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6 Travel Entertainment Ideas

• by Travel Contributor
• September 14, 2022 September 20, 2022

Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a bit boring sometimes, especially without some travel entertainment. If you’re looking for different ways to entertain yourself while on your trip, look no further! In this post, you will find six different travel entertainment ideas that keep you busy and entertained. From watching movies to playing games, there is something for everyone! Start reading and get ready to have some fun!

• 1 Why Travel Entertainment Is A Must-Have
• 2 Read Some Books
• 3 Listen To Podcasts
• 4 Binge A TV Show
• 5 Create A Travel Journal
• 6 Play Some Phone Games
• 7 Play I Spy
• 8 Remember To Incorporate These Travel Entertainment Ideas!

Why Travel Entertainment Is A Must-Have

Traveling can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be very tedious and lonely. Long hours spent on trains, planes, and buses can leave even the most seasoned traveler bored and antsy. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have some entertainment with you when you travel. Books, magazines, and portable electronic devices are all great options for keeping yourself entertained on a long journey. Travel entertainment can help to pass the time, relieve boredom, and make the overall travel experience more enjoyable. So next time you go on a long trip, don’t forget to pack your favorite form of entertainment. It might just make all the difference.

Read Some Books

When most people think about travel, they picture long days spent exploring new cities or hiking through beautiful forests. While there’s no doubt that these activities can be immensely rewarding, they can also be quite exhausting. After a day of sightseeing, it can be nice to relax with a good book. Books provide a unique form of travel entertainment you can enjoy at your own pace. They transport you to new places and introduce you to new characters without leaving your armchair. Best of all, they can be easily packed into a suitcase or carry-on bag, making them the perfect companion for any trip. So next time you’re planning a vacation, pack a few good books along with your sunscreen and swimsuit.

Listen To Podcasts

In an ever-connected world, finding a moment of peace can be hard. Even on vacation, it’s easy to feel like we’re always stuck on our devices, which is where podcasts can be a lifesaver. By downloading a few episodes before your trip, you can have hours of entertainment that don’t require an internet connection. Whether you’re interested in learning about the history of your destination or want something light and fun to listen to on the plane, there’s a podcast for you. And best of all, you can keep listening even after your trip ends. So next time you’re packing your bags for vacation, don’t forget to add a few podcasts to your list of travel entertainment.

Binge A TV Show

There’s nothing quite like curling up on the couch with a good TV show. Whether catching up on your latest obsession or revisiting an old favorite, TV can be the perfect way to unwind after a long day. But did you know that TV can also be a great form of travel entertainment? Binging a TV show can be the perfect way to pass the time on a long journey and give you a glimpse into different cultures and lifestyles. Binging a TV show is worth considering if you’re looking for an engaging and educational way to travel. You never know what you might learn from your favorite characters!

Create A Travel Journal

A travel journal is more than just a way to document your vacation. It can also be a great source of entertainment, both during and after your trip. The act of writing about your experiences can help you to process them and make them more memorable. And, when you look back on your journal later, it can be a fun way to relive your travels. If you’re unsure how to start, try focusing on one specific aspect of your trip each day. Whatever approach you take, creating a travel journal is a great way to record your memories and have some fun at the same time. For example, you could write about the best meal you had, the most interesting person you met, or the most beautiful place you saw. Or, if you’re feeling creative, you could even turn your journal into a comic book or travel diary.

Play Some Phone Games

For many people, playing phone games while on vacation seems like a waste of time. After all, there are so many new things to see and do; why would you want to spend hours staring at a screen? However, there are several good reasons why playing phone games can be a great form of travel entertainment. First, phone games are typically easy to pick up and play, which is ideal when you only have a limited time to spare. Secondly, they can be a great way to kill time when waiting in line or for your flight. And finally, some phone games can help you learn about the culture and history of your destination. So next time you’re planning a trip, consider giving some phone games a try – you might be surprised at how much fun they can be!

I Spy is a great guessing game you can play anywhere, making it the perfect form of travel entertainment. The basic premise is to guess an object based on partial information. For example, if the clue is “I spy something that starts with the letter C,” the object could be a cat, a car, or a cookie. I Spy is an excellent game because it can be adapted to any situation. It’s perfect for long car rides, boring waiting rooms, or even during moments of downtime on vacation. And because people of all ages can play, it’s a great way to keep everyone entertained. So next time you’re looking for a way to pass the time on your travels, remember that I Spy is always a fun option.

Remember To Incorporate These Travel Entertainment Ideas!

There are many different ways to entertain yourself while traveling . Whether you’re looking for something educational, engaging, or fun, there’s sure to be an option that suits your needs. So next time you plan a trip, don’t forget to add a few of these travel entertainment ideas to your list! It will surely come in handy, especially on those long flights or car rides. And when all else fails, you can always sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. After all, that’s what vacations are all about!

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22 awesome things to do on a long flight.

After many years of awesome travels, we have taken a lot of long haul flights, and I’ll let you in on a secret: I absolutely LOVE flying long haul. 

I've taken hundreds of flights in my years of travel, and about half of those have been long haul!

It’s actually one of my favourite parts of travelling I love flying, I love airplane food and drinks, and that’s all in economy.

I imagine I’d love business class a lot more, but well, business class is expensive! 

So, since I love flying, I’ve got lots of great travel tips on things you can do on a long flight.

I’ve tried and tested all of these tips, and hopefully they’ll help keep you distracted and entertained on your next long haul flight. 

But if you're looking for a super quick answer, here are my top 5 things to do on a long flight: 

• Movie time : not just new releases but movies that require extra time, such as the Lord of the rings trilogy, Harry Potters, the Hobbit, etc!
• Adult Colouring books: Seriously underrated and such a fun thing to do on a flight whilst listening to some background music
• Free drinks: Well, not ALL long haul carriers offer complimentary alcohol, but when they do, I love to grab a drink and just relax!
• Work work work:  If you've got a remote job, then a long haul flight is a great excuse to catch up on work, especially since lots of airlines have WiFi in the sky!
• In flight games : Lots of long haul carriers have games built in on the screens such as quizzes, and you can even join in with other passengers! 

Travellerspoint

1. Catch up on long movies 

Life is often busy, and a long haul flight is the perfect time to catch up on those blockbuster movies that are super long and you just can’t find the time for back on the ground!

Some of my favourite movies to watch on a long haul flight include: 

• Lord Of The Rings 
• Harry Potter
• The Bourne Movies
• The Hunger Games 

And I’m sure there are many more you can think of! 

I absolutely love ordering a drink, a snack and just getting comfortable whilst watching a movie. It’s like my own little cinema experience up in the air. 

And if you’re travelling with a partner or a friend, you can both watch the same movie at the same time. 

2. Bring your laptop and do some work 

When you run a business online, a long haul flight is actually the perfect excuse to get some work done! 

Use your free time to catch up on work that you’ve been putting off, or if you’re a university student it’s the perfect time to catch up on reading and essays. 

The majority of long haul carriers provide charging facilities so your laptop will never run out of juice. 

For me, I always have a backlog of past travel photos that need editing , and this is the perfect chance to do just that and get even more excited about the trip ahead.

3. Play cards 

Bradley and I LOVE to play cards, we play cards most evenings when we are travelling, before or after dinner. 

It’s no different on a long haul flight.

If you’re looking to pass the time when flying, then this is a great option. 

There are so many different games you can play, whether you're flying with a toddler , with a friend, or even solo.

My go-to games include:

• Solitaire - when flying solo
• Rummy - when flying with friends
• Snap - when for flying with kids

4. Bring mini travel games for fun 

Nowadays there are lots of mini travel size versions of games that are absolutely perfect for flights. 

I’ve actually purchased a few of these over the years (I’ll admit I’ve lost many too), but playing these games are perfect if you’ve got a travel companion. 

Some of my favourite mini travel games include: 

• 4 in a row 
• Snakes & Ladders

Top Trumps is another awesome game to play with a fellow traveller, and they’ve a good game to have whilst travelling in general too. 

5. Walk around the cabin 

Walking around the cabin is not only a great thing to do on a long flight to keep yourself busy, but it’s actually important for your in-flight health. 

You’d be surprised at just how easy it is to get blood clots when travelling long haul, so it’s important you keep your blood circulation flowing by moving your feet. 

Take a wander through the cabin to get some exercise. 

6. Do some colouring 

Colouring isn’t just a fun activity for children on long haul flights, it’s perfect for adults too. Bradley brought me an adult colouring book a few years ago and I love it. 

Colouring is really therapeutic and relaxing, so it’s a perfect activity for a long haul flight. 

You can even do it whilst watching a movie that doesn’t need your full attention. 

7. Read a book

This is another one of my favourite things to do on a long flight! 

I constantly have a list of books that I want to read, but never seem to find the time to read them. 

Well, a long haul flight is the perfect excuse. Even if you don’t want to carry physical books with you (because they do take up space when travelling for longer periods of time), you can download books via the Kindle app. 

There’s no limit on many books you can travel with then. 

8. Listen to music 

When it's winding down to the last hour of my flight, I often find myself not in the mood to do much, and this is when I find it’s the perfect time to listen to some music. 

It really wakes me up and gets me excited about the destination I’m arriving too. 

Airplanes often have a vast range of music on offer from all-time classics, movie soundtracks (which I love, but have to stop myself from bursting into song mid-flight), or even radio stations playing a variety of tunes. 

Or, of course you can just listen to your own music that you’ve got on your phone. 

9. Listen to a podcast/audiobook

Bradley is a big fan of audiobooks and podcasts and what better way to spend your time than listening to something new.

Audiobooks are perfect for those who don’t particularly enjoy reading, or find they get tired from doing so, and podcasts are great for learning and engaging with topics that interest you. 

A great place to find inspiration is Audible .

Bradley absolutely loves autobiographies and anything business related.

Here's his top 5 recommendations:

• Elon Musk: Unabridged
• Richard Branson: Losing My Virginity
• 4 Hour Work Week
• How To Be Like Walt

10. Learn a language 

There are sooo many apps nowadays that teach you new languages, and there are the traditional language handbooks too. 

I always think it’s important to learn a few local phrases of the language that your chosen destination speaks, and when you're on the flight, that’s the perfect time to learn!  

They’ll be fresh in your brain by the time you land, and you’ll be speaking the lingo in no time…..(well, at least a few phrases!). 

11. Play quizzes with your flying friend 

Why not have fun with your flying partner by taking some quizzes. 

There are so many quiz questions online that you’ll run out, or you could get creative and make up your own. 

Even if you’re flying solo, it’s still possible to do quizzes. 

Under the games section on most airplane entertainment systems, there will be quizzes to play. I love to play these on long haul flights. 

12. Crossword and Wordsearch 

These are two very traditional things to do on a long flight, but they're effective. 

These are perfect for passing time and keeping your mind working and active.  

You can’t beat a good word search or puzzle on a flight, and they’re perfect for when you’re lying on the beach too. 

13. Read up on your adventure 

Another great thing you can do whilst flying long haul is to take this as the opportunity to read up your destination and plan more of your trip . 

Of course you’ll have already done this to a certain extent, but if you’ve bought a guide book, then this is the perfect time to read it.  

And actually, most airline entertainment systems also have little guide books and information about the destination you're visiting too, so you can feel super excited about your adventure.

Companies like Rough Guides & Lonely Planet produce some great guides! 

14. Have a few drinks

I love to have a couple of drinks on a long haul flight, especially if I’m with a company.

On most long haul carriers, alcohol is complimentary, and on some really great airlines, they serve actual cocktails in economy ( Singapore Airlines , I’m looking at you!).  

So why not have a couple of drinks on your flight. 

Just remember that alcohol affects you quicker at higher altitudes, and it will dehydrate you quicker, so drink water in between. 

15. Catch up on sleep 

If there is nothing else you want to do, then why not simply catch up on some sleep. 

It’s easier for some people to sleep on airplanes than others, but if you get a good neck pillow and eye mask, they can really help. 

Or, if you can see that there is a row of seats free close to you, then why not make yourself a little bed! 

16. Chat with the air hostess 

I’ve had some great chats with air hostesses on flights, and whilst they don’t have all the time in the world to stand and chat with everyone, there will be points in the flights where they are free and you can have a quick chat. 

This is especially true if you’re on a pretty empty flight! 

17. Play Ipad/tablet games 

Tablets and Ipads are the perfect flying companion because there are lots of games you can play. 

The majority of games you can download are free, or if you’ve got a favourite game, you can purchase it and take advantage of the extra time you have to play. 

One of my favourite games for a long flight is “Candy Crush”. Time seems to fly when I’m playing that game! 

18. Surf the internet 

The internet is becoming more and more accessible when flying. 

Most long haul carriers provide some form of WiFi connection, and they usually give you a little free sample . 

But, purchasing WiFi can be quite reasonable, and worth it for a very long flight. 

Plus it’s pretty cool messaging someone when you’re flying in the air over different countries! 

It’s a fun novelty.  

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19. Do a bit duty free shopping 

Duty free shopping on board?! Why not! 

Duty free prices are excellent value and actually this is a great place to pick up some presents for yourself, or for family and friends. 

You can get brilliant deals on makeup, perfume, travel gadgets and even alcohol. 

A little bit of in-flight shopping never hurt anyone...

20. Binge watch a TV show 

Seriously one of the best things to do on a long flight. 

Has someone constantly been telling you to watch a certain series, but you don’t have the time? Well, now you do! 

There is often lots of choice on airplane entertainment systems, or you can download the series to your phone before you fly via Netflix. 

Some binge-worthy TV shows I can recommend include: 

• You (Netflix original) 
• Ozark (Netflix original)
• Game of Thrones 
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine
• Breaking Bad 

21. Play the onboard games 

Most airline entertainment systems not only have music, TV shows and movies, but they actually have a whole section on games! 

I actually love this, and a lot of them are two players, so you can play with the person next to you. 

The games vary with each airline, but I love playing quiz games, such as “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”.

22. Relax and rejuvenate with facemasks 

Flying long haul dehydrates your skin quite badly, so I sometimes take this as an excuse to perform a little skin TLC. 

If you’re in business, they provide you with a range of face products and creams, but if you’re in economy, you can simply bring your own face mask on board. 

Pop it on mid-way during your flight (perhaps before you plan on taking a nap) and relax! 

I’ve actually only started recently doing this on flights, and I feel like it makes a great difference to my flying experience and for when I land. 

Tips for travelling on a plane

Below I take you through some useful and generic tips for travelling on a plane that I’ve learnt over the last few years. 

1. Wear flight socks 

Flight socks are not only recommended for people who have circulation issues, but for all travellers who are flying long haul. 

Lots of airlines provide you with flight socks in your little economy amenity pack, but since they’re cutting costs, I wouldn’t rely on that. 

Instead, purchase your own which you can reuse on every long haul flight you take. 

2. Pack snacks 

I love checking out the menu on my flight before I fly but sometimes it’s not possible to get the meal you really want, and sometimes it might not taste as good as you hoped. 

On a long haul flight, you don’t want to go hungry, so pack some snacks with you that you know you love! 

3. Keep drinking water 

Water helps you keep hydrated on the flight. 

There are so many elements to flying that dehydrate your body including the altitude, the air system and more, so if you want to avoid landing with a headache and a pretty tired body, then stay hydrated throughout your flight with water (especially if you’re drinking alcohol too).

‍ Remember you can request water at any time by asking an air hostess, or walk to the galley and ask for yourself if you want to get some exercise too. 

4. Plan your flight schedule before you go 

It’s always a good idea to look at what time you're landing and how to plan your flight with that. So you can work out when is the best time to have a sleep, when you’re food times are, and when is a good time to play games, watch movies and anything else you’ve got planned. 

Once you plan your flight, you’ll suddenly realise time will go quicker and you’ll be less worried about going bored when flying long haul. 

5. Freshen up before you land 

When I know there is around 1 hour left of my flight time, I take this as the opportunity to freshen up and get ready for landing. 

I typically do a face mask, or put moisturizer on my skin, do my teeth, and apply some new makeup for landing. 

This makes me feel better so that I’m ready for my adventure once I’ve landed. 

I actually limit my toilet breaks when flying long haul (because I like to sit at the window and that's just inconvenient for everyone involved haha), but I always head to the toilet at the end of the flight so I can freshen up too!

6. Bring a small light jacket on board

A lot of long haul carriers provide blankets on board the aircraft, but sometimes you don’t want a blanket, and they’re just awkward if you’re trying to keep warm and eat at the same time. 

Planes can get cold with the air system in action, so I always suggest having a light jacket with you that you can pop on when it gets chilly. 

Then you can use your blanket for sleeping. 

Long Flights Essential Packing List 

Use this long haul packing list to ensure you have a fuss-free flight and make sure you don’t forget anything important in your hand luggage.  ‍

• ‍ Facemask and/or face moisturizer  
• Flight socks  ‍
• Ipad/Tablet/Phone  
• Magazine/book/something to read  ‍
• Travel Games   ‍
• Playing Cards  ‍
• Pen (for filling in immigration forms or flight landing cards!)  ‍
• Earphones (in case the ones on the plane are bad) 
• Paracetamol (perfect for if you’ve got a headache) 
• Mini hairbrush: seriously, the hair goes bad quickly!
• Essential medication (if you’re a type 1 diabetic , like me, you need your important medication with you!) 
• Hand sanitizer: this means you won’t need to queue for the toilet before eating your food
• Toothbrush/toothpaste: they really help you to feel fresher after a long flight 

So there we have it, my guide on the best things to do on a long flight including some extra flying tips that you might find useful.

If you’ve got any other tips to add to the list, then drop a comment below to share with other travelers!

Here's a couple of other posts you may find useful for making the most of your trip away ...

• How To Save Money For Travel
• Monzo vs Revolut: Which Is Best For Travel?

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Travel Entertainment Ideas for the Whole Family

Posted in Homeschool View on Thursday, June 8, 2017

Summer vacations can be one of the best parts of summer. However, as fun as it can be to visit family or travel to a new destination like one of these 50 lesser known places , it can also be hard to figure out enough ways to fill up the time it takes to get there. Since no one has yet found a way to teleport and development of the Hyperloop super train is still in progress, here are a few ways to keep everyone entertained throughout your family’s summer adventure:

Play a word game: 1. One person starts with “I’m going to [name of destination] and I’m bringing [item A].” The next person repeats the sentence, but says, “I’m bringing [item A] and [item B]. To make it more challenging, try coming up with 26 items in alphabetical order.

2. Name a country. The next person has to name a country that begins with the last letter of the previous country.

3. Pick a word and go around having each person think of a word that rhymes. Whoever drops the pace loses. Keep going until you have a winner. The winner then gets to pick the word to start the next game.

4. Build a story. Each person contributes one sentence at a time to a story that you all make up.

5. ABC game. Find something that starts with each letter alphabetically as you travel.

6. 20 Questions. One player thinks of an object or a person, then have the other players ask “yes” or “no” questions trying to guess the item before reaching the 20th question.

For quiet time in the car: 1. Play an audio book.

2. Fill out a Sudoku or complete a crossword book.

3. Bring along a DVD or laptop and play a movie.

4. Print out our USA map and have your kids color in states as they see state license plates. The first one to fill in the entire map is the winner. If you want to make it a more challenging game, you could print out a blank map and have the kids write in the name of each state and the state capital.

Traveling on an airplane: 1. Read a book. 2. Watch a movie on your tablet. 3. People watch.

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23+ Tech-Free Travel Activities for Kids: No iPad Necessary!

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: February 10, 2023

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Spring break and summer travel season are just around the corner, and many more families will likely be hitting the road or returning to the friendly skies in 2023. As encouraging as that news is after the last few years, it also means lots of time in transit with potentially very bored kids. I’m assuming you don’t want to be the parent hearing “are we there yet” for hours on end. The key to getting through those more mundane moments in travel is to pack plenty of in-flight or road trip entertainment for the kids.

Like most traveling parents, an iPad is my go-to device. Although my mantra is that normal screen-time limits do not apply when we are in-flight (or on the road), I don’t love seeing my kids stare at a screen like zombies for hours on end during our travels. It is important to mix it up with some good old fashioned tech-free travel activities for kids too.

I was intrigued by a study that British Airways did a few years ago that showed that the best in-flight entertainment for young kids was not the iPad. However, like many fellow family travelers, I wasn’t pleased with some of British Airways’ recommendations, which were decidedly not mess-free. Legos? Loom bands? Play-Doh? All I could think about is how many times I’d be crawling under the airplane seat in front of me to pick up tiny pieces or how the time-starved post-flight cleaning crew would hate me for what my family would leave behind after a flight.

So, with less-mess as my guiding principle so parents don’t have to worry as much, I did a lot of research and testing. The result? These 23+ tech-free products, entertainment ideas, activities, and games to entertain your kids on your travels. There are items on the list for every age from the youngest of toddlers to teens and every age in between. Best of all, the majority of these products are under $20 – and some of them are even under $5!

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Tech-Free Travel Activities for Kids: Entertainment, Games & More

1. Melissa & Doug License Plate Game : A reusable board to play the classic road trip game of spotting license plates from every state. Durable for travel (it’s wooden) and flat to slide into a backpack for easy transport. Great for teaching geography and helping your kids learn the 50 state capitals too.

2. Road Trip Bingo Cards : A fun and engaging travel themed game for your children to play together to pass the time on the road. Each set comes with four cards and sets are available for interstate highway trips, license plates, traffic signs, and more. I love that the Bingo cards include pictures to make the game doable even for pre-readers.

3. Travel-themed Mad Libs : You can’t go wrong with the wacky word game you played yourself as a kid on long road trips in the days before iPhones and iPads. Slim enough to fit into a kid-sized backpack or a purse, this is a space-saving essential that siblings can enjoy playing together. I love that there are travel-specific varieties like the “ On the Road ,” “ Vacation Fun ,” and “ Travel Far and Mad ” versions that we can pack for trips.

4.  National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas : An inexpensive and informative atlas that includes a page for each state as well as activities and games. This is best for older kids who can read independently, but even the younger ones will get something out of it as well.

5. WikkiStix : Wikki Stix are a smart invention for parents who want their kids to be creative but not get messy. These waxy sticks can be bent and molded into a variety of shapes and designs. Our family likes to buy a set of party favor size bags so we can take several on each trip and sometimes even share with friends we meet on the plane.

6. Fisher Price Doodle Pro Trip : Your kids can doodle for hours with the travel-sized version of this magnetic writing tablet. Slim design means it can slide in without taking up much space, even in smaller preschooler size backpacks.

7. Melissa & Doug Flip to Win Hangman : A reusable dry erase board (with durable wooden backing) to play the classic hangman game. Letters flip on a cord so there are no pieces to lose.

8. Travel Scavenger Hunt for Kids Card Game : Another twist on the games that have your kids gazing out the window on road trips to spot things passing by. Players try to spot objects like road signs on their cards and get new cards as objects are found.

9. Pass the Pigs : Roll the pigs to see what positions they land in to score points. This fun game is small enough to play on an airplane tray table and with only two dice (well, pigs), there isn’t much to lose.

10. Travel-sized Pop-O-Matic Trouble Grab & Go Game : This miniature version of the game involving everyone’s favorite “Pop-o-matic bubble” is perfect for airplane tray tables. Just note that the mini moveable game pieces can be moved (and thus lost), so I’d recommend this travel activity for slightly older kids.

11. Travel Sized Grab & Go Guess Who : Another miniature version of a classic game sure to keep your kids entertained for extended periods of time. This travel game requires small cards, so this is one that I’d again recommend for older kids.

12. Imagine Ink Magic Ink Pictures : These little booklets come with a single clear marker that magically colors the included coloring pages. Mess-free and the booklets come in a wide variety of Disney and other cartoon character versions perfect to take en route to theme park vacations, including Disney princesses, Mickey Mouse, My Little Pony, Thomas & Friends, Frozen, and many others.

13. Crayola Color Wonder Stow & Go Studio : For all those with creative little ones of nearly any age, Crayola Color Wonder products are ideal for road trips or flights because the markers only work on the special Color Wonder paper. This hard carrying case includes four markers and a replaceable activity book.

14. Dry Erase Activity Workbook : Educational publishers make several cute and highly educational dry erase wipe-off activity books perfect for preschoolers learning the alphabet and numbers. The dry erase marker means less mess in the car or in the air and reusability on subsequent trips or with siblings.

15. Toddler Ring ABC Flashcards : While there are plenty of products to keep older kids entertained, babies and toddlers need distractions too! These flashcards are connected by a ring so you won’t lose them and help teach letters to younger travelers on the go. Also available for first words .

16. Crayola Triangular Crayons : So simple but so ingenious for travel. If you’ve ever been with a young kid trying to color on an airplane tray table, you quickly learn how annoying round crayons are – they roll right off! The solution? Triangular crayons! We are never without a set or two of roll-free triangular crayons during our family’s travels.

17. A to Z Alphabet Travel Coloring Book for Kids : Looking for something travel-related for your kids to color with those triangular crayons? This newly released coloring book is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers learning their letters. Each letter has a corresponding travel-themed picture.

18. Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pads : Keep little fingers busy with sticker books on your next trip. These sets can be used over and over again and come in a variety of themes. Best of all, the stickers are vinyl cling material so they will not stick well to other materials. No more peeling stickers off airplane tray tables and windows at the end of a flight!

19. Melissa & Doug Tape Activity Book : Noticing a trend here? Melissa & Doug has a ton of tech-free creative entertainment products, and this is another one that works well for travel. Tape is easy to tear to use in decorating creations.

20. The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids : Want to encourage elementary age kids to document their travels? This combination travel journal and activity book strikes just the right balance. Plus, it was written by a friend who is the family travel blogger behind the site 2 Travel Dads, so I can vouch for his first-hand experience in keeping kiddos entertained on the road!

21. 2 x 2 Rubik’s Cube : A neat little twist on the classic cube puzzle that is a bit easier for younger kids just getting started. Extra small size makes it easy to throw in a backpack or purse.

22. Curious Columbus Busy Book : One of the more expensive items on the list, but this busy book is high quality and guaranteed to keep little hands busy for hours – my son really enjoyed it when he was a preschooler. You’ve probably seen hand-sewn products like this on Pinterest or Etsy but sometimes, it’s much easier to buy one rather than make it!

23.  Petit Collage Magnetic Play Sets : Kids can enjoy playsets with the less mess help of magnets to keep the pieces together. Available with funny faces, robots, and animals. We found got the most use out of magnetic playset toys when our son was about three and four years old.

Bonus – Audiobooks: If your goal is to keep kids off of screens in-flight and on road trips, audiobooks are a fantastic option to consider as well – all of the technology kids love but none of the screen time. Check out this list of the Best Audiobooks for Kids ages 8-12 for lots of creative choices.

What tech-free travel activities for kids have you used successfully in cars and on planes?  Share some of your favorites I may have missed in the comments .

Need more tips for travel with kids? Check out these related articles:

• What to pack in your carryon bag for toddlers
• Flying with toddlers and milk
• Tips for flying with a lap toddler
• Gift ideas for traveling toddlers & preschoolers

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Thursday 30th of May 2019

Thanks for the list! We tend to use items in the airport waiting to board too; some of my favorites are pipe cleaners, small cars, and anything we get in McDonald's Happy Meals. Basically all items I would not much mind being left behind! On the plane with our 3yo, we recently used the small paperback Scholastic Club phonics sets of books with favorite characters Blaze and Paw Patrol, as well as a small animal (stuffed or plastic) he pretended to feed and care for.

Thursday 8th of February 2024

@Elizabeth,i thought it was traveling for free

Wednesday 24th of April 2019

Nice article but hard to read with the multitude of ads in the article and popping up.

Tuesday 20th of June 2017

I have traveled from California to Pennsylvania by air and car with my young son. We use the magnetic boards on the plane and in hotel rooms. We also used the magic ink on our last short trip to Arizona. For flights, I like keeping small flat toys together in the seat back pocket in a large fabric drawstring shoe bag. On road trips, I use a small fabric backpack to take toys in and out of the hotels. I will have to try some of these ideas.

Back-To-School Sales to Mean Great Deals on Family Travel Gear - Trips With Tykes

Tuesday 2nd of August 2016

[…] back-to-school season. Stock up on a few and save them for your next vacation when your kids need tech-free creative activities to keep them entertained in […]

Tuesday 26th of April 2016

Great ideas!! Please tell me that photo is staged and she doesn't EVER ride with a doll in her safety belt?!?

tripswithtykes

Stock photo fail! Didn’t even notice… this isn’t my kid so don't worry! ;-)

Entertainment Ideas for Long Days of Traveling

From planning a craft project to downloading a new podcast, these recommendations will help you pass the time on your next journey.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Shondaland editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Being on a plane or a train for 18 hours is rarely an ideal situation we want to find ourselves in. It can be boring and make us antsy to sit still for so long, and if we’re bringing along children with us, it’s especially difficult for them (and you!). But with enough foresight, you can make sure that you come prepared with everything you might need to keep yourself entertained while traveling. We’ve gathered a list of crafts, podcasts, and kids’ stuff that will have you shaving hours — mentally at least — off your next big journey.

Tackle an arts and craft project

Amelia crochet kit.

Adult coloring books are also relaxing and fun, the perfect thing to hunker down with for a couple hours while traveling. There are ones inspired by tattoos and the 1990s , and this quirky one features dinosaurs that have human jobs , like bank tellers.

Binge movies and TV

Watching movies is definitely a must during long journeys. You’ll have to download them for offline viewing before you go, but the process — whether you’re downloading from Apple TV/iTunes , Amazon Prime , or Netflix — is relatively easy. If you’re looking for ideas of what movies and TV series to download from Netflix, Shondaland has tons of suggestions, from TV shows with impeccable costume design to movies about unique friendships to films based on true stories .

If you want to stop people from peering at your computer, privacy screens are an excellent option. Definitely don’t forget a pair of noise-canceling headphones , and bring your cable just in case something happens to your Bluetooth connection. If you’re traveling with someone or just want to account for the possibility of making friends on your trip, try this headphone splitter . It’s under $5, and it’s perfect for people who don’t have wireless headphones or a Bluetooth connection but still want to watch a movie together.

Talk to your neighbor

Not to be that person, but sometimes it really is true what they say: The best part about travel is the people you meet along the way. While this is a nice concept in theory and can play out in making strong connections, it’s still important to be aware of when your seatmate may be done talking. Or else you really will be that person.

Listen to a podcast

Downloading podcasts is also a fun way to pass the time. You’re Wrong About is a podcast that explores people and pop-culture moments that are misunderstood or unfairly judged, from Princess Diana to Stella Liebeck, the woman who sued McDonald’s for coffee that was too hot. Or consider Criminalia , an engrossing true-crime Shondaland Audio podcast hosted by Holly Frey and Maria Trimarchi. For book lovers, Literary Friction is engaging, and it comes with a book list! Spectacle: An Unscripted History of Reality TV is the perfect thing for anyone who’s obsessed with 90 Day Fiancé or T he Real Housewives franchise.

Write letters

Everyone enjoys receiving a lovely, thoughtful letter. So take this opportunity to jot down some kind words for your loved ones. It’s a nice gesture that also helps you appreciate the journey you’re on, and it can be a good time for reflection. For stationery sets, Pepin’s vintage maps and floral still-life designs come with gorgeous envelopes and stickers. Pick up stamps when you get to your destination! And before you send your letter, a spritz of your favorite perfume, a wax seal , and a Polaroid picture make for cute extra touches.

Tune into some music

Music is crucial when it comes to traveling. Download your favorite playlists on Spotify, and check out the Insecure Official Playlist , which covers a wide range of music with over 400 songs. Also, think about downloading calming options for sleep or anxiety, like classical music .

If you have ample table space, games are also an excellent option to make the time fly by. Think games that spark connection and discussion like trivia games and this Hygge conversation game. What Do You Meme? is an amusing option — it’s similar to Cards Against Humanity but with memes. Playing cards are always a classic, and the modern-art touch to this deck is classy .

What Do You Meme?

There’s nothing better than losing yourself in a good book during a long trip. In a world that offers adults so little time to read, travel can be a precious time to immerse yourself in books that have been on your list forever. Check out this list of books that inspire the love of travel , some of the best books of 2021 (and most anticipated of 2022 ), or a cozy romance . If you want to bring lots of options without weighing down your bag, consider making this the year that you get a Kindle or another e-reader .

Make a travel journal

Travel notebooks are the perfect thing to work on while you’re en route to your destination or coming back because you have the time to actually get it all done. For travel journals, think something along the lines of a bullet journal. Pick up some colored pens and stencils to give it that sleek look. For the notebook itself, consider these slim and beautiful notebooks from Day Designer. Decorate them with washi tape and Polaroids from your travels.

Slim Notebook Set: Beautiful

Keep kids busy

Long-haul flights are especially hard on squirmy kids, and finding things to entertain them is no small feat. Kindle Kids is a great option for kids who like to read. For your child who likes makeovers, temporary tattoos and press-on nails are little things you both can do together. A Nintendo Switch Lite will keep your little one busy for hours, and, to be honest, you might want to pick one up for yourself. Young kids will also love this Monster Mix & Match Art pack from Kiwi Co, where they can use pencil rubbing to draw their own monster creations.

Nylah Burton is a Chicago-based writer. Follow her on Twitter @ yumcoconutmilk .

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The 10 best travel entertainment ideas for all ages.

Traveling long distances doesn’t have to be boring. Read on to discover the best travel entertainment ideas for adults and kids here.

Don’t forget to pack something fun for yourself as well while the kids nap or play games.

Keep reading to discover 10 simple travel entertainment ideas for the entire family.

• Bring Books and Coloring Books

Books and coloring books are the ultimate way to combine travel and entertainment. If you’re traveling with kids, bring plenty of coloring books and let the kids choose them. This way, when they get bored with one coloring book or they fill it out, you can always offer a brand new one.

Also, bring books for the adults as well. This is especially useful for long flights when the kids fall asleep and you don’t want to watch a movie. You can also bring the kids’ favorite bedtime stories to read it to them before they fall asleep.

• Bring Toys and Puzzles

When traveling with little kids or toddlers, you should plan to bring lots of toys, games, and puzzles. You might need an extra carry-on to pack them, but they’ll be lifesavers when the little ones get cranky or tired.

Bring the kids’ favorite toys and games, but also get some new ones and let the kids choose them. The novelty of a new toy will keep them entertained for hours and you can also play with them.

Better yet, when you get to the airport, visit one of the toy stores and let the kids pick a new toy. This will attach a special memory to the toy and they’ll always remember they bought it before a fun trip.

• Play Apps and Games

As a parent, you probably have screen time rules that apply in everyday life, but during long trips, apps and games will be a lifesaver. Before the trip, download the  best iPad apps for travel entertainment to keep yourself and your kids occupied.

Download apps that’ll be both fun and educational instead of watching one movie after another. For instance, download apps that teach the kids colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. Also, set the iPad settings to make sure only you can exit and control the apps to prevent dangerous things sneaking into the apps.

• Watch Movies and Cartoons

Watching movies and cartoons are worth at least a couple of hours of entertainment. For example, on long flights, there isn’t much you can do with the kids, so make the best of in-flight entertainment and play the kids’ favorite cartoons or animated movies. Make sure they only watch one movie at a time and not back to back.

If you travel by car, you can find a great Putlocker alternative  or download some movies onto your iPad or laptop.

• Bring a Lot of Snacks

Whether you travel as a couple, alone, or with kids, snacks are a great way to calm everyone’s nerves and prevent hangry tantrums. For example, the kids might not like the plane food so you should always have their favorite snacks at hand.

Snacks are also great distractions when the little ones are cranky or tired and will give them something to do at least for a few minutes. Snacks will also keep you and the kids happy enough between meals, especially if you don’t know when the next meal will be.

• Take Photos and Videos

Taking photos and videos is a great way to document your trip and do something fun together. If you have older kids, you can give them a small camera and let them be creative.

If you travel by car, you can make a few stops on the way to take some photos. Then, you can edit the photos together, add filters, and make an entire family album before you even get to your destination.

• Make Plans for Your Destination

If the kids can’t stop asking “are we there yet”, ask them if they want to make plans for your destination. You can give them creative freedom to brainstorm ideas or research some fun activities for the entire family. This is also great travel entertainment for adults.

For example, if you’re going on a family vacation, plan the entire first day with the kids. First, you’ll book into the hotel and unpack to find the kids’ swimsuits and beach toys. Then, you’ll eat lunch, grab some snacks, and get to the beach. At the beach, you can buy ice cream and play in the sand. Planning the day with the kids can help them stay calm while dreaming about the fun stuff they’ll do.

• Tell Funny Stories

Good old storytelling can keep the kids entertained for hours on end. For instance, you can tell them stories from when you were little or read them stories from their favorite books.

You can also make it into a competition and have every family member tell a funny story. The person who gets the most laughs gets a prize and decides the topic of the next round of stories.

• Listen to Music and Sing Together

If the kids have a favorite singer or songs, play them in the car and sing together. This is a lot of fun for the kids and they can burn a lot of energy this way so they can take a nap later.

Be silly with them and pretend like you don’t know the lyrics or the tune and let them help you figure it out. This will be one of their fondest childhood memories.

• Bring Sticker Pads

Sticker books can keep your kids entertained for ages. Bring a few sticker books that the kids can use during the entire trip so they don’t get bored. Let them choose what sticker characters they want to use so they don’t throw a tantrum if you offer them something they don’t like.

These Travel Entertainment Ideas Will Make Your Trip More Fun

Whether you’re traveling by plane or by car, travel entertainment for the entire family is important to keep everyone happy. Especially if you have kids who can’t sit still for long periods of time, these ideas might just save you a lot of tears and tantrums.

Want more travel tips and ideas? Check out the other articles we have on this topic and stay tuned for more news and updates.

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11 best travel entertainment ideas and activities for kids

From card games for older children to toddler-friendly activities, here’s how to keep small people busy on long journeys

With the summer holidays in full swing, chances are you’ll be travelling for a trip abroad, a staycation, or even a fun day out with your mini people in tow. And we all know that travelling with little ones can be tricky, but there’s plenty of things you can do to keep them entertained.

Tips for how to travel with kids

It can strike fear into even the most patient parent’s heart, but travelling with kids should be about making great memories, not worrying about getting there.

Flying with kids has the additional excitement of seeing the airport and planes, but often means a lot of waiting around, while going on a road trip with kids means they’ll be confined to a car seat for a lengthy amount of time. Whatever your summer travel plans, there are some things you can do to make travelling with children easier…

Family travel tips

• Leave plenty of time – rushing with kids in tow will only make everyone feel stressed.
• Bring a variety of snacks , wipes and essentials – this will also save on costly airport or service station purchases.
• Let kids get involved in packing – this adds to the excitement of the trip and makes them feel included.
• Keep kids ’ travel items in their own bag – making their most-used toys easy to find will be key when you have lots to organise.
• Explain to children what they can expect – perhaps the journey is broken up into three modes of transport. For example, it might be a taxi to the airport, a flight, and then a bus to your destination.
• Keep a travel activity or game as a surprise – having a little present that they can open during the journey will help if they’re getting impatient or if there are delays.
• Factor in plenty of breaks – travelling can be exhausting for everyone (no matter your age), so it’s important to make sure the whole family is eating and resting when needed.

The benefits of travel games for kids

Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping your little ones busy, you can also get loads of travel games and activities for kids that are educational too. These range from activity packs that allow them to document where they’re off to, to mini travel games that they can also use once they’re back home too.

If you choose a family travel game, it’ll give you some extra bonding time, and the addition of extra players helps to keep children engaged. Many popular games now come in smaller travel-friendly sizes, meaning they won’t take up loads of room in your (already stretched to the limit) luggage allowance!

11 best travel entertainment activities

Tonies starter set.

This Tonies starter set is a musical story box that is pre-loaded with an hour of songs and stories. It’s ideal for giving your little one a screen break, and the box is padded, meaning it’s suitable for children over the age of 36 months.

It’s easy for little hands to change tracks, adjust the volume and rewind to their fave songs, while it has up to seven hours of battery life and space for audio content that can be played without Wi-Fi access. You can purchase additional Tonies characters too, including Peppa Pig, Moana and Trolls.

Suitable for: Kids aged 3 years old and over.

HMN Four Mini Magnetic Games

This mini magnetic game set includes four popular board games that are perfect for keeping kids busy both on your journey and at your destination. If your mini me is forever losing or dropping things, then you’ll be pleased to know that this set uses magnets so that you can play come turbulence or traffic!

Suitable for : Kids aged between 8 and 12 years' old.

Usborne 50 Things to Do on a Plane Activity Cards

These '50 things to do on a plane' kids travel activity cards each show a game, activity or entertaining puzzle to keep your child busy. This includes drawing, mazes and anagrams, giving them a variety of options to choose from. They’re durable and suitable for kids aged between four and eight years old, meaning you’ll be able to dig them out year after year.

Suitable for: Kids aged between 4 and 8 years old.

Peppa Pig Travel Magnetic Scribbler

This Peppa Pig magnetic scribbler requires no messy pens, meaning you needn’t worry about stray scribbles on your car seats. The magnetic drawing pad allows your budding artist to draw and erase their own pictures independently, while helping them to develop those all-important fine motor skills. Plus, the lightweight set comes with three little stamps to keep them entertained.

Suitable for : Kids aged 3 years old and over.

Monopoly Deal Card Game

If you’re a family of Monopoly lovers, (who isn’t?!) then these Monopoly Deal cards are a great alternative travel game to the famous board version.

You can play in approximately 15 minutes (perfect if you have kids with a short attention span) and it’s suitable for between two and five players. It’s a great buy for older kids, with the recommended age starting from eight years old.

Suitable for: Kids aged 8 years old and over.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Pastel Green

If you have a child who deserves a treat or is going on a special trip, then this Fujifilm Instax mini camera will help them to capture the holiday through their own eyes.

This compact camera has a dedicated selfie mirror and it’s suitable for all ages, but it would be a great travel entertainment option for an older child who can’t wait to print and share their memories with their friends!

*The Instax mini film is sold separately.

Suitable for: All ages.

Collins Michelin i-SPY On a Car Journey

I spy just got an upgrade thanks to this ‘on a car journey’ spy book that allows kids to keep track of what they’ve seen. It has more than 140 things to find including sheep, bridges and wind turbines. Once they’ve scored 1000 points, they can claim a fun certificate and badge for their trouble.

Suitable for: Kids aged between 5 and 7 years old.

Sirecal Suction Cup Spinner Toys

These suction cup spinning toys cost less than £8, so they make a great budget-friendly option if you’re flying with toddlers or smaller children.

They can be easily placed on car or plane windows for kids to spin, and they work well in the bath or on tables too, making them a fun addition to any trip. What’s more, you get four in a pack so they’re great if you’re travelling with multiple mini people.

Suitable for: Kids aged 6 months – 3 years old.

lenbest Kids Travel Tray

If you’re anticipating a long car journey, this genius car tray is ideal for little laps and comes complete with a nifty wipe-clean drawing board and a pocket with a touch screen window. It also contains educational drawings and whiteboard pens so that kids can unleash their inner artist on the move.

Hasbro Guess Who? Travel Game

You can’t go far wrong with this Guess Who? travel game that boasts a handy fold-up case, making it easy to stow away in your luggage after use.

A fun option for a plane or train journey where you have a table to hand, this simple question game can also be whipped out once you reach your destination and on your return home. The best bit? It’s one that both older kids and adults will enjoy!

Suitable for: Kids aged 6 years old and over.

Gralal Busy Board

You’ve probably seen parents on TikTok raving about busy boards for keeping kids amused on long journeys, and this affordable version won’t add too much money to your holiday budget. Its multitude of activities help kids with cognitive and problem-solving skills, as well as hand-eye co-ordination.

Suitable for: Kids aged between 2 and 5 years old.

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30+ Engaging Travel Activities for Kids

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

When you’re traveling with kids, you want to make sure you’ve prepared some activities to keep them entertained on the trip. 

We are always on the search for awesome plane and road trip activities for kids. On our many, many trips with our kids, we’ve discovered through experience that some travel activities are better than others. 

Buuut it’s not so fun to discover that you have a dud once you’ve already left on your trip. We’re here to help you out by finding the very best travel activities for kids so you can relax and enjoy your trip!

Whether you’re going on a road trip or traveling by plane, these travel activities for kids are approved by both kids and parents!

Travel Activities for Kids

Water wow activity pads.

Water Wow Activity Pads are a truly mess-free travel activity for kids. Simply fill the pen with water and watch as colorful pictures appear as the brush goes across the page. The picture dries after about ten or fifteen minutes and can be used again!

There are a few different kinds of pads, ranging from simple pictures to number and alphabet activities to mazes and seek-and-find activities . 

This activity appeals to a broad age range, as kids get a huge kick out of seeing the picture magically appear on the page as they color. We as parents even have fun doodling on the pages when our kids are done!

Paint by stickers

These paint by sticker books are a great way to entertain kids on a trip. Each picture is completed by placing the little stickers on the correct number in the picture (think paint by numbers, but with stickers). It’s a great calming, focused activity for any kind of travel.

And when you’re finished, you have a gorgeous and vibrant picture! Our son likes to hang them up in his room when he’s done making them. 

These books have been a huge hit with my kids while traveling. And I love how focused they keep my kids and that they are mess-free!

Guess in 10 Game

Ages 6+ (or junior version for ages 3-6)

Guess in 10 is a game that requires two people to play (or up to 6), but is sure to keep your child wanting more! Each person can ask up to 10 questions to guess the animal on the other person’s card. The first person to collect 7 game cards wins.

One of the best things about this game is how simple it is. No complicated rules or setup, just grab a card and start playing! And it’s so fun to learn new interesting facts about the animals on the cards.

In addition to Guess in 10 Animal Planet , there are lots of other versions of the game depending on your child’s interests, such as Guess in 10 Junior (for kids ages 3-6), Countries of the World , Deadly Dinosaurs , Things that Go , and World of Sports .

Tip: When playing with younger children, it can be helpful to choose a small group of 10-15 cards and then review them before playing. This narrows the scope of guessing to a more reasonable level for young children, especially if they aren’t familiar with a wide range of obscure animals.

Magic clay , also called air dry clay or model magic, is a creative outlet for kids of all ages while traveling. Unlike playdough (which I wouldn’t bring on a plane or into my car in a million years), this light clay does not make a huge mess when used. Its foamlike texture holds together and doesn’t crumble apart or squish into carpets, seats, etc.

My kids have the best time with this activity when we travel and it’s always fun seeing the creative ideas they come up with.

We actually bought this big set of magic clay , which contains a 36 resealable little tubs of the clay, so it’s easy to just grab a couple of containers whenever we have a trip. And my kids can also make fun creations at home. If you want a smaller quantity, you can also buy a pack like this .

Mental Blox Go!

Mental Blox Go! is a set of over 30 games and puzzles in a compact travel case. This portable puzzle set includes ten different puzzle types with various levels of difficulty. Some games can be played individually, while others require multiple players.

Some of the games include memory match, shapes sudoku, and 4×4 chess, to name a few. The pieces are sturdy and chunky, making them difficult to lose.

I love that this game is small enough to be quite compact, without being so small that you lose the pieces, and my kids love the variety of games that you can play with just the one set!

Tangram Magnets

This Trangram Puzzle Book has a variety of different puzzles children can make with the shapes at increasing levels of difficulty. And because the wooden shape pieces are magnetic, they stay in place when kids are playing with them on the go!

Although it is marketed for children ages three and up, this one will probably work better for older children as most of the puzzles are quite challenging.

Hidden Pictures Book

Ages 3-6 yrs

Hidden picture books will keep your child engaged as they search for the images concealed in plain sight in each picture. 

This Things that Go Hidden Pictures Book has 96 pages with a variety of transportation-related scenes. On some of the images, there are matching stickers to put on the hidden picture once you find it, while on others you’re meant to circle the hidden picture.

Our preschooler loved the things that go theme and especially enjoyed the pages with stickers to put on the pictures. There are also other themes you can choose from, including Pet Hidden Puzzles , Adventure Sticker Puzzles , etc.  

Fidget popper

For some simple and compact travel activities for kids, fidget poppers are a great choice. They give your child something to do with their hands while on the go.

It’s surprising how entertaining popping those little buttons in and out can be, for kids and adults. They are also a great sensory activity if a child is feeling agitated or anxious.

If you’re traveling with a young jokester, consider bringing a joke book to keep them laughing. They will love learning new jokes to share and you might get a few laughs too. 

The Silly Kids Joke Book has over 500 jokes in large, easy-to-read font, perfect for young comedians on the go. The jokes are divided up into different categories, such as food jokes, knock-knock jokes, animal jokes, etc. so that your child can find the perfect joke for any occasion!

Puffy Sticker Activity Book

One of my favorite travel activities for kids, the Melissa and Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Books can keep a child busy for a long time on a trip. The sets come with background scenes and dozens of little stickers to decorate each picture to their own liking. 

And the best part is that they’re reusable! And they actually are, unlike some sets that say they are but have stickers that are hard to get off or lose their stick. The set we have has lasted us several years and countless trips. My son always checks to make sure I’m bringing his puffy sticker set when were packing for a trip.

There are many different puffy sticker set options, depending on your child’s interests. We have the farm, chipmunk house (by far our kids’ favorite), and safari set , but you can also find princess, dress-up, and mermaid, dinosaur, ocean, safari , etc.

Wikki Stixs

Wikki Stixs are a fun, mess-free activity that can grow with your child. Younger kids will enjoy squishing and twisting the bendable wax sticks, while older children can make more elaborate creations, such as shapes, words, people, animals, etc. The sky is the limit with this travel activity!

I love seeing the creative ideas my kids come up with when deciding what to make with their Wikki Stix. And since they are reusable, you can just unbend them when you’re done to make new projects!

Secret Decoder Activity Books

Let your kid become a detective with these Secret Decoder Activity Books by Melissa and Doug. This set comes with three activity books and spy tools to help them reveal clues. In each book they will find a mystery to uncover using different spy techniques such as code breaking, unscrambling messages, and completing mazes.

This is such a fun and engaging way for kids to pass the time while traveling! They will love solving mysteries as they build skills such as attention to detail, problem solving, and following directions.

Scratch art

Scratch art is a fun, creative activity that’s easy to do on the go. Kids will love creating their own colorful pictures simply by scratching off the top black coat with the wooden sticks provided. And this set comes with several stencils for kids who want a little help knowing what to draw.

Honestly, I got this on a whim before a trip, not knowing how incredibly entertaining my 5-year-old would find it. This kept him entertained for hours at the hotel, in the car, on the plane…. He had so much fun drawing pictures of all the places we were visiting for everyone he knows. 

It does create a little bit of black residue from scratching off the topcoat, but not enough to be too annoying. And the entertainment value far outweighs that minor inconvenience.

A tablet can be a lifesaver when you’re traveling. I’m all about bringing lots of hands-on activities for my kids to do while traveling, but sometimes screentime is the best way to keep a child occupied or distract them from a meltdown. 

The Kindle Fire comes with a tough, child-proof case and a two-year warranty. You can choose to stream content through wifi or download it onto the device.

Tip: Be sure to download some favorite movies, shows, or apps before getting on the plane. 

Learning Workbooks

Learning workbooks are a nice way to combine academic learning with entertaining travel activity. And although these workbooks do have educational value, they are also a lot of fun for kids to work on while traveling.

You can find all sorts of interesting workbooks with a variety of interesting activities based on your child’s age. For kids ages 3-6, the Little Get Ready! series has some really engaging activity books. Another favorite is Highlights , which also has a wide rage of learning workbooks for all different grade levels and topics.

Help your child learn a craft to keep them entertained while traveling. Our 5-year-old recently expressed a desire to learn to crochet, and that can keep him engaged for hours!

A craft like crocheting, knitting, weaving, or needlework is perfect for keeping a child occupied on trips, whether you’re traveling by car or plane. (And yes, you can bring knitting and sewing needles on a plane!)

This is usually one that you want to prep a bit beforehand though so that they can learn the basics and you can see if it’s really something that will keep their attention. You can get your child started with this beginner crochet set or a loom kit for making hats and infinity scarves .

And of course, there are a lot of other interesting crafts out there. See what appeals to your child and help them to develop that talent as they travel!

Drawing book

For your little budding artist, bring a book that teaches them to draw pictures. This is a another way for them to learn some new skills while they pass the time.

For younger children, consider a book like How to Draw Animals for learning to draw basic pictures. For older children up for a bit more of a challenge, How to Draw All the Things for Kids has detailed tutorials for 42 different projects. 

Pair it with a small sketch pad and a couple of colored pencils or mechanical pencils (so that you don’t have to worry about the tip breaking) and your child will be all set to draw to their heart’s content!

Look-and-find book

Look-and-find books are a fun way to keep children entertained while traveling. They will love exploring the detailed pictures as they search for various items on each page. 

We love the 1001 Things to Spot books by Usborne. The pages are so interesting and our kids have a great time looking for all the different objects in the pictures. Usborne has a lot of books in the 1001 Things to Spot series, including Animals , Bugs , Monsters , and so on.

Magnetic tin playset

A magnetic tin playset is a self-contained activity that provides lots of creative fun for kids. The inside of the tin contains a background onto which your child can stick the magnets to create a fun scene. Each set comes with dozens of small magnets that match the theme of the set you chose. 

These are a great entertainment option for traveling by car or plane, or for using as entertainment when you arrive at your destination. My kids love arranging and rearranging the magnets to create new scenes and stories!

Tip: Bring a small plastic bag to use for storing the magnets you aren’t currently using, otherwise the scene ends up getting a bit too crowded. 

Usborne Wipe-Clean book

These Wipe Clean books by Usbourne Books and More have been one of my go-to travel activities for kids for years. There are a lot of different options depending on what your child is ready for or interested in, including Wipe Clean Travel Activities , Wipe-Clean Space Activities , Wipe Clean First Math , Wipe Clean Travel Puzzles , and the list goes on and on.

One of the nice things about these books is that they incorporate all sorts of learning activities without making it feel like a workbook. I also love the fun and engaging pictures and that it’s endlessly reusable. Just wipe it off and start again!

Tip: Don’t forget to bring some extra dry erase pens for when your child inevitably misplaces theirs!

Would You Rather Book

For kids who love a good laugh, this Would You Rather Book for Kids is sure to keep them enteretained as they think through various “would you rather” scenarios.

This book contains 200 would you rather questions to get your child thinking and laughing. It’s a fun way to get conversation going and bond as a family as you talk through different outlandish situations.

The book is compact and easy to pack, but contains hours of entertainment for your trip!

Color by Numbers

Color by Numbers books are a fun way for kids to entertain themselves while traveling.

This set comes with numbered pens that correlate to the numbers on the pictures so kids know which color to use for each section of the picture. The numbers disappear after you color over them, leaving just the art behind!

Our son loved seeing the colorful picture appear as he used the numbered markers.

If you have a kid who enjoys puzzles, consider bringing a small puzzle or two to help them pass the time.

These small 20-piece puzzles are a great travel activity for younger kids. They have a frame and travel bag, so it’s easier to keep all the pieces contained and to pack up when it’s time to go.

For older kids, consider a larger puzzle as a hotel activity to keep them occupied if you have some downtime in your room. 

One great way to pass the time while traveling is listening to podcasts. There are some really fun and entertaining podcasts for children out there that are sure to keep kids entertained on a trip. Our son could listen to his favorite podcast (Little Bedtime Stories) for hours!

Just make sure to bring a good pair of headphones for an ideal listening experience. For our younger kids, we typically use toddler headphones , but when they get older we prefer a pair of wireless headphones .

Tip: Preview the podcasts before your trip so that you know that it’s something that your child will find entertaining and also something that is appropriate for your child. Also, be sure to download the podcasts in advance so that you have access to them when you don’t have internet access.

Riddles Travel Game

Get the gears turning by bringing along some riddles for your child. The 100 PICS Riddles Travel Game is a pocket-sized deck of 100 riddles, perfect for travel!

At the bottom of each card is the scrambled answer to the riddle, so you have an extra clue if you need help. Once you’ve guessed what it is, slide open the shutter to reveal the correct answer.

The small size and portable case make this a perfect travel activity for kids!

Sticker books

You can’t go wrong with sticker books for travel. And these days, there are so many different options that kids of all ages will love!

Our 3 and 5-year-old sons both loved the First 100 Trucks and Things That Go Sticker Book . It’s full of fun sticker activities, from color matching to creating your own construction site. This was one sticker book that our kids kept coming back to again and again throughout our trip!

Origami Craft Activty Set

For kids who love crafts, origami is a fun way to engage their creativity while traveling.

This On the Go Origami Kit from Melissa and Doug comes with all the materials you need to make 40 paper animals, along with detailed instructions. The papers have marks on them to show where to where to fold and include stickers to add eyes and embellishments to the completed animals.

There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects, so your child can challenge themselves with more difficult creations when ready.

Travel journal

Kids will love recording their travel memories and experiences in a travel journal! 

The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids provides a creative forum for little travelers to think about and write about their travel experiences. This book includes guided travel writing prompts as well as games and activities for keeping kids entertained on the go. And there’s space to write about four trips, so your child can look forward to using it on their next trip too!

This is one of those perfect travel activities for kids that gets them really thinking and engaging in their trip. Plus it’s a great way for them to record memories to look back on for years to come!

I don’t know what it is about stencils, by my kids find them so fun to play with! Maybe it’s that they can get really fun and detailed pictures that would be challenging for them to draw on their own. 

And there are some really fun stencil sets out there. This set comes with 16 stencil sheets with a wide variety of subjects (planes, dinosaurs, letters and numbers, animals, princesses, flowers… the list goes on and on). It also has pencils, a sharpener, and a sturdy little carrying case for everything.

But if you’re looking for something more basic, just get a small set to give your child something to work with. The key is just to find a set that appeals to your child and set them loose to see what they create!

Travel Scavenger Hunt

This Travel Scavenger Hunt is a great way to pass the time on a long road trip! The cards are easy to read with big pictures, making it easy for kids of all ages to play.

And in addition to the typical cards of objects to look for, there are also special cards for things to hear (like a siren), feel (like the car going over a big bump), and smell (like a skunk or something stinky).

The one downside for this game is that it doesn’t work as well in more remote areas, as it’s a lot harder to find the items on the cards. But save it for when you’re driving through more urban areas and you’ll have a fun game that everyone will enjoy!

All ages (find age-appropriate books)

Reading is one of the best ways to pass the time while traveling, for children and adults! Find a topic or author that appeals to your child and bring along a book or two for them to read on the trip.

You can choose informative, non-fiction books or gripping fiction, depending on your child’s preference.

We love the Usborne Lift-the-Flap books on all different topics, such Look Inside Space , which has over 70 flaps with interesting facts about space, and Look Inside How Things Work , which teaches all about the inner workings of machines, vehicles, household items, and more. I love these books for travel because one book contains so much information to hold a child’s interest throughout the trip.

Or you can choose a fun fiction book like the Magic Treehouse series (our 6 year old’s favorite), the hilarious and wacky Wayside School series , or an adventure story like Fablehaven .

Whatever your child’s age or interests, you can find fun and interesting books that they will love for your trip! This is probably one of our favorite travel activities for kids because of how engaging a good story can be.

Final Thoughts

When taking a trip with kids, it’s important to bring some fun activities to keep your child entertained. Bringing a few fun items to engage your child during travel will help make for a smoother trip for them and you.

And if you’re looking for some great options, you can’t go wrong with any of these travel activities for kids.

Other posts you might be interested in:

21 Airplane Toys and Activities Your Toddler Will LOVE!

50+ Road Trip Food Ideas- Easy Meals On the Go!

Road Trip Activities for Toddlers (That They Will Really Love!)

Related Posts:

19 Gorgeous Travel-Inspired DIY Projects

Last Updated: March 31, 2021

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

When I’m not travelling, one of the things that keeps me sane is surrounding myself with travel inspiration in all forms, whether it’s obsessively reading blogs or adding worldly touches to my home decor ( like this stupidly adorable savings bank shaped like a suitcase ).

And so, in the spirit of treating roamsickness with more travel dreams (probably a terrible idea but idk I’m not a doctor), here’s a roundup of some of the most beautiful and wickedly awesome  travel-related DIY projects that I could scour on the interwebs. 

Pin these ideas for later:

1. Dazzling light-up world map

Through an absolutely genius use of Christmas lights, this beautiful map by Hazel and Ruby showcases where you’ve been in the world and is brilliantly customizable and simple to create. Bonus points for their lovely travel-themed display, and sweet globe collection.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/367958232030782233[/pin]

2. DIY Vintage Pushpin Map

This simple and tasteful way to showcase your wanderlust is absolutely perfect. I am in  love  with DIY Vintage Pushpin Map from Mountain Modern Life  because it’s minimalist enough to avoid tackiness, while still showing off your love of travel and all the places you’ve been. I can’t wait to put one of these up on my wall!

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/676454806509937500/[/pin]

3. Personalized photo map

This adorable photo map from Adventurista AZ is so cute, it almost makes me want to vomit!  Seriously, can you handle the nauseating sweetness? Admittedly, this is a genius idea that I wish I had come up with first, but this one’s no doubt going on my (ahem *secret*) travel-themed wedding Pinterest board

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/223983781455969170/[/pin]

4. Miniature map magnets

These mini map magnets from Surviving a Teacher’s Salary are not just adorable, but also rather classy (like a posh chihuahua having high tea). They can be made in just a few minutes, so they’re ideal for a quick and easy gift for that travel lover in your life.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/751678994045869073/[/pin]

5. … and more map magnets

For a simple and clean alternative, these other glass map magnets from The Happy Housie  are a brilliant way to subtly incorporate your wanderlust all around the house.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/267119821636926223/[/pin]

5. Travel Keepsake Boxes

Minimalist and simple, these keepsake boxes from Martha Stewart are a smart way to keep all those random knick knacks and ticket stubs organized from each trip! Plus they look absolutely smashing on a shelf.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/155866837091346391/[/pin]

6. Map keychain

A cute everyday reminder of a place you love! An easy tutorial can be found here on Sustain My Craft Habit.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/515873332317037559/[/pin]

7. Pocket travel journal

This crafty DIY travel journal from Simple as That is the perfect way to keep track of travel memories on the go. Plus you can easily make it your own through different photos, paper patterns and fonts. Need some inspiration? I’m obsessed with this beautiful travel-themed scrapbook paper from K&Company.  Imagine all these prints in a journal! *swoon*

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/287386019955091488/[/pin]

8. Travel-themed gallery wall

Surround yourself with precious travel memories by turning them into clean and gorgeous wall art. I love this example and tutorial from Live Laugh Rowe. 

If you want an instantly fancy look without all the work,  this gold foil Wanderlust print  is to die for… and  it even comes in silver.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/78320481009306053/[/pin]

9. Travel shadow boxes

An arsty way to put your best photos, memories, stubs and more on display! This tutorial from Kelly Purkey shows you how to do it. Although I think the 20 euros in the corner here would be better spent on waffles.

PRO TIP: I’ve found that shadow boxes are always pricier at craft stores than online. Amazon has loads of affordable options. Click here to check them out!

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/80361174576241225/[/pin]

10. Upcycled hand-painted globe

Such a great way to breathe new life into an outdated globe! Click here to see a tutorial from Houseologie on how it’s done. BTW if you’re like “but I don’t have a globe”, let me shun your excuses with this wide selection of globes for under $20 on Amazon . You’re welcome.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/519813981975508903/[/pin]

11. Map and travel shelf

A great way to jazz up any shelf, especially one that’s holding travel souvenirs. Here’s an easy how-to from Home Road.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/335940453455740232/[/pin]

12. Souvenir showcase jars

I love this creative method of putting photos and souvenirs on display, especially for beach vacations. Here’s how you make them.

The snazzy sealable mason jars are easy to find too! You can easily get them in any size on Amazon. Click here to see the options.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/314970567693876414/[/pin]

13. Wooden travel map

Another great way to keep track of your travels. I love the cozy, wooden look and the hand-painted lettering. Here’s how you can make your own. 

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/255579347582861131/[/pin]

14. Mason Jar Map Ornament

This gorgeous Christmas ornament idea is the perfect way to upcycle some maps and mason jars! Check out this easy to follow tutorial via Happy Mothering for a step by step on how to make them:

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/12173861479584616/[/pin]

15. Easy DIY Passport Holder

Looking to make your own passport holder to keep your most beloved possession nice and safe? It’s actually not that complicated. This tutorial comes with a free sewing pattern that you can easily customize to suit your needs!

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/206813807874893666/[/pin]

16. Suitcase table

To be honest, if I had this adorable coffee table in my house I would probably never leave. Here’s how you make your own.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/142918988154383089/[/pin]

17. Postcard Recipe Box Dividers

A wonderful way to make use of the postcards you collect! These beautiful postcard recipe box dividers are seriously adorable , and a perfect way to preserve your best travel memories.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/231583605822616465/[/pin]

18. Map heart art

Simple yet so cute. Would be a cool idea to showcase your favourite parts of the world. Here’s House of Mahalo’s tutorial showing how you can have your own in a few minutes.

All you need is a map, some glue, and a cheap white frame ( here’s a nice one off of Amazon ).

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/671880838148333573/[/pin]

19. Travel cord organizer

As someone who has spent probably hours over her lifetime untangling cords, this brilliant DIY is a must for those constantly on the go. Here’s a tutorial on how to make one of these organizers for yourself, courtesy of Create and Craft.

[pin]https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/216032113361961175/[/pin]

If you’re still with me (and not already reaching for that Mod Podge and glue gun), thanks for reading!

Let me know in the comments if I’ve missed any of your awesome DIY travel-related projects. I’m always on the hunt for more to add on my list!

Fishing for more travel decor inspiration?

Click here for  16 ridiculously beautiful travel prints from Etsy .

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

49 thoughts on “19 Gorgeous Travel-Inspired DIY Projects”

Ahhh I loved this post! These are such great ideas! My favourites are the personalised photo map and the travel keepsake boxes… How cute! Amazing ways to keep our travel memories alive 🙂 x

This is absolutely amazing ! I loved the one where you attach photos to the countries that you visited! I will definitely try it out!

Great stuff! My daughter’s party theme this year is travel (she’s 4 and has been traveling all over the world!), and I might use some of these ideas. Thanks for sharing!

What an awesome theme for a birthday party!! I hope you take plenty of photos and blog about it 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

This is awesome! I love the photo wall, I’ve been collecting postcards as o go so that when I finally settle for more than 6 months I can do that! Great post 🙂

Thanks, Lauren! Yes isn’t the photo wall gorgeous? I used to collect postcards too but these days I prefer to just take photos of my own that I really love. My plan is to one day print my favourites out, frame them and make a massive gallery wall. So many ideas!! 🙂

Omg stop as soon as I have a home again after this trip I’m doing ALL OF THESE. I’m so stoked! Loved this post!!

What a great post! These are some great craft ideas… Totally pinning for later 😉 Thank you!

I love the travel jars – I actually started doing something very similar myself but with smaller craft jars. When I was about to leave the UAE where I had been living and working for eight months, I took some of the sand from our beach and our volleyball pitch and kept a few teeny tiny shells. I also looked after our fish tanks and had a pet hermit crab: when he met his final end, I kept his claw (possibly slightly weird?!) and the operculum from one of our snails that the before mentioned hermit crab ate, and stuck them all in the jar. I also had some absolutely tiny glass bottles for using in jewellery craft, and I put sand and two miniscule shells in them, and gifted them to my team before I left 🙂

Wow what a thoughtful and beautiful goodbye gift!! Those sound really beautiful, and such a good way to make use of souvenirs that would otherwise sit and collect dust. I’m guilty of hoarding random bits wherever I go, so to make them into something decorative would at least make my hoarding habit productive haha.

oh wow! love these ideas:)

Happy to hear that, Tanja!! Hope you get to try a few out.

Love this post! Definitely pinning it on my board “After Travel”. 🙂 How cute is the map and travel shelf?! Will be doing that myself! Once. If I have time. Love the wooden travel map as well, and the gallery wall of course! So many great ideas, so little time. Thanks for this awesome collection of great travel related DIY ideas!

An ‘After Travel’ board is such a good idea!! I find that surrounding myself with travel memories/travel-inspired decor helps a lot with post-holiday blues… that and obsessive Pinteresting of course haha.

oh my god!!! those are so amazing! love all of them so much! now i’ll need a bigger home to fit all of them into my place 😀 I actually do have a travel diy project as well where i live. it is a string art map pinned on my wall!

Oooh I’ve seen some of those online. They’re cool as well!! My friend has a corkboard map with custom location pins. It’s really neat.

I love these! 4 5 and 6 are my favourites! #6 is such a great way to store all though travel bits and bobs! ❤

So hard to pick favourites! But yes those ones are great… and honestly so simple and genius. I have tons of random things I’ve collected over my travels so it’s always good to find ideas on how to put them to use (rather than have them collect dust).

I love the ideas and I’m gonna save some of those for our future apartment decoration! I wish we had tons of old suitcases so I could make a coffee table for every single room!

Hahah that was my thought too… “Dang where do I buy vintage suitcases in bulk?” Happy crafting!! 🙂

Nice and inspiring post! I really love the globe :-).

Thanks Kimberley! Happy you liked it 🙂

Loving the ideas! I started doing a travel scrapbook about all my past travels 🙂

Ahh I used to love scrapbooking! I have a massive collection of papers and stickers but haven’t really sat down to make anything in the past few years. I should definitely get back into it.

So I’ve read this just as I’m settling in for a full day of work… Now all I can think about is travel and how much I want all of these things in my life… I applaud you for your distraction worth and wanderlust inducing post! Now, which should I make first? ;-P

Choosing is too tough so I would go with… all of them 😉

I love all of these ideas!

Thanks for reading, Rachel! 🙂

Whoa!!! I can’t wait to have a home base so I can do some of these wonderful maps haha

Haha cool map decor is one of the very few things that makes a travel blogger actually want a home base 😛

You made such an awesome list! I am definitely going to try atleast some of these out. You actually gave me a healthy amount of ideas for home- decor!

So many great ideas. Need to do that suitcase table

Wow some fantastic ideas here. Thanks. I already put pins in my map of the world but I love the idea of the luggage labels with the photos. I was wondering how to attach photos to the places in a nice way. I have now found my way. Another which jumped out at me is the suitcase table. So beautiful. Thanks you so much for sharing these wonderful ideas.

Some fantastic ideas here Christina! I love the idea of the keepsake boxes. They would be wonderful to look through years later.

These ideas are all so perfect I just want to do them all! I think I’ll start with the Postcard Travel Journal 🙂

I only need to decide now what project to start first! Love your collection of ideas and have shared on my fb page for my travel loving readers also 🙂 Annette

Thanks for sharing, Annette! 🙂

So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome! Thanks for reading 🙂

These are so cute!! I have a map and postcard obsession.

Haha same here! hope you got a few good ideas for future projects 🙂

This blog is really cool. I have bookmarked it. Do you allow guest post on your site ? I can provide high quality posts for you. Let me know.

Just found you through Meg Cale who mentioned you on Facebook!

Love this post and all about reading your Start Here and other posts!

Love these ideas!!

I love these ideas! My husband has been collecting globes for decades (think about that – he’s pretty old) and I am going to use these ideas to give his office some pizzazz. Here’s my question: Where do you even get maps these days? Everything is on the internet, even though I love maps. If you have suggestions, I would love to know. Thanks. Jean Ann

Hey Jean, that is awesome! He must have such a huge collection by now. RE: The maps – depending on what kind of maps you’re looking for, you can easily buy them online. Amazon would be a good bet I think!

Hey Christina your blogs are awesome! I can see you have 74k shares of this post on pinterest! Congrats!! Can you guide me on how you do such amazing work on pinterest?

Hey Sankalp, I actually run a social media blog with another amazing blogger (who is a Pinterest specialist). Check it out for loads of tips: https://slayingsocial.com/

Wow, these DIY projects are really beautiful. DIY projects are attracting me. So, I’m waiting for your upcoming DIY posts. Thank you for sharing this post.

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10 essential items for traveling teens

Packing efficiently is an art that all traveling teens should master early. With some thoughtful planning and a bit of parental supervision, young adults will find their journeys — whether it's with family, friends or solo — more liberating if they concentrate on essential items, eliminate clutter and fine-tune their organizational skills.

Of course, packing can be a challenge for even veteran globetrotters, so establishing good habits early will help teens feel more confident and travel savvy as they begin to spread their wings and travel independently.

Certainly, apparel (and luggage choice) will depend on the destination, the type of trip, climate and mode of transportation. But, whether it's that first school trip to Europe, a summer sleep-away camp or a family beach vacation, there are certain products that will help alleviate unnecessary stress and challenges for young travelers.

Here are 10 essential items to help equip your traveling teen for a life of exploration.

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

If you choose well, a backpack should streamline the airport process, have plenty of pockets to stay organized, be extremely durable and be easy to stow on planes, buses and trains. It should also be comfortable enough to carry through cities as well to strap on for more rugged, off-road adventures.

Cotopaxi's Allpa 42-liter bag is the kind of backpack a teen can live out of. It has all the key attributes required for both city vacations and outdoor adventures: comfort, durability and lots of interior mesh compartments that help messy young travelers organize and access their items fast.

The fun, colorful design stands out on the luggage carousel or in the hotel lobby and with four reinforced grab handles, it can be carried in myriad ways if you just don't feel like strapping it to your back. It also features a sturdy, padded laptop sleeve (ideal for teens who generally fare better with just one bag to worry about). The 42-liter capacity comfortably holds everything a teen would need for a two-week trip.

Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones

Teens tend to lose items, especially when they're out of their element, so an expensive pair of headphones can be a gamble. At under $200, Beats Solo3 headphones have top-notch quality, more than 40 hours of battery life and "fast fuel" recharge, which provides three hours of playback after just five minutes. With a cool design and variety of colorways, they are also a nice fashion accessory for teens. The ergonomic fit works well on smaller heads and it folds up neatly into a large pocket or the included soft case, which has a carabiner that can be attached to a carry-on if space is tight.

The Beats Solo3 does not have active noise canceling, but if that is your priority you can upgrade to the Beats Studio3 version — in doing so, you sacrifice 18 hours of battery life (which is key for traveling kids and teens) and pay around $150 more.

Global Entry

Airports can be a stressful experience for everyone, especially teens traveling solo who are concerned they'll miss their flight due to long lines at immigration and security. If your child travels internationally at least once each year, Global Entry is a worthy investment. It provides all the benefits of TSA PreCheck — zipping through airport security without having to worry about removing shoes, jackets, laptops and liquids — along with expedited entry into the U.S. via automatic kiosks when arriving on an international flight.

To enroll your teen (or yourself) in Global Entry, you'll need to create a Trusted Traveler account, complete an online application and submit a $100 membership fee that will provide membership for five years, if you are approved. If your application is conditionally approved, you'll be able to schedule an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center. Membership is for five years and if your child's passport expires during that time, Global Entry status can easily be transferred to their renewed passport.

Many credit cards will reimburse your Global Entry application fee; typically once every four years.

These are TPG's top picks for low-annual-fee cards that offer a Global Entry application credit :

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee).
• United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year).
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card ($95 annual fee)

Here are some of the best premium cards that offer this benefit:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee).
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual fee, see rates and fees ).
• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees ).
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees ).

Children all of ages can apply for Global Entry and only one parent is required to attend the interview, which involves a background check, interview and fingerprinting. For a teen, you can expect that interview to take less than 10 minutes.

Related: 13 things you need to know about Global Entry

BAGSMART CABLE ORGANIZER

When packing for a trip, teens will prioritize their devices and tech paraphernalia over pretty much anything else. The idea of packing cubes may not excite (or work for) teens, but they'll appreciate a system that helps keep their cables and electronics organized. A compact cable organizer bag avoids the simmering frustration of trying to match seven cables to one device in a tent, on a plane or while jet-lagged in a new hotel room far from home.

The market is saturated with products to choose from at fairly consistent price points (around $20). The main appeal of the compact Bagsmart Cable Organizer is that it's lightweight, durable and has multiple pockets of varying sizes to fit cables, plugs, chargers and hard drives.

Petzl Tikkina Headlamp

Whether your teen is camping or staying at a fancy resort, a headlamp is a simple but indispensable item. It extends the time spent exploring outdoors, it can function as a reading lamp and it helps them navigate unfamiliar hotel rooms in the middle of the night when they can't figure out the light switches.

It's also a great safety net if there is an unexpected blackout or they need to navigate ill-lit streets at night. The Petzl Tikkina is an especially versatile option for teens. It has a simple on-off button, a 60-meter beam and a really comfortable headband (which is key for teens). Extra accessories are also available, such as a bike helmet mount and core rechargeable battery, which add to its versatility.

ThermoFlask

It's strange, but teens can forget to drink water ... until they really need to drink water.

A reusable water bottle that retains hot and cold temperatures provides the necessary hydration nudge and is one of the small but meaningful ways teens can play their part in eliminating single-use plastics. There are a ton of options on the market, which range in price, weight, size and material. Of the many we have tested, the most durable and functional is the ThermoFlask . It comes in a variety of sizes and colors and it has two interchangeable lids and a carrying handle. Made from stainless steel, its double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for around 12 hours.

4-in-1 Multi-Port Charger

If you travel with teens, you know that fighting over outlets and debating whose cellphone is more important is one battle you just don't need. This 4-in-1 Multi-Port Charger consolidates all your charging needs into one convenient and durable cord and allows you to charge multiple devices (fast) at the same time.

There's a lightning port, USB-C, micro and magnetic Apple Watch charging pad. It's universally compatible, so you can charge iOS, Android and Bluetooth devices at once. It's significantly more durable than your average cellphone cable and with a 4-foot cable reach, it's especially useful on road trips.

Carhartt Travel Kit

With a simple, durable design, Carhartt's toiletry kit is the perfect size for teens to store and organize their grooming essentials — especially when they're traveling solo. Made from polyester, it's affordable, water repellent and designed to survive spills, impact and rugged conditions. It's especially useful for camping trips, sleep-away and sports camps, and when packing light is a priority.

It will easily fit four Transportation Security Administration-approved 3.4-ounce travel-size bottles, as well as a comb, toothpaste and toothbrush. It's compact enough for teens to throw in their carry-on and the waterproof lining makes it easy to clean up any leaks.

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker

Bluetooth speakers are great travel accessories for teens who like to stream their music and audiobooks from their tablets, phones and laptops, wherever they roam — at the beach, the campground or even in their hotel room shower. For traveling teens, durability, portability and sound quality are key, and Bose's latest SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker has it all.

It adjusts has a generous base, around 12 hours of battery life and is dustproof and waterproof; it even floats in water and keeps playing. It has excellent connectivity, and can be paired with a second device in "Party Mode."

Apple AirTags

We've written extensively at TPG about how Apple AirTags (a digital tracking device) are an essential travel accessory, especially when it comes to missing luggage and airport mishaps. For teens, AirTags can provide peace of mind when traveling solo with valuable personal items or certain equipment that requires checked luggage, such as snowboards or scuba gear.

In addition to tracking luggage, AirTags can be attached to anything they own — keys, wallet, headphones — and their device will keep track of its location whenever it orbits a nearby Apple device.

Additionally, if they have lost an item and know it's close by (at home or in a hotel room), there's a "Find Nearby" feature that guides them to their AirTag. Teens and parents should be mindful of safety concerns that have arisen over recent months with AirTags.

Bottom line

Certain items can be a game changer for teenagers who are packing, carrying and taking responsibility for their own luggage. First-time trips, whether close to home or abroad, can be challenging enough for well-traveled adults, especially amid the travel chaos that became the new normal this year.

These tried-and-tested travel products can help teens become much more efficient packers and enjoy a more positive airport experience. They can also provide them with the much-needed organizational tools that liberate them so they can focus on the joy of travel.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here .

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Aurora Tourism in Iceland: You Can Seek, but You May Not Find

The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights — especially this year, which is a peak time for solar activity. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found.

In Reykjavík, Iceland, aurora borealis tourism is a booming business. Hopeful tourists board buses to head out into the night in search of the northern lights. Credit... Sigga Ella for The New York Times

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By Amelia Nierenberg

Amelia Nierenberg spent four nights searching for the northern lights in Iceland.

• March 25, 2024

From the outside, it may seem like the northern lights dance across Iceland’s skies each night. On Icelandair ads, planes fly across shimmering curtains in the sky. On social media, travelers gaze at the green bands above them . The lights are even on some recycling bins in Reykjavík, the capital: “Keep Iceland Clean.”

In the past decade or so, an aurora borealis industrial complex has boomed in Iceland. Many rent a car and go out on their own, but there are northern lights big bus tours and northern lights minibus tours and northern lights Super Jeep tours . There are private guides and boat cruises . There’s an observatory base camp . There’s even a museum .

But the lights can be elusive.

“Tourists sometimes expect, like, ‘At what time do you turn them on?’” said Björn Saevar Einarsson, a forecaster at Iceland’s meteorological office , chuckling. “Like we have a switch in the back room.”

This year, the letdowns are especially intense.

The northern lights, which are also called the aurora borealis, are most visible when there are solar flares, which are big eruptions on the sun that send charged particles toward Earth. This year, the sun is approaching the peak of its 11-year cycle of activity , which some assume means that the displays could peak, too.

But the enhanced solar activity doesn’t necessarily mean the northern lights will be brighter or more frequent, scientists wearily explain. Instead, they mostly mean that the lights can be seen farther south than usual: In recent months, they have been visible in Arizona , Missouri and southern England .

That doesn’t mean much for Iceland.

In fact, Icelanders and scientists said, this winter is nothing special. Sometimes, the lights are there. Sometimes, they aren’t. Just like always.

Hunting the lights

But nothing special, with the northern lights, is still very special. And so tourists keep coming .

Last month, I joined the fray. For four nights, I looked for telltale sky shimmers in and around Reykjavík.

I booked my tickets riding high — this was the best year yet, right? But as I learned more, and as my flight neared, my hopes ebbed. Scientists and tour leaders gently told me that the skies were cloudy and the solar activity seemed quiet.

“Just to let you know the forecast doesn’t look too good” Inga Dís Richter, the chief commercial officer at Icelandia , a tourism agency, wrote in an email two days before I planned to take a minibus trip with Reykjavik Excursions , one of its tour operators.

“But,” she added, “this can change.”

To find the lights, guides and travelers often rely on aurora forecasts, which overlay cloud cover and solar activity. They check them constantly, like a bride with an outdoor wedding in mid-April.

Some of the forecasts are free, like the aurora forecast run by Iceland’s meteorological office or Iceland at Night , which includes space weather. (Some are not — Aurora Forecast , which costs $12.99 a year, sends alerts.) Many people also turn to Facebook pages , where enthusiasts hungrily swap sightings.

Luck, though, is everything.

“There’s only one thing less predictable with the northern lights, and that’s the Arctic weather,” said John Mason, a global expert on the northern lights. “An aurora forecast is barely worth the paper that it’s written on.”

The guides work hard to explain the science, and set expectations. Most companies offer a free rebooking option if the lights do not show.

On my first night of aurora stalking, despite Ms. Richter’s warnings, I joined an expectant group on the Reykjavík Excursions minibus. For $88, I got a seat on the 19-person bus, which left the city’s central bus station at 9:30 p.m.

Over the next three to four hours, we would drive through the Icelandic night together. I’d either see something astonishing with these strangers — the sky, banded with light — or shiver with them shoulder-to-shoulder, awkward in the cold.

As we pulled onto the road, Gudjon Gunnarsson, the guide, set the mood early. “We are going hunting for the lights,” he said, emphasizing the word “hunting,” “similar to going out fishing in a lake.”

He drove for about 45 minutes, letting Reykjavík’s glow fade behind us. The city has about 140,000 people, and no real skyscrapers, so there’s limited light pollution. Although the northern lights can appear over the city, it’s best to see them in total darkness.

Then he paused and consulted with another guide.

“It is too cloudy here,” he told his flock. “So we will keep driving.”

But as we kept driving, clouds turned to a dense fog, so thick that the moon all but disappeared.

Mr. Gunnarsson turned off the main highway about an hour after we left Reykjavík. He parked in a parking lot. Or maybe it was a side street? The darkness was so deep that I could only make out the moonlight on the ocean, and only then after my eyes adjusted.

We disembarked and stood dutifully beside him, staring up at the sky. Then, one woman pointed toward Reykjavík. Were those the lights? (No. That was light pollution.)

Christof Reinhard, 65, who owns a medical laser company and was visiting with his family from Paris, mused that our search was a little bit like a safari. Sure, the desert is amazing, but it’s much better with lions. Or, maybe, was this more like a whale watch?

“Instead of a boat,” he said, “you have a bus.”

Mr. Gunnarsson watched the group stomp their feet and bend into the wind. Fifteen minutes. Then, half an hour. The clouds hung thick above. “There’s nothing happening here, as you can see,” he finally said to relieved chuckles. “It’s one of those nights where you just have to give up.”

Tourists can get mad, Mr. Gunnarsson and other guides said. It’s rare, but it does happen.

“It’s the trip that has our worst reviews,” said Eric Larimer, the digital marketing manager for Gray Line Iceland , a day tour and airport transport company.

A wake-up call for the aurora

For some, the joy is in the search, even if there is no find. A few focus on astronomy, often opting to stay at Hotel Rangá , which is just off the main ring road (Route 1) near Iceland’s south coast.

The hotel looks unassuming — low-slung and wooden — but it’s one of the most famous in Iceland. (The Kardashians stayed there . So did the Real Housewives of Orange County .) A standard room costs more than $300, depending on the season.

But Rangá doesn’t just cater to celebrities. It also draws astronomy buffs, enticed by its “aurora wake-up call” service and its observatory, which has state-of-the-art telescopes.

“One thing is to sell them,” said Fridrik Pálsson, the hotel’s owner, speaking of the northern lights. “Another thing is to deliver them.”

About 20 years ago, before the northern lights industry took off, he delegated the night security guard to monitor the sky. The guard pokes his head out every few minutes to look for the telltale flicker. If he sees the lights, he alerts the guests.

The service aims to address one of the main issues with hunting for the northern lights: They are usually only visible on winter nights, when it is very cold, very windy and very late.

“To be a good northern lights observer, you need the constitution of an insomniac polar bear,” Dr. Mason said.

My room phone, alas, stayed silent. But I did dream about the lights — great Wonka colors swirling, strangely, behind the Chrysler Building.

Mr. Pálsson built the observatory, too. Even if the lights didn’t show up, he figured, the stars are still magnificent — and, for city dwellers, also rare. The hotel contracts astronomers to work the telescopes and explain the stars to guests.On my second night in Iceland, as twilight slipped below happy-hour skies, I crunched across the snow to the observatory with Saevar Helgi Bragason, an Icelandic science communicator who leads the astronomy program.

He bent into a toddler-size telescope, focusing it on the moon’s craters. They looked clearer than the hotel, just a short walk away. It was too early for the lights, he said. And that evening seemed too cloudy (on Earth) and too quiet (on the sun).

Mr. Bragason joked that the lights can get in his way — they create a mist over the stars he really wants to see. But tourists often come specifically to see them. And sometimes, he said, as they wait impatiently, they can miss the real wonder.

“You’re left with these beautiful skies above you,” he said. “Basically, literally, another universe opens up.”

Creating a lights season

Hotel Rangá was a pioneer in Iceland’s northern lights tourism industry: About two decades ago, people came to Iceland for the long summer days, and left as daylight slipped farther south.

“I found it rather stupid in the beginning,” admitted Mr. Pálsson, the owner of Rangá, speaking of northern lights tourism.

But spreading tourism throughout the year made sense. Partly, that was an environmental concern. The tourists would crowd the country’s extraordinary natural sites over just a few months. It was also economic. When the visitors left Iceland, tourism jobs would ebb with the sunlight.

So the northern lights, which are reliably visible from September to March, became the backbone of the country’s winter branding, said Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, the marketing and communications director at Business Iceland , which promotes the country.

“To be able to sell this product of cold and darkness, you have to have something to offer,” he said.

Now, even though June, July and August are the busiest months, tourism has evened out over the seasons. In 2023, there were about 1.1 million international visitors to Iceland during the aurora months, based on departures from Keflavík Airport, according to data from Iceland’s tourist board . From April to August, there were about 1.1 million, too.

About a decade earlier , when tourism overall to Iceland was lower, there were about 336,000 departures from the main airport in colder months, and about 446,000 in the spring and summer.

The winter travelers are drawn by the lights — and the hot springs, glaciers and icy waterfalls. It’s also cheaper than the summer season.

Some try to visit volcanoes , but the country recently warned tourists to avoid the lava flows — Iceland is living in an unusually active period of seismic activity . In January, lava flowed into a small town and last week a volcano erupted with just 40 minutes’ notice near the Blue Lagoon thermal springs, one of the country’s biggest attractions.

The final attempts

Near midnight on my last night, a Sunday, I drove to the Grótta Lighthouse , a popular spot on the outskirts of Reykjavík.

A few die-hard experts had warned me off — many tourists go there because it’s darker than most of Reykjavík, but then don’t think to turn off their headlights. It was also raining, greatly diminishing my chances of seeing the lights.

But I only had three hours before I had to leave to make my predawn flight. I felt a little desperate, a little dazed. I parked, and approached two people who were sitting in the rain on a wet wall, looking at the water in the darkness. I climbed over seaweed, and introduced myself. What would it mean to them, I asked, if the lights suddenly appeared?

“It’d be a little bit like the cherry on top,” said Catherine Norburn, 29, who was visiting from England.

She and her husband were set to fly out the next morning. They had not yet seen the lights.

“We don’t have high hopes,” said her husband, Reece Norburn, 29, “but it’s now or never.”

We didn’t see the lights. And I didn’t see them later, even after pulling off the highway halfway between Reykjavík and the airport at 3:30 a.m., half convinced by a shimmery cloud.

But I did spend more time looking up at the sky. And it’s a marvel.

In New York City, where I live, the night sky blooms orange-mauve. In Iceland, the nighttime darkness is just that — darkness. Clouds roll, breaking the deep blue. Stars actually shine. Northern lights or no northern lights, it was still cosmically beautiful.

Amelia Nierenberg writes the Asia Pacific Morning Briefing , a global newsletter. More about Amelia Nierenberg

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Good Housekeeping

11 Amusement Parks in the U.S. That Are Completely Free to Enter

Posted: April 10, 2024 | Last updated: April 10, 2024

1) Knoebels

Where : Elysburg, Pennsylvania Season : April - November What's Free : Entry — plus parking, entertainment and picnic facilities

Knoebels Amusement Resort, family-owned since opening in 1926, is America's largest free-admission amusement park. That means guests can choose what they'd like to spend their money on, be it rides (you pay per ride) or food. The PA-based park boasts more than 60 attractions, including Phoenix — a giant, classic wooden roller coaster — and the Grand Carousel, hand-carved and standing for more than 100 years. Shop Now

2) Navy Pier

Where : On the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois

Season : Open year-round

What's Free : Entry, as well as select entertainment and fireworks

Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, you'll find 3,300 feet of family fun — with a view you can't beat. While some of its beloved attractions (including The Centennial Wheel) are ticketed, there's plenty to enjoy gratis : entry, the summer fireworks (considered some of the best in the country) and Chicago Live!, a performing arts festival featuring music, dance, theatre, spoken word, improv, vocal performance and more.

3) Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks

Where : Wildwood, New Jersey

Season : March - October

What's Free : Entry

The Garden State's contribution to this list, Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks, consists of three separate piers, which collectively hold more than 100 rides and attractions — plus two water parks. While you need a ticket to enter the aquatic areas, the ride sections are pay-per-ride, so they're open to anyone visiting the Wildwood Boardwalk (which is 2.5 miles long and filled with all kinds of classic boardwalk goodness). Pro tip: Plan your visit on a Friday to enjoy the boardwalk's Friday Night Fireworks.

4) Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Where : Santa Monica, California

Another boardwalk beauty! Santa Monica's famed pier is home to concession stands, biking routes, fishing spots and Pacific Park: Los Angeles's only admission-free amusement park. The model is pay-per-ride, and if you're looking for panoramic views of the Southern California coastline, you'll want to shell out for these two rides: Route 66 West Coaster Roller Coaster, which offers you views from 55 feet up, and the Pacific Wheel, the only solar-powered ferris wheel in the world, which takes you up as high as 130 feet.

5) Luna Park in Coney Island

Where : Brooklyn, New York

Season : March - October *

NYC's Coney Island is iconic and worth a visit in and of itself. While there, stop by the free-to-enter Luna Park. The bright and bold amusement park with a slightly retro feel — a match to the turn-of-the-century aesthetic of the island — is home to adult favorites Cyclone and Thunderbolt, plus plenty of kid-friendly rides, including Sky Tykes, Tony's Express and Leti's Treasure.

* 2023 saw the park's inaugural Frost Fest, a holiday-themed event from November to January. While it's yet to be confirmed if it'll return for 2024, here's hoping!

6) Hershey's Chocolate World

Where : Hershey, Pennsylvania

What's Free : Entry and the Hershey's Chocolate Tour

Hershey Park, the resort devoted to the iconic candy company, is a treat — albeit one you do have to pay to enter. But if it's a quick (and possibly educational) trip you're after, stop by Hershey's Chocolate World. Not only is it free to enter, but it also boasts a free attraction: Hershey's Chocolate Tour. The factory tour gives you a chance to see how the chocolate gets made and a free taste at the end. (If you have little Wonka fans at home, this is for them!)

7) Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Where : Santa Cruz, California

What's Free : Entry and entertainment

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk not only has an "open gate" policy, but it has a ton of free entertainment options too. There's something for everyone: Friday night movies on the beach, live music, trivia nights, acrobatic performances and DJ Dance parties are all complimentary for visitors.

8) Fun Spot America

Where: Orlando, Florida Kissimmee, FloridaFayetteville, Georgia (right outside of Atlanta) Season : Open year-round What's Free : Entry and parking Fun Spot America offers free entry and free parking. The best part? You'll find those perks at all three locations (one of which is a stone's throw from Disney World, if you're already visiting). Now, onto the important things, a.k.a. the best rides in each park: In Orlando, it's the Quad Helix Go Carts. In Kissimmee, it's the Mine Blower, the only wooden coaster in Florida that goes upside down. And in Atlanta, it's the ArieForce One, complete with 3,400 feet of steel track and a 154-foot lift hill. (Gulp!)

9) DelGrosso's Park & Laguna Splash

Where : Tipton, Pennsylvania

Season : May - September

What's Free : Entry and parking

Pennsylvania is officially the reigning queen of free-entry amusement parks, because this marks its third one on this list — and it's a good one. DelGrosso's, located mid-state in Tipton, has both free entry and free parking. But what makes it especially cool is its theme: Italian, complete with its own Leaning Tower of Pisa. Cute, right? The lazy river also features tipping wine barrels. Plus, there's gourmet Italian food — seriously!

10) Adventurer's Amusement Park

One more for the Empire State! Located on the Gravesend Bay, Adventurer's Amusement Park is a quaint, almost fair-style park with an open-gate, pay-per-ride policy. All the classics — go-karts, slides, a ferris wheel — are there. Plus, it's only 15 minutes from Luna Park. All the better to go park hopping!

11) And One More to Look Forward to...

Recognize that duck? Surprise! Yes, Walt Disney World is getting added to this list — but in a very specific way. Starting in 2025, all guests staying on property at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida can enter one of its two water parks, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, at zero cost! The only restriction? Free entry only applies the day you check in. But hey, if you're arriving during Florida's scorching summer, you won't want to wait.

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The Top Airplane and Car Toys for Toddlers on the Go

Whether you’re journeying across the state or across the country, traveling with little ones can be stressful—which is where airplane and car toys for toddlers come in handy. The right mix of gizmos and gadgets will do wonders for keeping kids entertained and well-behaved along the way. The best travel toys for toddlers are lightweight and mess-free, and can be easily packed into a carry-on bag or the backseat.

Need some suggestions? We’ve curated a list of our favorite toddler travel toys and trinkets that are almost guaranteed to get your next vacation started on the right note. Shop our top picks below.

Best Airplane Toys for Toddlers

There isn’t much wiggle room on airplanes, no matter which airline you fly. So, you’ll want to keep your kiddo’s entertainment a bit streamlined so you aren’t spending half the flight reaching under the seat in front of you for missing pieces. Below, we’ve included some fantastic airplane toy options for self-contained play.

Textured cube toy

• Shapes are attached so they can’t get lost
• Fosters fine motor skills
• Some reviewers say it’s a bit tricky to fit some shapes in

On the hunt for an airplane toy for toddlers? This dynamic cube will have you covered. The textured toy is full of sorting fun. Better yet, all six textured, rubbery shapes are tethered to the cube, so they won’t get lost along the way.

Age rating: 10+ months | Dimensions: 4.3" (L) x 4.3" (W) x 4.3" (H) | Weight: 12.2 oz.

Montessori travel toy for toddlers

• Made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone
• Can be hung from a stroller
• Lots of sensory options
• Best for younger toddlers

Keep your child engaged while you’re out and about with this fun travel toy for toddlers. The UFO-shaped design is full of textures, colors and shapes for your kiddo to explore. What’s more, as they grasp, hold and pull at this toy, they’ll develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Age rating: 18+ months | Dimensions: 8.3" (L) x 4.7" (W) x 4.7" (H) | Weight: 7 oz.

Foil scratch pictures for kids

• Mess-free way to draw and color
• Each pack comes with five printed art boards
• One-time use
• Wooden stylus isn’t attached
• Best suited for older tots and little kids

Searching for an airplane toy for toddlers who love arts and crafts? This two-pack of scratch-away foil pictures would be a great fit. Simply use the wooden stylus provided to reveal colorful scenes of doggies, dinos and more! And if your little one prefers sugar and spice, don’t worry: A sweet fairy bundle is available as well.

Age rating: 4+ years | Dimensions: 7.5" (L) x 0.3" (W) x 10" (H) | Weight: 4 oz.

Screen-free audio player

Looking for travel-friendly entertainment that doesn’t involve screens? Turn to the Yoto Mini—a compact audio player designed with tots and kiddos in mind. While on the go, your little one can insert a content card, turn the large dials and listen to an array of best-selling audiobooks, music, children’s podcasts, radio and more. And—thanks to the audio jack—they can plug in their own headphones . Better yet, no WiFi is needed for it to operate and you can count on its all-day battery to withstand small and large outings alike.

Age rating: 4 to 12 years | Dimensions: 2.8" (L) x 1.6" (W) x 2.8" (H) | Weight: 4.5 oz.

Portable doodle board

• Mess-free way to draw
• Rubber clip for easy portability
• Pen is attached so it can’t get lost
• Requires a button-cell battery

Next up on our list of the best travel toys for toddlers is this portable doodle board. Your kiddo can draw to their heart’s content (without any of the mess!) while you’re out and about. When they’re ready to create a new masterpiece, simply press the character’s nose to erase the canvas. This excellent airplane toy comes in a cute ladybug shape, but there are several others to choose from as well (like a puppy or dinosaur ) and the rubber clip allows it to easily attach to backpacks or suitcases .

Age rating: 4+ years | Dimensions: 8.3" (L) x 5" (W) x 0.5" (H) | Weight: 6.4 oz.

Travel-friendly stuffed animal

• Various textures to inspire sensory play
• Clips on to car seats, strollers and more
• Lightweight design
• Intended for younger infants

Searching for a stuffed animal that will keep your kiddo entertained and comforted whether you’re on a roadtrip or a longhaul flight? Look no further than this friendly moose. The super-soft toy is made up of several textures and interactive elements for your little one to explore—like its satin, knotted legs, crinkly hooves and squeaker belly. Ensure it’s always within arm’s reach by clipping it to your tot’s car seat , travel stroller or even their airplane seatbelt.

Age rating: 0+ months | Dimensions: 11.5" (L) x 5.3" (W) x 2.8" (H) | Weight: 1 oz.

Water-based drawing pads

• Easy for even the youngest of tots to use
• Super lightweight
• Pen has a small fill opening
• Pages may take longer to dry if your child uses a lot of water

You can count on these reusable water activity pads to keep your tot entertained through long wait times at the airport gate. Your little artist can color in fun scenes and practice writing, counting and shape recognition without the stress of a potential mess. Just fill up the included water pen and let your child learn and explore!

Age rating: 3 to 5 years | Dimensions: 3.9" (L) x 7.3" (W) x 11" (H) | Weight: 0.8 oz.

Sensory travel toy for toddlers

• Inspires open-ended, sensory play
• Made of BPA-free, food-grade silicone
• Compact design
• Rubber may pick up hair and fuzz

The best airplane toys for toddlers are those that are simple, portable and provide endless fun. This sensory toy from Fat Brain Toys is no exception. Your little one will love popping the colorful, silicone bubbles, and you’ll love how easy it is to tote in your diaper bag or carry-on luggage.

Age rating: 10+ months | Dimensions: 5.5" (L) x 1" (W) x 5" (H) | Weight: 4.8 oz.

Magnetic drawing kit

• Comes with 25 double-sided activity cards
• Pen storage slot and carrying handle
• Suitable for toddlers and kids alike
• The plastic panel scratches easily, according to reviewers

One of the best entertainment options for travel are magnetic toys ] ( https://www.thebump.com/a/magnetic-toys-for-toddlers). .) Take this art kit, for instance. The dot art board comes with 25 double-sided activity boards that easily slide in behind the plastic panel. Then, your kiddo can use the magnetic pen to drag and drop colorful circles into place, allowing them to create an array of vibrant patterns and illustrations.

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 9" (L) x 1.2" (W) x 9" (H) | Weight: N/A

Puffy sticker pack set

• Reusable stickers for endless fun
• Colorful, detailed backgrounds
• Carrying handle
• Stickers may pick up hair and fuzz

Your little explorer will love creating animal-filled adventure scenes with this travel toy for toddlers. The play set consists of 42 reusable puffy stickers and a fold-out, double-sided background of jungle and savannah landscapes. What’s more, the activity set has a handle so it can be transported by you or your toddler.

Age rating: 4+ years | Dimensions: 8.2" (L) x 0.2" (W) x 11" (H) | Weight: 3.2 oz.

Best Car Toys for Toddlers

Car rides just aren’t a whole lot of fun for anyone, no matter the age. But while older kids can bring a book or a portable video game to stay entertained, little ones can struggle to keep busy, which often spells trouble. These car toys will stave off the boredom, even for the youngest set.

Imaginative magnetic play set

• Pieces can be stored in the tin for easy portability
• Inspires creative thinking
• Several themed sets available
• Best suited for older tots and kids
• Magnets have to be punched out before use

Engage your tot with imaginative play on the go, thanks to this portable play set. It includes two illustrated backgrounds and three sheets of magnets that your little one can mix and match to create fun, veterinarian-inspired scenes. Chef- , scientist- and space-themed magnet sets are also available.

Age rating: 4+ years | Dimensions: 6.3" (L) x 1" (W) x 8.8" (H) | Weight: 13.5 oz.

Educational travel toy for toddlers

• Suitable for a wide range of ages
• Offers an array of activities in one set
• Teaches kids everyday skills
• According to some reviewers, the zippers break easily

Have a long travel day ahead? This 25-in-1 montessori toy is sure to keep your little one busy. The board features a variety of activities that will teach your child about everyday skills, like tying shoes and telling time as they play. The lightweight, compact design also easily folds closed and has a carrying handle—score!

Age rating: 1 to 6 years | Dimensions: 3.9" (L) x 0.8" (W) x 1" (H) | Weight: 9.9 oz.

Shape-sorting carrying case

• Bright colors stimulate younger tots
• Two-sided for added fun and learning
• Heavier than other options on our list
• Some say the shapes fall out of the holes at times

Is your tot fascinated by colors and shapes? Then this toddler travel toy is sure to check all of the boxes on your list. It comes with a convenient carrying case that doubles as a two-sided activity bag. Your child will love exploring the nine different shapes included and discovering the crinkly, illustrated flaps on the back.

Age rating: 9+ months | Dimensions: 13.5" (L) x 3.8" (W) x 9.8" (H) | Weight: 1.5 lbs.

Pretend play steering wheel

• Encourages imaginative play
• Includes a variety of interactive elements
• Bulky design
• Requires batteries

Beep beep! Have a mini backseat driver? Then your little one is bound to love this steering wheel toy for the car. Your toddler will have a ball imitating you while you’re driving—plus, they’ll learn about animals, vehicles, colors, numbers, opposites and more as they play.

Age rating: 6 months to 3 years | Dimensions: 10.8" (L) x 4.3" (W) x 4.7" (H) | Weight: 1.4 lbs.

Buckle toddler learning toy

• Nurtures fine motor skills
• Decorated with colors, numbers and shapes
• Suitable for toddlers of all ages
• Some reviewers say they wish the straps were longer

Some of the best car toys for toddler are those that seamlessly combine learning and entertainment—just like this plush turtle. Its shell features several colorful buckles for your little one to clip and unclip, strengthening their fine motor and color-matching skills on the go. This plush plaything even has a zipper on its back for your kiddo to store mini treasures and trinkets they find on their travels.

Age rating: 1 to 4 years | Dimensions: 7" (L) x 5" (W) x 10" (H) | Weight: 6 oz.

Kid-friendly camera

• Durable design
• Features a selfie function and games
• Comes with SD card
• Battery only lasts one to two hours

This adorable camera is a must-have for any tots who love to take pictures on their parents’ phones! Made with durable plastic, this colorful device takes real pictures, and comes with an SD card that can store thousands of photos. And when you arrive at your destination, your little photographer can continue exploring all the new sights through their very own lens.

Age rating: 3 to 10 years | Dimensions: N/A | Weight: 6.7 oz.

Lace-and-trace boards

• Parents say these keep their kids entertained for a long time
• Strengthens fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• Encourages lacing practice
• Edges of the holes aren’t smooth, according to reviewers

Arts and crafts don’t have to be off limits just because you’re on the move. Case in point: These lace-and-trace boards. This set of car toys for toddlers includes five double-sided animals, color-coordinated laces and a storage box. While your kiddo practices their hand-eye coordination, they’ll be able to thread vibrant strings through several wooden pets, like a puppy and a goldfish. A farmyard-themed bundle is also available for extra fun!

Age rating: 3+ years | Dimensions: 8.4" (L) x 1.2" (W) x 6.6" (H) | Weight: 9.6 oz.

Portable nursery play set

• Convenient carrying case doubles as a playset
• Great for young travelers who can’t read or draw
• Carrying case features a hole in the back

This sweet car toy for toddlers is perfect for kiddos who love imitating their parents. The set comes with mini twin dolls that your tot can feed, bounce and put down for naps. Then, when playtime (or the ride!) is over, simply zip up the pieces inside the convenient carrying case.

Age rating: 1 to 5 years | Dimensions: 12.3" (L) x 4.5" (W) x 9.9" (H) | Weight: 1.4 lbs.

How We Chose the Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

We get it—choosing the best toys for your little one isn’t always the easiest, especially with so many options out there. To simplify your search, we browsed dozens of toddler travel toys from leading brands and trusted online retailers, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. We considered several factors when sourcing playthings, including size, weight, age rating, quality and durability, ease of use and value. We also read user reviews to get the lowdown on how these products have worked for families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here .

Plus, more from The Bump:

The 9 Best Travel Strollers for Stress-Free Trips

13 Best Toddler Suitcases of 2023

6 Best Travel Car Seats for Your Next Trip

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The Best Luggage Sets, Tested by Experts

Coordinating carry-ons and checked bags that are worth the investment.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Samsonite freeform hardside expandable luggage.

American Tourister Fieldbrook XLT Softside Upright Luggage

Best for Frequent Flyers

Travelpro platinum elite first class luggage set.

Most Fashionable

Calpak ambeur 2-piece luggage set.

Best on Amazon

Amazon basics 2-piece set hardside spinner.

Best Lightweight

Delsey paris helium dlx softside expandable luggage.

Best Maneuverability

Monos for your special someone luggage set.

Most Popular

Away set of 2 classic.

Best Viral Luggage

Béis luggage set of two.

Best Sustainable

Eagle creek migrate 110l wheeled duffel bag.

If you're headed on a long trip or just consider yourself an over-packer, you might need more than one bag for your belongings (not to mention space to overfill with souvenirs on the way home). Instead of lugging around a hodgepodge of pieces, consider a luggage set. There's nothing more chic and put together than carrying a coordinating set of luggage complete with carry-on and checked bags. And if you're vacationing with kids or family, traveling with a matching set is a great way to keep track of all your bags. But with so many options to choose from, including different types of materials and all kinds of organizational features, it can be difficult to decide which luggage sets will look great, hold up to frequent use and really be worth the splurge.

Samsonite continues to stand out in our Lab evaluations and has wowed our consumer testers , earning it the title of best overall luggage brand . This luggage set includes two of our top-tested suitcases from the brand's Freeform collection — the smaller 21-inch carry-on model and the larger 28-inch checked bag. These suitcases are made of durable hardside material that performed well in our drop tests, resisting major damage after being released repeatedly at different angles from a set 3-foot height.

When we packed the suitcases with a standard load of items like clothing, shoes and accessories, we were impressed by how well everything fit inside with room to spare — even without having to use the 2-inch expansion system. One caveat: Some of our testers noted that the carrying handles on suitcases in this collection felt a bit tight, which made it more difficult to lift or lower the bags. However, the telescopic handles received higher scores for feeling sturdy and comfortable to use. Testers also appreciated how easily the suitcases navigated around twists and turns and said the 360-degree spinner wheels were smooth.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: 21-inch and 28-inch suitcases | Material: Hardside polypropylene | Expandable: Yes | Returns: Within 30 days, unused

At less than $100 for three pieces, this basic American Tourister trio is an absolute steal and one of the best affordable luggage sets out there. While the softsided carry-on, checked bag and personal item may be simple, they're still full of practical features that make traveling easier like plenty of external pockets, interior mesh pockets and compression straps to secure your belongings.

The brand's bags aren't as durable as others we've tested in the Lab, so I recommend this set for someone who isn't planning to fly frequently. According to one GH analyst who has used this set for nearly a decade, the bags have still held up well to repeated use. She added that the softside polyester material is slightly worn with some fraying and scuffs, but the bags are still useable, and the important features, like the telescopic handles and zippers, are in working condition. When we evaluated other suitcases from American Tourister, testers highlighted the smooth and stable wheels, and online reviewers say they roll nicely, despite only moving forward and backward.

Pieces: 3 | Sizes: 21-inch and 25-inch suitcases, 10-inch personal item | Material: Softside polyester | Expandable: No | Returns: Within 30 days, unused

Originally designed by a pilot for other pilots who are always on the go, Travelpro's luggage is the perfect pick for the frequent flyer, and I'm particularly impressed by the brand's Platinum Elite collection. The softside suitcases were some of the top performers in our durability tests , withstanding repeated dropping without dents or damage. The nylon material resisted signs of wear after being rubbed back and forth with our abrasion tester. They are heavier than many of the other bags we tested, but they are durable bags built to last.

The suitcases are thoughtfully designed with a tapered expansion system that prevents the bags from tipping over when full. Self-aligning spinner wheels let you push and pull in all directions, and cushioned handles with contoured grips add a comfortable feel. Plus, they're packed full of extras inside like expandable garment bags, toiletries bags and hidden USB ports to charge electronic devices (power bank not included). Our testers gave luggage in this collection high scores for ease of use and highlighted the sturdiness of the telescopic handle. If you're nervous about committing to the high price tag, the brand offers a 100-day return policy, even for used suitcases.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: 21-inch and 25-inch suitcases | Material: Softside nylon | Expandable: Yes | Returns: Within 100 days, any reason

For luggage that looks as great as it performs, I recommend Calpak's Ambeur two-piece luggage set, which offers the best of fashion and function. Available in five fun metallic shades that are sure to stand out at baggage claim, the bags are made of a composite of polycarbonate and ABS plastic that aced our Lab tests for durability. They also proved water-resistant in our evaluations, but did show noticeable markings after we dragged a wire across the surface during our scratch-resistance tests.

The bags are GH-tester favorites and earned top marks for their performance in our luggage obstacle course which had testers pull the suitcases over different surfaces and around sharp turns. Testers especially loved the sturdy and easy-to-use telescopic handle. When we assessed the suitcases in the Lab, we were impressed by the zippers that opened and closed with ease. The spacious interior compartments were able to hold our entire packing load of items including clothing, shoes and toiletries. Both the carry-on and checked bag are expandable and equipped with zippered organizational pockets, compression straps and a removable toiletries bag. For even more organization, you can try Calpak's top-tested packing cubes too.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: 21-inch and 29.5-inch suitcases | Material: Hardside polycarbonate and ABS composite | Expandable: No | Returns: Within 30 days, unused

Not only does this two-piece luggage set from Amazon Basics have more than 34,000 five-star reviews, but it also earned high scores in our Lab evaluations and was loved by our testers. The carry-on and checked suitcase both unfold into two main packing compartments, one with compression straps to keep your belongings in place and another with a full zippered panel for even more security. When we packed the carry-on bag in the Lab, we fit an entire weekend's worth of gear including clothing, shoes and toiletries with room to spare. Plus, both of the suitcases expand for even more space.

The hardside suitcases are made of lightweight ABS plastic that keeps the price low, though it wasn't as scratch-resistant as some other suitcases we tested. It did hold up well in our drop tests though, with no serious denting or breakage after being released repeatedly from a set 3-foot height. When testers rolled the suitcases through our luggage obstacle course, around turns and over different surfaces from wood to carpeting, they were impressed by the maneuverability and wheel performance.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: 20-inch and 28-inch suitcases | Material: Hardside ABS plastic | Expandable: Yes | Returns: Within 30 days, unused

As the name implies, these Delsey Helium DLX suitcases are some of the lightest we've evaluated in the Lab. No more lugging around bulky bags or struggling to lift your carry-on into the overhead bin. Despite being so lightweight, these bags are tough. In our tests for durability, the luggage held up well after being released repeatedly in our drop tests, and the softside nylon material showed no signs of wear after being rubbed back and forth 15,000 times by our abrasion tester.

In our evaluations, we found the exterior zippers a bit tricky to use, and the bags received lower scores for maneuverability than other suitcases we tried, but they did earn high scores for their comfortable gripped telescopic handles and for being easy to pack. All three of the suitcases open into one primary packing compartment with compression straps, and the lids of each bag are equipped with zippered pockets and elastic sleeves for additional storage. There are removable bi-fold organizers inside as well. I particularly love that the linings can be unzipped and removed for easy cleaning.

Pieces: 3 | Sizes: 20-inch, 25-inch and 29-inch suitcases | Material: Softside nylon | Expandable: Yes | Returns: Within 30 days, unused

Designed with simplicity in mind, this two-piece set from luggage brand Monos has a sleek, modern look that our testers love. Both of the bags opened to reveal two spacious compartments that were able to fit our entire load of items in our packing tests. The carry-on bag features an adjustable compression panel, while the larger checked bag is equipped with compression straps and a larger fabric panel to keep everything in place. What's more, there are plenty of organizational mesh pockets inside the bags, along with additional shoe bags and a laundry bag to separate your dirty clothes.

During Lab evaluations, the durable carry-on and checked suitcase resisted major denting and damage in our drop tests. Both we and our consumer testers noticed prominent scuffing on the suitcases after use, but the brand provides a sponge for cleaning. One GH analyst said the sponge removed most of the marks on her bag. In our luggage obstacle course, testers appreciated the smooth gliding wheels and loved how effortless it was to maneuver the bags around twists and turns. They also noticed how well the telescopic handles locked into place at four different heights for easy toting.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: 22-inch and 26.5-inch suitcases | Material: Hardside polycarbonate | Expandable: No | Returns: Within 100 days, unused

Popular luggage brand Away carries sets of its best-selling carry-on and large checked bag for a better value — $50 off the full retail price. The hardside suitcases are loved by testers who highlighted the streamlined look and the spacious, well-organized interior. The bags open into two separate packing compartments with zippered mesh panels and pockets for additional space. There's also an adjustable compression panel inside each bag so you can really stuff it full if you're an over-packer like me. When we packed the bags in the Lab, we appreciated how smoothly the zippers opened and closed and how much we could fit inside.

The polycarbonate material is super lightweight — even lighter than some of our favorite softside luggage — and ultra-durable. It performed well in our drop tests, remaining in great condition after being released multiple times from a set 3-foot height. In our scratch tests, the bags showed minimal scuffs and markings. One caveat: Our consumer testers gave the telescopic handle lower ratings for feeling a bit wobbly when fully extended. The bags received high scores for their maneuverability and smooth wheels. If you want to add a personal touch to your luggage set, Away offers monograms of up to three letters for an added fee.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: 21.7-inch and 29-inch suitcases | Material: Hardside polycarbonate | Expandable: No | Returns: Within 100 days, unused

If you're on Instagram or TikTok, chances are that you've come across viral luggage brand Béis . Actress Shay Mitchell's trendsetting travel brand offers carry-ons, checked bags, weekender bags and more — all thoughtfully designed. The suitcases feature details like cushy padded telescopic handles, a retractable strap to hold a small bag or your travel blanket and a built-in weight indicator to let you know if your bag exceeds 50 pounds. I'm especially a fan of the chic monochromatic color options — even the metal of the telescopic handle matches.

When we tested the brand's suitcases in the Textiles Lab, my fellow GH analysts and I were impressed by how well the luggage withstood dents and damage after being released repeatedly from our drop tester. We did note that the material was more prone to scratches and scuffs than other luggage we tested. The suitcases open butterfly style, exposing a spacious zippered compartment and a compartment with a secure compression strap. A few smaller pockets help keep your things organized. You can choose which pieces to include in your luggage set , so the price and number of pieces vary depending on your selections.

Pieces: 2 | Sizes: and 28.3 inch suitcases | Material: Hardside polycarbonate | Expandable: No

Whether you prefer traveling with a duffel, want something that will hold up to your outdoor adventures or are looking for a more sustainable luggage option, Eagle Creek has you covered. The brand's Migrate duffels are sold individually, but I like how you can build your own set with five sizes ranging from 40L to 130L. Each bag is convertible: You can carry it with the attached handles or wear it on your shoulders like a backpack. The larger checked sizes can also be tilted back to roll on the ground with the built-in wheels, while the smaller duffels (like the brand's 40L duffel ) make a convenient carry-on.

All of the bags are made of 100% recycled polyester with a TPU coating that's water-resistant and easy to wipe clean. Plus, it's super durable, and one GH analyst who regularly travels with Eagle Creek duffels says the material holds up well to rough use. The duffels have a wide opening to make packing a breeze, and the large zipper tabs are convenient and easy to pull. Once your bag is packed, you can buckle the outer compression straps to secure your belongings.

Pieces: 1 | Size: Five sizes from 40L to 130L (sold individually) | Material: Recycled polyester | Expandable: No | Returns: Within 30 days, unused

How we test the best luggage

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test all kinds of luggage to determine which pieces are worth buying. We evaluate luggage in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab and share it with consumer testers who bring the luggage on their own trips and then provide us with valuable feedback. Here's what we look for when we test suitcases:

• Size and weight: To ensure that the brands' listed dimensions for the suitcases are accurate, we measure each bag in the Lab. We weigh the bags and place carry-ons in a 22" x 14" x 9" area to make sure the suitcases meet most airline restrictions.

• Ease of use: We test the luggage to determine how easy it is to open and close zippers and built-in locks, raise and lower the telescopic handles, roll the wheels, grab the carrying handles and more. We then rate and score the luggage for overall ease of use.

• Packing: We fill each piece of luggage with a standard load of items like clothing, shoes, accessories and toiletries (pictured) to test the capacity. For larger checked bags, we pack them with a week's worth of items and for carry-on bags, we add a weekend trip's worth of items. We then score each suitcase on how much it's able to hold.

• Drop testing: We fill the suitcases with a standard amount of weight and then load them into our drop tester (pictured). We then release the luggage from a set 3-foot height and repeatedly drop the luggage from different angles, evaluating each piece for any dents, damages or scuffs.

Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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15 men brought to military enlistment office after mass brawl in Moscow Oblast

Local security forces brought 15 men to a military enlistment office after a mass brawl at a warehouse of the Russian Wildberries company in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast on Feb. 8, Russian Telegram channel Shot reported .

29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal on Dec. 8.

Read also: Moscow recruits ‘construction brigades’ from Russian students, Ukraine says

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine

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