Traveling with kids is always a bit of an adventure and the right travel activities for kids can be the difference between a peaceful flight and a full meltdown at 30,000 feet. After years of road trips and flights with my three girls, I've learned one thing: no matter how long the drive or how short the layover, you cannot over-prepare.
My packing list for every trip always includes travel games and travel activities for kids and this is my most up-to-date list for 2026. I love a mix of new surprises and tried-and-true favorites to keep my crew occupied, and the best part? Everything on this list works at your destination too. Practical finds only.
While screens are always tempting (no judgment here!), I like to start with interactive travel entertainment for kids that sparks creativity and curiosity, mess-free arts & crafts, sticker books, activity books, travel games, and more. I also put together a free road trip scavenger hunt you can download above. My kids ask for it every single time we hit the road. 🚗
And because snacks are basically their own activity, scroll down for my favorite food containers for traveling with kids too.
Prefer to shop everything at once? Browse my Amazon Travel Activities list, it's all in one place!
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Travel Activities for Kids
- For Littlest Ones: I love these suction cup spinner toys and window clings. The shape sorting dinosaur sensory toys are always a hit too.
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Toddlers & Preschoolers: Keep little hands busy with this tape activity book or a water reveal pad. We also like to play many games of I-Spy!
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LCD Writing Tablets: If you are looking for something a little different, reusable drawing boards are a longtime favorite. These are great for little ones to doodle on.
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Sticker Activity Books: My kids love Paint by Sticker books. These come with us when we travel, when we dine out, and are just as fun at home. Reusable puffy sticker books are fantastic too.
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Activity Books: My kids love any book that helps us learn about where we are headed! The 50 States Activity Book is a favorite. My kids love Dot-To-Dot and puzzle books too.
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Travel Journal: A fun and easy way to get your kids more involved with planning the trip and it will keep them busy observing their surroundings.
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Mad Libs: Mad Libs comes in the Junior & Regular editions, so depending on if you have a 5th grader or a 1st grader, there is a game to create the silliest of stories for all ages. It's a fun way to encourage creativity and language skills.
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Question Cards: We love conversation starters! Playing cards that ask thought-provoking or wild and hilarious questions. These are perfect for the car or the dinner table.
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Podcasts or Audio Books: Download a few stories or educational content to help pass the time
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Electronic Entertainment: Once I have tried everything else to keep my kids busy and beat the long flight or road-trip boredom, I whip out a tablet loaded with favorite tv shows and movies.
Travel Entertainment for Kids: Games We Reach for Every Trip
While this post focuses on activities like crafts and books, I'd be remiss not to mention a few of our go-to travel games! These are absolute lifesavers for keeping kids entertained and engaged.
Our Most-Reached-For Games:
- Spot It!: Quick matching game, perfect for all ages 6+
- Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: Hilarious and surprisingly addictive
- Monopoly Deal: All the fun of Monopoly in 15 minutes
- Magnetic Travel Games: Hangman, Battleship, Bingo
Want the Complete List?
I have an entire post dedicated to the Best Travel Games for Kids with detailed recommendations organized by type:
- Card games for families
- Magnetic games for airplane trays
- Waterproof games for pool/beach trips
- Free games that require no materials
Mess-Free Travel Arts & Crafts
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Lifelines FlowArt Mini Activity Pads: My kids are obsessed with these right now. Think color-by-number meets dot art — totally mess-free and impossible to put down. A current family favorite.
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Watercolor Painting: My kids can’t get enough of these travel-friendly watercolor books. You simply dip the enclosed paint brush in water and get painting.
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Wikki Stix: Made from waxed yarn, this set includes 24 brightly colored 6-inch sticks that are reusable for some serious molding and sculpting action.
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Triangle Crayons: These are ingenious as they won’t roll off that tray table!
- Dot It Sticker Art: No mess sticker art. Need I say more?!?
Food and Snack Containers for Traveling with Kids
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Waterproof zip-top tote: The perfect bag for everyday use or travel! It is water and tear-resistant, has many pockets and is oh so cute!
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Freezable Lunch Box: Simply throw this lunch box in the freezer the night before you need it, and the built-in ice packs will keep food cold for hours.
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Bento-style Lunch Box: This easy-to-pack, leak-proof lunch box keeps food separate and mess-free—because kids love variety, but not when their apples taste like cheese crackers.
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Stackable Bento Box: This stackable, three-compartment lunch box makes packing meals easy, keeps food separate, and even comes with built-in utensils—my kids love it for school too!
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Freezable Snack Bag: This compact, freezable snack bag keeps food cold for hours, making it perfect for school, road trips, and those days when kids suddenly need a snack every five minutes. Oh wait, that's everyday!
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Reusable food storage bag: These bags are perfect for traveling with kids—easy to pack, simple to clean, and a lifesaver for keeping snacks fresh on the go.
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Reusable ice pack: These slim, kid-friendly ice packs keep snacks and meals cold without taking up too much space, making them a must-have for travel and lunch on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Activities for Kids
What are the best travel activities for toddlers?
The best travel activities for toddlers are simple, sensory-focused options that keep little hands busy without creating a mess. I love suction cup spinner toys, window clings, water reveal pads, and reusable sticker books. These are all easy to pack, won't make a mess, and can be used over and over. For more toddler-friendly ideas, check out our Gifts for 1-2 Year Olds collection—many of these double as perfect travel toys!
Should I let my kids use screens while traveling?
This is totally personal, but here's my approach: I save screens for when we really need them. The last difficult hour of a long drive, unexpected delays, or after we've exhausted other activities. Start screen-free with books, crafts, and games, then bring out tablets strategically. Download shows and movies ahead for offline viewing, use volume-limiting headphones to protect ears, and don't stress about it.
What are mess-free travel crafts for kids?
My go-to mess-free travel crafts are watercolor painting books (you just add water!), Wikki Stix (wax-coated yarn that sticks to itself), Paint by Sticker books, Dot It sticker art, and LCD writing tablets. These keep kids creatively engaged without the stress of markers on car seats or glitter everywhere.
What travel activities work for both car trips and flights?
Most activities in this post work for both! I tend to bring the same activities on road trip as on flights. Just avoid items with lots of small pieces that can get lost on planes. All of these items can be used at your travel destination too.
Are travel activities worth the investment or should I just use screens?
Both have their place! Screen-free activities encourage creativity, interaction, and skill development. They also give variety throughout a trip. I find that screens can lose their magic if overused. That said, screens are brilliant for difficult moments. I invest in quality reusable activities (books, magnetic games, quality crafts) that work for multiple trips and even at home. The activities in this guide pay for themselves in peace and sanity!
How do I entertain kids on a plane without disturbing other passengers?
Choose quiet, compact activities: sticker books, magnetic games, watercolor books, activity books like the 50 States activity book and tablets with headphones. Avoid toys with lots of small pieces, noisy electronics, or anything requiring lots of space. Bring brand-new activities they haven't seen—novelty helps! Also pack plenty of snacks to keep mouths busy during takeoff and landing. Most passengers understand kids will be kids, so don't stress too much.
How many activities should I pack for a long road trip?
I pack about 3 activities per child for every 2-3 hours of travel, plus screens as backup. For a 6-hour drive, that's just under 10 activities per child.
What are the best travel activities for 5 & 6 year olds?
Five and six year olds are in the sweet spot — old enough to follow simple rules, young enough to still think stickers are the best thing ever. 🙌 My top picks for this age are Paint by Sticker books, water reveal pads, the I-Spy travel card game, Wikki Stix, and watercolor painting books (just add water — zero mess, maximum peace). Mad Libs Junior is also a huge hit if they're starting to read. These all pack flat, keep little hands busy for a solid stretch, and double as activities at your destination too.
What are the best travel activities for kids ages 8–10?
This age group needs a little more substance — they're past the sticker book phase but not quite ready to stare out the window philosophically. 😂 My go-tos for 8–10 year olds are Monopoly Deal (all the fun of Monopoly in about 15 minutes), Mad Libs, activity books like the 50 States, and conversation starter cards that somehow turn into a 45-minute family game. For quieter stretches, a travel journal is a great way to get kids engaged with where they're actually going.
What should I pack to keep a 10 year old busy on a plane?
Ten year olds are opinionated travelers as they know what they like, and "just look out the window" is not it. 😅 Here's what actually works: Monopoly Deal for a competitive card game that fits on a tray table, Mad Libs for laughs, a travel activity book, and a travel journal if they're into that. Download an audiobook or podcast before you leave, and save the tablet as the ace up your sleeve for the final stretch. Bonus tip: pack one thing they haven't seen yet as novelty buys you at least an extra hour.
More Ways to Make Traveling with Kids Easier
Got the activities covered? Here's everything else you need for a smooth trip:
- 🎲 The Best Travel Games for Kids: My full breakdown by type: card games, magnetic games, waterproof games & free games that need zero materials
- 🧳 Kids Travel Gear: All the gear that makes flying and road trips with kids actually manageable
- 🩹 DIY Travel First Aid Kit: Because something always happens, and you'll be glad you packed this
- 👶 Travel Strollers for Kids: If you're traveling with a little one, don't skip this one
Need help deciding where to go? I've got you covered with destination guides from trips we actually took as a family:
Safe & happy travels, friends! 🧳✈️🚗 And don't forget, I made you a free road trip scavenger hunt to download before your next adventure. It's a favorite in our family and your kids will ask for it every single time. 💗
