Kids' On The Go Travel Activity Ideas
Keeping kids' hands and minds busy when traveling can be a challenge. Here's a list of things we love whether going on long road trips, flying on planes or riding in trains, these items will keep your kiddos engaged and entertained. Advertising Disclosure: We do make a commission on the sale of these items.
Mary Ellen and Jo
7/18/20255 min read
Packable Color Pencil Set
My daughter first received this set at Christmas when we had a 9 hour drive ahead of us. It was perfect for the car ride! Because every pencil is secured in it's own place and all inside a zipable pouch, it makes this set IDEAL for all kinds of travel. The color pencils are high quality and it's been a hit! Find it here on Amazon.
Ok Play Travel Game
We are a big time game family with a massive collection of family board games, but when traveling, we need smaller options. Ok Play is a fantastic packable option you can find on Amazon that can go anywhere with your family. It works with 2-4 players, is durable and waterproof!
P For Pizza Travel Game
Travel games need to be fun, easy, and packable. This one checks all the boxes, plus it's fast-paced and even educational...so win, win, win! This company has a knack for putting out quality, well-reviewed games and P For Pizza earns high marks as well. Find it here on Amazon.
PushPeel Sensory Mat
While it's no secret we LOVE travel, it can be very stressful. Whether it's flight anxiety or being out of our normal routines, sometimes we need calming sensory activities like this PushPeel Sensory Mat on Amazon to help us relax and enjoy the ride. Whether you and/or your kids are nuerodivergent or not, this little mat provides the perfect travel comfort.
Travel Sized Magnetic Tile Set
Even as an adult we love building things with magetic tiles, and kids are able to get so creative with them! This smaller set is perfect for throwing in a backpack and pulling out on an airplane or in the car. It's a travel sized version of the well loved bigger sets. You can grab it here on Amazon.
The Chameleon Game
This is a great game if you have teens traveling with you. It's give 5-start reviews and is quick to play (our favorite time of game). It's award-winning and perfect for family vacations when you're getting together with cousins and friends. We've been known to take large suitcases full of big board games with us at the holidays, but this one on Amazon brings lots of value in a smaller to pack box.
LCD Writing Tablet
LCD writing and drawing tablets like this one on Amazon are so lightweight and easy to travel with. They are affordable, low key and basic...a great thing to toss in your kids' travel bag for the road, plane or train. It's perfect for quiet doodling when you need them to have calm downtime.
Wipeable Search & Find
Pass around the search and find cards, good for a few minutes of quiet in the car or on the plane while your kiddo locks in and focuses on something that doesn't include a screen. Can I get an AMEN? And who doesn't love an old fashioned search and find? We love that these use dry erase markers so as soon as one kid is finished, you can wipe it down and pass along to the next one to complete! Find them here on Amazon.
Funversation Cards for Kids
It's important to connect with our kids through conversation, but sometimes you need tools to make it fun! These cards found on Amazon do just that! We've found conversation starters to be so helpful on long car rides. They help pass the time quickly in a relationship building way thats great for parents and kids alike!
Kids MP3 Player
Do you kids love listening to books or movies? This little mp3 player available on Amazon connects with Amazon Music, Libby, Audible, Spotify and more. There are parents controls that insure your kids can't download any apps you don't approve. Sometimes you just need to let the kids throw on some headphones and listen to books or music quietly on a long journey.
Toddler Soft Busy Book
LCD writing and drawing tablets like this one on Amazon are so lightweight and easy to travel with. They are affordable, low key and basic...a great thing to toss in your kids' travel bag for the road, plane or train. It's perfect for quiet doodling when you need them to have calm downtime.
Kids Headphones
Don't leave home without a quality set of kids' headphones so they can plug into whatever their device of choice. This brand has several different colors and is ideal for ages 3-12. They are lightweight and safe for little ears with appropriate volume.
Reusable Sticker Book
A good reusable sticker book has always been a favorite in our home! It's a quiet activity that's great for fine motor skills and perfect for all kinds of travel! Here's a great option on Amazon and there are other themes too like: Dinosaurs, Farm, Under the Sea and more!
Harry Potter and Princess Owala Water Bottles
No matter where you're traveling or what you're doing, the kids are thirsty! These Harry Potter and Princess themed Owala water bottles are so cute and functional for travel. If you're new to owalas, you can swig them like a cup or sip them with the built in straw. They are all the rage and perfect for your travel adventures!
Kids Activity Book
Activity books are fantastic for travel. We love when there are a mix of puzzles, games and coloring pages. This particular activity book is even better because it focuses on promoting grateful hearts and confident kiddos. We love activities that are both educational and fun, this book hits the mark!
Toddler Coloring Book
This toddler coloring book found on Amazon is perfect for developing motor skills. It has simple pictures with letters, animals, numbers and more that allow our youngest kiddos to practice and learn in a book tailored just to them! It also has perforated pages so it's easy to tear out and hang their masterpieces on the fridge!
About us
Hi! We're Mary Ellen and Jo, two busy moms and co-hosts of the Wonderland On Points Podcast where we help families learn to travel more for less out of pocket!
