It’s finally time for Summer vacation! It’s that time of year when most families go on a fun vacation. Whether it is by car, boat, train or plane. Getting to the destination takes a while, especially when there’s nothing to do. I would know, because I have traveled many times. Once, I was sitting in my plane seat, staring out the window in boredom, until my mom gave me a sticker book. I spent a lot of time using it, and the time flew faster than the plane.
Printouts
Printouts are very easy to transport, and very fun to use. From mazes to crafts, printouts include a variety of fun activities to do. Another great thing about them is that you only need to print them out instead of rushing to the store and spending lots of money on toys, or expensive things that take up lots of space, and are probably only going to be used once.
If you have a younger sibling about 2 to 6 years old, then I recommend Sago Mini printouts at
https://sagomini.com/printables/
If you have an older family member that’s about 6 and up, then I recommend Highlights printouts at:
Mad Libs
Mad Libs is a favorite for everyone. A great thing about it is that it is portable, and easy to travel with. It’s also fun for the whole family. Mad Libs is a book, and each page has a story where the players have to take turns filling in the blanks. Once all the blanks are filled in, one player reads the story aloud. Usually, the outcome is hilarious. After the trip, kids can play Mad Libs with their friends. Another excellent thing about Mad Libs is that it is the perfect way to practice grammar skills. It’s easier to remember what an adjective is when you have fun learning about it. Mad Libs is also good for hours of laughter. For example, the Little Red Riding Hood probably didn’t have a chair as a hat.
A very popular choice would be this Mad Libs:
If a larger one is preferred, then this one is best:
Movies!
An incredibly popular travel activity is to watch a nice, long movie. Many people keep “Movies to-watch” lists, and traveling is the perfect time to utilize them. Downloading some movies on an iPad, or phone through Netflix, Disney+, or other “on demand movie” apps is a good way to plan your movie-watching ahead of time.
If you need assistance on deciding which movies you would like to watch, I wrote an article in the past with 12 ideas:
Table Topics
Table Topics are cards that come in a small box. Each card has a question on it to ask your family. For example, “What was your all time favorite vacation?”. This is a great bonding experience that gets family members to share interesting facts about themselves. Most people believe that they know everything there is to know about their family, but this game can prove those people wrong. An awesome thing about Table Topics is that they come in packs for specific events. There is a Table Topics pack for dinner parties, road trips, family time, and more.
Table Topics travel:
Table Topics family conversation pack:
Sticker Books
Sticker books are great for children who need a fun activity, and they help little ones improve motor skills. Older kids can have fun with them too. Sticker books can be very cheap, and they come in travel packs. The best part about sticker books is that there are so many varieties. There are “Paint by Sticker” books, jelly sticker books, character dress up books, and more!
If there’s a toddler in your family, I recommend Reusable Jelly sticker books:
Make-a-Face sticker books are suitable for kiddos 3 to 6:
Paint By Sticker books are very popular for kids ages 6 and up.
Happy Summer!
The Lighthouse 