10 Simple Travel Games To Keep Kids Entertained Without Toys

Between the snacks, spare clothes, and the ever-growing collection of “essential” items (why did you bring that third stuffed animal again?), your luggage is already bursting at the seams. And don’t even get me started on the so-called “travel toys” – those tiny, overpriced contraptions that always end up rolling into the abyss between your seat and the one in front of you. Trust me, the last thing you need is to add a bunch of stuff to your load that will only give you more headaches. Embracing travelling without toys can lighten your load and your stress.

As an intentional parent, when travelling with kids I want to seize every moment, not just to keep everyone busy. Every time spent together, even a seemingly challenging flight journey, is a learning opportunity and a chance to truly connect, nurture creativity and strengthen family bonds. That’s why I’ve put together 10 simple, toy-free travel games that will turn any journey into a memorable experience for the whole family. These are perfect for travelling without toys and ensuring everyone has a great time.

1. I Spy

Ah, “I Spy” – the OG of games when travelling with kids. No prep, no props, and definitely no risk of anything falling under your seat. Just start with, “I spy with my little eye…” and let the fun begin. Whether you’re in the car or on a plane, this is definitely one of the best travel games to keep everyone engaged and looking out at the world around them. It not only encourages children to observe their surroundings but also be present in the moment. Travelling without toys can be a wonderful way to help kids engage more deeply with their environment.

2. Name That Tune

Bring a little music into your travels with “Name That Tune,” one of the most enjoyable travel games around. Hum or whistle a few notes of a song and see who can guess the title first. This game is especially fun if you incorporate songs that hold special memories for your family. Whether it’s a favourite lullaby or a catchy tune from a road trip playlist, this travel game not only entertains but also evokes cherished memories. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce kids to different genres and eras of music!

3. ABC Animals

Forget about those pricey “educational” travel toys that promise to make your kids smarter (while secretly making you poorer). When travelling with kids all you need is this game: one person picks a letter, and everyone takes turns naming an animal that starts with that letter. The best part? It’s entirely mess-free! The game continues until someone’s brain start to smoke or until you’ve named every animal on your Pokedex.

Travel games like this one are fantastic for sharpening memory and language skills while keeping everyone on their toes. ABC Animals can be played in two ways – collaboratively, where you all work together to see how many animals you can come up with, or competitively, where each player tries to outlast the others. It’s a great way to introduce kids to new animals, and you might be surprised by some of the unique or obscure animals they name! Travelling without toys doesn’t mean your kids can’t have an educational and fun experience.

4. Charades

Who doesn’t love a good round of charades when travelling with kids? This game can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Pick a category, like actions, favourite movie characters, or even family members, and take turns acting out your theme without speaking. The sillier, the better.

Charades is the perfect choice when deciding between travel games because since it’s all about acting, there’s nothing to carry, drop, or lose – and no need to pick up anything off the floor. It fosters creativity and teamwork, and it’s entirely adaptable to suit kids of all ages, making it a go-to activity for whenever you need a burst of fun and laughter.

5. Rhyme Train

This is another stellar option for travelling without toys. Start with a simple word, like “cat,” and then take turns coming up with rhyming words (e.g., “bat,” “hat,” “rat”). Keep going until someone gets stumped or a word gets repeated! “Rhyme Train” is a fantastic way to expand your child’s vocabulary and phonemic awareness in a playful, relaxed setting – without adding weight to your already heavy luggage when travelling with kids. It also encourages quick thinking and can easily turn into a silly, laughter-filled game, especially when creative or made-up words start appearing!

6. Opposites Attract

Ready to flex those brain muscles and keep your little ones sharp? When travelling with kids try the “Opposite Attract” game! Like two magnets than can’t keep each other apart, in this game one person says a word, and the next person must quickly come up with its opposite. Say “hot dog” and your child might fire back with “cold dog”. Say “cupcake” and they might come up with “downcake”. Say “sunflower” and your child might reply “moonflower”. You get the gist.

These type of travel games are perfect for those moments when you’re waiting in line, sitting on a plane, or stuck in traffic – basically anywhere you’re trying to keep your kids entertained without pulling all your hair out.

7. Forget-Me-Not

You know that feeling when you just locked your front door, and you can’t remember if your phone is in your bag?

With travel games like this one you can improve your children’s memory, and secretly training them to recite your leaving checklist before any journey. Here’s how it goes: One person says a word, such as “tickets” and the next person repeats the word and adds another like “tickets, passports”. Then the following player repeats both words and adds another one, for example, “tickets, passports, water bottles”, and so on. Basically, you start with a word and then each person adds to the list while trying to remember everything that’s been said. This way everyone has fun, and you make sure nothing is left behind! Who said travelling without toys is useless?

8. Once Upon a Word

Unleash your family’s creativity by turning storytelling into a collaborative adventure where each person adds a word. Each new player contributes one word at a time, building a story word by word. The result? A magical and unpredictable tale full of twists and turns, where each person can lead the story in a completely new direction. This promotes teamwork, patience and empowers children to work on their decision making with confidence. I mean, no mess, no clutter, no meltdown after running out of battery mid-journey… What’s not to like?

9. Quiz Wiz

Between all travel games, this one might be the one that takes a bit more prep, but it’s well worth it for the educational fun it brings when travelling with kids. Before your trip, come up with a list of questions on topics your children are interested in, then during your journey fire away with your questions and see who can rack up the most correct answers.

You can tailor the game to be as easy or as challenging as you like, and for an extra twist, consider adding a prize for the winner, like the coveted window seat.

By the end of the quiz, not only will you might have learned some fascinating new facts about the Mesozoic era, but you’ll also have mastered the art of keeping children entertained for free.

10. Count Chaos

Count Chaos starts with one person saying the number “1,” and then each person in turn says the next number in sequence. But here’s the twist: when you reach a number that follows an agreed-upon rule – like a prime number or a multiple of 5 – the direction of play switches, and the counting continues in reverse.

This game it’s a great way to practice math skills while keeping everyone on their toes. It requires no materials, takes up no space, and can be easily adapted to different levels of difficulty depending on the rules you choose. Plus, it’s another fantastic, mess-free way to keep your kids entertained without spending a dime.

Conclusion

So there you have it – 10 toy-free, sanity-saving travel games that won’t add a gram to your luggage or a second to your cleanup time. The next time you’re tempted to splurge on some fancy travel toy, just remember: your brain (and your kids’ imaginations) are the only tools you need for a fun and memorable trip. And trust me, they’re much easier to manage than crawling under the airplane seat to retrieve yet another tiny plastic figure.

The journey is just as important as the destination and travelling without toys can be an incredibly rewarding experience, so leave them behind and embrace these intentional, screen-free ways to spend quality time with your kids. These travel games will go beyond passing time and are guaranteed to cultivate connection and joy, enriching each moment of your travels. Boa viagem!

Ready to transform your next trip into a fun-filled adventure without the fuss of toys? Share your favorite travel games or tips for entertaining kids on the go! Let’s swap stories and tricks for making family journeys unforgettable. Drop your ideas in the comment box below and let’s keep the travel fun rolling!