Favorite Things : Kid’s Activity and Toy Essentials for Travel
Getting ready for a trip with your crew? Whether you’re on planes, trains, or automobiles (or at restaurants), we’ve got the best travel activities to keep kids of all ages entertained! Read on for our tried-and-true favorites, tested by our travel-loving family over the years! From hands-on activities and ever-important snacks to headphones and our favorite tablet, we’ve got you covered. The key? Things that inspire creativity, are big enough not to lose (I’m looking at you mini Plus-Plus), and most importantly, won’t constantly roll onto the floor! Who knows, you might even get to read (part of) your book! Happy travels!
LCD Doodle Board: Age says 3+ but we started even younger. This doodle board is perfect for years of creative fun, from simple scribbles to writing practice.
Play-Doh Kits: Ages 3+. Love this ice cream set for imaginative play! Hot tip: You can also almost always grab Play-Doy sets in the Target dollar aisle. I hoard these for our son, and started adding mini-figures (see #11) as he grew, good for burying and uncovering over and over again!
Buckle Toy Sensory Square: Ages 1-3. This adorable toy kept our son busy for hours and helped with fine motor skills and color recognition. Plus, it has a zipper compartment to stash extra treasures!
Lollipops: Some angel on an airplane gave us this tip years ago: Lollipops keep squirmy kids happy, and help their ears pop on airplanes! Genius. We never leave home without them.
Snacks Bag: Because the best thing you can do is bring all the snacks! This happy little snack bag goes everywhere we go.
Melissa & Doug Water Wow Activity Pads: Ages 3+ (but I think you can go younger with supervision). These are so magical! The bundle shown is great for younger kids, and they have number, letter, and activity/game versions for slightly older children. Our son was obsessed with the Alphabet one for years!
Crayola Anti-Roll Crayons: Perfect to avoid constant pick-ups from the floor! If your kiddo is slightly older, they might prefer these washable anti-roll markers instead.
Wikki Stix: Ages 3+. These are so fun! You can make an endless variety of shapes with them and can even stick them onto airplane or car windows with no residue left behind.
Mini Magnetic Blocks: Ages 3+. Our very favorite travel toy - we ended up ordering two sets so all of us could build together! They’re sort of like mini Magna-Tiles, but even more fun (IMO) and easier for small hands.
Paint-by-Sticker Book: Ages 5+. These no-mess “painting” sets are addictive! Not only will they occupy your littles for hours, but they also help teach numbers (matching) and fine motor skills (shape manipulation). Trust me…you’ll be tempted to steal this one for yourself!
Mini Animal Figures Set: Ages 3+. Great for creative play on their own, but can also be used in Play-Doh as mentioned above, or as bath toys on your trip!
Highlights Hidden Pictures Books: Ages 3+. A nostalgic favorite with hidden object searches, stickers, and coloring pages. They’ve stood the test of time for a reason!
Transformable Fidget Spinners: Ages 3+ (but probably better for 5+). You’ll be surprised by how long these can occupy little hands. Small enough to fit in your pocket, they’re perfect for anywhere you’ll be waiting in line!
and 15. Wireless Headphones and Amazon Fire Tablet: Ages 6+. For when all else fails, and everyone needs a little peace and quiet! I love that the headphones have a volume limit and the tablet has easy-to-use parental controls. For younger kids consider the Fire 7, the most lightweight and affordable version, which comes in a kid-proof case.
Safe travels and happy adventuring!
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