Anyone who has ever traveled with kids knows that it can be some of the most stressful times of your life! Whether you’re spending hours in a car or waiting in lines at the airport, it’s never easy. Also, nobody has time for cleaning up messes while traveling! That’s why I created this list of mess free travel activities for kids! These activities will help keep your kids busy and entertained for whatever lies ahead in your adventure. And the best part: they’re all screen-free!
Travel Activities for Kids: Mess Free Coloring
Color Wonder Mess Free Markers Color Wonder mess free markers are a MUST HAVE when looking for travel activities for kids. The markers don’t have any actual pigment in them, but when you color on the special Color Wonder paper (see below), color magically appears!
Mess Free Coloring Pages – Blank Pack Color Wonder paper works with all color wonder markers and paints. This pack comes with 50 blank pages that you can color on directly, or go to Crayola.com to print free coloring designs directly onto the mess free pages! I guarantee there will be no markers to clean off the side of the car or airplane tray table!
Color Wonder Fingerprint Activity Book This activity book includes a finger paint palette (with no actual color) and activity pages. Amazingly, you press your finger to the paint palette and then onto the coloring page and color appears! But without actually getting paint on your fingers! This blows my mind. Kids will love it and you will love not cleaning up a mess!
Melissa & Doug Water Reveal Pad I absolutely love these water reveal pads from Melissa and Doug. I’m not kidding, this can keep your kids entertained for hours of travel! Just fill up the pen with water and let your child reveal the color on every single page!
Travel Activities for Kids: Drawing Boards
Colorful Drawing Tablet These colorful drawing tablets are the greatest travel activities for kids of all ages. Even big kids will enjoy doodling, playing tic-tac-toe, or practicing math equations on long drives or flights.
Large Magnetic Drawing Board Little kids will love this colorful magnetic drawing board! I love the large size and the cute stamps that come with it!
Double Doodle Board If you need travel activities for toddlers, this is the one for you. It has a sealed gel surface that feels squishy to the touch, making it great for sensory play too! Flip it over and your little one can draw on an erasable coloring board!
Travel Activities for Kids: Painting
Watercolor Brush Pens I’m pretty sure these are the greatest invention ever. First, pick the type of brush you want to use and then fill the tube with water. Give the brush a little squeeze when you dip it in the paint and then paint whatever you can imagine on watercolor paper! This is an easy and mess free way to paint with watercolors even while traveling!
Watercolor Paint Set This is my favorite watercolor paint set. I love the variety of colors and that it all fits together in a nice compact case! Use this with the watercolor brush pens and watercolor paper pad for a full mess free artist experience!
Watercolor Paper Pad It’s never a bad idea to have pads of watercolor paper on hand while traveling with kids! Use this paper with the water color paint set and brush pens for mess free painting!!
Pocket Watercolor Painting Book Another mess free watercolor painting option! This little book has blocks of paint colors on each coloring page, so all you need is a wet brush!
Classic Traveling Toys
Wikki Stix Wikki Stix are truly one-of-a-kind and make for very simple travel activities for kids. All age groups will love curling, twirling, bending, and twisting to create whatever they can imagine!
Etch A Sketch Yes, the classic Etch A Sketch is STILL around and is STILL a great toy to add to your collection! It makes a perfect travel activity for kids because it’s easy to pack and doesn’t require batteries or charging cords! Bring this along for all the traveling adventures to come!
Magnetic Personalities – Original Wooly Willy I’ve always loved this toy! The little wand picks up the tiny magnetic dust so you can move it around and give Willy all the hair and facial hair styles you can imagine! Hours of fun and NO mess to clean up.
Melissa & Doug Fashion Design Rubbing Plates This is the perfect travel activity for kids who love fashion! With 9 different rubbing plates, your little designer can mix and match all the styles. Everything folds up into a nice little case that even has room for a few colored pencils or crayons!
EZ Desk Travel Activity Kit Keeping all the art supplies together in one spot is HUGE when it comes to traveling. This laptop style desk is the ideal way to do that! I love all the pockets and that when you’re done you can simply zip it up and bring it along to the next adventure!
You only live once, so tackle those big traveling plans, bring the kids along, and keep them happy with one or more of these amazing mess free travel activities for kids! If you’re looking for more ideas for art loving kids, check out my Arts & Crafts Gift Guide post!
P.S. I’d love to hear about your favorite trip to take with kids! Leave me a comment and tell me all about it!
