Everything You Need to Know for Tantrum-Free Family Travel
Traveling with children often requires a different approach than solo trips. Kids can transform a tedious journey into an adventure. To ensure a fun and smooth experience, we consulted BestReviews’ child expert for tips on keeping kids entertained during travel.
Meet Dr. Aimee Ketchum
Dr. Aimee Ketchum is a pediatric occupational therapist and an assistant professor in early childhood development. Here are some of her recommended activities to keep children engaged and tantrum-free while traveling.
Preparation is Key
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Sleep and Comfort:
- Ensure your children get enough sleep before the trip.
- Dress them in comfortable clothing or pajamas.
- Pack their pillow and comfort items.
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Snacks and Breaks:
- Bring plenty of snacks.
- Schedule time for potty breaks.
- Don’t forget a portable potty if your child is potty trained.
Tips to Keep Kids Entertained on Long Road Trips
Break Up the Journey
Understanding time can be abstract for kids. To help them grasp how long a trip will take:
- Use relatable milestones, like saying, “five more ‘Sesame Street’ episodes” instead of “five hours.”
- Offer a small prize every hour, creating excitement as they count down until arrival.
Engaging Activities
Ketchum encourages family-oriented activities, such as:
- Singing songs and playing creative games.
- Telling open-ended stories.
- Playing road-trip games like I Spy, car bingo, and the alphabet game.
While she generally advises against screen use, travel can be an exception. If using screens:
- Provide headphones.
- Ensure the volume is suitable.
- Choose age-appropriate content and balance screen time with interactive activities.
Handling Tantrums
If a tantrum arises, approach it calmly:
- Talk softly to your child as they start to escalate.
- Validate their feelings and explore their needs (e.g., Are they hot? Do they need a drink?).
Best Activities to Keep Kids Entertained While Traveling
Esjay Toddler Busy Board
- Perfect for exploring skills like buckling and zipping, promoting fine motor skills and coordination.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Alphabet Lacing Cards
- Offers 26 cards and colored laces, teaching ABCs while enhancing fine motor abilities.
Infinite Games Carpool Chaos
- Fun challenges and questions for all ages packaged in a playful steering wheel case.
Briarpatch Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game
- Engaging scavenger hunt cards featuring common road trip sights.
TableTopics Road Trip Conversation Cards
- A travel-size set for meaningful conversations on various topics.
Lusso Gear Heavy-Duty Back Seat Car Organizer
- Organized storage for toys, snacks, and drinks, making it easy to keep everything within reach.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
- Download educational apps and shows tailored for children, complete with parental controls.
Noot Kids Headphones
- Convenient and adjustable, perfect for using devices quietly.
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