Travel Games for Toddlers

on December 1, 2008 at 11:50 AM

My husband recently got back from a looong plane trip with our two kids to visit family in Europe. He survived, but trying to occupy two toddlers who aren't used to sitting in one place for more than 6 seconds, let alone 6 hours, is a challenge I wouldn't wish on anyone.

The portable DVD player definitely saved him -- as it has on some recent car trips we've taken, too. But even that couldn't hold my kids short attention span more than a few hours. So that we're better prepared the next time we hit the road, I scouted around for some fun travel games and activities. Here are a few I found on CafeMom and elsewhere -- let me know if you have any to add, and I'll be sure to put them on my itinerary!

Treasure Bottles

Fill a large soda bottle or clean peanut butter jar 2/3 full with uncooked rice or birdseed. Toss in about 25 small objects, like plastic bugs, buttons, M&Ms, nuts, bolts, paper clips etc. Keep count of how many there are, and write the number on the outside of the jar or bottle. Fasten the lid tightly. Let the kids take turns rolling the bottle around in their hands until they find all the items.

Photo Contests

BabyBugsmama gives her kids disposable cameras and asks them to take pictures of different sights and scenes on the road. Or you can invest in a kids digital camera ($30-$70) and save money on developing film.

Who Am I? Game

Think of someone you know, either a friend or a relative. Give a few hints like, "She has blond hair and glasses." Let everyone go around one time with their guess. If no one gets it, offer another hint like, "She laughs funny."

Colorforms

ogielove says these classic plastic pieces stick to car and plane windows as well as on the Colorform board.

Mini Car Racetrack

Draw a racetrack on the inside of a shoe box before you leave, or ask the child to draw one as you're driving.

The Rainbow Game

Call out a color to find. Ask the older kids to find five things while the 2 year old looks for one. Pink and purple are the hardest!

Household Art

TessLouise gives her children pipe cleaners and aluminum foil to twist and turn into their own creations.

How do your kids take to traveling on long trips? What's your cure for ants-in-the-pants?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: play, summer vacations, toys, travel

Comments (3)

Peajewel

on Dec 1, 2008 at 1:15 PM

Currently, the longest trip we have taken with our daughter is to Chicago to visit my sister and that is about a 6 1/2 hour drive. She is not quite two so a lot of games are not an option. I just try to keep her awake so she is very tired and she crashes on the drive. Strangest thing, if I put Friends on in the DVD player, she will normally fall asleep. I think because on the weekends when I lay down with her for a nap that is what I put on so she associates Friends with a nap.

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LuminousMom

on Dec 1, 2008 at 2:28 PM

We have driven back and forth to Washington-Utah 4 times with our kids.. so they have logged over 7200 miles in their short lives!!

We do a few things... pick music they like too, and take turns switching it from their music (Jack Johnson.. disney movie soundtracks) to our music. We went out and bought two cheap "totes" that they get to put their favorite toys in for the ride, and then we hide them for two weeks before the drive so they toys are like new again. We get lots of books, lots of coloring things.. (those color wonder books are great because there is no mess!) and we pack lots of healthy snacks. Nuts, dried fruits, pack a cooler with some milk and juicy juice, apples, bananas, cheese sticks...

We do distraction games like... find a river.. find a mountain... find a red truck.. and so on... They are young still so its not too bad but stopping every 2-3 hours is key for changing diapers and stretching legs. So far so good!

What truly scares me is the kids and I are flying... for the first time... alone.. to Washington. YIKES! I flew with my son when he was 6 months old but never with two toddlers. I'm panicked.. luckily its only a 2 hour flight. Wish me luck everyone

anutyfluffy

on May 19, 2009 at 11:02 PM

We recently returned from a very long trip from Arkansas to Walt Disney World Florida, it was about 16 hours one way. We found that with our 2 boys who are 13 and 8 that the guess what animal I'm thinking of was a life saver. Someone thinks of an animal and everyone can only ask yes, no, or sometimes questions. Like does it have 4 legs, does it have hooves, does it live in the water, is it black? Some are easy and some are hard.

Another favorite was guessing things that start with every letter of the alphabet. Like restraunts, food, names, cities, etc.

I spy was also a fun game....with the rule it had to be in the vehicle.

Looking to find how many different state license plates that you see, and writing them down to keep count

We went for Spring break this year and usually at Christmas we buy the kids a few new movies they have been wanting to see, so I decided to buy them as normal and keep them hidden until the trip. They were so excited about the movies that they kept them very entertained for most of the trip. Also, driving at night was a big plus.