable DVD Player with so may extra options on Amazon. It has multiple ways to power it either by car, electric plug and even it’s own power source. You have many different ways to play even by syncing to a tv. Plus it supports a huge array of multimedia not just the basic DVD.

 

Digital Camera

 

Little boy loving his new camera to take pictures on the next trip.

 

If your child has a digital camera, encourage him to take photos while traveling. If he does not have one, consider buying him one, or lending him yours. A digital camera will ensure that he can take as many photos as his heart desires without having to worry about running out of film. Make sure that batteries are freshly charged, or take extras if the camera uses disposable ones.

The Vtech Kidizoom DUO from Amazon is a real digital camera that’s great for kids and durable enough to handle drops and tumbles. It even comes with games preloaded for added fun to keep the kids busy. 

 

Snacks

 

 

Snacks are a must-have on any trip. The traveling time will always be more enjoyable with something to munch on. Bring items that store well even without refrigeration. Items such as veggies and hummus, dried fruit, granola bars, nuts and cheese sticks are fun and work well.

Traveling with children can be hectic, or great fun. It all depends on how well-prepared you are for it. When you are traveling with kids, there are many ways to make it more exciting for them. Put these tips to use and enjoy your travels while watching your children enjoy theirs as well.

In case you missed the other blogs with more travel tips here are the links to the other blogs in the series: 

6 Summer Vacation Hotspots in the U.S.

Budget Travel 5 Ways to Save Money on Summer Vacation

7 Safe Travel Tips for Summer Vacation

Pet Travel Tips for a Safe & Stress-Free Trip 

 

This was a recording of a live video with this blog content I did on my personal Facebook page in case you want to connect for more live content.

 

 

7 Responses to Traveling With Children How to Keep the Kids Busy on a Trip

  1. Kirsta says:

    I am always trepidatious with taking the girls on a trip. It can sometimes be a disaster. My oldest loves her kindle and the only thing that entertains my youngest is snacks and naps. So it’s just a juggling act.

  2. Anna says:

    This is such a great idea. I have to keep this in mind when we travel. I know kids get bored so easily especially if they don’t have much to do while on the travel. Thank you for this post.

  3. Bri Adams says:

    Traveling with kids is always so hard, so thanks for this post. I’m especially excited to try the kids digital camera idea out on our next trip!

  4. These great ideas. I went on a family road trip with my first son and it was perfect. But since then we added 3 more kids, so these will really come in handy!

  5. I only have a toddler and another one on the way but I’m already looking forward to taking trips with them. Great ideas!

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