As any parent knows, if there’s an ideal time for your toddler to be quiet and entertained, it’s during travel. We’re constantly searching for fun activities and engaging toys that will hold our children’s attention long enough to get us from place to place, whether it’s on an airplane ride or long car trip to Grandma’s house. Even better if the toy has educational value and helps practice or reinforce new skills! Here are 10 of my favorite travel toys for keeping little ones busy and learning, even when you’re stuck together in your seats at 30,000 feet.
Kidamento – Kids Print Camera - Koko the Panda (Model P)
Price: $99.99
Sometimes it’s important to look at the world from a child’s point of view. Recommended for ages 5 and up, this instant camera is a major upgrade from the Polaroid cameras I adored as a child, and empowers kids to tell the story of their trips through their own lens. With this adorable panda-shaped model, you can either print photos immediately after you take them, or connect them to your phone and save them for later. The bundle comes with two refill packs (each refill will take 300 images) so you won’t run out! When you get home, you could compile all the photos in a scrapbook so you’ll always have memories of your time together. Note that there is a small learning curve with figuring out how to use the buttons, but a little bit of practice will have your junior photographer on their way in no time.
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Magna-Tiles – Safari Animals 25-Piece Magnetic Building Set
Price: $40
Magna-Tiles have been a favorite in my house since my kiddos were old enough to play with them. Because they’re magnetic and the set isn’t super big, these are a much more portable option than regular blocks or LEGOs, making them ideal for travel when small pieces are likely to get lost. Not to mention, the opportunities for creativity and open-ended play are endless. This particular set comes with four safari figurines, so your child can easily create their own story and build a fun savannah-themed environment no matter where you are.
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Cuddoll - Gus the Giraffe Hand Puppet
Price: $34
Help your kids grow their imaginations with these absolutely precious and brightly-colored hand puppets. My kids love to make up their own stories and fairytales and these puppets are the perfect inspiration for interactive play when they are strapped into car seats next to each other. These come in a variety of colors and animals, are hand-knit with GOTS certified organic cotton yarn, don’t have any harmful and detachable parts, and can be used from 6 months on.
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Cuddoll – The Flutterers Finger Puppets (Set of 4)
Price: $28
A perfect alternative to a hand puppet, but with the same guaranteed quality, portability, and attention to detail, these cute finger puppets are a one-stop shop for creativity and imaginative play. Each set has four fuzzy friends—a bee, an owl, a ladybug, and a butterfly. And if fluttering creatures aren’t your child’s cup of tea, you can also choose from other animal themes like Splashers or Explorers. I can only imagine the stories my kids would make up and the hours of play they would get out of these sweet creatures.
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Wee Gallery – Baby Animals Lacing Cards
Price: $19.95
How fun are these? This set of lacing cards come in six different designs and help encourage hand-eye coordination, motor skills, color identification, and dexterity in children 3 and up! Printed on thick, sturdy board, they are perfect for little hands who are antsy for something to do while on the go. As the mom of a kindergartener, I also immediately thought they’d be great preparation for learning how to tie shoelaces!
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Author:
Emily Solberg is a soldier, military spouse, mom of two, and fierce advocate of women supporting women. The goal of her writing is to help others feel less alone in their parenting journeys, and she isn’t afraid to share the hard parts of her own. You can find more from her over on Facebook and Instagram at Shower Arguments with Emily Solberg.
