We are steadily approaching summertime and that means road trips. So, if you don’t want your kids playing screens the entire time that you’re in the car, this post is for you. Here are some of the coolest road trip toys that kids young and old will enjoy. Check it out!

Our family has been on sooooo many road trips. Even though my kids would gladly play screens the entire time we are driving, I like to have a few activities and toys to break up the screen time. These toys are older-kid approved. Check it out.

#1: Push Peel

These sensory toys are oddly satisfying.

#2: Scratch off license plate game

If you’re headed across the country or a national park, you’re bound to see lots of cars from every state in the US. This game is perfect.

#3: Peelies

This is a quiet activity for the car that kids from ages 3-7 would enjoy the most.

#4: Search and find activity books

These double-sided activity pages come with erasable white board markers and wiping cloth.

#5: Rope untangling travel puzzle

Your kids can take turns to see who can solve the puzzle the quickest. And comes with a travel carrying case.

#6: Kanoodle

This is a fun brain teaser puzzle with lots of different variations that will keep kids entertained for hours.

#7: Tape activity book

Kids get four rolls of tape and can do whatever they want with them in this activity book. It’s brilliant!

#8: Popper light up game

This game is fun even for adults and has volume control so it doesn’t make you crazy in the car when your kids are playing it.

#9: 50 cool things to do in the car

This is a tin full of fun games written on small cards that you can play while going on a road trip.

#10: Sussed

This is a fun “What would you do?” game that any kid, tween or teenager would like.

#11: Magnetic drawing board

These are so fun, you might need to buy one for each of your kids.

#12: Sticker by letter

This is a fun twist on paint by number. Plus, you definitely don’t have to worry about spilling any paint in the car.

#13: Lite-Brite Touch

This will bring you back to your childhood but travel-size.

#14: Magnetic travel board games

Get back to the classics with the 12 retro board games, miniature-sized and perfect for road trips.

#15: Car Bingo

This set includes 9 different themed Bingo cards such as traffic signs, restaurants and stores, etc.

#16: Foil crafts

#17: Poke Poke Art

#18: Transforming fidget spinner

#19: Rotate and slide puzzle

#20: Wacky dot-to-dot

A fun dot-to-dot activity book containing clues and mystery to uncover.

I hope you like this list of screen-free road trip toys. Hopefully they will help make your next family road more fun and less chaotic. Enjoy!

More from My Silly Squirts: Road trips with kids: dos and don’ts

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Flying with kids can be super stressful but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all about packing the right stuff BEFORE you leave. Trust me, your hard work and preparation will pay off when you’re relaxed and stress-free on the airplane. Here’s the ultimate airplane packing list to get you started.

We decided to fly to Costa Rica with our four boys and our baby. It was the first time flying in an airplane with our entire family. I have to admit, I was a little bit stressed out about it. Fortunately, I packed all the right stuff to keep my kids happy for the entirety of the journey. Here’s what I packed.

What to pack in the kids’ suitcases

Let’s be real, when flying with kids, the most important item is some kind of electronic device that can entertain them for literally hours. There’s no screen limit when it comes to traveling for the sanity of all involved. But I do have some other items that are pretty important as well. Check it out:

• Handheld electronic devices: Fire Kids Tablet, Nintendo Switch Lite
• Charging cord
• Kids headphones or earbuds
• Waterbottle (don’t forget to leave it empty until you go through security)
• Book
• Boogie Board Magic Sketch Board
• Activity sticker books
• Snacks: Nutella and Go, chips, granola bars, fruit leather, beef jerky, trail mix
• Neck pillow

Here’s a “travel essentials with kids” idea list that can help you get idea of what you might need to buy to prepare for your trip.

What to pack in the baby’s suitcase

We flew on American Airlines and they allow you to bring one extra bag for an infant that will be sitting on your lap. Plus, they also allow you to check a stroller and a car seat at no additional cost. This is pretty standard practice across the board for most airlines. Here’s what I packed in my baby’s bag:

• 10 diapers (you’ll want more than enough to get you to your destination)
• Diaper cream
• Wet wipes (bring more than you think you’ll need)
• Sippy cups/bottles
• Formula
• Your baby’s favorite snacks (snack puffs, freeze-dried yogurt bites, teething wafers)
• Baby food (I prefer the pouches that can be re-sealed with a lid)
• Small blanket
• Extra outfit
• Jacket
• Toy (nesting toys, activity toy, suction cup high chair toy)
• Diaper backpack

While we were on the plane, the stewardess gave us some milk, which was a life-saver. We also wrapped our baby up and put her down for a nap underneath the chair in front of us on the floor. She slept for like an hour and a half! She got a little fussy towards the end but overall it wasn’t bad.

What mom should pack in her bag

Beside the obvious essentials that everyone needs to pack when flying with kids, moms need to pack a few extra things for there kids. Here’s what I packed in my bag:

• Extra snacks for my kids
• Emergency tantrum candy
• Umbrella
• Small pack of bandaids
• Chewing gum (to help kids pop their ears when the plane takes off)
• Passports/COVID vaccination cards
• Mini hand sanitizer
• Extra face masks
• Chapstick
• Small travel purse (I like to keep this close to me at all time to keep my credit card, ID and flight itinerary)
• Extra cash

Hopefully this list will help you while you are flying with kids on your next trip. Here’s my list of kids travel essentials that might help you out. What other items did I miss that aren’t on the lists above? Leave comments below. Here’s a video I made that sums everything up. Enjoy!

More from My Silly Squirts: 40+ Baby essentials and non-essentials for the first year

The post Airplane packing checklist for flying with kids and a baby appeared first on My Silly Squirts.