7 Ways to Keep Your Child Entertained While Traveling

Traveling with your family is one of the best ways to have fun and unwind. However, it’s a different story when you have a kid on board. At first, everything is all sunshine and rainbows – everyone is happy, smiling, laughing, and having fun. But once your little one starts to get bored, all the smiles and laughters will be replaced by cries and screams. Add to that the never-ending question, are we there yet? Well, mommy and daddy, don’t worry. You’re sharing the same experience with millions of parents worldwide. 

So here, we’ll be sharing seven different ways to keep your child entertained while you’re traveling. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to your destination by land, air, or sea. These are foolproof tips that will save you a lot of frustration during your next trip.

Download a lot of kid-friendly movies and TV shows

Let’s be completely honest. Internet connection can be a problem for travelers, and most of the time, even if we have the best wireless providers, the connection can still be spotty or intermittent during the trip. It’s normal, and you should expect that already. That’s why it’s best to utilize the offline viewing option of most streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. 

Download educational TV shows that your kid usually watch at home, and mix in some new movies just in case the TV show doesn’t work. Most of these won’t cost a lot memory on your device, so don’t worry that much. 

Take advantage of the window seat

This is a secret many parents have used for so long because the window seat is a prime spot for entertainment. You can pack a travel scavenger hunt specific to the sights you’ll see outside: different colored cars, interesting buildings, or specific animals (if you’re on a road trip through a rural area).  Consider magnetic stickers or clings for the window to create a storytelling scene.  Suddenly, the window transforms into a magical portal, and your child becomes an explorer spotting all sorts of exciting things.

Play fun car games. 

Not all car games can be played with your kid, especially if you notice that they’re not responding or the game doesn’t interest them. You can try preparing ahead of time so you have different options in case one game doesn’t work in your favor. Of course, make sure to prepare games that are appropriate to the mode of transportation you’ll be using for your trip. It would be a waste for prepare for games you won’t be able to play. Also, prepare prizes so your kid becomes motivated to play with you. 

Download educational apps

While screen time should be limited,  it can be a helpful tool during long journeys. Download educational apps your kids can play while traveling. Of course, a fast and stable internet connecton like Boost Infinite is needed for some games, but if you don’t want to use mobile internet, just go for games that can be played offline. But keep in mind that the games you should download should be educational and informational so your kid can benefit from playing it. 

Plan for pit stops

If you’re traveling via land, you should plan for pit stops and make it like a little adventure for your kid. Long stretches of travel can feel like an eternity for little ones. And while keeping them entertained in the car is important, nothing beats the feeling of being in a new place for the first time. We all know it because we’ve been kids at some points, and as for us, some of the best higlights of our trips were the pit stops.

You can simply go around the area, visit different stores (although be wary as your kid might want to buy a lot of stuff from the stores you’ll be visiting), or play with your kid if the time allows. 

Create a playlist your kid will love

Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classic car karaoke. If you and your little one loves music, you can blast these songs and sing along. It’s one of the simplest yet most fun ways of killing time during trip… well, because we still do it even as adults. Make sure to download the entire playlist so even if the connection is spotty, you will be able to enjoy the songs with your kid.

Give them time to nap

Rest is very important for kids, as they become irritable if they don’t get the rest they need. Pack essential things that will make naptime comfortable for your child, especially if the trip will be more than eight hours. Allowing them to nap at the right time will save you a lot of stress, especially if you’re also tired yourself.

Final Thoughts

It’s always fun to take our kids with us whenever we travel because we want to see them explore new places that they will remember as they grow. While it’s not always a smooth experience, being prepared can do wonders, especially if your kid isn’t fond of traveling. So, make sure to give these tips a try, and let us know if it worked for your tip. Good luck, and safe travels!