These family travel hacks will keep kids entertained and tantrum-free

Everything you need to know for tantrum-free family travel

While traveling with children looks drastically different from solo trips, kids certainly know how to turn a boring drive into an entertaining adventure. To learn the best tips on keeping kids entertained during travel, we asked BestReviews' baby and child expert for help.

Dr. Aimee Ketchum is a pediatric occupational therapist and assistant professor of early childhood development. Here are the kids activities she recommends to keep children entertained and tantrum-free as you travel over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house.

In this article: Melissa & Doug Wooden Alphabet Lacing Cards , Briarpatch Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game and Noot Kids Headphones

How to keep kids entertained and tantrum-free while traveling

According to Ketchum, whether you travel by plane, car or train, preparation is key. “There are a few key things to think through in advance,” she said.

“Did your children get enough sleep the night before? If you hope for them to snooze on the trip, are they in comfortable clothes or pajamas? Did you pack their pillow and comfort item?

“Definitely pack plenty of snacks and allow time for potty breaks. If your little one is being potty trained , remember to pack the portable potty for quick roadside stops.”

Tips to keep kids entertained on long road trips

Break up the trip

One of the reasons long family trips are challenging for children is that time is an abstract concept. They don’t understand how long five hours will take and are left confused. Ketchum recommends marking the passage of time in a more tangible way that little ones can understand. For example, instead of saying “five more hours,” say "five more 'Sesame Street' episodes."

Another way Ketchum helps her children understand time is by giving away a prize every hour. Then, kids will know they will arrive after five prizes. If you wrap each prize in tissue paper, it also adds excitement.

Don’t forget to plan stops, such as lunch , roadside picnics and quick bathroom breaks.

Activities

The types of activities for kids Ketchum recommends for families involve the whole family, such as singing songs, creative talking games and telling open-ended stories where one family member starts and the next person continues. She also loves road-trip car games, including I Spy, car bingo and the alphabet game.

While Ketchum doesn’t recommend toys with screens, traveling is the exception.

“This is probably the only time that I do recommend screens. Especially if you are traveling by plane or train and you have other travelers to consider," she said. "Just make sure your child has headphones , the volume is appropriate for their ears and the content is appropriate for their age. Also, break up the screen time with games and other activities including interactions."

How to handle a tantrum while traveling

“If a tantrum cannot be preempted, try to talk calmly to the child as they begin to escalate. Sometimes they just want their voice to be heard," Ketchum said. "Tell them you empathize with them, and try to learn if their needs are easy to meet. Are they hot? Do they need a potty break or a drink of water? Start by asking some of these questions.”

Best activities for kids entertainment while traveling

Taf Toys Koala In-Car Play Center

When traveling with babies, look for all-in-one play toys to avoid packing and potentially dropping a variety of small toys. This in-car play center connects to the headrest and allows babies to see themselves in the mirror and interact with the accessories.

Tuko Baby Montessori Sensory Pull Toy

Don’t worry about dropping toys all over the car or airplane, thanks to this all-in-one sensory toy . The interactive puller strings keep the baby entertained with several sounds, textures and vibrations. Plus, the material is nontoxic, BPA-free and phthalate-free.

Laxdacee Toddler Busy Board

Little ones will be busy for hours exploring this 14-in-1 skill board that features buckles, buttons, an adjustable strap, laces, zippers, Velcro and more. Not only will these toddler activities keep them entertained , but they also help to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and everyday life skills.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Alphabet Lacing Cards

With 26 cards representing letters of the alphabet and coordinating colored laces, preschoolers will learn their ABCs, how to match colors, fine motor skills and sorting. The durable wood cards and box are made for traveling and stand up against drops or spills.

Infinite Games Carpool Chaos

Riding in a car just got way more fun, thanks to this exciting and fun game of cards . Friends and family of all ages can participate in the challenges, games and hypothetical questions posed on each card. The sturdy steering wheel-shaped case comes with 160 action-packed cards.

Briarpatch Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game

Who knew scavenger hunts are also fun in the car? This classic search-and-find game comes in the form of cards and includes common road trip finds, such as a fire truck, yellow house and motorcycle. Plus, hidden in the deck are special cards to swap with another player.

TableTopics Road Trip Conversation Cards

This all-ages set of Conversation Cards includes several topics (not just limited to travel) designed to get everyone talking and engaged. They come in a travel-size slipcase that should fit in most glove compartments, making it a convenient car trip essential.

Lusso Gear Heavy-Duty Back Seat Car Organizer

Organize toys, road trip snacks, drinks and more with this backseat caddy that keeps everything within reach. It includes a see-through tablet pouch, drink holders and 12 storage pockets. It is also waterproof and protects the seat from kicking and other damage.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet

Download educational apps, road trip games or television shows to keep preschoolers entertained and tantrum-free with this kid-friendly Amazon Fire tablet . The kids tablet features parental controls to monitor all activity and comes with a durable kid-proof case.

Noot Kids Headphones

Kids headphones are helpful on trips when using a tablet , listening to music or helping a little one with sensory issues have a moment of silence. They are adjustable to fit several head sizes and fold for compact storage.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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