If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
In theory, family vacations should be nothing but fun. And while they (hopefully) have a lot of highlights, there are so many rough points. There’s the packing and the way it can throw off a little kid’s sleep schedule and the really high highs that can quickly turn into really low lows. But perhaps the worst part is actually getting from Point A to Point B. The constant “Are we there yet?” and the inevitable boredom tantrums.
And so it’s important for parents to have travel toys and distractions at their disposal ahead of every road trip and train ride and flight. It’s a good idea to have a toy they already know and love as a source of familiar comfort, but it’s also great to have a new travel toy to get them excited, pique their interest, and hopefully keep the whining at bay.
Ideally, a travel toy is something that’s lightweight, compact, and quiet. It also shouldn’t have too many (if any) extra parts that your kiddo could drop on the floor (and that you’ll have to pick up). Bonus points for a travel toy that kids can set up and play with on their own! And — a perhaps controversial opinion — if you have the space to keep the toy in its packaging, do it! Maybe even wrap it. An unboxing makes a travel toy all feel even more fun and special.
Without further ado, here are our favorite screen-free travel toys. Here’s to hoping for smooth sailings! (Oh yeah, these are great for family cruises too.)
-
Kids Travel Tray with Dry Erase Board
With a dry-erase surface for drawing or playing on and compartments for water bottles, snacks, smart devices, and other toys, a travel tray is an absolute must-have. And this one is on sale. What’s the question?!
-
Lite-Brite Touch
Image Credit: Lite-Brite We are absolutely obsessed with the latest iteration of Lite-Brite. Instead of the itty bitty pegs that are bound to get lost under car seats and in between cushions, the Lite-Brite Touch has buttons that light up when you press them. To change the color, just press again.
Creative kiddos can make their own design or follow one of the 12 included templates. Plus, this updated classic has three games built-in including Lite Snake!
-
Spirograph Doodle Pad
Image Credit: Spirograph Keeping with the throwback toy trend, the Spirograph Doodle Pad is an updated version of a classic. Kids can make the same fun, geometrical designs you did as a kid, but they won’t need an endless supply of paper and (possibly mess-making) markers. The pad can be used for regular drawing too, and with a click of a button, the creations disappear so kids can draw again and again. Best of all, the templates and pen fit inside a secret compartment on the side. Yay for built-in storage!
Plus, it’s currently 20 percent off!
-
Crayola My First Triangular Crayons
Image Credit: Crayola What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a genius feat of engineering! Because triangular crayons can’t roll off flat surfaces! Gone are the days of blindly reaching around on the floor after your toddler dropped the all-important red crayon again.
-
Buckle Toys Blue Whale
Image Credit: Buckle Toys Toddlers love buckle toys. While they unbuckle and buckle, they are not only playing but honing gross and fine motor skills (yay!). We love that this super adorable whale has shapes on its tail, numbers underneath the colorful buckles, and a zipper mouth that can hold little toys. And if you don’t have space for it in your bag, just buckle it to the handle. It’s seriously perfect for traveling!
-
Open The Joy – Let’s Talk Conversation Starter Cards
Image Credit: Open The Joy When there’s been nothing but silence or complaining from the back seat, try whipping out these conversation starter cards that have more than 100 ideas for how to start meaningful and interesting conversations between family members like “Who inspires you?” and “I would like to surprise someone by…” Take turns picking the cards so kids have an incentive to keep going.
-
Dinosaur Window Gel Clings (20 PCS)
Image Credit: Tevxj Window gel clings are not only perfect holiday decorations, but they make for a fun travel toy, especially if you’re going on a road trip. Your little traveler can enjoy placing these dinos around their window, on their activity tray (we included our favorite below!), and on different surfaces at your final destination.
-
Play Road Tape
Image Credit: Amazon Similarly, we love this easily-removable tape that looks like roads, train tracks, and parking spots and brings playing with toy cars to the next level. Just slap it on an activity tray or airplane tray table and boom! A super simple supply just made you Parent of the Year.
-
Bizyboo Hide ‘N’ Seek Busy Bags
Image Credit: Bizyboo Looking for a hide-and-seek-style game for kids who aren’t slime obsessed? Or for a rental car that you really don’t want to risk getting sticky? The Bizyboo Hide ‘N’ Seek Busy Bags are like stuffies — there are 12 to choose from! — with hidden objects inside. Kids squish around and try to find each of the objects that are mixed among the many beads. Then shake it all up and play again!
-
Gojmzo Montessori Busy Board
Image Credit: Gojzmo You know we love a busy board. This Montessori-inspired one for toddlers has more than a dozen “activities” to keep kids occupied (and working on their motor skills!), thousands of rave reviews, and is on sale. Need we say more?
More Stories from Parenting
Leave a Comment