How to Entertain Children While Traveling

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from NelsonN and more videos in the Travel With Children category.

You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply.

Whether by plane, train, or automobile, traveling with kids who are too young to entertain themselves is a challenge. Here's how to rise to the occasion.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A backpack, tote bag, or plastic box for each child
Quiet, travel-friendly toys
Books and small toys the children haven't seen before
CDs your kids like to sing along to
Kids' books on tape
Outdoor toys like a jump rope, a flying disc, or balls
Wrapping paper
Portable DVD player
DVDs

Step 1: Give each child a carryall

Before the trip, give each child a backpack, tote bag, or plastic box to pack whatever games, toys, and books they want to bring along. If you're flying, make sure everything meets airline standards.

Tip: If you travel a lot, put aside some special items that are just for trips. They'll be more appealing than stuff your kids have access to all the time.

Step 2: Include travel-friendly items

Make sure to include plenty of travel-friendly items like crayons, paper, and coloring books; hand-held and magnetic games for older kids; and drawing and doodling toys.

Step 3: Hit the dollar store

Hit the dollar store for some cheap toys you can dole out as needed. Wrap each surprise item to make it more exciting for your child.

Step 4: Bring a DVD player

Consider buying or borrowing a portable DVD player, even if your car is equipped with one. (You'll be able to use it on trains and planes and in hotel rooms, too.) Try to get one that has more than one jack for headphones, or get an inexpensive headphone splitter.

Tip: If you have an MP3 player that plays videos, consider downloading a kid movie or two—for unforeseen emergencies.

Step 5: Borrow books on tape

Borrow some children's books on tape from the library.

Step 6: Bring music

Bring plenty of CDs if you're driving—especially stuff the kids like to sing along to.

Step 7: Pack snacks

Pack fun snacks and beverages. Mix several varieties of cereal together; make "sushi" out of Rice Krispy treats wrapped in fruit rolls; make trail mix with your kids' favorite dried fruits and nuts. The food should be safe—nothing that could spoil or pose a choking hazard—and not too messy.

Tip: According to one survey, kids' favorite car snacks are gum, lollipops, cookies, and chips, in that order.

Step 8: Take breaks

Take breaks. Often. At least every two hours. Look for playgrounds or rest stops with room for kids to run, jump rope, and throw a ball.

Tip: Cure the "are-we-there-yets?" by giving older kids a map with the route highlighted. Ask them to help navigate or challenge them to figure out how many miles to the next town.

Step 9: Play car games

If you're driving, play car games, like License Plate Bingo or "I See." Start a made-up story and have each child continue it. Basically, do whatever it takes to keep your little backseat drivers occupied until you truly are "there yet."

Thanks for watching How To Entertain Children While Traveling! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• homefamily
• diy
• instructional
• tutorial
• do
• it
• yourself
• tips
• essential
• skills
• learn
• to
• parenting
• family

[BubbleGumBubbleGirl]

Thumbs up if you really don't need to know this and you don't even have kids... -_-

[TheToploaderwasher]

Why would I buy toys from the dollar store? THEY CONTAIN LEAD! -.-

[howtodoguy1]

me too

[Parolth]

I am a kid...

[AvengerMarvel]

when i was 4 my family and i went to canada so my mom just went to red box rented a movie and my dad just set a dvd player on my lap. that shut me up for a while. That and gum and 7-up

[sogroov3]

thumbs up if your just a kid and wanna be entertained the next time you travel

[magechester]

Just out lots of sleeping pills in their drink and i assure u that they will keep quiet for the whole journey

[yellowpotondesk]

my husband wanted to install dvd players in the back of the front seats but i said we didnt need them but he went behind my back and did it anyway.

i got him back though, i filmed a 3 hour long movie of the back of my head

[PingByter]

Give teenagers 5minutes, a bottle of lotion and a Laptop

[justmeabm]

i bring my iphone ... it has everything in it + ments and chewing gum....

[pfilippi4868]

Have u notice that the mom was looking at the left kid alot and the camera was looking at the right kid alot?

Werid

[Tyranidwarriorman1]

@wiiwillrockyou1 ewww.... I see what you did there!