Let’s face it: Keeping a toddler occupied during a long road trip may seem like an insurmountable challenge when you’re busy packing all the clothes, diapers and snacks you’ll need when you get to your destination. But it turns out that with a little bit of prep work, road trips with toddlers can go surprisingly smoothly. Here are a couple of ideas to keep tiny hands and idle minds busy while you’re on the go.
1. I-Spy Jar
Fill a jar with tiny random things like paper clips, candy, buttons, rings, keys, etc. Have the kids find items by turning the jar. Opening the lid is cheating!
2. Name The Clouds
What does that cloud look like? Is it a bird, is it a plane? Find as many different shapes as you can.
3. Podcasts
If your little one is the type to get dizzy in the car, ditch the apps and go for a podcast! The Sesame Street Podcastintroduces the younger generation to your favourite childhood puppet pals. Sing songs with Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster and Grover as they tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street. We love how fun new discoveries in science can be, as discussed between hosts, Mandy and Guy Raz in Wow in the World. Check out episodes like All-Natural Superheroes and So Cute You Can’t Even! The Science of Cute Aggression. Your kids might also enjoy the off-the-cuff storytelling based on bizarre questions submitted by young listeners in What if World? We have some great tips to get into podcasts here.
4. Aluminum Foil Modeling
Bring a roll aluminum foil and let the kids make models of animals, people and shapes. The possibilities are endless.
5. Magnetic Drawing Boards
By far the easiest way to entertain the little one. This self-contained sketch book has zero mess potential.
6. Sticker Books
Who doesn’t love stickers? Get an empty photo album and a bunch of stickers and let your little one create their own little storybook.
7. Coloring books
Let their imagination and crayons run free. Colouring books are easy to transport which make it convenient tool to preoccupy kids in the car or at rest stops along the way.
8. Play-Doh
This playtime classic never gets old. Let your little one’s imagination run wild by moulding sculptures of animals, cool shapes, tubes and (inedible) burgers.
9. Foam Puzzles
These puzzle pieces are large enough for small hands to easily grab a hold of and soft enough to chew on, just in case your toddler is a biter.
10. Audiobooks
Tales2Go offers downloadable stories that are broken up by length (2 minutes to 6 hours), age, rating, and popularity, making it very easy to find stories that are perfect for your crew. Try something a step more complex than you would normally read at home, and you might be surprised at how well your kids quiet down and focus.
11. Glowsticks
For pre-dawn travels, crack a couple of glowsticks for hours of fun. This is especially handy for the little ones who aren’t accustomed to the dark just yet.
12. iPad
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Fill your tablet with educational apps on it so that your tot can at least learn while they play. The Petting Zoo by Christoph Niemann App is an animated picture book that introduces 21 animals in Niemann’s quirky hand-drawn style. You could also try the free app, Peek-a-Zoo that introduces different animals, in very fun ways. Press Here: The App, which is based on the book by Hervé Tullet book, Press Here, is a fun little game which involves following printed dots and swirls. Some other choices we love, are the world-building game from the app developer Toca Boca, Toca Nature and the exploration of DNA, in the fun DNA Play.
13. Disposable Cameras
If you’re tot has an eye for spotting interesting things along the drive to and from your Raya destination, hand them a disposable camera and teach them how to use it. Who knows what they might capture.
14. Scooby Bracelets
Here’s a real time-killer. Scooby bracelets go a very long way when it comes to road trips. With all the colourful string, twisting, knotting and turning, your little one may not notice the hours that pass you by.
15. Velcro craftsticks
This will come especially hand with younger kids who are still developing their motor skills. All you need is a bunch of popsicle sticks and stick on velcro rounds at the ends. Click here to learn to make your own.
16. Bubbles
Blow bubbles out the window or at the kids – you don’t want to do this too often as things can get sticky, but it is all washable.
17. Pipe Cleaner Crafts
Here’s where their creativity may run wild and free. Teach them how to create little stick characters out of shiny pipe cleaners and maybe even make a story out of it!
18. Magnetic Story Board
Turn a regular cookie tray into a magnetic story board. Grab some magnetic toys to entertain kids on the road. This dual purposed activity can be used as a makeshift table to prevent food or drink spills during travels.
19. License Plate Lingo
What do you see the most on a road trip? Cars, and what do cars have? License plates! Challenge your little ones to a game of License Plate Lingo, encourage creativity while they interpret the combination of letters. Best of all, absolutely no materials or tools needed.
20. Animal Spotting
Here’s another activity that do not require you to pack anything with you. Spot animals along the road with your kids, make learning fun! With this interactive method, they’ll memorise the name of the animals in no time.
21. Snacks
Pack plenty of snacks for your road trip. Tip: bring snacks that won’t be too messy because cleaning car seats is never an easy thing to do. Try pretzel sticks, vegetable puffs, crackers, rice cakes and cheese sticks. Remember to keep food pieces smaller than 1/2 inch in diameter in order to minimise choking hazards. Don’t forget to pack a bottle or cup of water too.
22. Sing-Alongs
We’ve been a big Spotify fan ever since this awesome music service finally hit Malaysia. With a Spotify account, you can either play an existing playlist (nursery rhymes, sing-along, Disney, lullabies, etc) or create a custom kid-friendly playlist to get you through long hours in the car.
Image Credit: Pinterest, laurabraydesigns.com, kidsactivitiesblog.com, heartmindandsoul.com, crafthubs.com & iTunes Store.
Updated in 2019