Travel Tips With Toddlers – Best Toys For Road Trips

The Best Toddler Toys for Road Trips 

It’s not until you head on your first major road trip with your toddler that you realize you are being completely tested at all levels as a parent. You may have survived the packing (assuming you have everything that you need) and now are in route to your destination with the whole family in tow. That is when the ultimate challenge begins! How to keep young children entertained for the duration of long trips in the car, without having to rely constantly on screen time. Sharing the best toddler toys for road trips!

I have you covered as we have traveled several times as a family, with my toddler in his car seat for six plus hour trips. And I have put together a complete guide for you on the best toddler toys for road trips in order for you to feel as prepared as you possibly can before embarking on your family road trip! 

The Importance of Traveling with Toddlers 

Now, before I get into the essentials and share some of the best toys for travel, I do want to emphasize that I strongly believe it is so important to travel as a family. Don’t let the hiccups or the overwhelm of “what if’s” stop your traveler’s heart. Some of our very best family moments have come from traveling. From managing the airport and flight with our at the time one-year old, to several long road trips in the card to the beach. All of the stress and the uncertainty were quickly diminished by the power of the incredible memories that we as a family shared while traveling.

Therefore, please feel encouraged and excited to travel with your little ones! And, let go of the expectation of perfection. Focus instead on spending quality time with each other. As well as creating the moments (and the memories) that count the most. Because when you look back at your trip, you won’t feel the weight of the stress that you felt in that moment.

Instead, you will most definitely laugh at the the missteps. Like the time we traveled to the beach as a family of three for the very first time. We thought we had packed everything. That is until we went to set up the pack-n-play to realize I had left the mattress of the pack-n-play at home. One nine o’clock at night trip to Target later, we had a brand new pack-n-play. This is a memory we continue to laugh at years later. 

The Reality of Traveling with Toddlers 

The reality is, traveling with toddlers will present new challenges and difficulties. It is most definitely not the same as when it was just the two of you, experiencing each new adventure on your own personal time table. However, I believe these moments and trips are even sweeter.

As you are experiencing the joy of adventure and exploring new places from the eyes of your child for the very first time. Plus, as two working parents over here, it is when we are able to travel that we get to spend real, quality time together as a family, which is absolutely worthwhile. 

Road Trip Essentials for Traveling with Toddlers 

I am so excited to put this blog post together as my hope is that your long car ride troubles will be put to rest with great travel toys and different activities for your little ones to be occupied with throughout the duration of your family road trip. That way you can focus more on the joy of the journey, and fell less feelings of overwhelm and chaos. All so that you can truly make the moments and the memories that count, that will stay with you for a lifetime! 

This list of best toys for travel includes ideas for entertainment on the road that are screen-free. Additionally, these are ideas that are portable, making it easy to bring with you along the way without taking up too much space. And things with no mess! Furthermore, this best list of travel toys for kiddos includes activities that help promote cognitive development, as well as fine motor skills. 

Best Toddler Toys for Road Trips #1. Sensory Toys Perfect for the Road

First on the list of best travel toys for toddlers on long car trips are sensory toys. Sensory toys are so great as they provide the perfect touch for little hands. Sensory toys provide great opportunity for creativity and exploration, as well as help develop fine motor skills for younger children. From fidget toys, to sensory activity boards, to magnetic giraffes and toy dog tubes. The options are endless to provide sensory play for little ones on the road. 

Best Toddler Toys for Road Trips #2. Magnetic Drawing Board

Another road trip essential for traveling with toddlers and keeping them entertained is a magnetic drawing board. Also commonly referred to as doodle board, which is a lcd tablet for drawing for little ones. These things are SO much fun. You may want to grab one for yourself! Magnetic drawing boards are very reasonably priced, come in a wide variety of styles. There are ones even shaped as a dinosaur, perfect for the little boy in your life.

They are light, very easy to transport. And a great to be stored in the back pocket of a seat. Plus, they can easily be thrown into the diaper bag to provide great entertainment while eating out at a restaurant. Because yes, these essential road trip toys for toddlers, also make great entertainment options while out to eat. Because, yes, you do want to be able to enjoy a meal or two out, while on your vacation. 

3. Melissa & Doug Sticker Books 

Next on the list for best toddler travel toys are Melissa & Doug reusable sticker books! These are game-changer. I originally had purchased the Melissa & Doug Farm sticker book and had it saved in my diaper bag for our big Father’s Day dinner out to eat while on our family vacation. I knew this was a meal that I wanted the whole family (my parents and sister included) too enjoy, so I came prepared with the element of a new toy.

Let me tell you, this was a game-changer. It kept our son occupied for the duration of the meal. Since, I have ordered a few more, and they are also another great option for travel toys in the car. I would recommend stocking up on your favorites as this toy keeps on giving with reusable stickers to play with again and again. Perfect for little fingers and little kids. 

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4. Quiet Books

Another really great travel toy for younger kiddos is a quiet book. Basically an activity book that has all parts attached and secure, making it super easy for travel. Quiet books usually have a theme connected with it and provide a whole bunch of different activities and entertainment options to help keep young ones occupied throughout a long journey on the road or in the air.

Additionally, quiet books have a lot of different Montessori based activities which help young toddlers develop their fine motor skills as well as promote life-based activities. Quiet books make a perfect travel toy for little ones of all ages. 

Best Toddler Toys for Road Trips #5. Busy Boards 

Another great option for long car rides are busy boards. Busy boards also provide a lot of different ways to play within one board. Busy boards are the same concept as a quiet book, except come in more of a board format, rather than an actual book. Because of the slightly larger size to a busy board, busy boards can hold a few more activities, perfect for keeping attention and excitement going on a longer car ride.

Additionally, throughout the different parts of a busy board, there are a variety of activities ranging in skill level. This makes it great for a variety of ages, but also can be played multiple times at various different levels of development. Busy boards which are soft, portable and very easy to operate make for excellent travel toys for young toddlers. 

6. Fidget Toys

Fidget toys such as a fidget spinner is another great way to entertain toddlers on a long road trip. A lot of fidget toys are made using fun, vibrant colors perfect for stimulating young minds and captivating their interest. Additionally, fidget toys and fidget spinners make for good toys out in public as well. They are small, can easily be thrown in your diaper bag. And can help be the source of extra energy that all toddlers seem to have. 

Best Toddler Toys for Road Trips #7. Activity Books

Another perfect road trip toy is an activity book. Activity books also are portable, light and do not take up much room at all. Plus, they can provide excellent entertainment. Activity books are interactive books meant for kids to fully interact with. Whether that is through using stickers, matching items, or practicing their counting skills. Activity books hold quite a bit of fun and entertainment, while also promoting age-appropriate development at the same time.

Additionally, activity books can be geared for both younger and older toddlers. Whereas activity books for younger toddlers focus much more on the sensory play of touch and feel. While, activity books for older toddlers include more coloring, matching and counting. Either way, activity books are another fun way to entertain toddlers on a long road trip. 

8. Board Books

Another excellent idea on how to entertain toddlers on a long road trip or plane ride, is through reading board books. I usually keep a few board books in my car. And when we are out and about driving around on the weekend (when I am sitting next to my son in the back, of course). One sure way to prevent or intervene a potential tantrum is to read a board book.

Board books, especially the smaller ones, don’t take up a ton of space and are a great way to redirect your young one’s mind. Seriously, try this next time. You will be amaze. Specifically, Harold and His Purple Crayon board book has saved the day on so many occasions while driving in the car. 

9. Magnetic Puzzles 

Another great toy ideas for long car rides to keep your older toddlers entertained are magnetic puzzles. Magnetic puzzles are a perfect travel activity as they minimize mess and through the magnetic function, easily stay in place. A great option for hands-on, screen-free play. Magnetic puzzles are easily portable and great educational play options for keeping little minds busy in a long car ride. Plus, there are a bunch of different fun designs to meet your little one’s specific interest! 

Best Toddler Toys for Road Trips #10. Water Wow Books

​An additional way to keep little ones entertained while traveling is through Melissa & Doug Water Wow books. Water Wow books are great on the go. A reusable water activity book, they can provide loads of fun and help keep young minds entertained while driving a long way. There also is a wide variety of designs and themes to captivate your little one. Water Wow books are a great option for keeping your toddler entertained while traveling. 

Other Great Ways to Entertain Younger Toddlers on a Long Road Trip

In addition to this list of best toddler toys for road trips, there are additional ways to entertain your little ones while driving in the car for a long way! Some additional ideas include listening to audio books, or fun playlists. Try rotating through your favorite Disney movie soundtracks. Furthermore, there are even podcasts perfect for younger kids. These are podcasts that are short, engaging and educational.

Some great podcasts to try with your young ones include Story Pirates, a podcast of entertainers and actors reading stories written by kids for kids. Another podcast for young kiddos is Story Nory, a podcast that features children’s stories.  These are additional ways to make the long haul to your destination, not as boring. 

Toniesbox

Another fun and popular toy that would also work great as a travel item for kids to keep them entertained in the car is a Toniesbox. A Toniesbox allows your kiddo to choose which Tonies character they want to listen to, providing them a bit of autonomy and control, which is always great to have for a long car ride, when they are not quite sure of the full concept of time just yet.

Each Tonies character has a variety of different songs and stories. Plus, it is easy to control and change from one Tonies character to the next, allowing your little one to be their own DJ. Another great way to provide entertainment throughout a long car ride! 

Perfect Travel Toys for Your Next Road Trip 

There you have it! A complete and extensive list of the best toddler toys for road trips. Additionally, all of these travel toys would make for great entertainment options while staying in a hotel room, as well as dining out at a restaurant. I hope this list of the best travel toys can help you as you prepare for your next family road trip.

Remember that keeping your toddler entertained is key to a smooth and enjoyable journey. By choosing the right travel toys, you can turn car rides into fun adventures filled with creativity, learning, and laughter. Whether it’s a writing tablet, sticker books, fidget toys or busy books, these best travel toys can transform travel time into an opportunity for your little one to explore and play.

And remember, will it be stressful and chaotic from time to time. Absolutely! However, the memories that you will make and the joy that you will experience as you see your children explore and play will be absolutely worth it! Wishing you and your family a very safe travel and happy, happy vacation! 

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