Traveling with kids is an adventure, and keeping them entertained on long journeys can be challenging. This article explores clever ways to keep your child entertained while traveling, from road trips and plane rides to train journeys. We’ll also discuss why these tips are helpful for highly sensitive children, who can feel overwhelmed during travel.
I’ll share road trip activities and real-world methods I use to prepare you for your trip. A peaceful car ride equals an stress-free vacation start. It’s especially important to help your child understand what to expect before booking a trip. Letting them know the expectations helps them prepare and plan beforehand, putting them more at ease when the big day finally arrives. This also gives them time to voice any questions or concerns they might have.
Traveling with highly sensitive children (HSP) presents unique challenges. HSPs get overwhelmed easily, but preparation and involvement are key to a successful trip.
One of the key tips is to maintain a flexible itinerary, allowing for spontaneous breaks or changes that cater to your child’s needs. Also, consider creating a “travel comfort kit” filled with familiar items, such as favorite snacks, calming toys, and cozy blankets. This can provide reassurance and comfort during the journey.
Additionally, preparing your child for the trip by discussing what to expect can alleviate anxiety; use social stories or visual schedules to outline the travel process. Another idea to consider is looking through planned activities together and discussing possible tricky situations. You can brainstorm ideas about how to resolve these situations if they do arise.
Another extremely important tip is to encourage your child to express their feelings throughout the journey, reinforcing that it’s perfectly okay to feel overwhelmed at times. You can even empathize by explaining trips can at times feel overwhelming to you, too. By prioritizing their emotional well-being and incorporating these thoughtful strategies, parents can help ensure a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience for the whole family.
Toddlers and preschoolers can be tricky travel companions. Short attention spans require creative approaches, turning fun into what feels like endless “Are we there yet?” questions.
Sensory play can be a great way to engage young children during travel, offering them an opportunity to explore and relax in a stimulating yet calming way. Simple, portable items can make sensory play both fun and soothing. For instance, a small sensory bin filled with soft materials like rice, fabric scraps, or smooth stones can be an excellent tactile experience.
You can also pack a small container of playdoh, which allows children to squeeze, roll, and shape it while soothing their senses. Another option is a set of squishy toys or a fidget cube, which children can manipulate with their hands to release energy and stay calm. These sensory play ideas not only help keep young children entertained, but also offer a comforting way to manage the sensory overload that can often come with travel.
The sky is the limit when it comes to kids and imaginative play. Some tools, like a travel-sized Etch-A-Sketch, can be extremely helpful for bringing imagination to life. Another idea is using an LCD drawing tablet. This lets kids draw and erase with a tap, making long road trips pass by faster. You could also give your little one crayons and encourage them to draw pictures of their stuffed animals.
Another soothing option is a set of soft, plush figurines or dolls, which they can use to create simple, nurturing stories in a low-stress environment. And for children who enjoy quiet, structured activities, consider bringing along a set of story cubes, where they roll the cubes to create unique narratives.
These activities allow sensitive children to retreat into their imagination, offering a calming and enjoyable way to pass the time during travel while reducing sensory overload.
With older kids, interactive activities and involving them in trip prep are game-changers. A simple dollar store purchase can often solve many boredom issues for a long car ride. Have them get materials and create DIY “road trip bingo” that includes common sights you’d see on the road, and whoever wins gets a small prize! Or, opt for a game of Madlibs to keep everyone laughing while encouraging creativity.
Classic license plate and alphabet games are always a win. Spice things up with a restaurant sign I-spy game.
Up the stakes: “First one to spot a yellow car leaving Waffle House.” The sillier, the better. This gets them looking beyond screens.
Screen-free games and a few books spark fun discussions and critical thinking. A “would you rather” game engages kids of all ages. Here are some fun ones to get you started:
For a simple DIY game, fill small fabric bags with various sensory items like a soft cotton ball, smooth stone, rubber ball, or small toy. While in the car, give each child a bag and have them close their eyes. One at a time, they reach in and try to guess the item by touch alone. After each guess, reveal the item and talk about its texture, shape, or other sensory qualities. This game encourages sensory exploration, keeps kids engaged, and offers a calming, screen-free activity for the ride.
Whether on the trip or at your destination, be ready with quiet, screen-free activities. Incorporating quiet time activities can be a wonderful way to help them recharge and find comfort in their surroundings.
Portable and low-maintenance options are ideal for keeping their attention engaged while minimizing sensory overload. Consider bringing along a small sketchbook and colored pencils, allowing them to express their creativity through drawing or coloring. Alternatively, a collection of simple, engaging puzzles or brain teasers can stimulate their minds without being overwhelming.
For younger children, another great option is a set of calming, interactive books, such as “I Spy” or tactile storybooks. These encourage gentle exploration and focus. Also consider providing a sensory-friendly travel kit filled with items like squishy stress balls, calming putty, or textured fabric squares that they can explore quietly in their hands.
For older children, consider letting them choose new books at a bookstore beforehand. Things like magazines and graphic novels are a great choice for some relaxing and fun reading. Older kids may also enjoy a travel journal and some pens so that they can document everything they see along the way. Along that same line, consider getting them a disposable camera so that they can photograph everything they see and add it to the journal once the trip is over.
Engaging kids during travel is all about balancing entertainment with opportunities for them to connect with their surroundings. To keep their interest, consider a mix of activities that cater to different learning styles and preferences.
For younger children, interactive games like “I Spy” or travel-friendly board games can help pass the time while encouraging attention and focus. For older kids, consider audiobooks or podcasts on topics they enjoy, allowing them to unwind while being mentally stimulated. In addition to activities, involve them in the travel experience by giving them small tasks, such as helping to navigate or managing their own travel bag, which helps them feel more invested in the journey. Making regular stops to explore new places, whether it’s a scenic viewpoint or a local landmark, gives them a chance to stretch their legs and be curious.
Ultimately, by blending structured activities with free exploration and giving kids some ownership of the trip, you can keep them engaged and make the travel experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Meet basic needs: snacks, sleep, bathroom breaks. The most important things to do are keep things organized and set realistic expectations. Even small changes improve travel for everyone, resulting in joyful memories.
Keeping your child entertained while traveling combines planning, creativity, and flexibility. Sometimes you find unexpected ways to keep kids happy on a long road trip while creating meaningful family moments. This leads to a calmer, more enjoyable adventure for everyone. It is easier for all of the kids to stay focused on ways to be calm when they see their parents stashing calm, too. So taking these trip games and other suggestions for activities into consideration may just make traveling with the kids a bit more pleasant.
Clever Ways to Keep Your Child Entertained While Traveling
Jill Gilbert
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