Our little ones had a break between summer camp and the start of school, so we decided to take a trip to Idyllwild with another family and my mama. Just two hours outside of Los Angeles, this quaint small town surrounded by giant pine trees is the perfect place to escape the city, and explore and experience the beauty of nature. While hiking through the woods, playing in creeks, and trying to spot fish in the lake kept our boys busy for part of the day, we all knew from the get-go that it wouldn’t be enough to get us through fourteen to sixteen hour days with them.
Our two families also collectively decided ahead of time to make it an iPad free trip because, once our kids know that screentime is an option, they are relentless with their requests to have a little time on it. So, in order for all to enjoy our “family time” (not vacation), we stocked up on some things beforehand that we hoped would keep them engaged, excited, and occupied over the course of the trip.
Here is our roundup of the top eleven that definitely kept the boys, ranging from 2 1/2 – 5 1/2 years old, busy over the course of four days when they weren’t swimming in the hot tub, exploring outside, or searching for lizards. Some of the activities, like legos and puzzles, were great for the parents to sit and do with them and others, like the rock painting kit and dinosaur eggs, once set up, kept them occupied on their own. And, once it got dark, they couldn’t get enough of their glow sticks. Overall, it felt like a success and, any trip where multiple parents of kids under six are able to take naps and read books is definitely a win in my book.
Lego Ninjago Cole’s Speeder Car
Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit
Lego Creator 3 in 1 Futuristic Flyer