Summer is around the corner, and with it comes beach days, long drives, family flights… and a whole lot of opportunities for meltdowns, boredom, and overstimulation. But with a little planning and the right tools, summer can be a time for real connection, growth, and FUN.

Here are 7 travel-tested hacks for parents who want more play, less chaos, and a lot more presence this season.

1. Pack Light, Play Smart
Leave the bulky toys behind. Instead, take tools that pack flat and do more.
🟡 Our pick: The MKandM Travel Activity Cards – 15 reusable prompts for drawing, tracing, mazes, movement, and more, all in one deck.

2. Create a “Calm Kit” for the Car or Carry-On
Keep a few calming techniques handy for when big feelings hit (because they will).
🟡 Include: Calm Down Cards, a soft toy/squishy, a wipeable marker, and a familiar snack.

3. Design a Portable Routine
Even in a new place, a sense of order gives kids comfort.
🟡 Choose 3–4 Routine Cards to follow daily (wake up, brush teeth, read a story, sleep) and create mini-moments of familiarity anywhere you go.

4. Make Boredom Beautiful
Not every second needs to be scheduled. In fact, some of the best play happens in the “in-between.”
🟡 Keep open-ended activities in your bag like dry-erase coloring, tic-tac-toe games, or a small sketchpad for parent-child drawing time.

5. Let Them Lead
Give your kids choice and ownership over their activities. This lowers resistance and boosts confidence.
🟡 Tip: Lay out 3 travel activities and ask, “Which one do you want to start with?”

7. Don’t Forget to PLAY Too
Jump on the trampoline, draw in the sand, say yes to messy fun. Kids don’t just need entertainment, they need you.
🟡 Let play be your bonding language, not just their distraction.

Whether you’re hopping on a plane or road-tripping to the grandparents, your summer doesn’t have to feel like a juggle. With the right tools and intention, you can create memories full of laughter, lightness, and learning.

🟡 Shop the MKandM Travel Collection here.

#MKandM #TravelWithKids #ScreenFreeSummer #playwithpurpose