How To Prevent Toddler Boredom While Traveling. This post is sponsored by Socialstars & Playskool as a part of toddler playtime fun with the #PLAYSKOOLCREW. All opinions are my own
How To Prevent Toddler Boredom While Traveling
The plans were laid. The car was packed. 2 smiling happy children were buckled into the back seat. Oh yes! Finally, we were traveling for summer vacation. In a few short hours we would be sitting on a beautiful beach resort. You’d think I had the title for this post all wrong with “How to Prevent Toddler Boredom While Traveling.” Wait for it. The story gets better.
As soon as we arrived, it rained on our parade. Literally. Basically a huge monsoon ensued during our glorious beach resort stay. Winds, lightning, hail…but that was nothing compared to the toddler tantrum that followed. Boredom, a hotel room and a 2 year old. You can do the math. Stuck indoors, here’s how we tackled toddler boredom while on vacation.
Stay Calm
Your toddler is much smarter than you think. If you’re stressed, they can feel the tension. So soak up the new environment, enjoy the quality family time (yes, even the tantrums) and remember that you are helping to create priceless travel memories.
Go to Plan B or C or ZZZ
You’re an awesome parent. You have the creative thinking skills like no other. Have plenty of contingency plans on hand for situations such as weather and traffic. Have back up plans ready for all of your original activities and definitely make sure some “indoor” fun is included.
Keep Snacks Nearby
When in doubt, the stomach always thanks you. Keep lots of snacks on hand to beat boredom. My toddler loves lots of texture oriented snacks, like trail mixes. Think about dividing snacks into smaller pieces (oh yes I break those pretzel sticks in half!) as well to make the time go by. Let those toddlers work on those fine motor skills while they munch! 🙂
Have Travel Toys on Hand
Do you have a stash of portable toys for your toddler? Me too! Light and compact for travel and ready for hours of playtime fun, I save these toys just for occasions such as this. And what is my toddler loving lately for travel boredom busting? Playskool Toys!
Fold n’ Go Busy Elephant
It’s a snuggle friend. It’s a toy. It’s a (shhhh!) learning activity center all in one! I love this little elephant friend for our travel trips.
Built-in with 7 activities for tummy time and beyond, this elephant crinkles, squeaks,and rattles. Peek-a-boo mirror, textured materials, a clicky wheel, a soft plush face, this guy loves to be touched!
He also has huggable softness and is completely fold-able into a compact carrying case (aka my daughter’s “purse”). She loves bringing her elephant with her on vacation.
And since this little guy gets tons of hugs and cuddles (see my daughter falling asleep with him in hand…in the suitcase?), I love that he’s also washable! When our travel is done, I can toss this Elephant into a pillow case for a good clean in the washer! YES!
Stack n’ Stow Cups
This set of nesting cups is utterly brilliant. They stack. They stow. They go! And so much more than your usual toddler toys, this set is perfect for teaching moments with my daughter.
There are shapes. There are colors. There are sizes. There are textures. And there are big ole’ holes for sifting sand or water or anything else!
You can create a tall stacking tower in minutes, working on dexterity, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. You can nest the cups back together for easy storage, even have “tea” with them (we did!). These cups made their rounds just on this one trip alone.
Made entirely of plastic with an adorable lion friend mold, this set of 7 cups is the perfect toy for travel. Brilliantly portable with the nesting cups easily locking into place for travel, I highly recommend every parent to have this “toddler secret weapon” on hand for travel boredom busting. It certainly turned this rainy frown upside down!
Go with the Flow!
Remember that you are on VACATION! Things may not go as planned. Pictures may not be perfectly posed. Activities may not transpire. But I know that our family memories are more than just rainy days. It was a beautiful beach resort filled with smiles, laughter and fun! Prevent toddler boredom on your next travel adventure with these few tips. We definitely had a great vacation, and a monsoon story to tell.
What is your favorite tip to prevent travel boredom in your kids?
Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more of our family moments, travel, reviews and more.
Looking for more passionate parenting moments?
Casey B says
This is great advice! I have a 5 year old and a 9 month old and traveling is crazy sometimes!!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
It was all about the entertainment for us. A few good toys and we were ready to rock.
chasing joy says
These are good tips. Go with the Flow is probably most important as things never go as planned.
Patricia Delgado says
Good tips here, I have an 18 month old boy and I’m always looking for boredom busters!
Monica Powell says
This great!! Always looking for ways to keep out 19month occupied when on trips!
Maralea says
These are some great tips to keep the kiddos happy while traveling! I am passing this on. Thank you!
Lori Pouncey says
These are really great tips and ideas! Thank you for sharing such fun information. We do not travel too much, usually threee times a year to visit family and our annual Yogi Bear Resort and Water park trip! Love the blog, thank you for this awesome share 🙂
Marcie W. says
Good toys that entertain and engage are definitely super important. I always felt that a variety of snacks and a comfortable place to nap was key when traveling with my kids during the toddler days.
Ora Lee Gurr says
Nesting Cups and a fold-n-go elephant are wonderful toys. Playskool saved many a day with the kids when they were smaller and trips had hiccups. Glad it all worked out.
Debbie Denny says
Kids do get bored fast. Love those toys.
Katherine Riley says
We pack mystery bags for our toddlers, with a toy or book and a snack and open one every few hours when traveling.
Lynne says
Oh, I remember those days – (mostly fondly, ha ha). For our family the #1 rule was to Go With The Flow. Trying to force us into a preconceived notion of what we HAD to do that day (except of course for obvious things, like making a flight, or meeting a friend in whatever city we were in) was not the way to go….for the most part my boys were good travelers, so when they were off kilter we knew it was well worth the time and effort to slow down and reassess the plan.
Penny Delgado says
Thanks for the tips I always carry with my toys and snacks ect . It does help out a lot
Amber Ludwig says
So many great ideas!! I love that you had “stay calm”. Hubby and I joke that kiddos can sense fear or stress and feed off of it like little demons 😉
Amy says
Yes! Snacks & toys!! Plus staying calm lol great advice
Jayne says
These are really great ideas and I cannot think of anything to add.
I will strongly back your advice on having a back up plan. Before you go anywhere, you should be aware of all your options in case plans change.
Liz Mays says
These are definitely sure fire ways to keep things entertaining. My son would always get super bored on car rides.
Jessica Brown says
Really good advice. Thank you
Val says
This is great advice! I remember traveling with littles ones and it can be difficult. Following these ideas would be much better!
Rebecca King says
These are great tips! My LO is only 1 so I haven’t had to do much to keep him occupied yet, but I know I will soon! Thank you for all the ideas 🙂