Unplugged Adventures: Kids activities for Long-Haul Flights and Road Trips

Many of you most likely have summer travel plans with your family. Canada Day is coming up July 1. Independence day on the 4th. Maybe you will be taking long road trips or airplane rides – but if you have small children you have to be prepared to entertain them along the way. Comes with the territory, right? My boys are 5 and 2 and luckily play really well with one another (lately, anyway!). But I also want them to entertain themselves when one wants to rest or simply play alone.

I’ve curating a collection of activities that are specifically designed to entertain/educate kids during long-haul summer flights/road trips. I’m not against using screens as an option when it comes to flights or car rides, but my youngest definitely bores of screen-time easily. Here are some other options, folks!

1. Magnetic Building Blocks: Magnetic building blocks are easy to pack and provide endless possibilities for creative construction during the flight. They can be stacked, connected, and built into various shapes and structures.

2. Water Wow Books: Water Wow books are mess-free coloring books that use a special water pen. My boys can fill the pen with water and “paint” on the pages, revealing hidden colors and patterns. Once the pages dry, the colors disappear, allowing for continuous use. I bought these from Target, and we’ve never had them before. Thanks to a friend for recommending this one.

3. Miniature Playsets: Portable playsets with themes like airports, construction sites, or farms can spark imaginative play. These sets often come with small figures, vehicles, and accessories, offering interactive play options for the boys.

4. Sticker Books: Sticker books featuring their favorite characters, animals, or themes can keep boys entertained for extended periods. They can create scenes, decorate pages, and engage their fine motor skills while peeling and placing stickers. I bought some dinosaur ones with reusable stickers from Daiso the other day.

5. Puzzle Games: Compact puzzle games with large, easy-to-grasp pieces are ideal for airplane travel. Look for puzzles with age-appropriate difficulty levels and themes that interest the boys, such as animals, vehicles, or superheroes.

6. Travel-sized Board Games: Look for travel editions of popular board games like Connect Four, Guess Who?, or Uno. These compact versions usually have magnetic or snap-on pieces, making them perfect for in-flight entertainment.

7. KEKE (Keep Every Kid Engaged): This grab-and-go bag (see photo above!) provides a convenient and organized solution to keep children entertained and learning, no matter where they are. With Keke, educational and fun activities are easily accessible, making it an ideal companion for travel, dinner time outings, or even quiet time at home. The bag is thoughtfully designed with pouches that focus on developing various emerging skills, ensuring a well-rounded experience for children. It promotes cognitive, fine motor, and sensory development through its diverse range of activities. With its 3 colours to choose from and compact size, Keke offers a compact and all-in-one solution that grabs children’s attention, and encourages learning.

8. Travel-friendly Arts and Crafts: Consider compact arts and crafts kits that include coloring supplies, stickers, or simple craft projects. We’re bringing some plain sketchbooks, small colouring books and crayons, little toy cars, and playdoh!

9. Sensory Toys: Sensory toys like squishy balls, fidget spinners, pull-back toy cars, or stress balls can provide tactile stimulation and help relieve anxiety during a road trip or flight.

10. Doodle boards: We have used these in the past for my oldest for a flight back in 2019. He enjoyed drawing and erasing his doodles! You can find dual-packs of them on Amazon for about ten bucks.

And don’t forget to pack endless snacks/drinks!

Go ahead and keep an eye out on my Instagram for a giveaway with KekeKidCo. Rules are always simple, follow both me (spiffykerms) and KekeKidCo and give me some travel tips in the comments! I need all the help I can get. We’ve never travelled with two kiddos before, am I missing anything?

Continue Reading

Unleash Curiosity and Connection with Lovevery Subscription Boxes

As parents, we strive to provide our children with the best opportunities for learning and development. That’s why I’m excited to share my experience with Lovevery subscription boxes. I have nothing but positive things to say about their playkits. For the past few years, these thoughtfully curated boxes have become a staple in our household, consistently keeping my boys content, engaged, and fostering a sense of connection between them. Lovevery is a stage-based play for your child’s developing brain, hence why there are many age appropriate toys sorted into two to three months age groups based on your child’s age.

We recently received The Problem Solver playkit which is designed for 43-45-month-old children. It captured my boys’ attention, even though they are 5 and 2 years old. So it’s a testament to the versatility and engaging nature of their playkits.

With two so very active and high energy boys, durability is a top priority for any toy in our household. And b’ys I gotta say, holy smokes but Lovevery has surpassed my expectations in this aspect. Their toys are built to withstand the rough play of young children, making them virtually indestructible. It’s a relief to know that these kits can withstand the test of time and can be passed down to younger relatives or friends, still looking brand new.

I wholeheartedly recommend exploring Lovevery playkits and browsing around on their site. Lovevery, thank you for creating exceptional playkits and for being a shining star in my books!

Continue Reading

Simplify Parenthood with GillyGro: The Ultimate Backpack for Parents

Leaving the house with a baby or toddler (or both in my case!) can often feel like a daunting task. Juggling diapers and bottles to keeping everything organized, parents need a reliable companion that simplifies their lives. My friend has created GillyGro, a brand founded by a team of three moms who intimately understand the challenges parents face.

With their innovative, functional backpack, GillyGro aims to revolutionize the way parents navigate the early years of parenthood.

GillyGro knows that convenience is key for parents, and their backpack is designed with just that in mind. It offers an abundance of storage pockets and compartments, allowing parents to keep everything neatly organized. From diapers, wipes, and bottomless snacks, to spare clothes and toys, the GillyGro backpack has a designated place for every essential. No more digging around in a chaotic bag – everything is within reach.

The GillyGro is your modern day Mary Poppin’s type of bag. I gotta say, it’s impressive. The GillyGro Backpack is a multitasking marvel that combines five essential parenting solutions into one convenient bag. Here’s what it offers:

  1. Portable High Chair: YES. This backpack has a built in highchair/booster seat. Genius right?! Eating out with a little one can be a challenge, but GillyGro has the solution. This backpack has a plastic shell (holds up to 55lbs) that lets you attach it to any chair and transforms into a portable booster/high chair, providing a safe and secure seat for your child to enjoy meals comfortably and conveniently whether you’re dining in a restaurant, or visiting friends at their house.
  2. Diaper Changing Station: Changing diapers on the go is always a bit challenging but my pals at GillyGro have figured it out and has this part on the back of the backpack where it unzips, and unfolds into a spacious and hygienic diaper changing station. Equipped with pockets for diapers, wipes, and other essentials, this backpack ensures quick and hassle-free diaper changes while keeping everything organized.
  3. Picnic/Activity Mat: Spontaneous picnics or playtime in the park are a breeze. It effortlessly transforms into a comfortable and water-resistant mat, providing a clean and safe space for your child to explore and play. Whether it’s spreading out snacks, engaging in fun activities, or simply enjoying the great outdoors.
  4. Nap spot: When your little one needs a nap on the go, GillyGro comes to the rescue. With its clever design, the backpack creates a cozy and comfortable spot for your child to rest. Whether you’re traveling, visiting friends, or exploring new places, the GillyGro Backpack offers a secure and familiar space for your child to recharge and relax.
  5. Spacious Carry-All: In addition to its incredible multitasking features, the GillyGro Backpack is also a spacious carry-all. With multiple compartments and pockets, it provides ample storage for all your essentials. Say goodbye to the hassle of carrying multiple bags – GillyGro keeps everything in one place, making your outings more organized and efficient.

Visit GillyGro‘s website and go getchurself one! Spiffykerms approved ;)

Continue Reading