Imagine being on the road, on a 10-13 hour drive is challenging for even the bravest parents. With toddlers and preschoolers, it can be tiring and complicated. They don’t like to sit in their car seats and get cranky quickly. Easy to make and children can have in the car, train or plane. It will keep little hands busy for a while. They are educational and engaging, so everyone can enjoy their trip.
1. DIY Gel Window Clings for fun road play
These are non-toxic window clings using pantry supplies. Using dollar store cookie sheets and food coloring these are beautiful window decorations that will keep children entertained in the car and on road trips. Fun and beautiful at the same time.
Learn More: Rosie Research
2. Busy Parents need Activity Trays for Toddlers
It’s super easy to make an activity tray for your toddler so that driving will be stress-free for you and your little one. For this DIY project, you can use anything from colorful material to hair rollers to put together an interactive tray that’s just right for your little traveling companion.
Learn More: The Empowered Educator
3. Music is amazing on road trips
These headphones are perfect to soothe children. Soft and comfortable perfect for little listeners. They can tune into their favorite tunes while driving in long car rides. They come in different colors and exposing children to classical music at a young age can be beneficial. This features Kidzsync to connect with your car.
Learn More: Amazon
4. On the go with Doug Water WOW books
These specialized books are meant for traveling with children. They are mess-free and reusable. You can draw, write and paint with water and amazing colors will appear magically. These books will be favorites again and again.
Learn More: Melissa And Doug
5. The top 10 road trip apps for games and activities
These apps are full of excitement and easy to download using a tablet or a phone. Kids can enjoy educational viewing and interactive games with sites like PBS Kids and The Khan Academy. These sites are so good, kids will need extra screen time!
Learn More: The Penny Hoarder
6. The Stow and Go set by Crayola at the Amazon Store
This set is fantastic. It is durable and you can easily clean it. Has places for paper, crayons, and more. It is not too big and gives the children the opportunity to create their own masterpieces without any mess.
Learn More: Amazon
7. A Magnetic book is a favorite book
This is a great DIY for all parents who want to keep their children content on road trips. There are step-by-step instructions on how to create it. It is well worth the investment, and you will have the magnetic books for years to come.
Learn More: Mom’s Who Think
8. Have a great road trip and don’t forget Pinna – your favorite podcast app!
This site is free, and it is a must-see well worth the visit, Just think about screen-free entertainment and they will be asking for more. Great for podcasts, and audiobooks and nicely laid out for little ones.
Learn More: Google Play
9. Preschool Children need a food break
Preschool children love to eat fruit snacks and what better way to keep them occupied than to give them edible bracelets? Use healthy breakfast cereals or other foods you can make this fun and delicious wearable jewelry.. You can choose any flavor, style, and step instruction!
Learn More: The Decorated Cookie
10. Road trip sticker book for preschoolers
This is a colorful sticker book that you can download and print yourself, and as the children see things on the trip like a truck or airplane they can put the corresponding sticker to fill in the page. Use sticky notes too to make your own.
Learn More: The Homes I Have Made
11. Magnetic fun with a cake pan or a cookie sheet.
This activity is great for keeping those little hands busy during a long road or field trip. Simply provide them with a small metal baking sheet and a bunch of power magnets before engaging them in various tasks like pattern-making or practicing their letters.
Learn More: The Measured Mom
12. Pipe Cleaners Paradise
For less than 5 dollars you can get a bag of pipe cleaners. children will love putting them in and taking them out of plastic bottles and lining them up by color too. Over time they can use it for math or art projects while they are still in the car.
Learn More: Mama Cheaps
13. Playdough in the muffin tin
Have you got any old muffin tins? Before you throw them away, think again, because they are great to give to a kid in a car seat to play with play dough and small toys. It’s fun didactic and no mess. Great way to use old pans too.
Learn More: Pinterest
14. Boats, planes, and Cars Hidden Pictures
Here are some great hidden pictures for preschoolers to color while riding in the car. Have some non-toxic markers on a string to find the hidden images in the cute transport pictures. Good fun and will keep preschoolers entertained.
Learn More: Pinterest
15. Mindfulness and nap time for preschool
Children need downtime and sometimes being in the car may cause children to have more anxiety and stress. So any kind of mindfulness activities you can incorporate into your driving routine will help them to relax. Whether it’s listening for specific sounds, breathing out a “smile” or finger games to music.
Learn More: Tiny Beans
16. Red Car – Blue Car Counting Game
This is a super fun counting game to play in the car with non-toxic washable pens. Children count and color as they go, The images can be forms of transport or any other theme, They will be counting to 25,50, and 100 in no time!
Learn More: Pre-Kinders
17. Keep Kids Busy with Daniel Tiger
PBS provides the best activities for kids and offers some really cool videos and interactive games that kids can play on a tablet or an interactive screen with ease while riding in the car. Fun, and educational and they are short so that kids are not getting an overload of screen time.
Learn More: PBS Kids
18. Perplexus
This sensory activity is so attractive for kids of all ages and mesmerizing. It is fun, soothing, and addictive at the same time. It will keep kids entertained for hours. There are different versions too. It is quite colorful and enchanting. You might not be able to put this Amazon affiliate toy.
Learn More: Amazon
19. Tanagrams that have gone magnetic!
Tangram designs are so much fun and now with the magnetic boards, you can create any designs or creations on a road trip. Colorful geometric shapes that are easy to use and keep little hands busy and active. Perfect activities for travel.
Learn More: Amazon
20. Surprise bags have changed into surprise Tupperware
These DIY kits are so easy to make and you probably have 90% of the materials at home. With a few Tupperware containers, you can make puzzle kits, Lego kits, and coloring boxes all perfect for preschoolers. No mess or spills, just remember to pack one with a fun snack like apple slices.
Learn More: The Mama Notes
21. Color Wonder Sets
These books are wonderful, so colorful and magical, and mess-free. They are easy to use and you can attach the pens with a clipboard and string, so nothing gets lost. They are delightful.
Learn More: Amazon
22. ABC Mouse academy-fun ideas
If you have a tablet or a smart TV you can hook up ABC mouse academy in a snap. Children will have fun watching the interactive activities and educational videos. Education on the go.
Learn More: ABC Mouse
23. Backseat Reading time for a fun road trip activity
These books have been written so well and some thought has gone into long car rides or plane trips these colorful books are interactive and keep kids reading. Young children will love them on their own or read them with others.
Learn More: Read Brightly
24. Cars with Paper on trips with toddlers
These printables are super easy to cut out and fold into cars. They are sturdy and safe to play with in the car. Your children will be so happy to play with different vehicles daily and keep them busy. Children can invent their own cars and truck stories.
Learn More: KIDS crafts
25. Disney Mania on the road – Awesome Car Activities
This site is fantastic and it has lots of activities, games, and fun surprises for people on the road or on a Disney road trip. Have a blast with your favorite characters while traveling, especially if it’s a five-hour drive to Disney.
Learn More: Mommy Travels
26. Washable Window Crayons or Dry Erase Markers
These crayons are non-toxic and colorful, easy to use and kids can have fun drawing on the window and making their own creations while riding in the car. They are fun window markers, and they can draw beautiful, easy-to-clean-off masterpieces over and over again.
Learn More: Amazon
27. Glow Sticks are great for car rides.
With this site, you can make your own DIY glow sticks. They are safe to use and have no chemicals. Children will love these glow sticks in late afternoon or evening rides. You can make them in different colors with or without sparkles.
Learn More: YouTube
28. Super songs to sing- Fun road trip game
These tunes preschoolers and up will love to sing along and singing keeps spirits up. It is a great way of communication. Music is a nice thing to have in the car. Singing can help children with public speaking skills.
Learn More: Time Out
29. Shapes, Counting Cars & More
Disney/ Pixar brings us 4 fun counting books that are perfect for traveling and colorful board books that are easy to travel with and will keep preschoolers entertained while in the car. You can wipe them down with a damp paper towel if they get dirty and they are durable books.
Learn More: Read Brightly
30. Mr.Potato is a Creative Activity
Mr. Potato Head is a classic toy but not easy to travel with. This DIY Mr. Potato head felt board is great and perfect for travel and road trips. Soft play, easy to stick on, and washable. Comforting to have Mr. Potato in the back seat with you too. DIY this great toy.
Learn More: Just Is A Four Letter Word
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