Keep their boredom at bay and put a stop to any squabbles with these genius parenting travel hacks
Whether you’re taking the kids to friends, they’re off to stay with their grandparents or you’re all lucky enough to be going on holiday, there’s usually a lot of family time spent in a car over the summer So tool up with this array of distractions that will mean journeys don’t equal yet more screentime or a standard-issue screaming match when they ask for the bazillionth time if you’re nearly there yet.
Skip Hop Unicorn Snack Cup, £9
Never underestimate the power of snacks on a car journey. Ideally you want things that won’t melt or be too messy so this cute unicorn snack cup is perfect for keeping any food fresh. The flexible opening will be easy for little fingers and it’ll encourage self-feeding.
What Are Stars? board book, £6.55
You can’t beat a good book on a car journey. Older kids will love picking their own volumes and reading solo, while little ones will enjoy looking at the pictures while you read together (obviously not while driving). A good tip is start reading for just 10 minutes at a time to check your child doesn’t get motion sickness. We love this beautifully illustrated lift-the-flap book which has an introduction to stars and the night sky, with simple explanations and illustrations on every page.
Manuscript Lionheart Fine Tip Pens, £11
Felt tips are the perfect way for creative kids to stay busy on a long journey. These Lionheart fine felt tip pens come in 12 colours and are washable in case any bumps in the road cause accidental marks.
Children’s Adventure Pencil Case, £8
Make life easier (for yourself) and add a pencil case to your shopping list for your trip for aforementioned felt tips. Keeping everything in one place will make it easier for your child to manage their drawing bits and bobs, and stop them dropping pens and crayons all over the car.
Rachel Ellen Dinosaur, Space and Super Hero Colouring Book, £7.50
Once you have a new set of felt tip pens and a pencil case, you just need is a colouring book and you’re all set. This pack of three has dinosaur, space adventure and superhero themes plus blank pages for drawing or writing.
Kids Trivia Plus, £9.95
If your kids are a little older then this fun trivia game will wile away the hours. It’s suitable for children aged seven and older (but little ones will enjoy shouting out random answers too) and can be played with up to six people.
Galt Water Magic Under the Sea Colouring, £5.99
This genius invention is similar to painting but without any of the mess. By adding a small amount of water to the pen that’s included, your little ones can reveal hidden pictures that depict a fun underwater scene. Once the water dries the picture disappears so it can be used over and over again to provide hours of entertainment. Plus, the chunky spiral book is easy for little hands to use.
Crayola Colour ’n’ Style Friends Bluebell Deluxe Playset, £26.99
This self-contained set includes a figurine, a car and three special pens for colouring. Your little one can style Bluebell and her car with amazing designs and colour patterns before wiping it off with the special pad and starting all over again. Suitable for children aged three and over.
Leapfrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book, £15.75
If you’re travelling with a child under the age of one you might need something with a few more bells and whistles in order to keep them entertained through a long journey. This fantastic learning toy should do the trick, encouraging educational development in a fun and engaging way. Turtle, Tiger and Monkey teach more than 100 words through words, facts and fun sounds.
The Gruffalo & Friends Bumper Activity Children’s Sticker Book, £7.99
You can’t go wrong with a sticker book. These two are packed with games, doodles, craft ideas and more than 200 stickers to keep fans of Julia Donaldson’s classic kids’ stories busy for hours.
