Screen-Free Fun for Stress-Free Travel with Kids

Heading on holiday for the last weeks of summer? Already thinking about your October half-term holiday? Whether you’re packing up for a long car journey down to the coast, a train trip to visit relatives or even a long-haul flight to (hopefully) warmer and sunnier climates, travelling with kids can be really challenging.

Like many parents, we’ve relied heavily on screens in the past, hoping they can help entertain and distract our children during long travel periods – but is there an easier way?

We’re generally a screen-free family, but the downside of relying upon technology is that not only does it require charging, battery life and pre-planning of content – but it can also disturb other passengers. Whilst we always take our Yoto Mini with us on holiday, it’s great to find more hands-on activities that the kids can do while listening to the audio, keeping their hands busy and creating a sense of calm during travel.

Thanks to the affordable range of puzzles, stickers and activity books at Books2Door, we’ve found some great alternatives that can keep your children calm, quiet and content during travel. Even better, thanks to Books2Door’s huge discounts on the RRP, they’re super affordable too, meaning you’ve got more money left to spend on souvenirs and ice creams when you finally reach your destination.

Benefits of activity books for children during travel

1. Hands-on activity – My girls love listening to audiobooks, but they sometimes struggle to sit still. Activity books such as solving puzzles, creating scenes with stickers, ‘search and find’ stories, spot the differences and colouring books can really help pass the time, whilst keeping their hands busy and tend to prevent them from getting restless in their seats.
2. Fine motor skills – There are some educational benefits to activity books too, whether that’s using their fingers to find their way through a maze, holding their pencils correctly or peeling and placing stickers in the right place, they all encourage patience and dexterity, particularly with more detailed mindful colouring or precise sticker designs.
3. Creativity – activity books such as doodle pads, colouring books, stickers and stamps can encourage children to use their imagination and get creative, bringing out their artistic flair.
4. Quiet and focused – Children can get really engrossed in activity books, meaning that they will often be calm and quiet without having a disruptive impact on other passengers
5. Screen-free – Screens aren’t always a good idea whilst in transport – they can make children feel tired and even trigger motion sickness. With scree-free activity books, you don’t have to worry about these negative effects, and there’s also no need to consider battery life or internet access.
6. Lightweight – these activity books are generally lightweight, compact and easy to pack in your hand luggage, without taking up valuable space in a carry-on bag.
7. Calm distraction – Activity books can be a great source of comfort and familiarity for nervous passengers and a fun mindful activity to help them relax and focus on the task at hand.
8. Bonding – Search and find books and quizzes are a great way to not only pass the time (ideal if your flight is delayed or whilst waiting for meals in restaurants) but they can also provide a fun way to bond with your children and share experiences. Who can find the differences first? Where exactly is Wally? A great conversation starter and some quality time with your kids.

The range of activity books and book packs at Books2Door is fairly extensive, so here are some of our favourites:

Big Stickers for Little Hands Collection

It goes without saying that kids LOVE stickers, but why settle for stickers on their own? This fab selection of sticker activity books Big Stickers for Little Hands comes in a pack of ten for just £12.99 (RRP £49.90). Aimed at children 5-7 years old, not only does each book contain four pages of themed stickers, but it also has activity puzzles and press-out card designs that are sure to keep them entertained – whether that’s colouring in scenic pictures, peeling off stickers, creating their own door hangers and much much more.

With a range of themes from dinosaurs to unicorns – there’s an activity book here that your child will love!

You Choose Series 4 Books Children’s Collection Set

We are HUGE fans of the You Choose Your Adventure series by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart. These fun, interactive picture books allow children to get fully immersed in the story and decide what happens next. From the character you choose to the location, where you live and who you meet along the way.

This 4-book set is just £20.99 and includes four different themes – from the original You Choose book to You Choose in Space, You Choose Your Dreams and You Choose Fairy Tales. Ideal for early readers and older children too, they make a great activity for children to share and discuss together, or for parents to snuggle down and bond with their children. We love the handy sleeve that keeps them all safely stashed together too.

Unicorns Shimmer Activity Pack Colouring Books & Stickers 3 Books Collection Set

If you’re after something really portable, these little carry-along Activity Packs are ideal, with a lightweight box full of activity books with a handle that’s perfectly sized for children to carry themselves.

Inside, you’ll find two unicorn colouring books and a sticker book as well as 150 reusable stickers on sheets – allowing kids to personalise their pictures and add some extra sparkle. With beautiful mythical themes, this set is also ideal for waiting in airports, restaurants and air travel.

Whatever your travel plans, there’s plenty of choice at Books2Door, all at super affordable prices! Check out the full range as well as our review of their book subscription service Box2Door – a great gift option for mini book worms!