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For many parents, traveling home with their children can be stressful. Especially during travel seasons like the New Year and Obon, the burden can increase due to crowded public transport and the amount of luggage you have to carry. However, with a little ingenuity and ideas, you can reduce the burden and ensure a trip home that brings smiles to the faces of the whole family! In this article, we'll introduce tips for a fun trip, including specific ways to play, useful items, and tips on how to use 100-yen store goods.
Why it's difficult to go home with children
Common problems when traveling with children
First of all, you need to pay attention to your child's mood and health. During long journeys, it's not uncommon for children to become bored or anxious. This can leave parents scrambling to deal with the situation, which can increase the burden and stress of the journey.
Furthermore, boredom and fatigue are inevitable when traveling. Toddlers and preschoolers in particular have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time, so they often get bored. Without appropriate entertainment and a change of pace, both parents and children are likely to feel stressed.
The impact of crowded times during the New Year and Obon holidays
The rush hour crowds during the New Year and Obon holidays, when people return home from their hometowns, can be quite a challenge for parents and children. It can be difficult to secure a seat on a Shinkansen or airplane, and traffic jams can be unavoidable if traveling by car. In these circumstances, it can be extremely difficult for the whole family to relax while traveling.
How to keep kids from getting bored while traveling: Tips and tricks
The biggest challenge when traveling home with children is that they can get bored during long trips. How to turn this into a fun experience is important. Here are some concrete ideas to keep your children entertained.
Easy to enjoy toys
Coloring and drawing sets
Coloring books and drawing sets that can be enjoyed in a small space are perfect for taking with you on the go. Character coloring books and miniature colored pencil sets, available at 100 yen shops, are particularly easy to carry and are a great way to entice children who love drawing.
Pop-up books and sticker books
Pop-up picture books that children can play with by using their hands and books that children can play with by sticking stickers on them are convenient for when they are traveling because they can be played with repeatedly. They are especially useful in limited space such as on a train or bullet train. Magnetic books that children can play with by sticking magnets on them are also perfect for when they are traveling because they can be enjoyed for long periods of time without making a mess. If it is a book that children have never seen before, rather than one that they usually play with at home, they are more likely to play with it for a long time without getting bored.
silent toys
When using public transport, it's important to choose toys that don't make noise. Bring along items that will keep your child entertained and focused, such as a water game where you put a ring through water onto a stick, a palm-sized maze, a wooden puzzle, or a Rubik's cube.
A game that parents and children can enjoy together
Shiritori
Shiritori is a classic among classics, and its simple rules make it fun for people of all ages and genders, making it the perfect game to play when you're out with the family. It helps you learn a variety of words and stimulates your brain. You can make the game even more enjoyable by setting specific rules, such as "only foods" or "only three-letter words," depending on the age of your children.
Games that utilize the outdoor scenery
Games that can be enjoyed while observing the scenery, such as "Let's find the red car together!" or "How many round signs can you find?", are a great way to change your mood while traveling. Searching together as a parent and child can spark conversation and naturally help you spend a relaxing time together.
Also, for children who tend to get car sick if they look at something close to them, showing them the scenery outside is a good way to distract them. By enjoying the scenery while traveling, you can make the journey more comfortable.
Sing a song together
When traveling by car, it's a good idea to play songs that the whole family knows and sing along. Music has a refreshing effect, and singing can also help relieve stress.
For example, choose anime songs or nursery rhymes that your child loves, or songs that bring back memories for you. It's fun to play a song and take turns singing along, saying, "Next is XX's turn!", or you can use this time for your child to perform a song they've just learned.
Smartphones and tablets are also powerful allies
Download the video in advance
To prevent boredom while traveling, we recommend downloading your child's favorite anime and videos in advance. Even on trains, bullet trains, and airplanes where Wi-Fi is unavailable, your child can enjoy their favorite content and avoid getting bored.
Have fun learning with educational apps for kids
In addition to anime and videos, you can also use educational apps to turn learning into fun. The following apps are particularly recommended:
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Puzzles and mazes
This brain-stimulating game with simple controls not only helps you develop concentration, but also makes the time pass by quickly. -
Hiragana and number learning app
Apps with fun illustrations and audio are perfect for long journeys as they can keep even small children entertained. -
Drawing app
With an app that allows you to draw freely using your fingers on a tablet, you don't need to carry art supplies or worry about making a mess.
Earphones or headphones available
When using public transportation, we recommend that children use earphones or children's headphones to enjoy videos and music. This not only helps children to be considerate of others around them, but also allows them to concentrate and enjoy the content. It is best to choose headphones that children can use for long periods of time without getting tired.
Make your travels more comfortable with 100 yen items!
Convenient items that reduce the burden of traveling can actually be easily found at 100 yen shops. They are cost-effective and, with a little ingenuity, can make traveling much more comfortable. Here we will introduce items that are particularly useful when traveling with the family.
Toys and picture books
100 yen shops have a wide selection of toys and picture books for small children to enjoy. One of the most recommended is sticker books. The type that can be repeatedly stuck on can be used by children's fingers, and is perfect for killing time while traveling. Because they are silent, they can be used safely in quiet places such as on the train or bullet train.
Mini-sized picture books are also a must-have item. They are compact, light, and not bulky, making them easy to carry. If you choose a theme that will interest your child, such as a character or adventure story that they are likely to like, they will add to the fun while you are on the go.
Additionally, mazes and coloring sets are convenient items that can be purchased at 100 yen shops. They will help your child concentrate on their work, and the travel time will fly by.
Mini whiteboard and markers
Mini whiteboards that can be repeatedly written on and erased are very convenient as playthings to play with while on the go. The biggest appeal is that they are easy to use and there is no need to carry art supplies. Children can draw freely, so they have fun, and parents can rest assured that they do not make a mess around them.
Furthermore, you can create fun learning time while traveling by writing and memorizing hiragana and numbers together, or by giving them simple arithmetic problems. This will likely reduce the number of moments when you feel bored.
It's also recommended to use it as a game where the whole family comes up with a theme. Parents and children can share ideas like "Let's draw XX!", which will naturally spark conversation and create fun memories.
You can rewrite the whiteboard as many times as you like, so it's perfect for long trips and won't get boring. If you choose a compact size that's easy to carry, it's a great toy to play with while on the go!
Storage pouches and zip bags
Convenient storage items that can be found at 100 yen shops are essential for organizing your luggage while traveling. Zip-top bags are especially useful for separating and organizing diapers, clothes, snacks, etc. If you choose a transparent type, you can see the contents at a glance and quickly take out what you need, significantly reducing the hassle of traveling.
We also recommend a pouch with dividers. By storing small items such as children's toys, snacks, and stationery separately by type, you can keep your bag tidy. Not only will it be easier to take things out, but it will also make tidying up easier, reducing stress when traveling.
Furthermore, a waterproof pouch is a convenient item for storing wet clothes and towels. Even if you get caught in a sudden rain shower or spill a drink, a waterproof pouch will keep the surrounding luggage clean. Having one can make a big difference in your peace of mind, especially when traveling or on long trips.
By using items from the 100 yen shop, you can reduce the burden of traveling and create an environment where your children can have fun without getting bored. They are all reasonably priced, so be sure to check them out!
The POMULU 2WAY Hip Seat is essential for family travel.
We recommend the POMULU 2WAY Hip Seat, which combines a shoulder bag and hip seat, for long trips with children, such as when returning home for the New Year holidays or Obon. It allows you to keep all your carry-on luggage in one place and makes it easy to hold your child, making it the perfect item for those who want to reduce the amount of luggage they carry.
The POMULU 2WAY Hip Seat was redesigned in November 2024! It has been further improved in terms of design and functionality in response to user feedback. It is packed with features that are useful for long trips when you are carrying a lot of luggage and tend to get tired.
Plenty of storage space
One of POMULU's features is its storage capacity. Its large capacity can easily hold all the items you need to carry quickly, such as a water bottle, wet tissues, wallet, handkerchief, smartphone, and key case.
The new bag now has an inner pocket, allowing for even more storage space. It also comes with a D-ring and pocket hook, allowing you to attach markers and valuables.
It can also hold compact toys, making it very convenient for outings with children.
A wide range of color variations
With the renewal, the color variations have increased to four!
We recommend choosing one that matches your outfit of the day, or having couples use different colors. Even on long, tiring journeys, having a POMULU in your favorite color might lift your spirits. Be sure to find your favorite color.
So that the whole family can enjoy their trip home with a smile
Returning home with children can be difficult, but with some preparation and ingenuity, it can be a fun experience for both parents and children. Please refer to the transportation methods and items to bring introduced in this article.
The key to success is to plan accordingly, taking into account the age of your children and the distance you will be traveling. Make time for relaxation for the whole family while incorporating convenient items to reduce the burden.
Have a wonderful homecoming season and cherish the memories you make with your family!
[References]
・How to keep your kids from getting bored in the car during traffic jams! Recommended ways to play and kill time
https://fumakilla.jp/foryourlife/122/
・Great for traveling home! 16 portable toys that kids will love https://hugmug.jp/parenting/76286
・Traveling with children: 42 ideas to keep kids stoked on trains and planes [ages 3, 4, and 5]
https://kosodatemap.gakken.jp/life/outing/4286/
