There are only 21 days left in our
school year and we can already hear the open road calling. My kids and I enjoy
taking road trips to visit friends and family throughout our summer. Keeping the kids occupied during the down
time in our travels can be tricky. It’s easy to give them a screen to interact
with, but it can be hard to pull them away. To keep the learning and creativity
going we take our art supplies along with us. My kids will get creative while
waiting for dinner, or if there is a lull between activities.
Here are some of our favorite
supplies to take on the road:
IN THE CAR
Sticker books keep my kids pretty
entertained. We like to get the big books with reusable stickers. This way they
can reuse the stickers over and over and create different scenes. It isn’t
super artsy, but it still requires their imagination and it gives me time to
focus on the road.
A clipboard filled with coloring
pages or blank pages for your child to draw with is a super easy and affordable
art option. Kids can draw what they see while riding along, create gifts for
family while on their way to visit, or journal the family adventure.
IN THE HOTEL
Washable crayons and markers are
a must while traveling. I can typically wash away a stray stroke of the marker
with a baby wipe. This assures me that there isn’t permanent damage done to the
hotel couch, or the nice white bed linens. Bring along a favorite coloring book
to go with your coloring instruments.
Shaving cream gel isn’t just an
essential for daily hygiene, but it also makes for fun bath time art play.
Before your kid gets in the tub spray the wall with shaving gel. When your kid
gets in they can use it to “paint” on the walls. This is a great way for really
young kids to practice writing their letters and numbers. I use the gel because
it turns from blue to white and adds an extra element of fun. Shaving cream
washes away easily when the fun is over.
RELATED: Keep everyone happy on a family vacation
AT THE RELATIVES
Now that my kids are older they
still pack up their favorite supplies to bring to grandma’s house. They pull
out their favorite coloring books and pencils while I coordinate family plans.
Or they bring along a craft kit to create individual art projects with. They
enjoy bringing these out after dinner while the adults chat, or before bedtime
to unwind. It’s also a fun way for less tech savvy grandparents to connect with
their grand-kids.
My kids love painting any chance they
get. But bringing along brushes and paint sets can be a hassle. That’s why we
love washable water color pens! They travel well for mess free painting on the
go. Just remove the cap and begin painting. Just remember to bring paper and
allow time for your child’s creations to dry before you leave.
OUT TO EAT
When my kids were very little we
avoided the overcrowded chain restaurants and dined mostly at smaller
establishments. It was easier to get personalized service and out the door much
quicker with a kicking toddler. The smaller establishments do not always have a
bunch of things to keep kids occupied. So we started carrying our own. Or
rather my kids did. I gave each of them a small back pack they could fill with
their own creative supplies like a note book and crayons, stickers and markers.
They loved getting to use these things at the big tables and it kept them busy until
the food came out.
A mini Etch-a-Sketch, or a MagnaDoodle
does not have the same bells and whistles an iPad has, but they do allow my
kids to doodle over and over again without the lure of the screen sucking them
in. We can play and doodle together while we wait for our meal.
Dollar stores now carry coloring
packs filled with mini coloring books, markers and stickers all coordinated by
your child’s favorite movie/TV character. There is no shame in grabbing a few
different characters and pulling out a pack at each location you need to keep
your kid entertained in. Art doesn’t have to hang in a gallery to be seen as
art and art can happen anywhere.
What are your tips for helping
kids stay creative during summer travels?
The Whatever Mom is a full-time wife and twin mama living on coffee and wine. She enjoys the pure rush of cleaning the BIG potty between loads of laundry. It is her dream that moms everywhere accept and embrace the Whatever Mom philosophy which can be found here. You can also find her musings and popular shares on Facebook and Twitter. Stay up to date with her creative ideas and outings on Pinterest.