Toddler Travel Activities
With the wonderful weather heading towards us, I’m sure everyone will be doing a lot of traveling. What kind of toddler travel activities can you come up with to keep your child occupied for those long trips? We know how long a trip can feel with a child who is bored or complaining.
If you are looking for more learning activities for your little one, these fun toddler activities are perfect for you!
Traveling with young kids can be a bit stressful, but don’t let it get you down! Clear out boredom and stress by preparing as early as now and keeping things interesting while on the move with these essential travel activities for your little one.
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How Do I Entertain My Toddler While Traveling?
Traveling with toddlers can be a bit challenging for us parents. Long flights or car rides can feel prolonged when your child is bored, restless, and worst — crying! However, with a bit of preparation, plus a lot of creativity, you can turn your travel time into a joyful experience not just for your kids but also for you.
In this blog post, I will share some fun, simple, and engaging travel activities ideas to keep your toddler occupied and happy during your journey!
Bring a bag full of surprises
One of the best ways to entertain your little kids while traveling is to bring surprises! Pack a mix of new and familiar items that your child can explore during the journey. For example, you can include small toys, books, snacks, stickers, coloring books, and a tablet with pre-loaded games or videos. The key is to stagger the surprises, so your child gets something new to play with every few hours.
Recommended Toddler Games and Toys for Traveling
Check out these fun toddler toys and games you can bring on your next travel!
beetoy Sensory Buckle Pillow Zipper Toys for Toddlers 1-3, Toddler Travel Toys for Plane Keep Baby Busy Activity ToysBuckle Toys – Buster Square – Learning Activity Toy – Develop Fine Motor Skills and Problem Solving – Toddler Travel Essential – Educational Classroom Must HaveBusy Board Toddlers Sensory Activity – Montessori Toys 1 Year Old Boy Airplane Travel Essentials Kids Ages 1-3 Road Trip Games Quiet BookMontessori Toys for 18M+, Food Grade Silicone Pull String Activity Toy, Sensory Toys for Toddlers, Travel Toys for Babies, Baby Toys Fine Motor Skills Toys Gift for 18m+Ccinnoe Erasable Doodle Book for Kids-Toddlers Activity Toys Reusable Drawing Pads with 12 Watercolor Pens, Preschool Travel Art Toy, Road Trip Car Game Writing Painting SetLearning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog Fidget Friend -Ages 18+ months Fine Motor and Sensory Play Toy,Educational Toys for Toddlers, Toddler Montessori Toys
Let your child explore the during breaks
If you’re on a road trip, you can take advantage of frequent breaks and let your toddler explore their surroundings. It’s a great way to burn off some of your kid’s energy and stimulate their curiosity at the same time.
Use screen time wisely
While technology can be a double-edged sword, it can also be a lifesaver when you are traveling with small kids. Age-appropriate online games or videos can be a great tool to keep your child occupied during a long flight or a car ride.
Be prepared for the worst
Finally, when traveling with toddlers, it’s important to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Planning is the key! Prepare extra snacks, diapers, and clothes in case of unexpected scenarios. It is also smart to bring a first-aid kit with essential medicines and band-aids!
And most importantly, Always stay calm and try to keep your cool even if things don’t go as planned. Your child reflects your travel energy, so try to stay positive and open-minded!
Recommended Toddler Books for Traveling
Have a hassle-free journey with your energetic toddler with these fun travel theme books you can carry during long driving or long flight hours.
Going on an Airplane: A Toddler Prep Book (Toddler Prep Books)Best Trip Ever: The Vacation Travel Book for Toddlers, Kids, and Parents (Big Heart, Little Laughs)We are Going on an Airplane: A Book to Prepare Young Children & Toddlers For Their First Flight.Indestructibles: Things That Go!: Chew Proof · Rip Proof · Nontoxic · 100% Washable (Book for Babies, Newborn Books, Vehicle Books, Safe to Chew)The Little Airplane’s Big Adventure: Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride!Going on a Road Trip: A Toddler Prep Book (Toddler Prep Books)
Toddler Travel Activities
Avoid boredom (and a few tantrums on the side) during long travel periods with your little ones with these super fun toddler travel activities!
Get out your felt and scissors, cut out some bright fun shapes and use them to decorate your dinosaurs.
If you're flying, get out some crayons for your little one to color some airplanes.
This color matching activity fits perfectly into a ziploc bag.
Practice your fine motor skills to learn about colors.
Create this montessori-inspired educational busy bag for road trips! These busy bags are simple and frugal to put together, and designed with preschool in mind. Different activities range from color matching, shape matching, and more.
If you travel often or have a particularly long road trip you're taking, make these travel activity binders for some electronic-free fun! For some of the worksheets, put them in clear plastic sheet so you can reuse them.
For the Lego fans in your family, make this DIY portable Lego kit, which comes with activity cards. Build different combinations according to the activity card.
Although this backpack kit was designed for airplane travel in mind, it can be easily customized for a road trip!
Low mess and easy to pack, these craft stick activities can be educational, or a fun way to pass the time.
Sometimes, an iPad can be an easy way to occupy kids for a bit. Here are 16 educational apps for toddlers, ranging from patterns, math, and letters.
Road trips don't have to be boring - here are some activities for sprucing up a long car ride.
In this pack, explore fun games such as Road sign Bingo, Lego I Spy, and more!
Hidden picture puzzles are great for all ages and provide endless fun, and maybe some backseat competition!
Play Bingo on the road with this free printable! Search for things like a
wind mill, or orange cones! The visual pictures are great for younger
players.
Here are 40+ tips for road trips with toddlers and preschoolers! From fun games to road trip must-haves and helpful tips, these 40 tips will save your sanity for the next family road trip!
Let creativity run wild with these building activities! Activities for colors, shapes, and numbers are included.
Create these mini coloring cases for a small, on-the-go activity that you can practically take anywhere.
Traveling with toddlers is not an easy feat, but it can also be a fun and memorable experience if you plan ahead of time and try these simple and enjoyable toddler travel activities! Remember, each journey is a new adventure, especially for your kids, so embrace it with a calm mind, creativity, and a sense of humor. Happy travels!
More Toddler Activities
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How to Make a Toddler Activity Box
Toddler Play with Straws and Cotton Swabs
Baby and Toddler Approved Edible Paint Recipe
Pouring Station Activity for Toddlers by Busy Toddler
Pom Pom Tube Drop: Toddler Developmental Activity by Teaching Littles