10 Ingenious Ways to Entertain Kids on Holiday 

10 Ingenious Ways to Entertain Kids on Holiday 

I’ve been taking my children away on holiday since they were both tiny. I even remember very clearly taking my 2-year-old abroad while I was pregnant and I did that alone whilst potty training the 2-year-old. Now I know lots of parents, single or not have had to do this but I just wanted to set the groundwork that I have some experience of juggling traveling with kids and having to find ways of keeping them entertained! A happy mummy is a happy child in my book. So, I thought that I would share some of my own tips with you which you can add to your own tried and tested methods.

1. Food! Kids love to eat, so whatever is their favourite snack – pack! Remember to pop a small pack of wet wipes in your bag for those sticky fingers!

2. Soothing toy – when mine were tiny my eldest had a small blue bear that went on each and every travel. Even now at 8 and 11 there is always something special that they like to have close to them. I let them decide and *whispers* it’s usually a soft toy!

3. Magazines – whatever the age and whatever the gender there are so many different types of magazines out there to suit almost everyone. It’s a good way to get some reading going on for the kids besides their electronic devices – we’ll get into those later!

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4. Colouring books – again, a bit like the magazines there are so many that really cross the different age ranges and the children can be really creative. Colouring books theses days don’t just satisfy the 2-5 year olds thankfully.

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5. Textiles – crochet, knitting, teddy bear making, all of these activities can easily be taken on holiday with very little fuss. I remember learning to knit from both of my mans when I was little and it would keep me amused and occupied for hours. It’s also such a great skill to learn for boys and girls.

6. Writing a diary of the holiday is a great way of getting the kids involved in the whole process of the holiday. As you are planning the holiday they can start jotting down what is happening and sticking in pictures from brochures etc. While away they can collect different flyers and leaflets to do with where you are staying and stick and paste.

7. Kids Club – I always book something that has a kids club of some description. Holidays are for all the family and you need some downtime as well. There are baby crèche, mini club, maxi clubs and all sorts to suit all different ages. All you have to do is look for them. It doesn’t mean that they have to go to the club all the time but it’s there as an option. Leave the guilt at home and pop them in there so you can have a couple of hours by the pool without any worry. You’ll be surprised how good it feels if you haven’t tried it.

8. Take your mum or another family member if you can. I’ve been having a holiday with my mum and my children ever since they were born. It’s amazing and for us it adds a very positive dynamic to our holidays. We noticed this year that there are so many grandparents holidaying with family now. I don’t know if I just didn’t notice it before or that it’s become so much more popular. A few years ago we had fun in Alcudia and it was mainly down to my mum being there with us.

9. Take one of their friends….No I’ve not lost the plot. If they are a certain age, around 9 and above then this is a genius idea. Your child will have their buddy and not need anywhere near as much attention (in a good way) as if they were on their own. They will be happy and feel a bit of independence as they will have their mate to explore the venue or even just the kids club where you are staying. Plus and this is a bonus….your child might even get invited away with them next time. It could be time to get out the Romantic weekend away brochures. I bet you thought that would never happen again!

10. Photography – this year my son started wanting to take photos. Whether this is on your phone if you dare trust them or on a disposable camera it’s a great way for them to feel part of it all and take some photos that they can then show around when they get home. It doesn’t really matter if it’s just the tops of heads or random sky photos, it’s theirs and can form part of lots of craft projects when you get home.

Bonus one  – If you really need to and if it makes everyone happy then take the kindle, ipad, or whatever it is away with you too. Remember, everything in moderation and “a happy mummy or daddy is a happy child”.

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Please share with me what other ideas work for you and your family. The more the merrier to help make the holidays go as stress free as possible.

 

 

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67 thoughts on “10 Ingenious Ways to Entertain Kids on Holiday ”

  1. Great ideas! We go away next week and I have already stocked up on magazines for the way down there – for them and me! #kcacols

  2. Great tips, I always get mine to pack a little back pack of colouring books, stickers, games etc. A grandparent is certainly the winning idea!! #KCACOLS

  3. Love this some great tips! I think I’m the complete opposite to you though. When we fly with the boys I tend to let them go wild on their tablets! It’s the only time I don’t restrict it.
    My 7 year old has also taken a keen I great in taking photos too #KCACOLS

  6. Great tips, my boys each get to pack a backpack full of things to keep them interested on long road trips (6 plus hours) and they each have their LeapPad they are only allowed to use on long drives. #KCACOLS

  7. Some good tips! My kids love colouring so we have to take some of that wherever we go! I like the idea of the holiday diary, I might try that on the next holiday! #KCACOLS

  9. I really liked your ideas. Since we adopted the boys this will be our first holiday so I am gathering all the ideas I can get. Thanks for these! 🙂 #KCACOLS

    1. You’re welcome:) have a great first holiday with the boys x

  11. Some fab tips! I really struggled on my last holiday with Arthur, but the apartment was a bit of a hazard for toddlers and I was pregnant and couldn’t walk without crutches so I think that had a big impact -#kcacols

  12. i imagine when they are older that taking a friend is a good idea and it keeps them entertained! i know my son is always occupied by his older cousin for hours! #kcacols

  14. Great tips and I take my hat off to you, taking two children abroad on your own! We’re looking into a holiday next year while I’m on Maternity Leave, when we will have a nearly 4 year old and a 6 month old, already looking at Kids Clubs etc! Ha ha! our first family holiday was to Australia when our son was just 2 so I reckon anything nearer and with him older must be easier, right? Ha ha! #KCACOLS

    1. Oh yes I would think so:) I once did a long haul with mine at 2 and thought I’d pass out through lack of sleep. All good memories….I think! lol:)

  15. There are some great ideas here! We took our 2.5 year old abroad for the first time earlier this year and I was so nervous about the 4 hour flight, but I really needn’t have been, and now I wish we’d taken her abroad sooner (when she could fly for free!). Snacks definitely helped, as did magazines and a new toy to keep her occupied. Magazines and stickers went down a treat too! #kcacols

    1. That’s a really good point about taking them away before the airlines charge.

  16. These are good tips for parents and grandparents as they prepare for summer vacations. Thank you for linking up at The Blogger’s Pit Stop. I’m sharing your link on social media.
    Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi

  17. These tips will come in handy for me this summer! Also, what I do try to keep up with the kids’ normal schedule as much as possible, for example, I try to have them eat and go to bed at their regular time so they’ll know what to expect. I’ll sharing this post on Twitter and Pinterest. Greetings from the Blogger’s Pit Stop!

  20. Some great ideas here, my 4yo has just started taking photos on an old camera of ours and he loves it. There’s always the really simple things that require no stuff at all – singing, wildlife hunt, making up stories or playing games like I spy (for younger children you can change I spy to spotting things in colours for instance if they don’t know their sounds yet).
    #KCACOLS

  21. Thanks for the tips. I get really daunted at the thought of taking the children away. I hate breaking their routine and worry it will just be a big stress. I think the iPad one is probably a must for us! X #kcacols

  22. These are great tips! we already do some of them but we will definitely try a few. We usually fly back to Barcelona, where we come from, and have my parents there so we can always enjoy some time for ourselves too. It is great when you have the family to entertain the kids. “Happy mummy happy daddy happy kids” indeed. 🙂

  24. Brilliant ideas! I always remember my Mum making us a bingo game where we had to spot different things and thinking it was wonderful and also taking a friend with us, best holiday ever! #kcacols

    1. Yeah food is pretty universal ? I’ve got more into sunbathing and like to wind down too 🙂

  26. I’m definitely going with food. Snappy loves food, that’s how I’m going to survive the flight to the US next month. My sister is getting her kid a job but I think that only works with teenagers. #kcacols

  27. Fab tips. I intend to get my daughter to write/ keep a diary these holidays. I have a scrapbook ready for her collections! The first time I used a kids club on holiday I was riddled with guilt but she loved it. Since then we have let her do the kids club on holidays, not every day maybe 2 or 3 times over a week.
    #KCACOLS

    1. Thank you:) and you’re right, a good balance of a few days is great for everyone:)

  28. Great Tips all round! Especially 8 and 9. Every since our very first holiday with the boys when they were little wee babies we have gone on holiday with their Aunty & Uncle. So naturally our boys equate going on holiday abroad with taking their aunty and uncle with them. We have at least 1 holiday a year where they aunt & uncle come with us. They will be 6 next month and they haven’t yet been to a kids club on holiday. We’ve always done stuff together or tag teamed. One day we went off on our own, another day they went off on their own. Having twins they always have someone to play with but when they get older they might want to take one of their friends with them. if they still have the same friends we could get away with taking one, but if they do have different friends then we might need to take two. We’d never hear the end of it otherwise! 🙂 #KCACOLS

    1. Ahh that’s lovely, we are also going with aunt and uncle and 4 of their cousins during the summer holidays this year so that should be fun. Thanks for your comments, Mainy

    1. Great for looking back in as they get older too:) thanks for your comments x

    1. Yep, everything gets easier and there are so many stages we have to go through as parents:)

  32. My daughter loves taking magazines with us if we go away anywhere, especially now she loves the tween magazines. Comfort toys are great too!
    #KCACOLS

  34. I remember making holiday scrapbooks every year of our holidays and I love looking back through them now. A diary, ticket stubs, brochures of places we’d visited, sketches – it’s such a cute record. And I hugely agree with taking a family member with you! I think we’ve taken my parents on every holiday we’ve been on since we had children, it’s a godsend! #KCACOLS

  35. Lots of great ideas. My eldest loves taking photos so it’s a good idea to encourage this more on holiday. TBH I depend quite heavily on the ol’ iPad. #kcacols

  36. Love the idea of no 6 that is something my daughter would be interested in doing together I am sure. Oh how I would love to have a mum or mum figure to take on holidays with us but alas no such support there for us unfortunately. Totally would if that was an option and I know a few friends who holiday with their parents and get a night off alone while they are away. Sounds blissful! #KCACOLS

    1. I am lucky with my mum and as it’s the boys only nan then we cherish it. Thanks so much for your comments, Mainy

  39. Some great tips and I have noticed lots of people holidaying with grandparents … we are going to do it next year #kcacols

    1. I highly recommend it, we all love being together, our key thing is to book 2 rooms so we have our own space x

  40. I remember writing a diary of our holidays as a child. Some days I loved it, others it felt like a chore! It was always good to look back on once we got home though. A great list! #KCACOLS

  42. I travelled a few times with my son (now he’s almost 2) I used few of these to keep him entertained and keep me sane as well, hahaha
    Glad that you listed some options for when the kids are a little older like the travel diary and taking their friend along. #KCACOLS.

  43. These are some wonderful suggestions. I hadn’t thought to do many of these things. I am not brave enough to go out of state with my kids in tow. However, it is definitely something I want to do.

    1. Little by little it gets easier, thanks for your comments crystal:) Mainy

  46. Cygnet and I went on holiday with my parents. it was great. My Dad turned out to be excellent at building sandcastles and my mum was an expert at building a road system for Cygnet in the sand. I sunbathed and read my book for a bit …which was lovely.

    Pen x #KCACOLS

  47. Fab tips and we sound very like minded. The grandparents fbi g as much as I love em, George won’t go to anyone without us sticking around so we actually just ending trying to please 3 people instead of just one child with grandparents in tow. Totally use all the rest. Not quite at the creative making stage when we go away. We will find random flowers and sticks and make race tracks and birds nest but not so much in the car. We are yet to travel abroad with George.

    #kcacols

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