If you're taking young children on a plane, train, or bus, consider playing games to pass the time. You can play games like "I Spy" or "20 Questions," or make up your own game using objects within sight. You might also bring along games and toys such as coloring books - decks of cards, crossword puzzles, and stuffed animals.
Why Travel Games That Keep Kids Entertained Matter
The Games on the Go Activity Book provides amusement and learning opportunities for children to enjoy from anywhere with over 100 brilliant brain teasers, games and activities. This book is perfect for road trips, airplane rides - rainy days, doctor's appointments, restaurants or anytime a child needs some entertainment and stimulation. Activities include word searches, mazes, spot the differences - puzzles and more, which will keep children engaged for hours.
The FAA prohibits passengers from using baby carriers, booster seats, or backless CRS during ground movement, take-off - or landing. Instead, consider using a child restraint system (CRS) approved for use in aircraft, such as AmSafe's Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES), or a CRS with a lap seat belt.
Making Travel Games Using Objects Within Sight
You might play a round of "I Spy." For example, if you're on a train - you could say, "I spy something green outside the window." Or, if you're on an airplane, you could say, "I spy something made of metal above my head."
Think of an object or person within sight - and have the other players try to guess what it's. You can make guesses harder or easier by giving hints or clues.
For example, if you're on a train and you see another passenger drinking a soda, you could ask, "Can you guess which adult passenger has a cold drink in his hand?" You might play a round of "20 Questions" with your kids.
One player thinks of an object, and the other players have up to 20 chances to learn more about the object by asking yes-or-no questions. The players try to guess what object the first player is thinking of within 20 questions. For example - a player might think of an elephant, and the other players would ask questions like, "Are you a person?" or "Are you an animal?" to learn more about the object.
You could use items in your bag or pocket to play games. For example, you might ask your child to close his or her eyes while you hide an item. Then, see if your child can find the item by touch alone. You could also ask your child to guess what an object is while wearing a blindfold.
Playing Card Games and Board Games on the Go
Snakes and Ladders - Parcheesi, Monopoly, and other board games come in travel-sized versions. These boards fold up and fit easily into a backpack or purse. You might also play card games, Old Maid, War - or rummy.
Many card games have simple rules, and nearly all young children can join in on the fun. Consider bringing along several decks of cards since you might lose some during travel.
If you'll be traveling by car, you could play bingo using a small whiteboard and erasable marker. One player calls out bingo "balls" (numbers), and the other players mark their boards. See who can yell "bingo!" first after marking five random numbers in a row.
You could bring along a small book of crossword puzzles to pass the time. Choose a puzzle book with simple crossword puzzles and large clues and boxes. Younger children might enjoy doing crossword puzzles with a parent or older sibling.
Using Books, Puzzles - and Stickers to Keep Kids Occupied
If you have a child who likes to color, bring along a coloring book and some crayons or colored pencils. You might choose a travel-sized coloring set with a small case to keep art supplies organized and easy to find. Alternatively, you could print coloring pages from the internet onto sheets of paper or a spiral-bound notebook.
Word searches and hidden pictures are perfect for keeping kids occupied during travel. You could choose age-appropriate activity books from the library or bookstore. Alternatively, you might print activity pages from the internet onto sheets of paper or a spiral-bound notebook.
Stickers are small and light, making them easy to bring along in a backpack or purse. Bring along a small pack of stickers for road trips or airplane rides. If you bring along a coloring book - you could have kids place stickers on certain items or areas they color to make their artwork even more special and unique.
Bringing Toys and Keeping Screen Time in Mind
On a long flight, train ride, or road trip, consider bringing along some small toys for kids to play with. You might bring along some toy cars or figures, a small stuffed animal - or a kazoo or other musical toy. However, keep in mind that toys with small parts could fly around the cabin during turbulence or take-off and pose a choking hazard.
