How to Make Travelling Fun for Kids (Without Screens)
Travelling with kids can be magical… but it can also quickly turn into:
- “I’m bored.”
- “How much longer?”
- “Do we have to do this?”
How to make travelling fun for kids
The good news?
Keeping kids engaged while travelling doesn’t have to mean endless screen time or expensive activities. With a little creativity, you can turn journeys, sightseeing, and even waiting around into part of the adventure.
Here are some simple ways to make travelling more fun for kids—while creating memories they’ll actually remember.
🌍 Let Kids Be Part of the Adventure
One of the easiest ways to make travel more exciting for children is to involve them.
When kids feel like they’re part of the experience—not just being dragged along—they’re much more engaged.
Try:
- Letting them help choose activities
- Showing them where you’re going on a map
- Giving them simple “travel jobs”
- Asking for their ideas during the trip
Even small choices can make a big difference.
🧩 Turn Sightseeing into a Game
Walking around cities or attractions can feel boring for kids if they don’t know what to look for and a well planned trip can quickly turn into a stressful experience for everyone.
Instead, turn exploring into a challenge. Try things like scavenger hunts, spotting games, “Who can find ___ first?” challenges or photo challenges. It instantly turns into what may seem like a boring sightseeing trip for children into a fun adventure.
This works especially well for city breaks, museums, nature walks or even airports
👉 Printable travel scavenger hunts can make this even easier and help keep kids entertained without screens.
If you want some ready made kids entertainment to take with you on your trip, I have a complete travel bundle on my Etsy shop: Travel Activities for Kids.
📸 Give Kids a Camera
Kids see the world differently—and giving them a way to capture it can make travel much more exciting.
You don’t need anything fancy. An old phone, simple digital camera or even a disposable camera are enough.
Encourage them to photograph a variety of things such as funny signs, interesting foods, favourite moments or things they’ve never seen before. Give them a list of items to photograph for a fun challenge.
It helps them stay curious and engaged throughout the trip.
🎧 Use Audio Entertainment
Screen-free doesn’t have to mean silent.
Audiobooks and podcasts are brilliant for long journeys, downtime or quiet moments during travel.
Before you set off for your trip, try and find some family audiobooks, kids podcasts or travel-themed stories to listen to.
These can help pass time while still feeling interactive and imaginative.
🍦 Build in “Fun Stops”
Not every moment of a trip has to be educational or productive. Make sure to plan in little fun stops or surprises along the journey to keep them engaged.
Sometimes the best travel memories come from ice cream stops or finding random playgrounds. A little beach break or funny roadside attractions along the way. Do a little research before your trip and keep these on your backburner to add to your sightseeing and museum trips.
Kids often remember the little moments most.
🧠 Encourage Curiosity About New Places
Travelling is a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn naturally.
Instead of formal lessons, keep it simple and fun. You can try local food together or learn a few words in the local language. Learn a little about traditions and cultures and spot differences from home.
You don’t need to force learning—it often happens naturally through experience.
Learn before you go
If you are looking at ways to engage your children before you even set off on your trip, try reading stories about your destination. I’ve created a Summer Around The World Reading Challenge with a free printable reading tracker and book recommendations for each contintent to help you get started.
🎒 Keep a Small “Surprise Bag”
A little novelty goes a long way when travelling. Keeping a little “Surprise Bag” handy for those moments where nothing else seems to work, is always a good idea. It doesn’t need anything complicated, just pack a few small toys, stickers, snacks, activity sheets.
Then bring them out gradually during the trip.
💡 Tip: Things don’t have to be new—just forgotten about for a while!
🚗 Make the Journey Part of the Holiday
One of the biggest mindset shifts?
Stop thinking of travel days as something to “get through.”
Instead use the opportunity to play games together or listen to stories. Talk about what you’re excited for or what you are most looking forward to.
Sometimes the journey becomes part of the memory.
💛 Don’t Overschedule Everything
Trying to pack too much into a trip often leads to tired, overwhelmed kids and exhausted and stressed parents.
Make sure to leave space for rest or free play too. This often leads to fun spontaneous moments and memories.
Often the happiest travel days are the least planned ones.
✨ Final Thoughts: Fun Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Kids don’t need constant entertainment to enjoy travelling.
Usually, the things they remember most are feeling included and playing together or discovering new things. The parts my kids always remember is spending time together as family.
Keep things simple, flexible, and fun—and you’ll create memories that last long after the trip ends.
If you want more tips on how to survive the journey, have a look at my guide on how to keep kids entertained on long journeys.
You might also want to check out my post on What to Pack to avoid the risk of overpacking for your trip.
📌 Coming Next
Next in the series:
What No One Tells You About Travelling with Kids (And How to Handle It)
💬 Your turn
What’s your best trick for keeping kids engaged while travelling?
I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
