The Ultimate Guide to Entertaining your Kids on Travel Days
If there’s one pain point I hear over and over again in my Facebook community, it’s this: “How do I keep my kids entertained on travel days?!”
Whether you’re facing a long road trip or a cross-country flight, keeping little ones (and big ones!) happy and occupied can make or break the whole experience.
As a mom of four who’s traveled with kids in every stage—from infants to teens—I totally get it.
We’ve tested just about everything over the years, and in this post, I’m sharing our go-to entertainment ideas that have actually worked.
Almost every item on this list is something we’ve used and loved ourselves.
To make it easy, I’ve broken everything down by age group so you can scroll straight to what you need.
If you’re tired of stressful travel days filled with whining kids and constant “Are we there yet?” questions, this list of travel activities for kids is about to become your new favorite travel resource.
👉 Want a handy version of all these ideas? Download the free PDF with clickable links and age-by-age activity lists! ⬇️
*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Color Wonder Markers
These are hands-down one of our favorite mess-free travel activities.
The markers only work on special Color Wonder paper, so you don’t have to worry about marker stains on clothes, car seats, or tray tables. They’re perfect for independent coloring time without the mess.
Pair with a clipboard for easy coloring!
Puffy Stickers
Puffy stickers are easier for little fingers to peel and stick, which makes them perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Kids love using them to decorate notebooks, sticker scenes, or even themselves—and they can usually be reused a few times too!
Interactive Books (Musical or Touch and Feel)
Books that make sounds, light up, or have fun textures are a great way to keep little ones engaged during a long trip.
They can press buttons, explore different materials, and stay occupied while still getting in some “reading” time.
Water Wow
Between our four kids, we’ve used these for nearly a decade!
Just fill the included brush with water and let kids “paint” the pages—colors magically appear without any real mess.
Once the pages dry, they can use them again and again.
Sticker by Letter
This is a fun and simple activity that helps little ones with letter recognition while also keeping their hands busy.
Kids place matching letter stickers on a picture, slowly revealing a fun scene. It’s like paint-by-numbers, but mess-free.
Magnetic Maze Toy
These enclosed toys use a magnetic stylus to guide small beads or shapes through a maze.
They’re great for hand-eye coordination and focus, and since all the pieces are contained, there’s nothing to lose under the seat.
Mr. Pencil
All of our kids have grown up using Mr. Pencil in the car!
This LeapFrog toy is a fun way to sneak in some learning while on the go. It teaches letter writing and number tracing in an interactive format that feels like a game—and kids love the instant feedback.
Interactive Car Toy
Perfect for car-loving toddlers, this dashboard-style toy has buttons to push, horns to honk, and knobs to turn.
It’s engaging and tactile, and keeps them happily “driving” in the back seat while you focus on the real thing.
Leapfrog Leapster Ultra
This handheld device is great for screen time that feels intentional.
It’s durable, age-appropriate, and loaded with educational games that toddlers and preschoolers can navigate easily on their own.
Yoto Mini
The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio device that lets kids listen to stories, music, and learning content using cards they can insert themselves.
It’s toddler-friendly, doesn’t require Wi-Fi after setup, and gives little ones some control over their entertainment.
These come on every single trip with us and even get used daily at home.
For more info, you can check out our full review of the Yoto Mini.
Wikki Stix
These bendy, wax-coated sticks are mess-free and endlessly reusable.
Kids can twist them into letters, shapes, or animals, and you don’t need any extra supplies—just hand them over and let the creativity begin.
Painters Tape
One of our favorite low-tech, low-cost travel hacks!
Painter’s tape can be used to create roads for toy cars, tic-tac-toe games, or just give toddlers something to peel and stick. It doesn’t leave residue, so it’s safe for tray tables and windows.
Magnetic Tiles
If you can handle bringing a small set, Magna-Tiles are a big hit in tight spaces. Kids can build towers, houses, or flat shapes right on a cookie sheet or tray table.
These are great for long waits at restaurants as well!
Pop Fidget Toy
These sensory toys are so simple but so effective.
Kids love popping the bubbles back and forth, and they’re great for calming nerves or keeping little hands busy during long stretches of travel.
Sticker Wow
This newer Melissa & Doug toy is a cross between a sticker book and a stamper.
Kids roll it across the page to “stamp” themed stickers without needing to peel and place, making it easier and less frustrating for young kids.
Melissa & Doug Memory Game
A portable spin on the classic game—this wooden board has flippable pieces built in, so you don’t have to worry about cards sliding everywhere.
It’s great for preschoolers learning to match and take turns, and toddlers will love just opening and closing the windows.
Make a Face Sticker Book
Silly and creative, these books let kids decorate cartoon faces with eyes, noses, and accessories. Each page gives them a new face to build, and the results are always fun!
Window Clings
Window clings are a fun, mess-free way for toddlers and preschoolers to decorate and redecorate windows over and over again.
Note: Only bring these if your little one can actually reach the window in your car or on the plane.
Magnetic Play Set
This magnetic dress-up activity is so cute and all contained in a flat, easy-to-store tin.
Plus, the tin doubles as the background!
Since it’s flat, it easily slides in and out of a backpack or purse.
Want to see some of these options up close? Check out this video! ⬇️
Big Kids
Printable Coloring Pages {Free!}
I designed these printable coloring pages with travel-themed scenes to keep kids creatively engaged on your next travel day!
Print a few before your trip and toss them in a clipboard or folder with crayons or colored pencils for easy car or plane entertainment.
Simply enter your email below and I’ll send them straight to your inbox! ⬇️
Printable Travel Activity Pages
If you’re looking for an easy, screen-free way to keep your kids entertained on the go, check out my 15-page Printable Travel Activity Pack.
It’s designed for kids ages 6–10 and is filled with fun games, puzzles, and activities perfect for road trips, flights, or long waits. Just print it once and use it again and again for every trip!
Escape This Book
Part coloring book, part puzzle, part story—this interactive book series invites kids to solve their way out of different themed adventures.
It’s ideal for upper elementary age kids who love a challenge and want something more exciting than regular reading.
Where’s Waldo
A classic that never gets old, Where’s Waldo books turn into an instant game of concentration.
Kids can spend ages scanning for tiny characters and hidden surprises—and they’re perfect for quiet, screen-free entertainment.
Sticker By Number
These more advanced sticker books work like paint-by-number, but with colorful, tiny stickers.
They’re great for older kids who enjoy a mix of relaxing and rewarding, with just enough structure to keep them focused.
These easily keep our kids focused for 30+ minutes at a time. (We tear out the pages so all the kids can do one at the same time.)
Kanoodle
This pocket-sized puzzle game is perfect for travel—it fits in a pencil pouch and challenges kids to complete 2D or 3D brain-teasing shapes.
It’s solo play at its best and helps boost logic and spatial skills.
Note: I wouldn’t recommend this one for younger kids—it’s easy to lose the small pieces, especially in tight travel spaces. We keep ours in a pencil pouch between uses.
Wooly Willy
Anyone else play with these as a kid?? 🙋🏼♀️
This old-school magnetic toy is a nostalgic favorite that still holds up! Kids use the magnetic wand to give Willy silly hair, beards, and eyebrows, and it’s flat and lightweight for easy packing.
Flipside
FlipSide is a handheld electronic puzzle game where kids flip and slide colored panels to match the pattern—kind of like a modern Rubik’s Cube.
It’s fun, fast-paced, and perfect for competitive or puzzle-loving kids.
Mad Libs
A hilarious classic that works great for siblings or solo play, Mad Libs let kids fill in silly nouns, verbs, and adjectives to create laugh-out-loud stories.
Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some grammar practice while having fun.
Yoto Audiobook Player
Big kids love the Yoto too!
Whether it’s listening to chapter books, music, or podcasts, the Yoto Player is our tried-and-true screen-free favorite.
New Art Supplies
Sometimes the best way to keep big kids engaged is to give them new tools to create with.
Color-changing markers or sparkly gel pens feel like a treat and can make even simple sketching or journaling feel more fun.
Sensory Board
Even big kids like something to keep their hands busy.
Fidget toys with bendy, twisty parts can help with focus or calming nerves during long travel days—especially for kids who need a little sensory input.
FlexiCrystal Brain Teaser
This flexible, colorful puzzle twists into endless shapes and challenges kids to recreate specific patterns.
It’s a quiet, screen-free option that stretches their brains and keeps kids coming back for more.
Magnetic Puzzle
These compact puzzles come in a magnetic board and are ideal for travel—no pieces rolling away!
Plus, they come in the cutest designs and can be used over and over.
Travel Bingo
Turn looking out the window into a game! Travel bingo cards keep big kids entertained as they search for road signs, animals, or landmarks along the way.
Great for the whole family to play together!
Micro Magnetic Tiles
These mini versions of the classic Magna-Tiles are compact and perfect for tray table play.
Kids can build creative structures without taking up much space—and the magnetic pieces help prevent drops and spills.
These are even great to have on hand when waiting in restaurants.
Tweens and Teens
Foldology
I just picked this one up for our next trip for our 13 year old!
This clever origami puzzle book challenges kids to fold paper in just the right way to solve a design.
It’s surprisingly satisfying and great for tweens or teens who enjoy hands-on challenges that make them think.
Sudoku
I was hooked on this as a pre-teen and now my kids love it!
Sudoku is a classic logic puzzle that’s perfect for quiet time on the go.
Whether they’re beginners or puzzle pros, Sudoku keeps their brains working and their minds off how long the trip is taking.
SuperSlide Puzzle Game
This handheld game is like a brain workout disguised as fun.
Kids slide colored blocks to recreate a pattern, and with multiple levels, it stays challenging and rewarding even on long travel days.
Travel Games & Puzzles Book
Packed with riddles, visual puzzles, games and logic challenges, this book is a great alternative to screen time.
It’s ideal for older kids who want to flex their brains and zone out in a good way.
Brain Games: 10-Minute Mystery Puzzles
These short, story-based puzzles are perfect for tweens and teens who love a good whodunit.
Each mystery is just long enough to keep their attention without overwhelming them.
Adult Coloring Book
Coloring isn’t just for little kids—more intricate designs in adult coloring books give tweens and teens a relaxing way to pass the time.
Pair it with gel pens or fine-tip markers for the ultimate zen travel activity.
Travel Activity Book for Teens
These are designed specifically with tweens and teens in mind, with games, quizzes, and creative prompts that don’t feel babyish.
They’re a fun way to stay engaged without having to think too hard.
Audible Audiobooks (Download Before for Offline Use)
As you have probably noticed, any sort of audiobook is a big hit with our family!
They’re great way to make time fly—whether it’s a gripping fantasy novel or a memoir read by a favorite celeb.
Just be sure to download the books before your trip so they’re ready to go offline.
You can even get a one month trial for free!
Nintendo Switch Lite
If you’re okay with a little screen time, this is a more economical option than the traditional Switch.
Perfect for long flights or road trips, the Switch Lite lets kids play their favorite games without Wi-Fi.
Make sure to load it up with a few new games before the trip—and don’t forget the charger!
Reverse Coloring Book
A reverse coloring book is our most recent addition to our road trip entertainment stash!
This twist on a traditional coloring book has the colors already on the page—your job is to draw the lines.
It’s creative, calming, and surprisingly addicting for older kids and teens.
Sensory Board
I love that they make these sensory boards in grown-up colors!
Even teens benefit from tactile tools, especially when they’re feeling fidgety or anxious during travel.
A sensory board gives them something to quietly touch, flip, and slide without needing a screen.
Geode Magnetic Fidget Toy
This stylish, magnetic desk toy feels more grown-up than a pop-it and lets teens build shapes, patterns, and structures.
It’s calming, compact, and fun to play with during long waits or stretches of travel.
IQ Stixx
Our teen loves a good challenge, so games like this are always a winner!
They’ll work to fit colorful sticks into specific patterns—and since it’s small and self-contained, it’s great for travel.
Word Spin Handheld Magnetic Travel Game
Word lovers will enjoy twisting and spinning this handheld magnetic word game to come up with high-scoring words.
It’s quiet, durable, and perfect for passing the time in cars, planes, or airport lounges.
Favorites for All Ages
These items are staples we always have for each kid!
Sketch Book
Simple, affordable, and endlessly useful. These little notepads are the perfect size for doodling, note-taking, or playing games in the car or on a plane tray table.
We’ve used several over the years and these are our absolute favorites!
New Pack of Crayons in a Pencil Pouch for Each Kid
There’s just something magical about a fresh pack of crayons.
We like to give each kid their own set in a zip-up pouch to help avoid squabbles and keep things organized while on the go.
Having a different colored pouch for each kid helps us easily know whose is whose.
Clipboards
We never leave home with out a couple clipboards!
Clipboards give kids a hard surface to draw or write on and are perfect for pairing with coloring sheets or plain paper.
LCD Drawing Boards
These are screen-free and mess-free, which makes them a win-win in our book.
Kids of all ages love doodling, writing, and erasing over and over again—perfect for quiet time or creative play on the move.
Plus they are VERY cost effective.
Make sure you get ones that have the pencil attached! Trust me- you’ll lose it otherwise!
