Call it a busy bag, travel kit, or kids activity bags – these tips will help keep your kids entertained while en route. From day trip to road trip to international flight…I have filled my share of kids activity bags. Here are my kids activity bags suggestions…
Kids Activity Bags
Put all your kid travel activities in a resealable bag! It helps to keep kid stuff organized (and if you travel for with multiple children like I do…it’s helpful for each child to have a dedicated activity bag). A resealable bag is easy to pack in a tote bag or backpack. Easy to store under a car seat or in the pocket in front of you in an airplane. It is a one-stop-shop for entertaining your kids.
Yes, I pack individual kids activity bags (because my kids have a wide age range and thus their entertainment activities are wildly different).
Toddler activity bag ideas
- Board books
- Small toys (small enough to fit in your bag but age-appropriate-enough that they are not choking hazzards)
- Headphones (for airplane or train movies)
- Snacks (dried cereal, pretzels, dried fruit)
- Spill proof water bottle or sippy cup
- Crayons and paper (great for airplanes or trains)
- Their favourite music on cd (for the car)
- Paper cups and plastic spoons (role play stirring, drumming, digging)
The paper cup idea is one of the best (and most free) activities for kids on the go. Next time you stop for coffee, ask for a 2nd cup. Then, pass it back to your toddler and create role play games. Once I had my son repeating “Luke, I am your father” while speaking in a deep voice and talking into the bottom of the cup. It was hilarious for us…and our laughing…encouraged him to repeat it over and over.
Big kid activity bag ideas
- Ipod & headphones
- Magazines
- Homemade Journal (my book Boredom Busters shares how to make this)
- Snacks (dried cereal, pretzels, granola bars)
- Water bottle
- Word search, sodoku, crosswords & pencil
- Gum (for airplane take-off)
I have even gone so far, as to create a word search for my kids based on our trip. Use a word search generator (there are tons of free ones on the internet) and plug in hints and answers based on where you are going and what you will see (i.e. Ocean, Airport, Table, Window, Dock, Hill, Highway).
And as an aside: My Family Travel Packing List might come in handy for your next family trip.
This is a great idea. Even driving half an hour to grandma or grandpa’s house the kids get restless and ask 50 times “are we there yet?”. I like the idea of having separate bags for the girls too since they are 5 years apart. I’d love for you to drop by and share this post on my weekly Just for Kids link-up: http://www.homeschoolingmom4two.com/2014/03/just-for-kids-weekly-link-up-crafts.html
I do the same the excursions more enjoyable for the children and easier on the adults too
I had to do the same thing, if I did not pack separate bags there would of been a lot of fighting going on, and no one wants that when your travelling
That is such a good idea…for adults too lol.
this is a great ideal i love it gonna pin this
This is a great idea! We will be travelling soon and I am going to follow your tips!
what a fantastic idea! I bet this would be great for long amounts of waiting at the docs too!
What a great idea!
what a great idea
Great ideas; did not know there was such a thing as a word search generator!
there are tons of free word search generators all over the internet – so much fun.
Great post! I am a big fan of the traveling activity pack. Car trips to the cottage in the summer would be a nightmare without them!
I like this idea of being prepared so you wont have feel flustered and stressed of feeling you’ve forgotten something
Always be prepared. These activity packs are a life safer. Always relied on them and it’s fun being creative with them
Super awesome idea to keep the kiddos happy and busy! Thanks!
nice idea. great for grandparents too
great ideas
Thanks!
I Love this idea, I really never thought of this =) and dealing with 10 Children, I think this would be a hit. Thanks so much for sharing =) Love it
This is a great list and it really covers everything from a-z. That will definitely keep kids occupied