Who has spring break travel coming up? Whether you are taking to the skies or heading out on the road (or maybe you’re traveling by train!), I wanted to share some recent screen-free activities that our kids have enjoyed.  While we are not strict on keeping travel screen-free, we do like to make intentional choices around screen time.

Balance is all we are aiming for, so having a few go-to activities on hand is extremely helpful.  The possibilities are endless.  Because of that, first, I plan to add to the this short list through follow-up posts.  I also want to this to be more of a community effort! Have a highly engaging, easy to pack, screen-free activity idea for young kids? Please leave your idea in the comments or simply email me!

• Travel Packs from Crayola

Bergen received an avengers themed, and Georgia received a princess themed travel pack in their Christmas stockings this past year.  Inside the plastic case are several crayons and a pack of coloring and activity sheets.  What I love the most about the travel packs is that the crayons have little holders to keep them in place! This helps prevent the crayons from rolling all over the place.  Such a bonus.  The crayon colors are also themed depending on which characters are represented.  So creative!

• G0 Games Hangman

We have had so much fun playing hangman during our travels (and even at restaurants here at home) with this compact set.  The letters and hangman pieces are magnetic, so they stay put.  This plus, the small zipper pouch that everything is housed in make it easy to pack, organize, and keep together. While it’s not appropriate for kids under 3 (small parts), I love how the game is easily differentiated for varied ages and abilities/levels.

• Sticker Book Treasuries

An amazing Goodwill find! These sticker books are the mother of all sticker books.  They are packed with SO many (reusable) stickers, and so many pages of fun, engaging activities.  There are even a few posters inside.  Disclaimer: All those pages and stickers do make the book a little on the heavy side, but I’ve found the extra weight to be worth the trouble. 

• Imagine Ink Mess Free Game Book

This little game book had us at “mess free”.  The marker only works on the special imagine ink paper, and reveals special clues, patterns, mazes, and matching games. At 4-years old, Georgia seems to be at the ideal age for this particular activity.  She’s able to do most of the activities independently, or with a little up front guidance.  Worked especially well on the airplane, and also at times where we were waiting or doing “grown-up things, such as a restaurant or coffee shop.

• Play Packs

These little packs of crayons, activity sheets, and stickers are so inexpensive, AND our kids think they are best thing ever.  I think they may be intended as a party favor, but I found them individually for sale at (of course) our local Goodwill.  The top tears off, but there is a ziploc-type seal that keeps everything contained.  Lots of characters to choose from depending on the who your child might be into at the moment.

I’d love to continue sharing screen-free engaging and packable activities for young kids! Share your favorites in the comments, and stay tuned for follow-up posts.