Top 10: Travel Books for Kids

Every parent knows how important it is to keep the kids entertained in the car, and although there are a number of hi-tech gadgets on the market designed to keep them occupied, nothing beats a good old-fashioned book. Here, Izzy from UK-based company, PassSmart, has created a top 10 list of the very best kids books on the market, to help make your journey a little easier.

National Geographic Kids Word Atlas

What better way to get the kids interested in your trip than with their very own atlas? With detailed maps and colorful pictures to engage and inspire them, they can follow your route and learn about local culture. Suitable for middle-grade students, this book could inspire any young explorer, and – on top of that – will prove very helpful when it comes to homework.

Bimbaum’s Walt Disney World for Kids 2013

This is one for the littler ones. Kids of ages 1 and up can explore the magic of Walt Disney World before they go. It will show them all about the child-friendly rides and attractions, as well as introduce them to some of their favorite Walt Disney friends. Not only will this book develop their reading skills, but the colorful Walt Disney illustrations are sure to keep them entertained in the back. Tip: you should only buy this one if you’ve got a trip to Walt Disney planned, as you’ll never hear the end of it otherwise!

The Everything Kids’ Travel Activity Book

This book does exactly what it says on the tin: everything. Full of activities, such as word searches, puzzles, and other games, it really does have it all. There is even a section on healthy snacks to pack, and ‘what to pack for fun’. There are a number of games specifically tailored to road travel, such as the ‘passing on the left’ game, which asks the kids to count the number of cars that you pass in one hour. The Everything Kids’ Travel Book has so many activities in, and the kids can do them alone or with others, so it’s also a great way of teaching them how to share!

Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection

A collection of five Dr. Seuss classics, this beginner book collection has The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (try saying that quickly!), Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, and Fox in Socks in it. Ideal for young readers aged 5 and above, the Dr. Seuss stories are timeless classics which the whole family can enjoy.

Ultimate Sticker Puzzles: License Plates Across the States

If you’re traveling through states, the License Plates Across the States game is a great way to keep the kids interested in the journey. As they match more and more states with the correct license plates, their enthusiasm for your journey will grow as their maps fills up. This activity book is full of word and travel games which will keep them entertained the whole way. You never know, you might even find yourself looking out for the missing plates!

Kids Trip Diary

Suitable for kids aged 7 and up, the Kids Trip Diary allows them to record their own thoughts and adventures for every day of your trip. They’ll be excited about seeing and experiencing new things, as they put it into text at the end of each day. The book also contains puzzles to complete and text to help them know what to look out for. There’s even a keepsake section for all the tickets and souvenirs which they collect along the way.

Are We There Yet?

It’s a question that we’re all used to hearing, but with this activity book, is hopefully something you’ll hear less during your long car journey. Complete with coloring games, mazes and even car bingo, these books have had great reviews from traveling moms and dads. With a section dedicated to ‘when you get there games’, the book doesn’t just provide in-car entertainment, but keeps them occupied once you get to your destination, too.

TIME for the BIG Book of Why

If your little one is always asking, “but why?”, then this book is exactly what you need. Providing the answers to 1,001 facts that kids want to know, they’ll be experts in just about everything once they’re done reading this. This book is fantastic for any curious youngsters looking for an answer that – most of the time – we just don’t have. It’s colorful, educational and, most importantly of all, interesting. Why exactly do we have eyebrows? You’ll have to get the book to find out!

The Never-Bored Kid Book

The Never Bored Kid Book series is available for different age ranges. This book allows your child to show their creative side by taking part in fun activities that can be done alone or with others. Whilst many of the more hands on activities require items such as scissors, glue and sticky tape, and can’t be done in the car, there are also a range of car-friendly games. Save the rest for when you get home, and this book will provide the perfect accompaniment to a rainy day.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

No top ten of children’s books is complete without this gem. A tale which kids of all ages will love, the hungry caterpillar is a colorful classic which comes in all sorts of editions. From The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Finger Puppet Book, to My Very Own Hungry Caterpillar Coloring Book, the hungry caterpillar makes for a great travel companion. There is also a Giant hardcover edition which is a little on the pricey side, but would make for a great gift for any new mommy.

This guest post was written for Sippy Cup Mom by Izzy Guarella from PassSmart.com; the UK-based service helping learner drivers get on the road.