11 Travel Activities for Kids: Keep ’Em Smiling and (Mostly) Sane on the Go
Traveling with four kids is a wild ride, isn’t it? Between the “Are we there yet?” chorus and the snack emergencies, keeping little ones entertained can feel like its own special adventure.
We all know a smooth trip comes down to having a few clever activities ready to bring activities for a few hours of travel.
We’re here to share our favorite travel activities, including airplane activities, that help us survive long flights, endless road trips, and everything in between.
Whether you’ve got toddlers or tweens, there’s something for every kid—and every parent who just needs a minute (or three) of peace!
1) Crayola Washable Dry Erase Travel Pack
We absolutely love this one for car rides and waiting rooms, especially with drawing prompts for added fun . The Crayola Washable Dry Erase Travel Pack lets our kids doodle, erase, and start all over as many times as they want—no meltdown over mistakes, thank you very much!
It folds up super compact, and you can stash those markers and a cloth right inside. Two drawing surfaces mean sharing is, well, at least possible.
2) Melissa & Doug On the Go Wipe-Off Activity Pads
We all know road trips with young kids can get real wild, real fast, but these Melissa & Doug On the Go Wipe-Off Activity Pads with various activities for kids are little lifesavers.
They come with two dry-erase markers and tons of word, number, and picture games to keep little hands (and minds) busy.
It’s easy to erase, so we don’t have to hear “I’m done!” every five minutes. They’re super portable, fit in most bags, and perfect for some boredom-busting action on the go.
3) Travel-Sized Uno Card Game
We all know game time can save the day on a long trip instead of relying on screen time . That’s why packing a travel-sized Uno game is such a win!
The cards are tiny, which means they fit in even the most packed bags or purses. This little deck keeps kids (and honestly, us grown-ups) busy on planes, in restaurants, or hanging out at the hotel.
Uno is one of those classics that parents and kids know how to play—even Aunt Linda. Check out options that are pocket-sized and made for travel for serious convenience.
4) Sticker Books from Dollar Store
Let’s be real—sometimes we just need something easy and mess-free. Enter sticker books!
If you haven’t started grabbing these at Dollar Tree, you are missing out. They’re super cheap, take up zero space, and keep kids busy for ages.
Plus, there are tons of themes to choose from—think dinosaurs, animals, and even princesses. We love that these sticker activity books don’t make a mess.
Just toss a few in the bag and we’re good to go!
5) Sketchpad and Colored Pencils
We love a good sketchpad and some colored pencils for car rides or plane trips. Seriously, these are lifesavers when the kids get antsy or need some chill time.
They’re lightweight, not messy, and easy to toss in our bag. Plus, the art doesn’t need to be perfect—it’s all about doodling and having fun.
There are even cute travel-sized options like this sketch pad and colored pencils set, which means less fighting over supplies!
6) Plastilina Modeling Clay
Let’s be real—traveling with toddlers means we gotta pack some magic for those “Are we there yet?” moments. Plastilina modeling clay is totally our secret weapon.
It’s soft, colorful, and super easy for little hands to squish and shape. We can make tiny animals, planets, or even a pretend snack picnic.
Our kids stay busy and creative, and the best part? It doesn’t dry out fast and there’s almost zero mess.
Check out these clay travel ideas for inspo!
7) Travel Scrabble Junior
Okay, Scrabble Junior is a total game-changer for keeping kids busy on the go. It’s like regular Scrabble but way more kid-friendly.
We love that it helps with spelling and reading for older kids , but it still feels like playtime, not homework. The best part? You can find travel-sized versions that are perfect for road trips or flights.
No lost pieces rolling under car seats, and kids can team up or play solo. It’s lightweight and fits right in our bag.
8) Audiobooks via Headphones
We all know travel can get a bit wild, and let’s be honest, sometimes we just need some quiet entertainment . Audiobooks are our go-to for a peaceful ride, and headphones are a total game changer—no fighting over noise!
Kids can pick stories that totally pull them in. We love grabbing audiobooks for kids on our road trips because they keep everyone entertained and chill at the same time.
Check out these tips for listening to audiobooks with kids!
9) Portable Bento Box Snacks
Let’s be real—snacks are the MVP of any trip, and nothing makes us feel fancy like pulling out a cute bento box. We love how we can stack crackers, cheese, fruit, and even a mini chocolate treat all in their own little spots.
Honestly, it saves our sanity when hangry kids start to appear. These travel bento boxes are a lifesaver for mess-free munching.
We don’t have to worry about spills or crushed snacks, and the kids think it’s extra special.
10) Car Seat Snack Tray
Let’s be real for a second—road trips can get wild fast if snacks start flying. That’s why we swear by the car seat snack tray!
It makes snack time way less messy. Our little ones even get a spot for crayons, tiny toys, or a drink.
Most trays have pockets and a flat surface, so everything stays within reach. Some come with cool extras, like an erasable drawing space and straps that actually keep it in place—seriously, check out this travel tray setup.
11) Wooden Lacing Cards by Melissa & Doug
Let’s talk about these wooden lacing cards from Melissa & Doug that are perfect for any child . We’re obsessed!
They’re chunky, colorful, and the laces are the perfect length for tiny hands, just like pipe cleaners . No tiny pieces to lose, so we’re safe from the dreaded toy rescue mission under airplane seats.
Besides being great for quiet play, they help with hand-eye coordination. These lacing cards are our travel MVPs.
Making Travel with Kids Fun and Stress-Free
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be a meltdown marathon. With a little prep and some creativity, we can keep our trips relaxed and our little ones smiling (well, most of the time!).
Packing Tips for Maximum Joy (and Fewer Meltdowns)
When we’re packing for a trip with kiddos, strategy is everything. We always make a checklist for each child—clothes, favorite snacks, and those small comforts from home that stop the “where’s my teddy?” panic at bedtime.
We swear by travel entertainment kits. This might be coloring books, sticker pads, or a small puzzle that fits in a backpack.
Bonus points if the kids help pick what goes inside! It’s funny how much they’re willing to carry when it’s “theirs.”
Another fun move is to pack surprises. We stash away a few dollar store toys or snacks and bust them out when the restlessness starts to hit.
Even headphones and holiday playlists can work wonders on long drives or flights. For more ideas, check out these stress-free family travel tips.
How to Keep Kids Engaged on the Go
Our secret weapon? Mixing up activities all the way. Think travel bingo, I-Spy, or a round of “who can spot the most red cars?”
Easy games keep everyone busy and squabble-free. We love using mess-free crafts like window clings, removable stickers, or magnetic puzzles.
There’s way less cleanup for us and endless fun for them. Digital options can also help—podcasts, audiobooks, or kid-friendly apps pass time without much fuss.
Get more boredom-busting ideas for car journeys that don’t require screens.
When all else fails, snacks save the day. We keep a stash of bite-sized goodies (mini pretzels, grapes, or cereal) in little containers.
Handing these out is a distraction and a mood boost!
Turning Ordinary Moments into Adventures
Travel days can feel looong and a bit dull, but honestly, we have the power to turn those random moments into fun memories, reminding us of our own childhood . With a little creativity, we can help kids see every part of the trip—even waiting in line or sitting in traffic—as part of the adventure.
Creative Games for Long Trips
No one really loves “Are we there yet?” every five minutes. We keep a stash of go-to games ready for that exact reason.
I Spy is classic and works with almost any age. We make travel bingo cards with things like red cars, cows, or funny road signs and cross them off as we spot them.
Another winner: 20 Questions. One person thinks of anything (seriously, anything), and the rest of us guess with yes or no questions.
We also make up stories together. Each person adds a sentence, and honestly, sometimes it gets wild—a cat on a skateboard in Paris? Sure, why not.
For something quieter, coloring books or fun puzzle books work wonders. This list of creative travel activities has even more ideas if we want inspiration beyond the usual stuff.
Encouraging Curiosity (Even in Boring Airports)
Airports can be an energy drain, but honestly, they’re kind of little worlds of their own. We like to flip waiting time into exploration time with scavenger hunts.
Try hunting for weird art or the most colorful suitcase. Maybe see if you can spot someone rocking a funny hat—keeps everyone alert, and, let’s face it, a little entertained.
Lately, we’ve started carrying travel journals for the family . The kids draw or jot down what they notice, glue in boarding passes, or scribble silly things they overhear.
If they need something quiet, this totally works. Plus, they pick up on details they’d usually miss.
Sometimes we invent airport “missions.” Can you spot three airport dogs? Or maybe find a destination board with a city name you’ve never heard of?
These little games help our kiddos see new places with fresh eyes. Suddenly, even a boring gate feels like somewhere worth poking around.
