How can you keep a child occupied in the car, and what can you do to entertain them on a plane? What to do if they’re tired of all the toys and the journey is still long? And is it even possible to get through a long trip with a child without unnecessary stress?
Before leaving home, parents usually think about snacks, favorite toys, books, and ways to keep children entertained. It is also worth making sure you have everything you need to stay connected while traveling. Staying connected can also make family travel easier. eSIM Plus can give parents convenient access to maps, audiobooks, travel guides, and other useful resources while they’re on the road.
Here are some of the most effective ways to keep young travelers entertained, engaged, and learning along the way.
What to Pack to Keep Kids Entertained
A favorite toy. If your child has one, be sure to take it on the trip. This is an important psychological moment: with their best friend by their side, the child will find it easier to cope with the move, fall asleep in a new place, and experience vivid emotions.
Board games. Choose travel board games with as few small pieces as possible and a compact playing field. Children’s card games don’t take up much space and can be both fun and educational: use them to practice letters and colors, solve riddles, and learn new words.
Magnetic games. They can keep a child occupied for a long time while traveling. Children can dress up a doll, build a house, solve puzzles, or put together a magnetic construction set. The small parts are attached using magnets, so they don’t scatter or get lost easily.
Audio fairy tales and children’s songs. Put together a selection of your favorite fairy tales and songs on a USB drive or disc, download them to your phone or tablet so you can play them through a small speaker, for example, while traveling by train.
Puzzles and lacing games. Older children can be engaged with a variety of puzzles — from Rubik’s Cubes to logic puzzles and mazes. For children aged one and up, try lacing activities as an introduction to puzzles. Putting fairy-tale characters in the correct order, “sewing” apples onto a tree, or repeating a sequence — these are just a few games with lacing.
Coloring books. If a child loves to draw and color pictures, take mess-free coloring books on the road. For example, you can choose ones designed to be colored with special water-based markers. For drawing while traveling, it’s better to choose a good set of colored pencils. Unlike markers, they are less likely to make a mess or stain the seats and interior of a car or airplane.
Finger puppets. These are great because they don’t take up much space, yet they allow you to act out many different stories and fairy tales. They will help you teach your child about safety rules while traveling in a playful way and talk to them about how they’re feeling; they can also make snack time and educational activities more fun.
Road trip bingo. This is a fun game that tests your powers of observation. Prepare and print out cards in advance with a list of things you might encounter on the road: a traffic light, a specific road sign, a police car, a particular town or village or body of water, a railway bridge, and so on.
Suction-cup toys and gel stickers. Kids will be happy to stick them on all smooth surfaces: car or train windows, airplane windows, or a folding tray table. The advantage of these toys is that they leave no marks and are safe to use inside the vehicle. At the same time, gel stickers help develop fine motor skills and imagination.
Books. These are a great option even for those who don’t like reading or don’t yet know how to read. It’s a good idea to choose several slim books of different types: a sticker book, fairy tales, mazes, and adventure games. For younger children, there are engaging books with windows, puzzles, and interactive elements. Older children enjoy looking at “search-and-find books,” where they need to find certain objects or characters in a large picture.
How to Choose Books for a Road Trip
- Take one of the child’s favourites — one they’re happy to hear for the hundredth time.
- Buy at least one new book for the trip. It can be thin and inexpensive; the main thing is that the child hasn’t seen it before the trip.
- Don’t pack only fiction, but also books with games and activities appropriate for your child’s age.
- If you’re travelling by car, it’s a good idea to have a book that can stay in the car. Then the child will look forward to seeing it again, and you will have your own little ritual on the road. Depending on the child’s interests, it could be a storybook or a book with riddles and puzzles.
Simple Tips for Parents for a Smoother Journey
First of all, don’t show your children all the activities and toys you’ve packed for the trip right away. Give them time to play with the toy, then switch to a new one, and put the first one away. Prepare small toys, books, and treats in advance, and give them to your child one at a time every hour. At the same time, you’ll also help them learn to tell time.
If you’re traveling by car, make sure your child is properly secured in a car seat appropriate for their age and size that has been properly installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Another useful thing in the car is a hanging organizer, which will allow the child to take out and put away their toys independently. The compact hanging organizer can also be taken on a plane or train: attach it to the seat in front of you or hang it on a hook from a hook.
Finally, don’t forget about changing the scenery: be sure to take short breaks so the child can stretch and get some fresh air. A little exercise with their parents will also be a great way to entertain your child, and it will be good for adults too.
A long journey can be much easier and more relaxing for you, and it will become an exciting adventure for your child if you plan in advance how to make the journey interesting and enjoyable.
