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Original poster

How to entertain DC without tablets.

27 replies

FoddyWaddle · 12/03/2019 21:29

So we are going on holiday during the Easter holidays. I have DC between 6 & 11. I am trying to make each of them a folder of things to do in the airport and on the plane.
So far my ideas are

Magazines
Books
Finger puppets
Puzzle books
Colouring

Any suggestions would be great.

OP posts:
TooManyGlasses · 12/03/2019 21:34

That should probably be enough! Ideally each kid would have their own set of pencils and colouring pencils for convenience and to avoid arguments. And a rubber and sharpener. Maybe avoid felt tips if any of them are likely to get it on the seats/their clothes/their siblings’ faces, but they may be old enough to be beyond that (am thinking of my three-year-old here!).

TooManyGlasses · 12/03/2019 21:36

Also possibly a pack of cards or travel board game, but obviously that risks cards/counters getting dropped on the floor of the plane just when you can’t take your seat belts off...

formerbabe · 12/03/2019 21:37

Sticker books
Rubix cube
Wordsearch quiz book
Top trumps

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Solasum · 12/03/2019 21:37

Stickers. Snacks. Rubix cube

Palominoo · 12/03/2019 21:37

I spy books

PetuniaPetunia · 12/03/2019 21:40

Lovely idea, google kids travel worksheets. Lots of fun travel bingo, quizzes , wordsearches etc.

Dontrocktheboat · 12/03/2019 21:43

Dobble is a good game with no tiny pieces.
My dd has an MP3 player with headphones to listen to on plane (no screen!)

Galvantula · 12/03/2019 21:43

Mine like Usborne wipe clean cards. There are loads of different types and they are strangely hypnotized by them while travelling (and while out eating and the food takes too long. ) Each set comes with one black pen so i got a pack of coloured dry wipe pens for them to share. (Crayola do washable ones)

Original poster
FoddyWaddle · 12/03/2019 22:55

Thank you so many ideas i had not thought of. My DC love board games so travel games are a great idea.

OP posts:
anniehm · 12/03/2019 23:30

That's all mine had as tablets hadn't been invented, we did puzzles with them and played hangman a lot!

anniehm · 12/03/2019 23:30

Oh but take playing cards and uno, we still play now

Chilledout11 · 12/03/2019 23:32

I was going to say Dobble
It is brilliant

BackforGood · 12/03/2019 23:46

A puzzle book, a colouring book and some playing cards.
Small, light and endless hours of self entertainment should the need arise.
Playing cards won't 'be finished' like a magazine etc will be.

Pinkbells · 13/03/2019 13:41

Uno, Dobble, Word searches, magazines with toys included, a book of their choice. I used to buy little gift bags to put them all in.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 13/03/2019 13:44

audio books

kaytee87 · 13/03/2019 13:48

How longs your flight?

NannyR · 13/03/2019 13:52

Sometimes, especially with younger children, the more things you bring to distract them with, the less concentration they have (if that makes sense?) - having a big bag of stuff to do just makes them want the next thing and the next thing without properly playing with any of them. Less is more sometimes!
How about notebooks and pencils and some ideas for old school games like hangman, boxes, consequences.
Proper playing cards to play rummy, patience, sevens, pontoon.
This website pocket playground has some great ideas.

NuffSaidSam · 13/03/2019 14:25

I third the suggestion of Dobble.

In terms of space taken up/number of pieces vs enjoyment/hours of entertainment it's the greatest game ever invented!

It's so small. It so much fun!

That's not just on the road either, at home on the shelf next to all the massive boxes of buckaroo and guess who and monopoly....tiny little Dobble is the one most played with by a mile! I love it.

Original poster
FoddyWaddle · 13/03/2019 17:16

It seems dobble is a winner! Books and magazines are a definite as my DC are big readers.

OP posts:
PurpleCrazyHorse · 13/03/2019 18:24

MP3 player and some audio books? DD (9yo) actually has my old phone but no games on it (no sim/data) but lots of kids music and stories. Plus headphones :)

Dobble is a firm favourite here too. Keep an eye out when MacDonalds do their happy meals with games in (sponsored by Hasbro!). They are super tiny, ideal for taking places and are free so no bother if pieces get lost of broken. We had the guess who ones where you wear the card on your head and a travel pictureka one. Worth getting if you see them.

Sometimes it's useful to have a stash of things in your bag so they don't get through everything in 5mins, and you can bring things out during the journey.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 13/03/2019 18:26

Oh and we have little tins with games in like Go Fish. Got them at a service station, again, worth keeping an eye out if you're travelling around.

Merrilymerrilymerrily · 13/03/2019 18:28

My 6 year old loves spot the difference puzzles. We have a book of them we take to restaurants etc

FurrySlipperBoots · 13/03/2019 20:02

Try and wear them out at the airport! Is there a play area there you can use?

Upthepong · 14/03/2019 14:24

How about the i-Spy books? There's one for the airport which might keep them a bit busy, depening on age.

atlastifoundit · 14/03/2019 14:27

How about I-spy?
And on paper, noughts and crosses or hangman?