For most parents, traveling with a baby or toddler is always daunting, whether it is your first trip with your child or the fifth. Kids do not do well cooped up in the same spot for long periods, which can cause stress both for the child and the parent.
Being well prepared by getting the best toys for traveling may be the solution to having an easy and even fun trip. The key is entertaining your little one for as long as possible as you introduce each toy individually.
Here are some great traveling toys ideas that will help to ease the traveling pressure on yourself and keep your child entertained and busy. Everyone deserves a pleasant journey!
What to consider when picking travel toys for babies
- They must be self-contained or compact – These toys are complete independently. They must not require any help from an adult.
- Must be reasonably quiet – If traveling by train or flight, you need to be mindful of the other passengers. If by road, you can’t have distractions from the toys’ noise.
- Capable of keeping the kids occupied for extended periods – You will travel with just a couple of toys. They should be enough to keep the little one entertained for a while.
- The developmental stage and age of your child – The best travel toys for 5-year-olds will not work for a 2-year-old.
- Easily portable – Struggling with heavy toys will never be the best travel method.
- Require small spaces to function – There will be little room for bulky toys. Please keep it simple.
- Remember the activity your toddler enjoys the most – This ensures more room for fun and plays than fussing and screaming.
- Consider the new skills that your toddler may learn – This will keep them hooked for a while, as they will be doing something different from what they already know.
Best toys for traveling.
Getting the best travel toys for a 5-year-old or 2-year-old may be challenging if you need to know what you want. Here is a simple guide to what might be helpful during those long trips.
- Travel Tic-Tac-Toe Game – Perfect for different ages, this game will teach your child fair play and problem-solving skills. It is also great for the whole family, as it is an easy game to play and will teach early strategy skills.
- Best Toy Hauler Travel Trailer for Kids and Babies – This traveling toy set includes an RV and a bus. The set folds up quickly, making it easy to store in the car. These toys are also lightweight and comfortable to hold.
- Cra-Z-Art Magna Doodle Travel Doodler – This toy is perfect for traveling as the drawing board can be drawn on and erased easily for hours. It is compact and will keep your kids entertained as you travel. It is mess-free, and your child’s imagination is expanded.
- HABA Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game - Learning & Education Toys for Preschoolers – Work on your child’s fine motor skills, color recognition, and matching as you travel. This portable maze has no removable pieces; nothing can get lost in the car. It is easy to pack and play with, as the game is to get the colored balls to their matching garage.
- Melissa & Doug Vehicles and Habitats Reusable Bundle Sticker Pad – This activity book is excellent for preschoolers and toddlers. With reusable oversized stickers, your child will stay occupied for hours as they set up different scenes with creative sticker placement options.
- Kenley Kids Travel Tray – This tray set will keep your kids entertained during the trip and provide a place to enjoy their snacks comfortably. The travel tray offers fun, portability, and functionality, all while providing extra room in the backseat where a couple of things can be organized.
- deMoca Quiet Book Montessori Toys for 1, 2, and 3-Year-Old – Toddlers can entertain themselves during car rides as they learn shapes, zippers, snaps, and buttons. This Montessori toy will help to build your child’s fine motor skills with nine (9) quiet time activities. These include Velcro-colored shapes, telling time, and practicing on buckle toys.
- YoCool Busy Cube for Kids Sensory Busy Board Travel Toy for Toddlers 1-3 Years Old – This cube features seven activities to keep your child entertained as they learn. The toy will help improve their hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and fine motor skills. It is also perfect for traveling because it encourages independent play as the child learns about cause and effect.
- ZaxiDeel Preschool Busy Book for Kids – The bright colors and vivid illustrations are great for keeping your toddler occupied for long periods. With 16 drawing pages and 16 learning themes, including the alphabet, numbers, colors, animals, fruits & vegetables, Months, shapes, body parts, vehicles, the rainbow, sports, occupations, feelings, time, and even planets, there is more than enough to keep your child occupied.
Tips when traveling with your kids.
- Do not overpack – Get those toys that are open-ended, such that they can be used for different games. This means they will engage the little one for longer.
- Give your kids a trip outline to help them manage their expectations. Reviewing the trip will give them a rough idea of what to expect, making them more comfortable with what’s happening.
- Be prepared that something might go wrong – Traveling with kids will often result in something undesired happening, no matter how small. It is okay not to have a perfect trip!
- Get the best toys for traveling – This will save you a lot of tears and tantrums. So shop around early enough!
Conclusion
Packing is always stressful for any parent, especially when traveling with kids. Putting snacks, sleeping aids, and activities in mind can be a quick way not to forget anything. Ensuring your little one is not hungry, angry, tired, or lonely during the trip will give everybody a fair chance of a happy trip.
References
Home Kartz, 2023. Travel Tic-Tac-Toe Game
https://homekartz.com/products/travel-tic-tac-toe-game
Home Kartz, 2023. Best Toy Hauler Travel Trailer for Kids and Babies
https://homekartz.com/products/traveling-toy-set
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). Cra-Z-Art Magna Doodle Travel Doodler https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Magna-Doodle-Colors-Vary/dp/B005NJTFNG/familyeducom-20
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). HABA Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game - Learning & Education Toys for Preschoolers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2WA0TI/familyeducom-20
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). Melissa & Doug Vehicles and Habitats Reusable Bundle Sticker Pad
https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Reusable-Sticker-Pads/dp/B00DEFBTGC/familyeducom-20
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). Kenley Kids Travel Tray, Toddler Car Seat Lap Tray, Road Trip Essentials Activity Table, 16.5 x 13.5 Inches (Pink/Gray)
https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Activity-Waterproof-Organizer-Portable/dp/B07GK1P6V2
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). deMoca Quiet Book Montessori Toys for 1 2 3 Year Old - Busy Book Toddlers Travel Toy with Preschool Learning Activities, Educational Toy with 9 Sensory Toddlers 1-3 Activities for Boys & Girls, Blue
https://www.amazon.com/deMoca-Quiet-Book-Toddlers-Educational/dp/B07RJSB1LW/familyeducom-20?th=1
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). YoCool Busy Cube for Kids Sensory Busy Board Travel Toy for Toddlers 1-3 Years Old, Great for Airplane Car Ride – Educational Montessori Learning Toys for Babies 18-36 Months
https://www.amazon.com/Activity-Montessori-Preschool-Educational-Activities/dp/B09CD3RPLX
Amazon.com, Inc. (1996-2023). ZaxiDeel Preschool Busy Book for Kids， Toddler Busy Book Preschool Learning Activities Book， Autism Learning Materials, and Kindergarten Learning Activities Busy Book （32 Themes）
https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Board-Montessori-Education-Activities/dp/B0B747PGFH/familyeducom-20