How to Keep Kids Entertained During Long Flights and Road Trips (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let’s be real—traveling with kids is a whole experience. Whether you’re braving a cross-country road trip or surviving a long-haul flight, keeping little ones entertained is the difference between arriving sane or questioning all your life choices.

I’ve been there—carry-ons stuffed with waaaay too many things, a toddler meltdown at 30,000 feet, and that one flight where we were delayed on the tarmac for over an hour. But after countless trips (and a lot of trial and error), I’ve found tried-and-true ways to keep kids entertained without relying on screen time the entire journey.

Here’s what actually works, from one parent to another xoxo

1. The Magic of the “Travel Bag”

One of my biggest travel hacks that started as a ‘Restaurant Bag’ - Pack a cute little travel bag for them. This is a small bag of toys, games, and activities that only come out during the trip. The novelty alone keeps them interested way longer than their usual favorites.

What to include:

• Reusable Coloring Mat – Game changer! A reusable silicone coloring mat (like this one from TrekSet Travel) keeps kids engaged without going through a million coloring pages. Just wipe clean and color again!
• Water Wow Books – No mess, no stress. Just a little water and the pages “magically” color themselves.
• Mini Magnet Tile Sets – Compact and perfect for tiny hands.
• Sticker Books – Hours of peeling and sticking = parental bliss.
• Fidget Toys – Because keeping little hands busy = fewer tantrums.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t let them see what’s inside beforehand—surprises keep them entertained way longer!

2. Snacks = Entertainment

Never underestimate the power of snacks as a distraction. I’m not saying bribe your kids with Goldfish (or am I?), but having a rotation of fun, travel-friendly snacks can save you from mid-flight meltdowns.

Snack ideas that double as activities:

• Snack Necklaces – String cereal onto a lacing cord for a fun (and edible) activity.
• DIY Snack Boxes – Use a tackle box, pill organizer or this snack box to create a fun snack sampler.
• Surprise Snack Bags – Wrap up snacks like little gifts. Unwrapping = entertainment.

🚗 For road trips: Opt for low-mess snacks—no one wants to clean crushed crackers out of car seats for days.

3. Audiobooks & Podcasts = Sanity Savers

Whether you’re in the car for hours or need a quiet moment on a flight, audiobooks and kid-friendly podcasts are gold.

Our go-to favorites:

• “Disney Storytime” on Spotify – A fun listen with engaging narration to Disney favorites.
• Soundtracks from their favorite movies – Currently on repeat: Wonka - Official Movie Soundtrack
• “Wow in the World” Podcast – Science + storytelling = kids actually learning.
• Harry Potter Audiobooks – Because you might secretly enjoy it too.

🎧 Pro Tip: Use kid-safe Bluetooth headphones (trust me, you don’t want to hear Peppa Pig on repeat).

4. Activity-Based Travel Games

“I Spy” is a GREAT travel game but add these travel-friendly games make long stretches feel way shorter.

Best Travel Games for Flights & Road Trips:

• “Would You Rather?” Travel Edition – Example: Would you rather have spaghetti for hair or marshmallows for fingers? (Cue cute debates.)
• DIY Bingo Cards – Create a road trip bingo board with things like “red car,” “cow,” “stop sign.”
• Sticker Storytelling – Give them a blank notebook and stickers to create their own story.

🚙 For road trips: Try window gel clings for endless decorating fun on car windows!

5. Screen Time… But Make It Strategic

I’m all for limiting screen time, but sometimes, you just need a moment. The trick? Save it for when you really need it (like hour three of a five-hour flight).

How to make screen time work for you:
✅ Download beforehand! WiFi is never reliable at 35,000 feet.
✅ Pre-load educational apps – Hey, if they’re going to watch something, might as well learn too!

Favorite kid-friendly travel apps:

• ABC Mouse and 123 Toddler - Educational and fun.

6. Movement Breaks = Happier Kids

Kids stuck in one spot for hours? Recipe for disaster. If you’re on a flight, take walk breaks up and down the aisle when possible. If you’re driving, schedule quick “run-around” stops at parks instead of gas stations.

Final Thoughts: You Got This! 

Long travel days with kids can feel overwhelming, but with a little planning (and a lot of snacks), you can make it smooth and even—dare I say—fun?

✨ Must-Haves for Travel Days:
🚀 Reusable Coloring Mat – A travel lifesaver!
🎧 Kid-friendly audiobooks for quiet time
🍿 Fun, mess-free snacks
🎲 Engaging travel games & activities

Ready to make your next trip way easier? Shop my favorite travel finds here.

Got a go-to travel hack? Drop it in the comments—I love hearing what works for other parents!