I’ve come up with 12 games, activities, and crafts for traveling with kids. I tried really hard not to buy much, I wanted to keep it inexpensive as I have 3 children and didn’t want to spend more money than it already costs to travel. I found things from around the house we already had, aside from 1-2 new things, and turned it into a few fun games.
Squiggle Drawings on Index Cards: This is a simple way to bring new life to coloring with squiggle drawings. Add a line, circle, or loop to a white index card and let the kids come up with what it might become. Be sure to have crayons nearby as you let them create a new picture from these squiggles.
Sticky Notes Window Pictures: These small pads of sticky back paper are the perfect way to create fun images onto car windows. Kids can make letters, shapes, and designs with the sticky notes on the window. You can even bring a tray of sorts to have the kids create images with the paper on their laps. With these reusable notes, kids can make one image and then take it all down to create a new image. Never ending fun!
Chewing Gum: A good ol’ package of gum, giving kids something to chew on besides treats from the gas station, and one pack can keep a whole car load of people happy. If you can, buy a whole pack for each child and they will think it’s the best thing in the world to have their own all to themselves!
Road Trip Scavenger Hunt: This is the perfect activity for kids while traveling. I printed off this road trip scavenger hunt we created, but you could easily type up your own depending on the things you’ll see on your trip. It helps them keep watch on the scenery, stay active as they search for items, and keeps them busy for a while as they look. You can give each one of your children their own, but I like to print out one for the whole family to work on together and helping each other, discouraging competition. I love when they have things to do together.
Clear Tape: I know this seems silly, but my kids will play with tape for hours. You might be worried about what they will stick it to, but just be sure to talk to them before hand if there’s anything you don’t want stuck! My kids like to color a little tape with black marker or pen and make a mustache, adding to their upper lip. Or they can tape long strips across the whole back seat from window to window. I’ve also given my kids a small open box and they use tape to cover it up. They think it’s the coolest thing to have their own roll of tape to do whatever they want with it.
Sticker Story Books: I made small little sticker storybook starters out of index cards cut in half and a stapler. Then I give my kids a set of stickers that they can add on one side of the paper and write a story on the other side of the paper, creating a little story book. Or they can make it a color book as well, coloring a scene to incorporate the stickers, like the frog or mermaid stickers I provided.
Yarn or Embroidery Floss: My kids love to play with yarn. There are so many things they can do with a ball of yarn, maybe even some finger crochet in the car. Above in the photo is thin yarn or embroidery floss. I encourage my kids to make friendship bracelets with them, learning to braid by cutting 3 strips together and tying a knot at the top. You might want to bring some safety pins as well, to help them with their braid making.
Paper Clips: Another super simple object that my kids love to play with. They can make chains, necklaces, or open them up to make more structures. My kids have strung paper clips from one side of the car to the other, attaching them to the hand rails, and then hanging their toys from it. All sorts of fun things to do with paper clips.
More traveling with kids ideas:
Secret Codes and Decoding Coloring Black and White printed Photos Drawing Doodle Names Apple Yarn Pom Poms
Have fun traveling with kids on your next family vacation! *This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Make and Takes!
