Travel with children – by air, car, or in hotel rooms – can either be a thrilling adventure or a nightmare, depending on the level of your preparation (and your kids’ energy levels!).
As thrilling as the vision of exploring new places is, tedious hours of travel time or odd hotel rooms tend to make children restless and their parents desperate for ways to distract them.
The good news? It needn’t break the bank to entertain your kids. With a little creativity and planning ahead, you can keep boredom at bay with low-cost or no-cost options.
How to Keep Kids Entertained?
Here are 10 low-cost ideas to keep your kids entertained and happy on long flights, road trips, or hotel stays:
Fill Up on Free Audiobooks and Podcasts
Audiobooks are an excellent means to engage children without a screen. Libby or Hoopla accounts connect to your home library and enable you to borrow audiobooks free of charge.
Look for thrilling books like Harry Potter, Magic Tree House, or A Series of Unfortunate Events. Don’t forget kid-friendly podcasts like Brains On, Smash Boom Best, or Story Pirates – they’re educational, entertaining, and free.
Download Movies and TV Shows in Advance
Did you know that all these streaming services, like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, allow you to download content for offline viewing?
Have your kids choose a couple of favorites in advance so they can enjoy them blissfully during flights, hotel stays or long meals at restaurants.
Traveling abroad and want to watch your favorite TV shows, but forgot to download them in advance? Can’t, since they’re blocked in your current region? You can try using something like a VPN.
You can either add a VPN to Firestick in the hotel room or install an app on your phone or tablet. It will unlock the programs your children are used to – no technical skills necessary.
Rev Up Classic Car Games
These classic car games include “I Spy” , the License Plate Game, and 20 Questions. There are even free online versions to download, or access free app versions with a 21st-century twist.
These games encourage observation, conversation, and imagination – all free of charge and equipment.
Use Printable Activity Packs
Before you leave, print and download activity sheets like coloring pages, mazes, word searches, or travel bingo. Crayola.com and Education.com are websites where free printable materials can be downloaded.
Simply use a cheap clipboard or folder, and throw in a couple of crayons or washable markers!
Create a Homemade Travel Kit
Drop by your local dollar store and assemble a travel activity package. Sticker books, little toys, coloring kits, and minipuzzles are miracles when attention spans start to dwindle.
Roll up each activity in a paper cone and dispense them in surprise portions now and then – it’s like opening a gift, and part of the fun is the anticipation!
Load Up on Learning Apps
Most learning apps are offline and low-cost or free. Try apps such as Khan Academy Kids, PBS Kids Games, or Toca Boca.
Install them on a tablet prior to your travel and double check they work well without Wi-Fi. Not only entertaining – these apps also manage to sneak some learning in.
Bring a Few Paperbacks
Books are still one of the best low-cost travel companions. Let your child choose one or two special books to bring along just for the trip.
If they are old enough, use chapter books that will be read over several days’ time. For younger kids, interactive board books that have flaps or texture can keep little fingers busy. Just make sure your kids don’t get car sick!
Make a Travel Journal
Encourage the children to document their trip in a travel journal. All you need is a notebook and pencils or markers.
They can draw what they see, jot down their daily highlights, or collect ticket stubs and postcards. It is a kind gesture that keeps them engaged and reflecting on the experience.
Greet Hotel Room Fun
When stuck in a hotel room, old-fashioned games can be a godsend. Bring a deck of cards or travel board games like Uno or Travel Scrabble.
Be creative with the materials present in the hotel – build a pillow and blanket fort, or “hotel scavenger hunt” by finding objects in the room that appear on a list. All free, all fun!
Mix Up Activities
Even the most excellent activities begin to wear thin after some time. Alternate screen time with interactive games, quiet time with energetic play.
Rotating activities will keep your children intellectually challenged and see the hours pass by without the use of pricey diversions.
Keeping kids entertained in transit doesn’t have to break the bank – only a little prep and a dash of creativity.
With library downloads, free programs, simple games, and DIY kits, you can keep your kids entertained and content for under a couple of dollars. The secret advantage? A more relaxed, enjoyable journey for everyone.