Kids

Best Toys for Traveling with Toddlers

Are you planning a family road trip this summer? Do you have little ones that need to be entertained?

I am planning to embark on a 10-hour road trip with my toddlers next week.

In preparation, I have searched (and searched) for the best toys for car rides.

You see, I have found that you can’t just bring any old toys on long car trips.

Last week we took a 1 1/2 hour trip to visit family.

My son cried most of the way, and was inconsolable.

The only toy that made him happy was a ball, which he kept throwing overboard.

We do have a DVD player in the car, but I really don’t want my daughter watching it the whole time!

My plan is to get some new DVDs at the library, watch one DVD and then listen to music while playing with a new toy.

I notice that she learns a lot in the car when she is not watching the DVD player. So, I hope to keep the TV watching at a minimum.

So, in preparation for our big trip, I bought some toys that are made specifically for traveling.

Here are some of the best ones I have found so far!

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ALEX Toys Artist Studio Car Valet

I am super excited about this ALEX Toys Artist Studio Car Valet. It hangs on the back of the front seat in the car. When you unzip it, the front turns into a little desk. There are small pockets inside to hold crayons, snacks, and whatever else your child might want to play with. I am interested to see how well it works so I will be sure to update this post after our trip!

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Activity Book, 3-Pack – Animals, Alphabet, and Numbers

The next thing I bought was the Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Activity Book, 3-Pack – Animals, Alphabet, and Numbers. I love that it is small enough to fit on your child’s lap and only requires the use of one refillable water pen. Sitting in car seat it is nice to have only two things to keep track of. When the pages are wet they are colorful. When they dry up it turns white again so your child can color the pages more than once.

On the Farm (Magnetic Story & Play Scene)

My daughter loves farm animals so I knew she would love this On the Farm (Magnetic Story & Play Scene). Again, I like that it is small enough to fit on her lap during the car ride. It is sure to keep her busy for a while!

Camilla the Cupcake Fairy Sticker Dolly Dress Up

My daughter loves dolls and stickers so I’m excited for the Camilla the Cupcake Fairy Sticker Dolly Dress Up. I know she will love it, but I won’t be surprised if I find stickers all over the backseat of the car!

Tangle Jr Original Sensory Fidget Toy – Colors May Vary

I got this Tangle Jr Original Sensory Fidget Toy – Colors May Vary for my one year old son. He doesn’t enjoy being in the car for very long so I am hoping this will keep him interested for a bit.

What are your favorite toys for traveling with a toddler? Share your ideas in the comments below!

Happy Travels!

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About The Author

I'm married to a wonderful man who also happens to be an exceptional daddy. I am a mama to two precious babies. I decided to become a stay-at-home mom a few years ago after years of teaching.

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11 Comments

If I still had toddlers I’d definitely try these. I don’t miss those long car rides with little ones!Reply to Lisa
Yes they can be quite trying at times!Reply to Brittany
What an incredible list of toys and entertainment. Would have been very useful to me when my kids were young. My husband used to drive the girls for 12 hours to see grandparents….and I would fly! That’s a long trip!Reply to Debby
Wow! That is a long trip! I would be flying too! 🙂Reply to Brittany
These are fantastic tips for traveling with toddlers ! I used a lot of these ideas when my boys were small 🙂Reply to RM
We make long road trips back and forth to see family several times a year. My twin daughters are getting older and need more exciting things to occupy their time. This is a great resource! Thanks for sharing!Reply to Sunny
Thanks! I hope it helps make your future trips easier! 🙂Reply to Brittany
I wrote a similar post about entertaining kids in the car and I love these suggestions! I always like to see what other travel moms are packing for their kids, especially the games or toys that are keeping the kids interest. Thanks for sharing!Reply to Lindsay
Awesome! Do you have a link to your post? I’d love to check it out!Reply to Brittany
It is not easy to travel with toddlers. Preparation is the key. I like your selection of toys. When kids are happy, the whole family is happy.Reply to Lorna
Thanks! Wish me luck! ☺️Reply to Brittany