4 creative ways to keep your children entertained while travelling
Summer holidays, incoming. As families venture off on their well-deserved break, one of the big questions for parents is…how will you keep your kids entertained on the journey?
Whether you’re jetting off via plane, sailing the seas on a ferry or going on a car trip adventure, we’ve got you covered.
At CocoRio, we’re passionate about providing creative childcare that helps to spark their imagination, boost their skills and nurture their overall wellbeing. That’s why our fully-vetted, professional nannies, who also happen to be musicians, dancers, actors, poets and more, are also available for childcare during your travels (and we make the best travel buddies, if we say so ourselves).
That’s right, as well as creative childcare at your home, we offer on-site nannying for mini breaks, day trips and events, providing fun and enriching creative activities for children from 6 months to 15 years old.
So whether you’re off on your summer holiday or taking a CocoRio nanny on a mini break with you, read on to find out how to entertain your little ones and inspire their creativity on-the-go. Psst…they don’t include any screen time, phew!
1. Holiday bingo
It’s time to make staring out of the window into a game. Cue road trip bingo! To start, you’ll need to create a bingo sheet (or find one online) which includes things you and your family are likely to see on the journey. For example, if you’re on a car ride, you’ll see traffic lights, tunnels and other vehicles, but if you’re travelling by plane, you might see mountains, lakes, the sea or fields below. The benefits? This not only helps to develop your child’s observation skills but also increases their attention span and inspires them to take in the environment around them. The big question is, who will say BINGO first?
2. Mess-free art
Here’s your reminder to add mess-free art to your hand luggage packing list. We love colourful pipe cleaners for making beautiful creations. What four legged creatures can you create? Another top pick is mindful colouring, perfect for train, ferry or plane journeys. As well as getting creative with colouring in the lines, this can help ease anxiety, boost concentration and give them a quiet moment to gather their thoughts and feelings.
3. Sensory I spy bags
Looking for a creative spin on the classic I Spy game? Create an I Spy bag. Here’s how to do it - take a large zip lock bag and fill it with rice, making sure that there’s enough to hide little I Spy surprises. Then add 5-10 small items, like pom poms and toys. Seal the bag and tape for extra protection. Then, on a piece of card, print or draw the images of the tiny trinkets. Your children will use that card to see what they need to find in the bag, by manoeuvring the rice from the outside. Bonus, they’ll be practising and using their observation and fine motor skills while having fun - yay!
4. Karaoke on-the-go
Car karaoke, family edition! It’s time to belt out that tune or rap to your heart’s content. The benefits? Singing helps children relax, is the perfect distraction tool for a long journey and can actually help improve their language, cognitive and social skills.. For long car journeys, play a range of movie soundtracks, nursery rhymes and educational songs. And when you’re finished, rest your vocal chords and play an audiobook for everyone to listen to.
