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Travel

May 16, 2026

Screen-Free Road Trip Ideas for Families with Young Kids

We have one simple rule in our family when it comes to road trips: no screens for the first three hours.

That might sound a little crazy to some families who buckle up and immediately pass back the tablets. And truly, no judgment at all. Every family has to do what works for them. But when I started thinking about it, I realized something. In our normal day-to-day life, if we’re driving around town for 30 or 45 minutes, the kids aren’t on screens. They talk, they look out the window, they ask questions, they play little games. So they don’t actually need a screen the second we pull onto the highway.

I’m also really intentional about how I pack for road trips. I spend time putting together activities, travel binders, and little surprises to make the drive fun. If I’ve taken the time to plan it out, I want the kids to actually enjoy it. The three-hour rule helps us ease into the trip, settle into the adventure, and use all the screen-free activities we packed before turning to devices.

And honestly? Some of our best car ride memories have happened in those first three hours.

So what do we actually do for those first three hours?

Over time, I've built a simple list of screen-free games and activities that keep our kids engaged, talking, and even laughing. These are the ones that consistently work for us.

Travel Binders

Combine an elementary school teacher with someone who loves binders and organization, add in a mom who needs to keep her kids entertained on a long road trip, and voilà… you get a travel binder.

I make these for my kids whether we’re flying on an airplane or loading up the car for a long drive. Every trip gets its own version. Even the name will change depending on how we get to our destination. It is either "__(name's)___ Road Trip Binder" or " __(name's)___ Airplane Binder". I like to include a few new and exciting activities each time, but there are also a few staples that always stay the same.

For example, my oldest son loves tracking license plates. I include a blank map of the United States where he colors in each state as we spot it's plate. Every road trip, he gets a fresh map and starts again. It’s simple, but he looks forward to it every time.

That’s really the balance I try to keep. There are a few predictable favorites the kids expect to find in their binders, but I also swap in new pages or activities they haven’t seen before. It keeps things familiar enough to feel comfortable, but new enough to feel special.

Before we get into what is all in the travel binders, lets start with the basis. What do you need for a travel binder? You only need a few things to get you started.

3 Ring Binder – 1-inch would be plenty, but feel free to get larger if you'd like.
Pencil Pouch – I fill this with crayons, pencils, pens, etc for the trip. It zips up and clips right into the binder so it won't go anywhere. It is an easy way to keep loose items together
3 Hole Punch – You will want a way to hole punch all your papers before putting them in the binder.

That's all you need to get started! The rest is up to you on what you want in your binder.

What Goes In My Travel Binder?

The options are truly endless here and differ based on the age and interests of your child. However, I will give you a few staples of items I like to put in my binder for all of my kids.

State Flag Page

For whatever state we are traveling to, I include a colored copy of the state flag for reference and then a black and white copy for the kids to color.

Coloring Pages

My husband came up with the idea of creating personalized coloring pages of our kids and they were a HUGE hit! I wrote a step-by-step guide in a post called How to Create Personalized Coloring Pages of Your Kids Using ChatGPT.

I also love to print coloring pages of the kids' favorite movie character, sport, animal, etc. One of my favorite websites for coloring pages is Monday Mandala. You can find a coloring page for just about anything on here & it is amazing!

I Spy Games (for car trips)

Road Signs, restaurants, items along the road, car colors…whatever it is, there is a roadtrip ISpy Game for it. I like to include these to help the kids pass the time. I always includes ones with pictures for my younger kiddos.

Blank Paper

There is something about blank paper that opens the door for kids to be creative in so many ways. I love to see what free drawing/coloring/writing they come up with

Stickers

Buy a cheap pack of stickers and let your kids go crazy (on the paper and not on the car windows of course) :) My kids love sticking them all over the papers in their binders and it keeps them busy for a while.

You can get 1,400 colored dot stickers for $6 on Amazon. The options are endless with what your kids choose to do with these in their binder!

Tonie Box

One thing we almost always pack for road trips is our Toniebox. It has been such a great screen-free option for our kids. Instead of staring at a tablet, they get to listen to stories, music, and Bible songs in a hands-on way. They love choosing which character to put on top, and it gives them a sense of independence without needing help navigating a screen. It is easy to use, durable enough for travel, and the audio keeps them engaged while still allowing them to look out the window, color, or follow along in their travel binders.

Another big bonus for road trips is that it has a headphone jack. That means they can plug in and enjoy their stories without the entire car listening along. It keeps things peaceful up front while still letting them stay entertained in the back seat. For long stretches of driving, it really is the perfect middle ground between total quiet and full screen time.

If you want to learn more about the Tonie Box, check out my Tonie Box Review.

Magnet Drawing Board

Magnetic drawing boards are another road trip favorite in our car. They give kids the freedom to draw, doodle, and create without the mess of markers or crayons rolling under seats. I love that everything stays contained, and when they’re ready for something new, they can simply erase it by pushing down the magnet balls and start over. It keeps their hands busy, and sparks creativity. Plus, they’re lightweight and easy to toss into a backpack making them a simple, no-prep win for long trips.

🛒 Find Magnetic Drawing Board on Amazon

Writing Tablet

LCD writing tablets are another easy win for screen-free road trips. Kids can draw, practice letters, play tic-tac-toe, or make up their own little games, and with one press of a button the screen clears and they can start all over again. I love that they feel “techy” enough to be exciting, but they are still completely screen-free and mess-free. They are thin, lightweight, and easy to slide into a backpack or seat pocket, making them perfect for long stretches in the car when kids just need something simple to keep their hands busy.

🛒 Find the Writing Tablet on Amazon

Magnet Men

Magnet men are one of those simple toys that somehow keep kids entertained for a surprisingly long time. Their magnetic hands and feet let them connect in all sorts of creative ways, whether they are building long chains, forming circles, or balancing them in funny poses. They are small, lightweight, and easy to toss into a travel bag, which makes them perfect for car rides. I love that they encourage imagination and fine motor skills without any noise or screens, just quiet, creative play in the back seat.

🛒 Find Magnet Men On Amazon

Mini Magnet Blocks

Mini magnetic blocks are another great screen-free option for road trips, especially for kids who love to build. The pieces snap together easily, making it simple to create numbers, letters, towers, or little animals right on their lap tray. I love that they encourage creativity and problem-solving without taking up much space, and the compact case keeps everything contained so pieces do not roll all over the car. They are small enough to pack easily but engaging enough to hold attention for a good stretch of the drive.

🛒 Find Mini Magnetic Blocks on Amazon

Coloring Matching Puzzle

This wooden color matching puzzle is a great hands-on activity for road trips, especially for younger kids who love problem-solving. The goal is simple but engaging: match the colored discs to the pattern shown on the card above. It encourages focus, fine motor skills, and early logic skills while keeping little hands busy. I love that it feels educational without feeling like “school work,” and the sturdy wooden design makes it durable enough to handle travel. It is a quiet, contained activity that can hold attention for longer stretches of the drive. Our son would use this as early as 3 years old. It is never too early to let them start playing around with it to begin to figure it out on their own!

🛒 Find Color Matching Puzzle on Amazon

Toddler Zipper Activity Book

Toddler zipper activity books are such a great option for little ones on road trips. Each page is filled with hands-on activities like zipping, buckling, buttoning, matching shapes, naming days of the week and months of the year, and much more which helps build fine motor skills while keeping them fully engaged. I love that it feels like play, but they are actually practicing real-life skills along the way. The soft, quiet design makes it perfect for the car, and since everything is attached, there are no loose pieces to lose under the seats. It is an easy way to keep toddlers busy and focused during long stretches of driving.

🛒 Find Activity Book on Amazon

Alphabet Race

The Road Trip ABC Game is one of the easiest and most engaging ways to pass the time in the car. The goal is simple: start with the letter A and find something outside the window that begins with that letter. It could be a road sign, a restaurant name, a word on a truck, or even a name on a billboard. Once you find A, you move on to B, and keep working your way through the alphabet all the way to Z. It turns ordinary highway scenery into a fun scavenger hunt and keeps everyone scanning and thinking. For younger kids, you can simplify it by having them look for the letter itself, even if it appears inside a word. That way everyone can play at their own level while working toward the same goal.

5-in-1 Road Trip Activity Cards

This road trip activity card pack is such an easy grab-and-go option for families. I love that this set includes five different types of games in one small box, like scavenger hunts, trivia, riddles, talking games, and “Guess Who I Am.” That variety makes it great for different ages and attention spans, and you can switch things up whenever the energy in the car starts to dip. Some cards are perfect for younger kids who need simple prompts, while others challenge older kids to think a little deeper. It is compact, mess-free, and easy to pass around, making it a simple way to keep everyone engaged without pulling out a screen.

🛒 Find Road Trip Cards on Amazon

Magnet Dot Art

Magnetic dot art boards are a fun and mess-free creative option for road trips. Kids use the magnetic pen to pull colorful dots into place and create pictures, patterns, or follow activity cards. It feels a little bit like magic watching the dots pop into position, which makes it extra engaging for younger kids. I love that everything stays contained inside the board, so there are no loose pieces rolling around the car. It is quiet, hands-on, and perfect for keeping little artists busy during long stretches of the drive.

🛒 Find Magnet Dot Art on Amazon

Reusable Games & Activities

If you’re traveling with younger kids, reusable “Search and Find” activity cards are such a win for road trips. These colorful scene cards invite kids to look closely and find hidden objects, circle specific items, or complete simple challenges using a dry erase marker. It turns the backseat into a quiet little scavenger hunt. Because the cards are reusable, they can wipe them clean and start all over again, which makes them perfect for long drives or even pulling out at restaurants or waiting rooms later on.

For younger kids: Find Reusable Search and Find on Amazon

For older kids who need a little more of a challenge, reusable travel game books are a fantastic screen-free option. These typically include word searches, spot-and-find puzzles, mazes, logic games, and other brain-teasing activities that keep them thinking and engaged.

What I love most is that they feel independent. Kids can work quietly on their own, solving puzzles and checking off challenges without constant help. And because they use dry erase markers, the pages can be wiped clean and reused again and again. That makes them perfect for long car rides, plane trips, or even rainy days at home.

They’re compact, easy to toss in a backpack, and offer just enough challenge to hold attention without turning into frustration. For older elementary-aged kids especially, these reusable travel game books strike that perfect balance between fun and focused.

For older kids: Reusable Activity Games on Amazon

Memory Matching Game

If you’re looking for a quiet, engaging activity that works especially well for younger kids, this memory matching game is such a great option for car trips. The concept is simple: flip open two doors at a time and try to find matching pictures hidden underneath. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. It keeps little minds working and attention focused for longer than you might expect.

What I love about this version is that everything is built in. The small flip doors stay attached, so there are no loose cards sliding under car seats. That makes it perfect for travel. Kids can play independently, compete with a sibling, or even take turns with a parent in the front seat. It also strengthens memory skills, focus, and visual recognition without feeling like “learning.”

Another fun feature is that many of these boards include interchangeable themes like animals, colors, shapes, or vehicles. That variety keeps it fresh and allows you to adjust the difficulty depending on your child’s age. Whether you’re driving a few hours or tackling a full-day road trip, this is a reusable, mess-free activity that helps pass the time in a meaningful way.

🛒 Find Memory Matching Game on Amazon

Sticker Stampers

Sticker stampers are such a fun and easy addition to any road trip bag. Instead of peeling tiny stickers off a sheet, kids simply press down and stamp one out at a time. It feels exciting and interactive, almost like using a toy, but it keeps them focused and busy in the best way.

I especially love these for car rides because they are compact and contained. The stickers stay inside the stamper until they are pressed onto a page, which means less mess and fewer little sticker scraps floating around the back seat. Pair it with a small notebook or activity pad, and kids can decorate scenes, complete activity pages, or create their own little stories.

Another bonus is that many of these stampers are refillable, so they can be used again and again for future trips. It is a simple, screen-free activity that sparks creativity while keeping little hands happily occupied during long stretches of driving.

🛒 Find Sticker Stampers on Amazon

🛒 Find Sticker Refills on Amazon

Reusable Sticker Books

Reusable sticker books are one of my favorite road trip activities for younger kids. They combine creativity with quiet play, which is exactly what you want during long stretches in the car. Kids can create their own scenes using themed stickers like safari animals, farm life, or ocean adventures, and then peel them off and start all over again.

What makes these especially great for travel is that the stickers are designed to be repositioned. That means no one-time use, no wasted sheets, and no sticky residue everywhere. If a giraffe ends up floating in the ocean or a tractor ends up in the jungle, they can simply move it and redesign the scene. It encourages imagination and storytelling without any screens involved. They are lightweight, easy to slide into a backpack, and simple enough for kids to use independently.

🛒 Find Reusable Sticker Books on Amazon

Lifestyle

May 30, 2026

Summer Bucket List

At the start of Summer 2025, we created our very first family summer bucket list, and it quickly became one of my favorite traditions. In fact, I already know it’s something we’ll do every year from now on.

We sat down together as a family and let the kids dream up all the things they wanted to do during the summer (within reason, of course!). I purchased an editable bucket list printable on Etsy that included 50 spots to fill in, along with little checkboxes so we could mark each activity off as we completed it.

Since we already had a few trips planned, we added things like "visit a new state" and "go tubing" to the list because we knew those adventures were coming. But some of our favorite ideas came straight from the kids, things we never would have thought to add ourselves.

What I loved most was how useful the list became throughout the summer. On rainy afternoons, scorching hot days, or those moments when everyone was bored and asking, “What should we do today?” we could simply pull out the bucket list and choose an activity together. It turned ordinary days into memories and gave us so many fun experiences we might have otherwise skipped.

Looking back, this simple bucket list ended up being one of the best things we did all summer.

Shop Summer Bucket List

Why a Summer Bucket List Works for Families

Gives kids ownership of summer plans
Reduces "I'm bored" complaints
Encourages family time
Creates anticipation and excitement
Helps balance screen time with activities
Makes summer memories more intentional

How We Created Our Family Summer Bucket List

Gather everyone together.
Let each child suggest ideas.
Mix free activities with special outings.
Add any planned vacations or events.
Print and display the list somewhere visible.
Check off activities as you complete them.

Summer Bucket List Ideas for Kids

Visit a playground (we picked 10-12 playgrounds for the summer)
Have a picnic
Catch fireflies
Make homemade popsicles
Camp in the backyard
Visit a zoo
Fly a kite
Have a water balloon fight
Go berry picking
Build a fort
Make sidewalk chalk art
Visit a splash pad
Watch a sunset
Go fishing
Paint rocks
Have a movie night outdoors

Where We Kept Our Bucket List

We hung ours on the refrigerator where everyone could see it. Seeing those empty checkboxes slowly fill up throughout the summer became almost as fun as the activities themselves.

Our Favorite Bucket List Activities

A few activities quickly became family favorites. One of the biggest hits was visiting 12 different parks, which pushed us to explore new playgrounds and parks instead of always going to our usual spots. The kids also loved making fun desserts and immediately asked to add that to this year's list again. Our local library's summer reading program was another must-repeat activity that kept them excited about reading all summer long. And of course, picnics, s'mores, and camping remain staples on our bucket list every year. They're simple, inexpensive, and always create some of our favorite family memories.

If you want to make some fun desserts, check out my Visual Recipe Cards For Kids: Fun Summer Recipes blog post for some fun ideas!

Summer doesn't have to be packed with expensive vacations or elaborate plans to be memorable. Some of our favorite moments came from simple activities we completed together from our bucket list. If you're looking for a way to be more intentional with your family this summer, I can't recommend creating a summer bucket list enough.

Lifestyle

May 16, 2026

Inside Kid and Play: Peoria’s New Indoor Play Place for Kids

Kid and Play is a brand-new indoor play center in Peoria, Illinois designed for kids to climb, run, explore, and burn off energy in a safe indoor environment. The space features large playground structures, slides, climbing areas, arcade games, and interactive play experiences geared toward younger children and elementary-aged kids.

What stood out most to us was how much there was for kids to do. My kids immediately took off exploring and stayed busy the entire visit. It's a great option for rainy days, hot summer afternoons, or long winter months in Illinois. The good news is there is no time limit on how long you can play. Once you pay, you can play all day!

Kid and Play also offers birthday parties, food and drinks, daily admission passes, and monthly memberships for families who plan to visit regularly.

Play Areas by Age

One thing I really appreciated about Kid and Play was how the play areas are divided by age group. Instead of one giant overwhelming space, they created separate areas designed for different stages and activity levels.

Little Play (0–2 years)
A softer toddler-focused area designed for younger kids to safely explore and play.

Big Play (2–6 years)
This section felt perfect for preschool and younger elementary-aged kids with climbing structures, slides, and interactive play.

Mega Play (4–13 years)
The largest and most active area with bigger climbing zones and obstacle-style play for older kids.

As a parent, I liked that younger kids weren’t constantly getting run over by bigger kids, and each of my kids was able to find an area that fit their age and comfort level really well.

Thoughtfully Designed Play Spaces

One thing that really impressed me about Kid and Play was how well they used the space. It feels like there is something fun tucked into every corner. As the kids climbed through the play structures, they kept discovering little swings, hidden spots to sit, climbing features, and small interactive areas built throughout the fort-style setup.

Instead of just having a few slides and open areas, the entire space feels thoughtfully designed to keep kids exploring. Whether they were climbing above, crawling underneath, or weaving through the structures, there always seemed to be another little feature waiting to be discovered. It made the whole place feel much bigger and more immersive than I expected.

Some of My Kids’ Favorite Features

One of my kids’ favorite spots at Kid and Play was the tubing slide where kids pull their own tube to the top before racing down. They went down it over and over again all morning.

They also loved the hanging ball swings suspended over the giant bouncy net area. It gave them a place to climb, bounce, swing, and just play!

Another highlight was the giant light-up tunnel slide that drops into the ball pit. The glowing lights inside made it feel extra fun and of course the ball pit at the bottom was a huge hit too. The slide is pretty fast too which surprised us all the first time they went down!

Arcade Games and Snack Options

In addition to the playground areas, Kid and Play also has a small arcade section with a mix of kid-friendly games.

There’s also a small café area called Wild Bites Café where families can order snacks, drinks, and a few quick meal options. The menu is fairly simple but convenient if you plan to stay awhile. They offered things like:

pretzels
nachos
pizza
chicken strips and fries
slushies
Dippin’ Dots

Pricing overall felt pretty comparable to what you’d expect at most indoor play places or entertainment centers. The arcade games and food are optional, so you can easily just pay for admission and spend your time in the playground areas if you want to keep the visit more budget friendly.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was really impressed with Kid and Play. Between the age-divided play areas, creative use of space, and the variety of activities throughout the playground, it felt like there was always something new for the kids to discover.

My kids stayed busy the entire visit and were already asking when we could come back before we even left. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity in the Peoria area, especially for rainy days, winter months, or hot summer afternoons, this is definitely a place worth checking out for families with young kids.

For more information about Kid and Play, including hours, pricing, memberships, and birthday party information, visit their website: Kid and Play

Food

May 9, 2026

Visual Recipe Cards for Kids: Fun Summer Recipes Kids Can Make

If your kids love helping in the kitchen during the summer, you know how fun it can be to turn simple recipes into a family activity. But traditional recipes can be tricky for young kids to follow. Long instructions and lots of reading can make it hard for them to stay engaged.

That’s exactly why I created visual recipe cards for kids.

These kid-friendly recipe cards use simple pictures and step-by-step visuals so kids can follow along and feel like they’re truly making something themselves. The goal is for kids to be able to “read” the recipe through the visuals, follow the steps, and feel proud that they helped create the final treat.

Why Visual Recipes Are Great for Kids

Young kids are incredibly capable in the kitchen when instructions are presented in a way they understand.

Visual recipe cards help kids:

Recognize ingredients quickly
Follow the steps independently
Stay engaged from start to finish
Feel confident in the kitchen

Instead of asking “What do I do next?” every few minutes, they can simply look at the next picture.

It makes cooking together easier and a lot more fun.

A Fun Summer Activity for Kids

Summer is the perfect time to get kids involved in the kitchen.

Whether it’s a hot afternoon when you’re looking for something to do inside, or you're preparing treats for a summer party, these recipes are designed to be simple, colorful, and fun for kids to make.

They also work great for:

Summer playdates
Family movie nights
Backyard parties
Holiday gatherings like the Fourth of July

Kids love being part of the process and getting to share what they made.

Start a Kids Recipe Binder

One of my favorite ways to use these visual recipe cards is by creating a kids recipe binder.

Just print the recipe cards and place them in a binder (with clear sheets to stay protected) and kids can flip through and choose what they want to make.

This works great for:

• Building independence in the kitchen
• Creating a special cookbook just for kids
• Encouraging kids to try new recipes
• Making family cooking time easier

Kids love having their own cookbook that they can follow.

What’s Included in the Summer Visual Recipe Bundle

The Summer Bundle includes six fun recipes with easy-to-follow visuals that kids can help make.

Recipes included:

🐠 Under The Sea Crackers (Freebie Recipe Card)
🍧 Kool Aid Sherbet
🍓 Red, White & Blue Fruit Cones
🍫 S’mores Pudding Cups
🍉 Watermelon Pudding Cups
🍰 Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

These recipes are perfect for summer treats, backyard fun, and patriotic celebrations.

Perfect for Young Helpers

These visual recipe cards are great for:

• Preschoolers
• Kindergarteners
• Early elementary kids

Of course, adult supervision is always recommended, but the visuals allow kids to participate in a meaningful way.

And honestly, seeing their excitement when they say “I made this!” is the best part.

Where to Get the Summer Recipe Cards

You can download the Summer Visual Recipe Card Bundle from my Etsy shop:

👉 Crafting Things Simple

These recipe cards are available as a digital download, so you can print them right away and start cooking with your kids.

Many families like to print them on cardstock or laminate them so they last through lots of kitchen adventures.

Cooking with kids is one of those simple moments that turns into lasting memories. These visual recipe cards make it easier for kids to join in, follow along, and enjoy creating something special together.