Traveling with kids can be a challenge. Whether it's a few hours on the road or carting through airports, there are a lot of complications that can crop up.
Among those problems is a kid's worst nightmare: boredom. Sure, being bored doesn't sound like the end of the world to us, but to the instant-gratification generation, they get really displeased about it really fast. Cue the complaints and family infighting that has you wondering why you ever thought traveling with kids was a good idea.
Avoid it all by bringing substantial travel entertainment — and no, that doesn't mean a tablet and a charger. Real, tangible toys can help pass the time and keep everyone safe and sane during their travels. Here are some of the best ideas for your family.
Crankity Brainteaser
$21.95
from
Fat Brain Toys
This board challenges people of all ages to build a puzzle solution between the red gear and the yellow wheel. There are different difficulty levels, so it'll take work and brain power for your child to level up.
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pad
These activity books are a major lifesaver for parents who have curious toddlers and long travels ahead. The pages are reusable, and the special pen that makes them come to life is powered by water, which minimizes your mess and keeps the fun going easily.
Kid O Free Draw Magnatab
This Montessori-inspired toy lets kids draw, work on letters and numbers, or do whatever their little creative minds come up with. The magnetic stylus pulls beads up, making it an easy and reusable method of entertainment. There's even a glow-in-the-dark version that looks super fun.
Colorforms Travel Play Set
An oldie but a goodie, Colorforms let your kids create and recreate scenes with engaging backgrounds. Colorforms come in basic themes for smaller kids and also in sets featuring your bigger kids' favorite characters, like Hello Kitty, Barbie, Paw Patrol, and more.
Klutz Friendship Bracelets Activity Book
Friendship bracelets are an awesome summer camp activity, and they're a great one to revisit when you're traveling. It's easy to throw a few bunches of thread into your bag and break them out, but this kit provides everything your kid needs to make wearable works of art.
Rubik's Cube
This classic puzzle cube is the ultimate brainteaser. There are countless possible combinations but only one way to solve it. It keeps kids thinking, and for older kids familiar with algorithms, it's a fun way to learn more about a math concept.
Cinco Linko
Part Connect Four, part Scrabble, and all kinds of fun. Grab a stack of tiles and take your turn placing them. The goal is to get five in a row, but it's harder than you think. The durable, portable pieces are perfect for travel.
Eeboo Create and Tell Me a Story Cards, 'Mystery in the Forest'
Cards complete with painted scenes of adorable, animated characters provide the prompt for kids to tell a story. You'll be impressed at how your kid can spin a tall tale, and they'll get to practice some important skills and have fun doing it.
Imagination Generation Road Trip Bingo
First of all, who doesn't love bingo? This game turns any road trip into a scavenger hunt as players try to knock sights off their cards. The first to bingo is the big winner.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
