The thing about vacations is that you can pay out a lot of money and put some serious time into organizing them, but it can be super tough to get any peace and quiet when you are there. Especially if there is a whole family of you staying in one room! Luckily, below you will find all sorts of creative suggestions that will help to keep the little ones gainfully employed and give you the chance to get at least a few moments peace on your next vacation.
Toys
Obviously, kids can't take their entire toy box on vacation with them. However, you can provide each child with a small backpack, and then they can pack up their favorite must-have items for the holiday. Then they have a store of things to keep them happy and comfortable that they can access themselves. It also keeps the room tidy as well, as they have a place to put them back when they aren't using them.
Surprise Bags
Something else that it's worth considering when you are on vacation with little ones are surprise bags. You can buy them ready-made, and themed with their favorite characters, or you can make them yourself by including healthy, edible treats, coloring books, pencils, and games.
Surprise bags are a great way of providing entertainment for the little ones.
It also best to hold these until they start to get a little crabby, or bored and then you can produce them as a surprise. Something that can provide a nice distraction.
Game Apps
If the kids have phones then its also worth downloading some mobile games to keep boredom at bay while in the hotel room, or at dinner during vacations.
Titles for the younger ones include things like Astro Cat’s Solar System, a cartoon based education game that helps kids learn about the planets. Bubble Witch Saga, the addictive bubble popping challenge game is also very popular with kids of all ages.
Obviously, for some kids, these will be too ‘babyish’, and so they will want something a bit more grown up but still fun to play. That means instead of going for something with cutsie characters, ask them the question "do you want to be the hero of your own adventure in Final Fantasy 15? I bet they will say yes, as this is a game where they get to build their very own world and fight against evil hordes, all in the final fantasy universe. Something that kids that are gamers will recognize and love, so it should keep them amused for hours!
Audiobooks
Audiobooks are another way of entertaining the kids or even the whole family on vacation. They are a bit different than taking a portable DVD player too because the kids can still play, and have fun and seeing new things around them. They also get to use their imagination like they would so if they were reading.
Of course, if you can't agree on a book for the whole family then you can just allow each child to download an audiobook app onto their phone and use their headphones. Something that can provide you with a few moment of peace in the evenings, or during meal times on vacation too.
18 travelers' comments:
These are all great ways to keep the kids entertained during a long trip. We always make sure they have their earphones so they can play games and listen to music without disturbing others. Taking frequent breaks also helps with the boredom.
With built in wifi and movies the kids have it so much better traveling. All of these ideas will keep them entertained and happy travelers.
These are some great ideas! My kids do have apps downloaded on their phones. They mostly listen to music though. If they start to get whiney, I tell them to read a book and go back to reading my book. They are old enough to figure it out on their own, thank goodness.
Trps in the car are usually full of anticipation but there can be some boredom. I always like to play games with the cars we pass or hangman if necessary.
Great ideas for keeping the kidos busy while traveling. I use to take all kinds of books and puzzles when we traveled before smartphones.
These are all wonderful ideas for traveling. Audio books and games are a favorite in my home. The kiddos are pretty good at downloading apps on their own. Sometimes I'll also text a few of my favorites.
Great tips. We pack activity books, download movies onto their tablets for long trips and their fave tunes and EARBUDS.
These are great tips, which we also use on long car rides. We always have surprise bags with small treats & prizes. We also sometimes download new kid's games too!
Excellent suggestions! Keeping kids busy while traveling is key to avoiding added stress. Mine enjoy watching movies and having plenty of snacks.
These are great ideas for how to keep the kids entertained on a road trip! I always use the surprise bags too! One time I wrapped all the items in the bag and let them open one an hour.
We used to travel every other week for my husband's work. We listened to so many audiobooks in the car.
I really love the idea of surprise bags. When we take long road trips, I make my little one a surprise toy box (with a shoe box) and it can keep him entertained for hours.
My friend does surprise bags and swears by it. It's so hard to travel with kids, and it's always good to be prepared for long trips!
I love audiobooks and I guess indeed this would really be a new idea to be given to kids for a long journey. Well, having snacks and good games is the first two. - Anosa Malanga
My kids have always been wonderful on a long trip. They do argue, but that happens!
I have done the surprise bags on plane rides to Europe, but nowadays apps are what keep them all entertained on our long car rides.
Great ideas! We love theme parks, but the lines can wear on the kids. I brought surprise bags and a themed Would You Rather game for lines, and it worked like a champ.
We listen to audio books on every trip, which is very often. It's a great way to have a shared experience and makes hte trips move fast.
Post a Comment
I love comments so leave me a line or two and I will follow your trail and comment back.