Hello friends, welcome to Trip Trek Tales, a unique travel guide platform that helps you to plan your trips and vacations in an easy manner. We make sure you travel hassle-free therefore, we create travel guides, provide travel tips and many other things. Today we will be discussing Family Travel, where you will get tips to keep your kids entertained while travelling on longer journeys. These tips will keep your kids as well as you happy throughout the trip.
Family travel is one of the most entertaining things and it brings family close. But, if you are a parent, then family travel will bring a lot of challenges for you. So, the best thing parents can do while going on a long trip is to keep their children entertained for long. Now, We guess, you understand what we are going to discuss in this blog, so without further ado, let’s discuss some tips, fun activities, and travel games that you can choose to keep your children quite and entertained during the journey.
Family Travel Tips to Entertain Children while Travelling Long Distances
1. Plan Ahead for a Smooth Journey
Planning ahead for everything is always a good idea to keep things smooth. If you are travelling with kids, keep their toys. Toys will keep them busy as well as entertained. Make sure to bring toys or things that they like, otherwise, they will surely annoy you. The best items to be kept on long journeys for kids are toys, books, drawing kit, puzzles, and of course their favourite food. Also, keep extra cloths, blankets and wipes.
2. Introduce Travel Games
Play games while travelling. Some games you can plan instantly. Such games, keep the entertainment going and make a connection as well. We have listed some old school and new games that you can try:
- I Spy: Perfect for younger children, this game involves spotting objects around you.
- 20 Questions: One player thinks of something, and others ask yes-or-no questions to guess what it is.
- License Plate Game: Spot license plates from different states or countries.
- Would You Rather?: This fun game gets everyone thinking and laughing.
- Travel Bingo: Create or buy bingo cards with pictures or words related to travel (cars, trees, clouds, etc.).
These travel games will keep the boredom away and bring creativity to your children as well.
3. Pack Child-Friendly Activities
Keep a bag carrying child-friendly activity set. These things will make them happy and engaged.
- Colouring Books and Crayons: A classic choice that never gets old.
- Audiobooks or Podcasts: Choose stories or topics that match their interests.
- Interactive Apps: Educational and entertaining apps can be lifesavers on long journeys.
- DIY Kits: Small craft kits or bead sets are ideal for creative kids.
- Puzzle Books: Crosswords, mazes, or word searches can keep older kids busy.
Changing things every hour or two will keep your kids happy and occupied.
4. Create a Snack Plan
Kids love to eat and you have to plan for their hunger. Do not binge them with junk food, rather, prepare some healthy snacks beforehand and keep them. You can keep fruits, nuts, granola, bars, and sandwiches. Avoid packed chips and cold drinks.
5. Use Technology Wisely
Nowadays we have seen kids are more busy with mobile phones than looking outside. You have to make sure to limit the screen time. To do that, keep short child friendly movies, shows and cartoons. Kids can watch them in intervals and can also see the outside beauty as well.
6. Engage in Storytelling
Storytelling is not just for kids, but people of all ages like it. So, you can plan a storytelling session while travelling. One by one everyone present should tell a story about something. It can be related to personal life or fiction. You can also start storytelling sessions by giving a topic to everyone on which they have to make a story.
7. Plan Interactive Stops
While travelling, make sure to have some interactive stops. These stops will help your kids to get a break from car drive and you can also straighten your back. Parks, museums and roadside food courts are the best for such stops. With these stops person who is driving can also take the rest and refresh to drive again.
8. Capture Moments Together
Purchase a small or inexpensive camera that your kids can use to click some photos and document the experience of the journey according to their point of view. Once they collect some pictures, make a scrapbook with them and this will keep family memories in one book.
9. Involve Kids in Trip Planning
While planning a trip, keep your kids involved while making the itinerary. By this, they will also feel happy and engaged in the planning work. Moreover, you will also learn their likes and dislikes and where they want to travel. Such thinga will keep them excited as well.
10. Encourage Learning Experiences
When travelling or visiting a new place, you can learn a lot of things. Let them explore the place, new culture, history and landscapes. You can provide them with interesting facts about the place and tell them to collect more information about that.
Keep a handy map or guidebook that are interactive and good learning for kids.
11. Emphasize Patience and Flexibility
There will be moments when your children get cranky even after doing everything. In such scenes, practice patience and try to talk to them on random topics and deviate their mind. Try to shift their focus to other things so that they can get back to normal.
12. Wrap Up with Rewards
Once the trip is over, reward them for their good behaviour. Let them also know that they have done well during the trip. By doing this, they will try to be more well-behaved and less cranky on next trips.
Final Words
Traveling with children is always a good decision, they should feel the importance and most important your support and time. By travelling with them and practicing above mentioned tips, you can plan a good family trip together.