These DIY Kids Travel Activity Kits is for everyone who needs a boredom buster (or two) to keep kids busy while you travel. Making DIY Kids Travel Activity Kits is easy, low-cost and high-fun. Read on for some screen-free, battery-free, charger-free travel activities for when you are en route with kids…
DIY Kids Travel Activity Kits
What you will need:
- Large pencil case (or a resealable ziplock bag)
- Age appropriate activities (see suggestions below)
That’s all. Really.
OK, I feel you doubting.
Here are some age appropriate travel activity ideas:
Baby/Toddler
- Board books
- Favourite stuffed animal (play hide and seek with it)
- Mirror (for them to look at themselves – adult holds it)
- Teething ring
- Puppets
School age
- Books
- Deck of cards
- Fidget spinners/fidget cubes
- Figures to play with (dinosaurs work well too)
- Lego
- Travel bingo
- Magnet tray + magnetic words/letters
- Crayons + paper
Older kid/tween
- Travel chess/checkers
- Pencil and paper (play hangman or MASH)
- Book/magazine
- Fidget spinner/fidget cube
- Journal
I always keep activity bags within arms reach when we travel (on floor of minivan so I can reach in as needed for Boredom Busters — or under my seat on airplanes). The best activities are the ones you have with you (especially when you hit traffic or your flight is delayed).
I have also included some “surprise” activities in past travel activity kits (tattoos + wet baby wipes, lollipops, new dollar store toy*, snacks – read on below for travel snack suggestions).
*new dollar store toys are especially good for long haul travel…like our 12 our flight to visit our in-laws. Around hour nine…when we are all tired and crabby…a new set of dinosaurs…or a new teapot + teacup…was just the thing to get us over the hump. Bonus: if the dollar store toy gets lost anywhere between here and there…it’s no great loss.
I also keep a few travel activities hidden in my suitcase for the way back. You should too. 😉
Some of the following 20 SCREEN FREE TRAVEL ACTIVITIES were mentioned above…but there are others which you might want to include in your next travel activity kit. (Scroll down for those travel snack suggestions!)
Travel Snacks
And finally, snacks are always a great travel activity idea. It keeps the kids fed and gives them something to do. I put together SNACKS ON A PLANE | 25 NUT-FREE SNACK IDEAS FOR AIRPLANES (which works for cars, minivans, and trains too).
SHARE: What would you put in a travel activity kit?…
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
November 27, 2018 at 5:05 pmThis is a great idea. I’ll definitely keep it in mind for when my daughter is a bit older!
annerbananer1 says
November 27, 2018 at 5:10 pmWhen I was a kid I always had a little travel bag packed for our road trips. Usually a notebook and pens/crayons, some toys, and my CD player.
whispersinspire83 says
November 27, 2018 at 5:49 pmI always have my girls packed with activities. Especially for long trips and even short trips. Thanks for these ideas.
Rachel says
November 27, 2018 at 11:20 pmI had to really think of things to pack to keep my kids entertained. This is a really helpful list.
A Nation of Moms says
November 28, 2018 at 7:58 amI love these ideas! Traveling with kids can be rough, and its nice to have some ideas to keep them occupied during the car ride. I’ll have to be prepared with your ideas next time.
Catalina says
November 28, 2018 at 11:44 amKids get bored so quickly. They need to be always engaged in some activities. Crayons and papers are must have for every family trip!
NJ Nowoselski says
November 28, 2018 at 12:10 pmWe always carried activities, toys etc where ever we went. I sometime see new parents in restaurants with a bored baby and think “you’ll learn” 🙂
Great reminder post!!
Sara Welch says
November 29, 2018 at 1:10 amParenting has come such a long way. Back in the day, you just taught you child to amuse themselves and be quiet. I love these travel kits. They would make traveling so much nicer for the kiddos.
Thena Franssen says
November 29, 2018 at 8:05 amYes to this! I love having activities packed for our kiddos when we travel. This is great!
Cherri Megasko says
November 30, 2018 at 1:18 pmThese are all great ideas. I keep a fidget spinner in my purse so that when we’re out to eat with my grandkids I can pull it out and be a hero!
Sarah Letendre says
December 2, 2018 at 5:18 pmsome really good ideas here , Im so glad my daughter loves to read as it makes travelling so much easier , she can read for a lonnnnng time lol
Calvin says
January 30, 2019 at 3:30 pmGood fun distractions for the young ens