This post may contain affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Before adopting our two kids (now 7 & 4), my husband and I got it in to our heads that we didn’t want to do electronics in our home with little people. I know that this is one of those decisions that is not the norm and is one that leaves people wondering how we function at things like doctor’s appointments and long car rides. Traveling with children unplugged is actually quiet doable and even enjoyable without the screens. If a Type A introvert can do 36 of travel with a toddler she’d just met without any screen time, anything is possible. If you’d like to try your hand at the unplugged life on a trip with kids, here are some of the ways we make this work.
Develop a love of reading
From the time that we met both of our kids, we were reading stories to them. We now have one who very happily reads to his younger sister when we are at home or away on a trip. Even though she can’t read yet, our daughter loves looking at books and using her imagination. Any time we are traveling with children on a trip, I have a box full of super thin, easy to pack, paperback books. They each pick some that get to come along. These are a few of our favorites…
Cultivate creativity
This is NOT the time to break out that 10,000 piece necklace making gift from their great aunt. Think compact & contained like a colored pencil set with coloring books, activity books with stickers, paint by sticker, etc.
Aim high on activities
Meet your kids where they are at with their interest level, but aim a little high to keep their minds engaged. I wouldn’t pack a 25 piece sticker puzzle activity book for my 7 year old. He would happily work on it and would probably even really enjoy it… but it would take him all of 2 minutes. I would rather give him something that I know is going to stretch his mind and will take him time. The goal is quietly passing the time.
Develop conversational skills
Friends, I am the introvertedest (yep – just used that word) introvert you will ever meet. Talking wears me down, even with my kids. That being said, my kids are both great conversationalists. It’s enjoyable to just sit and talk. Tell them a story you’ve made up or better yet, have them make one up and tell you. Talk about your upcoming experience and what you think they might like about it. Ask them what they are most excited about. Tell them about when you were a kid and how much you looked forward to things like this. When you are traveling with children on the way home, ask them what their top moments / foods / activities were or about the new friends they made. And when you need to curl back up into your non-talking space like I need to, move on to #5.
Sleep
What a beautiful thing. For car trips, we often plan them either after lunch for a shorter trip, early morning for a longer one that spills into early afternoon. My daughter still takes naps and will nap in the car while her brother has mandated quiet time to work on any of those activities in his backpack that his heart desires. If we are flying a long distance, we like to shoot for flights that start when we know our kids should be tiring down at the end of the day. We actually put them in pajamas on the plane so that their minds know that this is sleep time.
Pack comfort items
Two things we never travel without – a blanket and stuffed animal. Each of my kids get to pick their favorite animal to go on our adventure together and I also pack their blankets that I made them as babies. If I’m honest, I always travel with my own blanket as well and it is just nice to have a piece of home to snuggle up with, no matter how much fun you are having while you are away.
Make it exciting and new
I have toys that my kids don’t know about (or forgot about) and I like to keep it that way. They come out when I am packing for a trip and the kids don’t get to look in their backpacks until we are in the car. It’s like opening up a present when they find new surprises in their bags to play with. You don’t have to spend money here either. Hide some things away that you know will be great for traveling with children and make it a travel specific toy. Or visit your local dollar store. That aisle with all of the coloring books and puzzles is vacation gold.
Snacks
I always have snacks in my own bag, but my kids think it is a great treat when I pack a bag of snacks just for them. They love having the choices and having some freedom to snack when they’d like.
Media
Just because we don’t let them do electronics doesn’t mean we don’t have access to media. We love putting on our favorite soundtrack and singing together, listening to Slugs & Bugs, or watching movies together if we are on a long flight. Also – we are a bit eclectic in our tastes apparently, but these are literally what my kids love right now.
Keep it compact
When considering what to pack, I go for things that are easy to clean up. LOVE, love, LOVE so many of these because they are compact, don’t make a mess, and are reusable.
Make it accessible
Everything that my kids need to stay entertained, they keep in their own bag. It’s (literally) weight off of my shoulders, and they feel grown up when they get to carry a bag just like Mom & Dad. For the record – it’s a light weight bag.
Encourage independence
I love it when my kids can be independent and it makes them feel special too. It’s a wonderful thing when they have the items that they will need and when they need them. Side bonus : It saves my mind when they aren’t constantly asking for something they could easily get themselves.
So that’s us and traveling with children. A few books, something creative, comfort items, snacks, and a favorite toy or two and we are ready for the road (or flight). I hope this helps if you are wanting to try your next trip with your kids unplugged. Feel free to comment below if you have a trick that works well for you! We’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for sharing, I love this! We completely agree with going tech-free in our day-to-day, home and travel. Not only does it foster creativity and independence, it also support stronger family relationships. Some of the deepest conversations I had growing up were with my parents, from the passenger seat of the car. I hope to encourage that in our son as well! In addition, I can’t be our only child’s sole entertainment and keeper of all the great ideas 🙂 I like that car rides especially challenge him to entertain himself.
Love all of this!!! Yes to creativity, independence, and I completely agree on having stronger relationships because of it! Thank you so much for sharing, Alexa!