17 DIY Travel Activities for Kids: Fun, Screen-Free Entertainment on the Go

Traveling with kids can be a rewarding, memory-filled adventure, but let’s face it: keeping children entertained during long trips is no small feat. Whether it’s the persistent “Are we there yet?” or the struggle to keep devices from taking over, the challenges of traveling with kids are universal. For parents looking to maintain their sanity and create meaningful, engaging experiences for their children, planning ahead is key.

Enter DIY travel activities for kids—a collection of creative, cost-effective, and screen-free solutions designed to make every journey enjoyable for the whole family. Not only do these activities keep kids busy, but they also stimulate their creativity, foster family bonding, and reduce the inevitable boredom that comes with extended travel.

From travel bingo and magnetic toys to scavenger hunts and story cubes, this article explores 17 dynamic and easy-to-prepare activities that will keep your little ones entertained no matter the mode of transportation. These hands-on ideas are tailored for kids of all ages, ensuring there’s something for everyone—toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged kids alike. Each activity is simple enough for parents to prepare, highly portable for on-the-go play, and designed to spark imagination and curiosity. Let’s dive into the first set of activities that are sure to transform your next trip into a fun and fulfilling adventure.

1. DIY Travel Activity Kits

What Are Travel Activity Kits?

Travel activity kits are compact, portable bundles of entertainment tailored to a child’s age, preferences, and interests. Packed with a variety of activities, they serve as a go-to solution when boredom strikes during a trip. These kits are highly customizable and can be adapted for road trips, airplane journeys, or even train rides.

How to Create a Travel Activity Kit

Assembling a DIY kit is easy and budget-friendly. Start by selecting versatile items, such as:

• Coloring books and crayons
• Reusable sticker pads
• Small puzzles or brain-teasing games
• Magnetic toys
• Travel-sized board games

For younger kids, include tactile toys like pipe cleaners or sensory-friendly items. Older kids might prefer logic puzzles, word searches, or DIY craft supplies. Organize the materials in ziplock bags or divided containers to keep everything tidy and accessible.

Organizing Tips for Parents

• Separate by Activity Type: Use small pouches or containers to group similar items together.
• Think Compact and Lightweight: Choose travel-friendly items that are easy to carry.
• Reusable Materials: Prioritize items that can be reused, such as dry-erase boards or magnetic kits, to get more mileage out of the kit.

Benefits of Travel Kits

Not only are these kits packed with entertainment value, but they’re also reusable, easy to pack, and adaptable to any mode of travel. Parents can rotate out items to keep things fresh, ensuring kids always have something to look forward to on future trips.

2. Sticker Fun

Sticker Activities for All Ages

Stickers never go out of style, and they’re perfect for keeping kids engaged during travel. From creative scenes to interactive games, the possibilities with stickers are endless. Younger kids can enjoy simple sticker play, while older kids can participate in themed sticker challenges.

Games and Creative Play

• Reusable Sticker Pads: These not only keep messes to a minimum but also allow kids to create and recreate new scenes repeatedly.
• I Spy Games: Use themed sticker sets to create custom “I Spy” challenges, such as finding all the animals, vehicles, or foods from the sticker sheet.
• DIY Sticker Art: Provide kids with plain sheets of paper and encourage them to design their own creative sticker scenes.

DIY Pro Tips

For toddlers or younger kids, consider removing the sticky backing from stickers to make them easier to peel. This allows them to focus on play without frustration. Additionally, pre-sort stickers into themes, colors, or categories to make them more engaging during the trip.

3. Travel Bingo

How to Play Travel Bingo

Travel bingo adds an element of fun and adventure to road trips. The rules are simple: kids mark off items on their bingo card as they spot them during the trip, such as road signs, specific vehicles, animals, landmarks, or colors.

How to Make Travel Bingo Cards

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create travel bingo cards. Use free online tools or printables, or get creative by drawing up categories customized to your journey. Some themes to consider include:

• Road Trips: Include items like stop signs, license plates, or RVs.
• Flights: Focus on clouds, flight attendants, or suitcases.
• Nature Adventures: Incorporate birds, specific trees, or mountain landscapes.

Encouraging Teamwork

This game is perfect for families traveling together. Kids can work individually or as a team to complete their bingo cards, fostering collaboration and observation skills. It’s also a great way to make siblings bond rather than bicker.

4. Magnetic Toys and Boards

Why Magnetic Toys Work for Travel

Magnetic toys are a lifesaver for travel because they’re mess-free and highly engaging. The pieces stick to the board, so you won’t have to worry about losing them in tight spaces like airplane seats or car floors.

Ideas for Magnetic Toys

• Tangrams: Kids can arrange magnetic geometric shapes to create patterns or pictures.
• Alphabet Magnets: These can be used for letter recognition, spelling practice, or even small puzzles.
• Magnetic Drawing Boards: These boards allow for endless doodling, erasing, and redrawing, making them ideal for reuse on long trips.

Create a DIY Magnetic Board

For a simple DIY option, attach a magnetic sheet to the inside of a cookie tray to create a portable magnetic board. Pack a variety of magnetic pieces, and you’ve got an all-in-one travel-friendly activity.

5. Water Wow Books & Mess-Free Coloring

Mess-Free Masterpieces

One of the best innovations for travel activities are mess-free options like Water Wow books and Crayola Color Wonder markers. These tools let kids unleash their inner artist without the risk of ruining the car upholstery or airplane seats.

• Water-Reveal Pads: Water Wow books feature special pages where kids can use a water-filled pen to reveal vibrant colors and patterns. Once the pages dry, they’re blank again, ready for another round of coloring.
• Color Wonder Markers: These markers only work on specific paper, ensuring there’s no unintentional scribbling on clothes, walls, or seats.

Why Parents Love These Options

These activities are compact, designed for zero mess, and reusable—perfect for any travel scenario. They’re ideal for toddlers and preschoolers with a budding interest in art.

6. Mini Lego Kits

DIY Lego Travel Box

Legos are a fantastic choice for imaginative play, and with a little creativity, they can be adapted for travel. Create a portable Lego kit by gluing a baseplate to the lid of a small container, then filling it with assorted Lego pieces. The container doubles as both a storage unit and a building surface.

Creative Building Games

Kids can build mini structures, design their dream house, or participate in family challenges to see who can create the most unique design during the trip. This sparks creativity and problem-solving skills while keeping their hands busy.

Benefits of Lego Kits for Travel

These kits are compact, reusable, and offer endless entertainment. Plus, they can be easily personalized based on your child’s favorite themes or colors.

7. Pipe Cleaners & Craft Sticks

Crafting on the Go

Pipe cleaners and craft sticks are light, portable, and versatile—perfect for travel. Kids can bend, twist, and combine these materials to create shapes, structures, and even small toys.

Activity Ideas

• Create animals like butterflies, snakes, or spiders.
• Build 3D structures such as houses or bridges.
• Experiment with patterns and designs using colorful craft sticks.

Why They’re Travel-Friendly

Unlike bulky toys, these materials take up minimal space in a travel bag. They’re also perfect for sparking hands-on creativity without the need for additional tools or glue.

8. DIY I Spy Bottles

Craft Your Own I Spy Bottle

I Spy bottles are easy to make and provide hours of entertainment. To create one, simply fill a clear plastic bottle with rice, beans, or tiny beads. Add small trinkets like buttons, beads, or miniature toys, and secure the lid tightly to prevent spills.

How to Play

Shake the bottle and challenge kids to find the hidden items inside. Provide a checklist or themed challenges based on the objects. For example, “Can you spot the red button?” or “Find the dinosaur!”

Why It Works

This activity keeps kids engaged through tactile exploration and sharpens their observation skills. It’s also great for quiet play, making it appropriate for airplanes or trains.

9. Scavenger Hunts

Tailoring Scavenger Hunts for All Ages

Scavenger hunts are a classic travel activity that can be easily customized to fit the age and interests of your children. Younger kids can look for simple shapes, colors, or common objects, while older kids can become detectives on the lookout for specific landmarks, license plates, or unique items related to your destination.

Printable Templates

For convenience, you can prepare scavenger hunt lists in advance. Many printable templates are available online, tailored for road trips, flights, or even walking tours. You can also create your own by including items specific to your travel route, such as unique flora and fauna, road signs, or cultural elements.

Gameplay Ideas

• Road Trips: Look for specific car colors, interstate signs, or a sequence of numbers on license plates.
• Flights: Search for items like a passenger with a hat, clouds in different shapes, or airline logos.
• Destination-Based: Incorporate local landmarks, cultural symbols, or foods.

Why Scavenger Hunts Are Awesome

These hunts boost observation skills and encourage kids to explore their surroundings. They also work well as a team activity, fostering cooperation between siblings. Parents can even add small prizes as incentives to keep the excitement going.

10. Story Cubes & Creative Storytelling Games

Rory’s Story Cubes

Rory’s Story Cubes is a popular travel game involving dice with small images on each side. Rolling the cubes generates a random selection of pictures that players use to create inventive and often hilarious stories. This game is simple to play, portable, and perfect for sparking creativity.

DIY Story Bags

For a more hands-on approach, create a story bag filled with random objects that can serve as prompts for storytelling. Items like miniature toys, postcards, or small trinkets can be drawn from the bag to inspire collaborative stories.

Benefits of Storytelling Games

Storytelling games ignite imagination, improve verbal skills, and provide endless entertainment. They’re particularly ideal for long road trips as they require minimal setup and serve as a great way to bond as a family.

11. Window Clings & Art

Decorate the Journey

Window clings are lightweight, reusable, and perfect for travel. Kids can decorate car or airplane windows with themed clings, such as animals, vehicles, or seasonal designs, adding a creative element to the trip.

DIY Window Clings

For a personalized touch, create your own window clings using static cling vinyl sheets. Cut out fun shapes or designs, and let your kids help decorate before the trip. These can be easily peeled off and rearranged multiple times during your journey.

Why They’re Ideal for Travel

Window clings stick to smooth surfaces without leaving a residue, making them a mess-free and reusable option. They’re especially useful for younger kids who love hands-on activities and visual stimulation.

12. Travel Journals & Scrapbooks

Documenting the Adventure

Travel journals and scrapbooks encourage kids to record their travel experiences through words, drawings, and collected memorabilia. Whether it’s journaling about their favorite meal or gluing in a ticket stub, this activity helps children reflect on their journey while crafting a keepsake to cherish.

Scrapbook Materials

• Include supplies like colored pencils, stickers, glue sticks, and washi tape.
• Provide prompts to inspire creativity, such as “What was the most exciting thing you saw today?” or “Draw a picture of the coolest building you’ve visited.”

Why Journals Are Great for Kids

Not only do they keep kids engaged during downtime, but they also enhance writing, drawing, and observational skills. Plus, revisiting their travel journal later is a wonderful way for children to relive their favorite memories.

13. Card Games & Compact Board Games

Portable Classics

Card games like Uno, Spot It!, or Go Fish are travel-friendly and can entertain a wide range of age groups. For longer trips, consider magnetic versions of classic board games such as Checkers, Connect Four, or Chess.

Why They Work

Card and compact board games are lightweight, easy to pack, and encourage social interaction between kids and adults. They also offer a welcome break from screens and provide an opportunity for family bonding.

14. Puzzle Books & Brain Teasers

Types of Puzzle Books

Puzzle books are a treasure trove of variety, offering activities like:

• Crossword puzzles
• Sudoku
• Word searches
• Mazes
• Sticker-by-number books, which combine logic and creativity

Why Puzzle Books Are Travel Essentials

They’re ideal for older kids who enjoy engaging their brains. These activities help sharpen cognitive skills, improve focus, and pass time effectively during long drives or flights.

15. DIY Postcard Creation

Creating Personalized Postcards

Let kids design their own postcards to send to family or friends back home. Start with blank postcard templates, and provide markers, stickers, stamps, and other embellishments. Encourage them to draw scenes from their travels or write about their favorite experiences.

Why Kids Love This Activity

Creating postcards is a fun way for children to express creativity while staying connected with loved ones. Plus, it gives them a tangible memory of the places they’ve visited.

16. Sensory Play Activities

Engage Multiple Senses

Sensory play activities are especially helpful for younger children who thrive on tactile exploration. Consider these travel-friendly options:

• Playdough Kits: Provide small containers of playdough with a few tools for molding and shaping.
• Busy Boards: Create compact boards featuring zippers, buttons, and Velcro strips.
• Textured Balls: Offer different sizes and textures for younger kids to explore.

Why Sensory Play Is Effective

These activities not only keep kids occupied but also help calm restless children by engaging their senses. They’re compact, easy to pack, and provide soothing entertainment during long trips.

17. Trivia Games About Destinations

Custom Trivia Games

Make the journey educational by introducing trivia games centered around your destination. Prepare fun questions such as:

• “What’s the capital of the state we’re visiting?”
• “How many Eiffel Towers can fit inside the Great Pyramid of Giza?”
• “Which animal is Australia’s national mascot?”

Why Trivia Works for Kids

Trivia games spark curiosity and help kids learn about the world around them. They’re perfect for older children who enjoy learning fun facts, and they can be played as a group activity to include everyone in the family.

FAQs Section

Q1: What Are Some Screen-Free Travel Activities for Toddlers?

Toddlers can enjoy reusable sticker pads, sensory bottles, stacking cups, and finger puppets. These activities are simple, engaging, and perfect for short attention spans.

Q2: How Can I Keep Older Kids Entertained on Long Trips?

Older kids tend to enjoy trivia games, puzzle books, story cubes, and compact board games. These options are educational, interactive, and mentally stimulating.

Q3: Are DIY Travel Activities Cost-Effective?

Absolutely! Most materials, such as stickers, pipe cleaners, and playdough, can be sourced from dollar stores or repurposed household items. This makes DIY kits a budget-friendly entertainment option.

Q4: How Do I Manage Mess-Free Activities During Travel?

Choose reusable items like Water Wow books, magnetic toys, and window clings. These options eliminate the need for cleanup and are portable and easy to store.

Q5: Can These Activities Work for Both Road Trips and Flights?

Yes! Most DIY travel activities are versatile and can be adapted for different modes of transportation. For flights, ensure compact and quiet activities like sensory bottles, sticker pads, or travel journals.

Conclusion

Traveling with kids can be a joyful and engaging experience when you’re equipped with the right activities. These 17 DIY travel ideas offer a range of screen-free, creative, and budget-friendly options to keep children entertained and happy during any journey. From travel bingo and sensory play to postcard crafting and trivia games, each activity is designed to spark curiosity, foster family bonding, and make lasting memories. So, the next time you hit the road or take to the skies, let these fun and simple activities turn your trip into an adventure your kids will cherish!