Traveling with the family is fun, but long journeys can bring out the worst in even the most well-behaved of kids. As soon as you hear those dreaded words, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ you know things can only get worse, and you’ll be wishing you’d booked a 3-day cruise to Key West instead!
But if you are in a car, a train, or a long-haul flight to an exotic beach location with kids and impatience starts to kick in, don’t panic! Technology to the rescue. There are a bunch of cool gadgets and gizmos that can keep boredom at bay and ensure everyone starts the vacation off with their nerves in one piece. Here are some fun gadgets that will keep kids occupied and engaged, ensuring a smoother journey for everyone.
Tablets and E-Readers
E-readers have come a long way since the first arrival of the Kindle, and there is now a wide variety of versatile gadgets that can entertain even the fussiest of kids for hours at a time. The Amazon Fire Kids Edition is a great place to start. Designed specifically for kids, it comes with games, apps, and (obviously) books, as well as other age-appropriate content and some robust parental controls.
Another more slimmed-down option is the Kindle Kids Edition, perfect for bookworms who don’t need something as all-singing, all-dancing as the Amazon Fire.
Portable Gaming Consoles
While not all parents love their kids to play video games, portable gaming consoles are a lifesaver for long journeys and will keep kids entertained for longer than almost anything else. Devices like the Nintendo Switch or the Playstation Vita have a great selection of family-friendly games and even allow limited multiplayer functionality, giving siblings the chance to play against each other.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys can be a fun and surprisingly educational way to distract and engage your kids with entertaining, hands-on activities. The Osmo Genius Starter Kit links up with a tablet (compatible with both iPad and Fire) and helps kids to learn using tangible pieces that cross the physical/digital divide to interact with the tablet itself. Kids will solve puzzles, draw, and practice math skills, blending play with learning in a delightful way.
LeapFrog LeapStart is similar, giving kids a stylus and a tablet and encouraging them to solve puzzles and do quizzes.
Audiobooks and Podcasts
Not everything has to be interactive. Audiobooks and podcasts are a great and more low-maintenance way to help your kids zone out during long journeys. Audible is a subscription service with a huge variety of audiobooks for kids, while Kids Listen curates a wonderful selection of podcasts aimed at a young audience.
Travel-Friendly Board Games
Sometimes, the old-fashioned classics are the best way to go, and while digital tech may be the flavor of the month, nothing beats the thrill of a traditional board game. Plus, there’s no chance that one of these will run out of battery! A wide range of board games offer travel-friendly editions that are slimmed-down and compact so as to be portable and not take up luggage space. These are perfect for long train rides or journeys with lots of waiting around.
While many parents may dread long journeys with their kids, they don’t have to be a test of your patience. There is a huge variety of high- and low-tech options for keeping your kids entertained while on the road, ensuring that the ‘Are we there yet?’ are silenced, and everyone has a great time.