3 days ago
Family Travel Games That'll Help Pass the Time This Summer
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Keeping kids (or yourself) amused during long flights and endless road trips is always a challenge. If you're looking for something to pass the time, we've found games, crafts, and toys (and even a LEGO set!) to help. Even better, all these options are available on Amazon, with Prime shipping, in case you've waited until the last-minute to think about packing.
I was on a red-eye flight recently and watched a preschool teacher entertain the two kids sitting in her row with markers and tape and a pair of safety scissors. They were captivated for hours, so don't be afraid to bust out some crafts on the tray tables on the airplane. Try these spacey foil stickers that can be turned into a mobile, or a friendship bracelet maker that comes with all the needed supplies, or go mess-free with an endlessly reusable Lite-Brite Touch. Add one or two of these picks to your packing list to make getting to your next destination a lot more Smallest has taken all of your favorite classic games and shrunk them down to the most adorable size ever. Each mini version plays like the original, and with this one you press on the hippo tails to swallow the most balls. The teeny Bananagrams is also travel-worthy.
Ages: 8+Players Needed: 2
$7.50 at though I'm an adult, I love Kanoodle so much. It is small enough to toss in any bag, and is a screen-free way to test your brain. There are more than 200 different puzzles 2D and 3D that get increasingly more difficult to play.
Ages: 7+ Players Needed: 1
$9.97 at mini escape rooms have everything you'll need to solve a mystery. You can work together in a group, or tackle these solo. Each game takes about two hours to solve, and while it only allows you to play it one time, it's much more budget-friendly than an actual escape room.
Ages: 12+ Players Needed: 1-4
$16.01 at portable LEGO set is tailor-made for your summer beach getaways. It comes with three tropical scenes to build, which can be played with after, and then disassembled and stowed into a small suitcase that kids can carry themselves.
Ages: 5+Players Needed: 1
$24.99 at magnetic tic-tac-toe board has taken the game to a new level with an adaptive AI mode, that can sense your skill level and increase difficulty automatically. You can also put this in head-to-head mode and play against your friends and family, or play a Simon-like memory game.
Ages: 6+Players Needed: 1-4
$39.99 at elevated version of the license plate game has cards that give tasks based on location. There's outdoors, cars, and planes, so they can look and find various things, answer questions, or even do a sing-along. It comes in a metal carrying case to keep the cards protected against the elements in case you take this on your next camping trip.
Ages: 4+Players Needed: 1, but multi-user optional
$8.57 at Fun comes with metallic sheets that you rub to create cool colorful effects on stickers. It's like making glitter projects, but without the mess. They come in many themes, like this solar system, but there's also Disney Princesses.
Ages: 4+ Players Needed: 1, but multi-user optional
$19.97 at traditional knotted friendship bracelets are a summer camp staple and are much easier to do in a confined space than the beaded ones that Swifties are obsessed with. This bracelet maker comes with easy patterns to follow and a spot to store your embroidery floss when you aren't using it.
Ages: 8+ Players Needed: 1
$19.97 at magic of Disney, paired with a card game, and the brain-power of look-and-find puzzles is combined here for one epic handheld game. Each card has images from the animated movies, and the backs have items they have to find, and then match, in order to win.
Ages: 3+ Players Needed: 2-6
$7.99 at Simon and mix it with a Rubik's cube, and you've got this challenging and addictive handheld game that has four different modes. I tried it recently, and the sliding and twisting is so fun (and quick!), but I do recommend turning the volume down, especially for enclosed spaces like an airplane.
Ages: 8+ Players Needed: 1, but multi-user optional
$12.99 at of just making origami birds, this game challenges players to use folding skills to solve a series of puzzles. It comes with 100 different challenges to solve, which should definitely keep your crew from constantly asking, "are we there yet?"
Ages: 10+Players Needed: 1, but multi-user optional
$13.99 at Wonder really is a magic: The fact that kids can scribble away on floors, clothes, or furniture, without leaving a mark means that this is safe for playing with in the car. The storage box is filled with markers, stamps, stickers, and coloring pages.
Ages: 3+ Players Needed: 1, but multi-user optional
$18.99 at are a great way to let them have free-form play as they assemble these pieces in multiple configurations to make animals, castles, and more. The 26-piece set comes with a carrying case, and works with other magnetic tiles.
Ages: 3+ Players Needed: 1
$19.97 at might be my personal favorite pick on the list, because I loved Lite-Brite as a kid, but hated when I lost the pegs I needed. With this, you just touch the buttons to change the colors, and you can design images or play games like Snake.
Ages: 6+ Players Needed: 1
$27.99 at little ones will never run out of pages to color, as these pages are water activated. The Aqua pen needs a bit of water, and then they can paint to reveal Bluey and Bingo in full color. Once the pages are dry, the colors will fade and can be used again.
Ages: 3+Platers Needed: 1
$4.99 at deck of cards is a staple keep around to play rounds of Go Fish to Poker or even solitaire. This deck takes up hardly any space in your suitcase, and it's waterproof if your travel takes you to a pool, lake, or beach destination.
Ages: 4+ Players Needed: At least 1, depending on the game.
$6.97 at
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