The Ultimate Screen-Free Family Travel Guide: Essentials, Activities & Tips

Family travel doesn’t have to mean handing over a screen the minute your kid asks, “Are we there yet?” In fact, going unplugged can actually make the journey the best part of the adventure. You can tell stories, make up jokes, and create complex, fun games that your kids will remember well into adulthood.

If you’re craving this kind of bonding (without the meltdowns), our guide has you covered. From non-tech travel essentials for kids and unplugged travel ideas to a smarter balance of on- and offline time with Bark, here’s how to make your next family getaway unplugged, connected, and genuinely fun.

The Benefits of Screen-Free Travel

While traveling can sometimes feel like a no-rules atmosphere, the issues that come with extra screen time don’t just go away when you hit the road. Research has linked excessive screen use to increased crankiness, difficulty transitioning between activities, trouble sleeping, and even higher blood pressure in kids. The good news? Choosing screen-free family travel (or even screen-smart) can unlock some major upsides for the whole family, including:

• More patience and resilience. Kids learn to tolerate boredom and transitions better when screens aren’t the default distraction, a skill pediatric psychologists say supports emotional development and problem-solving.
• Stronger social and family bonds. Studies show face-to-face engagement, storytelling, games, and solving shared challenges activate connection and communication pathways in the brain that screens often interrupt.
• More restful sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that blue light and overstimulation from screens can disrupt melatonin and make it harder for kids to wind down, especially when routines are already different while traveling.
• A boost in creativity and imagination. Unstructured time (like staring out a window, drawing, or making up games) allows children’s brains to daydream and innovate.
• Reduced motion sickness. Focusing on a fixed screen during car or plane movement makes nausea more likely. Looking out at the horizon or playing verbal games helps reduce it.
• Better behavior during and after the trip. Reducing overstimulation common with screens means fewer meltdowns later. Pediatric experts link regulated screen use to calmer moods and smoother behavior once the journey ends.

Non-tech Travel Essentials for Kids

The secret to smart and successful screen-free family travel starts with preparation. While what you bring along may vary with your child’s age and interests, this travel packing list for families helps keep everyone calm, organized, and ready for fun:

• Travel organizers for easy-access toy and snack rotation
• Reusable water bottles and mess-free snacks (think dried fruit bites and cheese sticks)
• Compact blankets, neck pillows, and stuffed animals for a cozy nap-friendly setup
• Noise-canceling headphones for audiobooks or quiet breaks 
• Wipeable activity trays for a clean surface to color, craft, or snack
• Portable night light if travel spills into bedtime

A celebrity and parent-approved pro tip? Pack a surprise stash or magical backpack filled with a couple of new items you can pull out when attention starts to fade. 

Screen-Free Travel Activities to Keep Kids Engaged

By mixing age-appropriate activities with interactive travel moments, you can keep the peace and everyone engaged and excited.

For younger kids (toddlers–early elementary)

For little ones, hands-on play boosts creativity and fine motor skills while offering a calm, soothing outlet during long stretches on the go. Consider the following screen-free activities on your next trip:

• Coloring books or reusable doodle pads
• Sticker pads and themed activity books
• Travel-sized board games
• Road-trip scavenger hunt cards (find a red car, a weird mailbox, a dog, etc.)

For tweens (upper elementary–middle school)

This age group thrives on independence and imagination. Offering creative challenges lets them feel more in control of the journey:

• Puzzle books (logic grids, word searches, crosswords)
• Easy craft or origami kits
• Creative writing prompts or “finish-the-story” cards
• “Travel journalist” kit with a disposable camera

For teens (high schoolers)

Older kids benefit from screen-free options that encourage self-expression and mindfulness, helping them disconnect from the constant pull of notifications:

• Sketchbooks or portable art supplies
• Photography challenges (unique perspectives, textures, movement)
• Mindfulness or gratitude decks
• Journaling playlists or prompts

Activities for the Whole Family

Some of the best road trip fun happens when the entire family is connected and entertained with shared play. While the options are endless, check out some of these family favorites:

• Storytelling games (each person adds a line to the plot)
• Shared books read by a parent or played for the group via audiobook
• 20 Questions or “Would You Rather?” cards
• Road trip bingo or license-plate spotting
• Collaborative playlists built before the trip for some classic car karaoke

To make the journey feel like part of the adventure:

• Assign kids the role of “navigator” with printed maps or a daily journal
• Count landmarks, wildlife, bridges, tunnels, or road signs together
• Plan fun stops at playgrounds, local diners, quirky attractions, or museums

When you unplug and discover together, the journey becomes filled with curiosity, connection, and shared memories you’ll talk about long after you’ve unpacked.

Tools for Calm and Comfort

If you’re a parent, you know that even the best laid plans can quickly go awry. A favorite snack suddenly becomes the wrong snack, a beloved game sparks a meltdown, or hours in traffic turn enthusiasm into exhaustion. Having a contingency plan for those chaos-creeping moments can make all the difference.

• Comfort items that soothe. A small cozy blanket, familiar scents, and noise-canceling headphones can help in the event of a sensory overload.
• Mood-shifting distractions. Simple reset games like I Spy or Name 5 Animals ground kids in the present. Audiobooks, kid podcasts, calming playlists, or a fidget toy can also refocus anxious energy.
• Energy-releasing activities. Sometimes all that’s needed is a little time to stretch and move. If possible, work in quick stretches at rest stops or wiggle breaks in plane aisles. Simon Says or freeze dance can also be valuable games to play during plane delays.
• Emotional regulation helpers. Feelings flashcards, five-finger breathing, a small doodle notebook, or pre-taught calming phrases help kids navigate bigger feelings without spiraling.

How Bark Can Help

Screen-free family travel can be full of curiosity, bonding, and fun, but that doesn’t mean screens need to disappear entirely. Bark helps families strike a healthy balance by supporting limited, intentional screen time that stays safe and stress-free. With Bark, you can set time limits, filter or block certain apps, and monitor for safety concerns all from one place. Learn more about all of the different products Bark offers and see which one’s right for your family.