Holiday time is here! The car’s packed, snacks are stashed, and the kids are buckled in for the ultimate family road trip adventure. You’ve got the playlist ready, the GPS set, and dreams of a smooth, laughter-filled drive ahead. But let’s be honest—between “Mummmmmyyy, are we there yet?”, snack spillage, and backseat bickering, things can go off course fast.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re heading up the coast, cruising through the outback, or tackling a quick weekend getaway, we’ve rounded up clever hacks, activities, and travel must-haves to keep everyone happy, calm, and entertained for the whole family road trip.
Because family road trips should be about making memories—not losing your sanity!
1. A kid-sized travel pillow, plus carrying case, from It’s Always Autumn!
2. This take along magnetic pattern block tray from Make It & Love It.
3. Turn a wipes carrier into a felt board like The Grassy Noall did.
4. A homemade car travel tray from Two Sisters Crafting. We used a cookie sheet and some scrap fabric to make this DIY Road Trip Travel Tray – a must have item on a multi-hour car trip with a toddler!
5. Clothespin letter match busy bag from Craftulate — it’s easy to take along and travel!
6. Free play with velcro dot craft sticks, aka popsicle stick shapes.
7. Use a pencil bag to make a cute travel kit, like the Princess and the Tot did.
8. Sort colours with Learning and Exploring through Play’s busy bag.
9. A color sorting sensory bag for learning colors (and a fine motor activity too!) means less mess play with the color sorting sensory bag from Hands On As We Grow.
10. Shoe lacing cards from the Craft Train!
11. Or, sequence the Very Hungry Caterpillar story with From ABC’s to ACT’s lacing cards.
12. Calm down and chill out with Rhythm of Play’s butterfly sensory bottle DIY.
Calm down sensory bottles like this butterfly bottle can be used in many ways. They can be used for safe no mess sensory play, a science teaching aid, a time out tool, and to help children (and adults) calm down and unwind. They are also the perfect way for babies and toddlers to safely investigate items without the risk of choking on them. DIY Calm Down Jar | Discovery Bottle
