10 Holiday-Themed Activities to Keep Kids Entertained on the Go: Fun Travel Ideas for Festive Family Adventures

Traveling with kids during the holidays can be both exciting and challenging. We know how important it is to keep little ones entertained on long journeys or when waiting for festive events to begin. That's why we've put together a list of 10 holiday-themed activities to keep your children engaged and happy while on the go.

These fun and easy ideas are perfect for car rides, airport layovers, or any time you need a quick distraction during your holiday travels. From creative crafts to interactive games, we've got you covered with activities that capture the spirit of the season and keep kids of all ages entertained.

1) DIY Glitter Snow Globes

We love creating magical winter scenes with our kids while on the go. DIY glitter snow globes are the perfect portable craft to keep little hands busy during holiday travels.

To start, we gather small plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Mason jars work well too, but plastic is safer for young crafters. We bring along tiny figurines, miniature trees, or small toys to create charming scenes inside.

Clear glue and glitter are essential for the snowy effect. We mix these in advance to avoid messes. A dash of glycerin helps the glitter float beautifully when shaken.

Setting up is a breeze. We secure the figurines to the lid with strong glue. Once dry, we fill the container with water and our glitter mixture. Carefully, we screw on the lid and seal it tight.

The result? A personalized, shimmering snow globe that brings joy wherever we go. It's a festive keepsake that captures holiday memories and keeps kids entertained for hours.

2) Portable Activity Kits with Holiday Themes

We love creating portable activity kits with holiday themes to keep kids entertained during travel. These compact packages are easy to carry and can provide hours of fun for little ones on the go.

For Halloween, we put together mini pumpkin decorating kits with foam stickers, markers, and small plastic pumpkins. It's a mess-free way for kids to get creative with spooky designs.

Christmas-themed kits might include holiday coloring books, festive stickers, and miniature ornaments to decorate. We also add pipe cleaners and pom-poms for crafting cute reindeer or snowmen.

For Thanksgiving, we pack paper turkeys and colorful feathers for kids to assemble their own festive birds. Adding crayons and fall-themed coloring sheets completes this autumn-inspired kit.

Easter kits are a hit with egg-shaped chalk for sidewalk art and bunny-themed finger puppets. We include pastel-colored pipe cleaners for making cute spring animals too.

These holiday activity kits are perfect for car rides, plane trips, or even restaurant waits. They're lightweight, compact, and sure to spark imagination in young travelers.

3) Holiday-themed Story Books

We love holiday-themed story books for keeping kids entertained during travel. These portable treasures transport children into festive worlds filled with magic and wonder.

Many classic tales come in compact board book versions, perfect for little hands. "The Night Before Christmas" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" are perennial favorites that capture the spirit of the season.

For Hanukkah, "The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming" offers a humorous twist on holiday traditions. "The Polar Express" whisks readers away on a magical train ride to the North Pole.

Interactive books with lift-the-flap features or touch-and-feel elements add an extra layer of engagement. "Llama Llama Holiday Drama" and "Bear Stays Up for Christmas" feature beloved characters in festive scenarios.

We recommend packing a mix of familiar stories and new adventures. This variety keeps children excited about reading throughout the journey. Holiday-themed books also serve as great conversation starters, encouraging family discussions about traditions and memories.

4) Festive Craft Supplies

We love packing festive craft supplies for our kids during holiday travel. These portable activities keep little hands busy and spark creativity on the go.

A small kit with colorful paper, child-safe scissors, and washable glue sticks allows for endless possibilities. Kids can create paper snowflakes, ornaments, or holiday cards for family members.

Pipe cleaners and pony beads are perfect for making candy cane-shaped decorations or sparkly bracelets. They're lightweight and easy to pack in a small container.

Felt squares and fabric markers let children design their own mini stockings or holiday-themed puppets. These soft materials are ideal for quiet play during car rides or flights.

Pre-cut foam shapes with holiday themes and adhesive backs are mess-free options for decorating travel journals or making festive magnets.

Don't forget a pack of holiday stickers! They're great for embellishing crafts or playing travel bingo with a seasonal twist.

5) Miniature Christmas Tree Decorating Sets

We love the idea of bringing a touch of holiday magic to our travels. Miniature Christmas tree decorating sets are perfect for keeping kids entertained during long trips or hotel stays.

These compact kits typically include a small artificial tree, tiny ornaments, and even miniature string lights. They're easy to pack and set up, making them ideal for on-the-go families.

Kids can unleash their creativity by decorating their own mini trees. It's a fun way to maintain holiday traditions away from home and create lasting memories.

We've found that these sets work well in various settings. They can brighten up a hotel room, RV, or even a relative's guest room during holiday visits.

Some sets come with themed ornaments, allowing children to customize their trees based on their interests. From sports to animals, there's something for every young decorator.

After the holidays, these mini trees make great keepsakes. Kids can display them in their rooms year-round as a reminder of their festive adventures.

6) Holiday-themed Coloring Books

Holiday-themed coloring books are a fantastic way to keep kids entertained during travel. We love how they combine creativity with festive cheer, making them perfect for on-the-go activities.

These books often feature jolly Santas, snowmen, reindeer, and other seasonal characters. Kids can bring their favorite holiday scenes to life with crayons or colored pencils.

Many holiday coloring books include puzzles, mazes, and word searches too. This variety helps maintain children's interest throughout long journeys.

We've found that compact-sized coloring books are ideal for travel. They fit easily in backpacks or carry-on luggage without taking up much space.

Some books even come with built-in crayon holders, keeping everything neat and organized. This feature is especially handy when coloring in a moving vehicle.

For younger children, look for books with larger, simpler designs. Older kids might enjoy more intricate patterns and holiday-themed mandalas.

Consider packing a few colored pencils or crayons in festive shades. Red, green, gold, and silver can add extra holiday sparkle to their creations.

7) Holiday Playlist and Sing-Alongs

We love creating holiday playlists for our family road trips. It's a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit while traveling. We choose a mix of classic and modern holiday tunes that appeal to both kids and adults.

Singing along to these songs can be a great bonding experience. We encourage our little ones to belt out their favorite carols, making the journey more enjoyable for everyone. It's amazing how quickly time passes when we're all singing together.

To keep things interesting, we play holiday-themed music games. "Name That Tune" is a family favorite. We play a snippet of a song and see who can guess it first. This keeps our kids engaged and entertained for hours.

For longer trips, we create themed playlists. One might focus on winter wonderland songs, while another features tunes about Santa and his reindeer. This variety helps maintain excitement throughout the journey.

We also include some lesser-known holiday songs to introduce our children to different musical styles. It's a great opportunity to expand their musical horizons while celebrating the season.

8) Christmas Pajamas for Road Trips

We love making road trips extra special during the holiday season. One fun way to do this is by packing Christmas pajamas for the whole family.

These festive PJs can transform a regular car ride into a cozy, holiday-themed adventure. Kids get excited about wearing matching outfits with their parents and siblings.

Comfy Christmas pajamas also make great travel wear. They're perfect for keeping warm in the car and comfortable during long drives.

We like to pack them in easily accessible bags. This way, we can have the kids change into their festive sleepwear once it gets dark outside.

It's a great opportunity for some holiday photos too. We often stop at rest areas or scenic spots to capture memories of our family in matching Christmas attire.

Some families even make it a tradition to wear their Christmas PJs while driving to visit relatives. It adds an extra layer of excitement to the journey.

Don't forget to bring along some holiday music to complete the festive atmosphere. Singing carols in Christmas pajamas makes for a truly merry road trip experience.

9) Holiday-themed Sticker Books

Holiday-themed sticker books are a fantastic way to keep kids entertained during travel. We love these portable and mess-free activities that can easily fit into a bag or backpack.

Many sticker books feature festive scenes like winter wonderlands, Santa's workshop, or holiday parties. Kids can decorate these pages with colorful stickers, creating their own unique holiday masterpieces.

Some sticker books include reusable stickers, allowing children to peel and reposition them multiple times. This extends playtime and encourages creativity as kids experiment with different layouts.

We've found that holiday sticker books often incorporate educational elements too. They might include simple word games, counting activities, or color matching exercises, all with a festive twist.

For younger children, look for sticker books with larger, easier-to-handle stickers. Older kids might enjoy more intricate designs or books that tell a holiday story through sticker placement.

Remember to pack a hard surface like a small clipboard for kids to work on. This makes sticker play more manageable in cars, planes, or waiting rooms.

10) Handmade Ornament Kits

Handmade ornament kits are perfect for keeping kids entertained during holiday travels. We love how these compact kits combine creativity and festive cheer in one portable package.

Many kits come with everything needed to create beautiful ornaments: colorful beads, ribbons, small figurines, and easy-to-use adhesives. Some even include battery-operated lights for extra sparkle.

Kids can craft personalized decorations for hotel rooms or relatives' homes. It's a great way to make memories and leave a bit of holiday magic wherever they go.

These kits are ideal for various age groups. Younger children might enjoy simple foam ornaments, while older kids can tackle more intricate designs with sequins or miniature paintings.

We find that ornament-making is an excellent quiet activity for long car rides or waiting at airports. It keeps little hands busy and minds engaged in a positive, seasonal activity.

As a bonus, the finished ornaments make wonderful gifts for family members or new friends met during travels. It's a thoughtful way for kids to spread holiday cheer on the go.