5 Great Art Activities you can do while travelling

Traveling is full of adventure — but it’s also the perfect time to slow down and get creative. Whether you’re in the car, on a plane, or staying at a holiday spot, these easy and low-mess art activities are perfect for keeping kids (and adults!) happily entertained. All you need are a few compact supplies and a little imagination.

Let’s explore 5 fun and portable travel-friendly art projects — plus a bonus idea that makes creativity even easier on the go.

1. Pipe Cleaner Craft

Pipe cleaners are a travel parent’s best friend. Affordable, fun, and mess-free, they can be twisted into endless creations — flowers, animals, letters, or geometric shapes.

Why it’s great for travel:

• Available at most discount stores

• No mess, no glue required

• Perfect for small hands on the go

Tip: Pre-cut pipe cleaners and store them in a zip pouch to keep things organised.

2. Friendship Bracelets

All you need is some embroidery floss or yarn, and you’ve got hours of creativity ahead. Kids can learn simple patterns and gift their creations to new friends or save them for loved ones back home.

Why it’s great for travel:

• Takes up almost no space

• Great for waiting rooms, planes, or downtime

• Encourages storytelling and connection

Tip:Turn this into a memory-making activity by writing who each bracelet is for in a journal.

3. Travel Scrapbook

A creative way to document your trip, travel scrapbooks are perfect for keeping kids engaged in both art and storytelling. Use printed photos, tickets, pressed leaves, or doodles.

Supplies to pack:

• Glue stick

• Scissors

• Blank journal or scrapbook

• Pens, washi tape, stickers

Tip: Print photos at kiosks along the way or use polaroids for instant results.

4. Personalised Travel Map

Turn geography into art! Print or draw a simple map and decorate it with stops, highlights, weather, and discoveries. This activity combines drawing, colouring, and memory-making.

Ideas to try:

• Trace your route with a coloured pencil

• Add a drawing of what you saw at each stop

• Mark animal sightings or food adventures

Bonus: Kids practice spatial awareness, memory, and planning.

5. Embroidery on the Go

Embroidery is calm, focused, and totally portable. Kids can stitch patterns on fabric squares, while parents can work on their own projects.

Travel-friendly embroidery tips:

• Bring a small hoop and only basic threads

• Use pre-printed fabric patterns

• Store sharp tools safely in a hard case

Tip: Don’t bring your best materials — stick to travel-friendly extras.

Bonus: Take Artventure With You!

Artventure makes it easy to create wherever you are. With just a phone or tablet and some basic art supplies, your child can follow along with our guided video art lessons — even while traveling!

• No need for fancy materials — just pencils, crayons, or watercolours

• Perfect for planes, holiday homes, hotels, or a sunny table outdoors

• Hours of screen-time-worthy creativity without mindless scrolling

🎨 Try our free lesson and pack a display folder or postal tube to protect their artwork while on the go.

Why Travel + Art Is a Winning Combo

Each of these projects helps kids explore the world around them more thoughtfully.

• Pipe cleaner animals can be gifted to grandparents

• Friendship bracelets become keepsakes

• Travel maps and scrapbooks capture the memories

• Artventure creations tell the story of the journey

And the best part? These projects use minimal materials, pack light, and deliver maximum creativity — wherever your travels take you.

Happy arty days :)

Kirsty x