The Activity Pack That Keeps Kids Curious on Vacation

Packing for young kids can feel high stakes—and frankly, I worry less about forgetting socks and shirts (which are easy enough to pick up) than I do about not packing enough small toys and activities to keep them busy on long car and airplane rides. Because confined spaces plus antsy kids equals no fun for anyone.

So I was excited to turn my kids loose on Curiosity Pack’s Travel Pack on a recent four-hour car ride. Designed to keep kids curious and engaged, the set includes a small write-in activity book focusing on travel, laminated travel bingo boards, coloring pages with dry erase markers, and a sealed “I Spy” bag with letters that kids can find and order to make words. Made by Lily Jones (disclosure: I am in a parents’ group with Jones), an educator and parent, the packs are designed to be light, portable, and keep kids entertained while also teaching them skills that will help them reflect on the places they visit.

Price and Where to Buy: $40 on CuriosityPack.com

How It Rates:

• Usefulness: 9/10. The packing-room to entertainment-value ratio is high for the Travel Pack: my kids (who are on the young end of the 3-10 suggested age spectrum) spent an hour and-a-half playing with the pack during our drive. They also got the Pack back out during the trip to play with it, and played with it again on the four-hour drive back. The reusability aspect means that we’ll be able to use it again and again on trips.
• Portability: 10/10. It’s light. It’s flat. And it can be stowed in a kids’ or adults’ bag for easy access on the road or in the air.
• Cool Factor: 10/10. The activities in the Travel Pack gave my kids a framework for turning outward. Rather than stare at a screen or focus on a toy, the activities promoted looking around, asking questions, and engaging with the adults around them.

Final Verdict: The Travel Pack delivers portable, fun, educational, and curiosity-driving fun for kids in-transit (and even once they arrive).

Follow Christine Sarkis on Twitter @ChristineSarkis and Instagram @postcartography for more advice about making every vacation the best vacation.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at [email protected].

(Photo: Curiosity Pack)