Packing a Travel Book Bag: Best Books to Keep Kids Engaged on Road Trips

Traveling with kids can be an adventure in itself, especially when it comes to keeping them entertained on long car rides, flights, or train journeys. A well-stocked travel book bag filled with engaging books can make all the difference. Below, we’ve curated five entertaining and educational books for different age groups, perfect for travel. Plus, we’ve included travel-friendly activities inspired by each book to keep young minds busy and engaged.

1. “Baby Beluga” by Raffi (Ages 0-3)

• About the Book: This charming board book, based on the classic song “Baby Beluga,” invites babies and toddlers to explore the life of a little beluga whale. It’s filled with gentle illustrations and rhythmic text that captivates young listeners.
• Travel-Friendly Activity: Sing along to the song and point out the different animals and ocean elements in the illustrations. Bring some small ocean-themed toys or a soft beluga plush to act out scenes.
• Bonus Tip: Keep a playlist with Raffi’s songs ready to help calm and entertain little ones when reading time is over.

2. “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Ages 3-5)

• About the Book: This bedtime favorite showcases hardworking construction vehicles winding down for the day. The rhyming text and adorable illustrations make it a delightful read for preschoolers.
• Travel-Friendly Activity: Pack small toy trucks or a magnetic drawing board. Kids can pretend to “build” or draw construction scenes inspired by the story.
• Bonus Tip: Create a “vehicle spotting” game for the road. Encourage your child to look out for trucks, diggers, and cranes on the way to your destination.

3. “National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals” by Catherine D. Hughes (Ages 4-8)

• About the Book: This animal encyclopedia is perfect for young animal lovers. With fun facts, vibrant photographs, and engaging animal profiles, it introduces kids to creatures from around the world.
• Travel-Friendly Activity: Use binoculars to “spot” animals in nature or read sections based on the region you’re passing through. For example, look for birds if you’re near a lake or farm animals in rural areas.
• Bonus Tip: Keep animal stickers or coloring sheets in the bag for added fun. Let kids decorate their travel journal with animals they see (or imagine seeing).

4. “The Adventures of Tintin” Series by Hergé (Ages 8-12)

• About the Book: Follow young reporter Tintin on his exciting global escapades in this classic comic series. Each story is packed with adventure, mystery, and exotic locations, making it a thrilling read for elementary-age kids.
• Travel-Friendly Activity: Give kids a small notebook to act as their “reporter’s notebook,” just like Tintin. They can jot down observations, sketch sights, or write short stories inspired by their travels.
• Bonus Tip: Pack a small world map or a globe app, and mark the locations Tintin visits. You can also point out places on the map as you travel.

5. “The 39 Clues” Series by Rick Riordan and others (Ages 10+)

• About the Book: This interactive adventure series follows two siblings as they race around the world, solving clues and uncovering family secrets. Each book is set in a different country, providing glimpses into various cultures and histories.
• Travel-Friendly Activity: Set up a “clue hunt” on the go. Write out clues related to stops or points of interest on your journey, and have kids solve them for small prizes (like snacks or travel-sized games).
• Bonus Tip: Encourage older kids to track the clues on a travel map. They can pinpoint locations and explore real-world places connected to the book.

Parent-Child Interactive Activity: “Create Your Own Travel Journal”

Materials Needed: Small notebook, colored pencils or markers, stickers, glue, and any travel mementos (like tickets or postcards).

Instructions:

1. Create the Journal: Let kids decorate the cover of their travel journal, making it uniquely theirs.
2. Document the Journey: As you travel, encourage them to draw what they see, write short stories or journal entries, or paste mementos like ticket stubs or brochures.
3. Book-Inspired Prompts: After reading a story, have them jot down thoughts or ideas inspired by the book. For example, if you read The Adventures of Tintin, they could draw themselves as reporters in a new place.
4. Memory Page: Leave space for a “Favorite Book of the Trip” page, where kids can write a mini-review or illustrate scenes from their favorite read.

Goal: This activity keeps children entertained and allows them to document memories, blending reading, creativity, and travel experiences into a meaningful keepsake.

A travel book bag can be more than just a bag of books; it can be a toolkit for imagination, discovery, and bonding. With these hand-picked selections and travel-inspired activities, you can turn a long journey into a joyful and educational experience. Happy travels!