Small Wrapped Gifts
The kid's law of presents: A wrapped toy is way more exciting than an unwrapped toy. The act of unwrapping is also entertaining! Pick up a few treats before your trip and wrap them, then dole them out over the course of the journey.
Small Wrapped Gifts
The kid's law of presents: A wrapped toy is way more exciting than an unwrapped toy. The act of unwrapping is also entertaining! Pick up a few treats before your trip and wrap them, then dole them out over the course of the journey.
Wikki Stix
Wikki Stix, I love you. One of the best travel toys on the planet: mess-free, completely compact, and very entertaining. Make pretend jewelry, snails, alphabet letters... no limits here.
http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Wikki-Stix-Primary-Colors/dp/B000GL1DJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334722434&sr=8-1
Wikki Stix, I love you. One of the best travel toys on the planet: mess-free, completely compact, and very entertaining. Make pretend jewelry, snails, alphabet letters... no limits here.
Plastic Tray with Raised Edges
It may seem cumbersome to carry a plastic tray in your carry-on, but if you bring a small tray with raised edges, your kids can play with tiny cars, beads, or anything else that ordinarily would roll under the seat. Kids can have this on their laps while still using their seat back trays for snacks and drinks.
http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Tray-Red-10/dp/B0018OZBNI/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1334720353&sr=8-20
It may seem cumbersome to carry a plastic tray in your carry-on, but if you bring a small tray with raised edges, your kids can play with tiny cars, beads, or anything else that ordinarily would roll under the seat. Kids can have this on their laps while still using their seat back trays for snacks and drinks.
Sticker Books with Vinyl Cling Stickers
If you can find a sticker book with vinyl stickers, and you have access to a window on the plane, instant fun: kids can decorate the window with clingy stickers. (Caution: Don't try this with real stickers!)
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Scene-Animals-Endless-Possibilities/dp/1602141193/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334718584&sr=1-5
If you can find a sticker book with vinyl stickers, and you have access to a window on the plane, instant fun: kids can decorate the window with clingy stickers. (Caution: Don't try this with real stickers!)
Babybug, Ladybug, or Cricket Magazine
There was a time when I did not leave the house without a pile of Babybug magazines. Cricket, Spider and Ladybug are literature magazines for older children published by the same company and continue to be a big hit. Babybug is especially fabulous for travel with babies because each issue is durable and much more packable than a board book!
http://www.cricketmag.com/BBB-BABYBUG-Magazine-for-Babies-6mo-3yrs
There was a time when I did not leave the house without a pile of Babybug magazines. Cricket, Spider and Ladybug are literature magazines for older children published by the same company and continue to be a big hit. Babybug is especially fabulous for travel with babies because each issue is durable and much more packable than a board book!
Paperback Childrens' Books
The I Can Read series is particularly portable. Our strategy: Pack extra "fresh" books in your checked luggage, swap them into your carry-on for the return flight.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064440044/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0JT9CRPSRCEMCB9WEDJZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
The I Can Read series is particularly portable. Our strategy: Pack extra "fresh" books in your checked luggage, swap them into your carry-on for the return flight.
Tube of Plastic Animals
Takes up very little packing space. Instant zoo on your tray table.
http://www.amazon.com/Safari-695004-LTD-Wild-Toob/dp/B000BNEOS0/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1334720864&sr=8-13
Takes up very little packing space. Instant zoo on your tray table.
Pockets of Learning Soft Play Sets
This company makes soft play sets that zip up to enclose their contents. This particular set is full of zoo animal toys with their own individual pockets. Great for the very youngest travelers.
http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Train-Travel-Pockets-Learning/dp/B00000J3LC/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1334719839&sr=1-1
This company makes soft play sets that zip up to enclose their contents. This particular set is full of zoo animal toys with their own individual pockets. Great for the very youngest travelers.
Assorted Art Essentials
We keep a set of travel art supplies: paper, colored pencils, small skinny markers, stencils, self-inking rubber stamps. This alphabet stencil is really compact and kids love using these to write notes.
http://www.amazon.com/Century-Novelty-Alphabet-Stencil-Ruler/dp/B0033XIL6G/ref=sr_1_17?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1334721531&sr=1-17
We keep a set of travel art supplies: paper, colored pencils, small skinny markers, stencils, self-inking rubber stamps. This alphabet stencil is really compact and kids love using these to write notes.
Triangular Crayons
Triangular crayons: saving you from searching your seat at least 300 times on your flight.
http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-52-4016-16ct-Triangular-Crayons/dp/B001VXNFD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334721773&sr=8-1
Triangular crayons: saving you from searching your seat at least 300 times on your flight.
Scotch Tape and Post-It Notes
In case of sheer boredom, hand your child a full roll of Scotch Tape or an entire pad of Post-It notes. Trust me. (I've also heard that a roll of painter's tape can serve this purpose, but haven't tried it yet...)
http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Magic-Tape-Inches-104/dp/B00005C3YY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1334719073&sr=8-4
In case of sheer boredom, hand your child a full roll of Scotch Tape or an entire pad of Post-It notes. Trust me. (I've also heard that a roll of painter's tape can serve this purpose, but haven't tried it yet...)
Crayola Color Wonder Books and Markers
A kid travel classic.
http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Color-Wonder-Coloring-Markers/dp/B000NIECAI/ref=sr_1_8?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1334719650&sr=1-8
A kid travel classic.
Doodle Pro
Sure, you can doodle on an iPad now, but iPad apps can't quite replace the satisfaction of clearing the screen with that big sliding eraser tab on a Doodle Pro.
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Doodle-Pro-Tag-Along-Blue/dp/B0015KU14O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334719320&sr=8-2
Sure, you can doodle on an iPad now, but iPad apps can't quite replace the satisfaction of clearing the screen with that big sliding eraser tab on a Doodle Pro.
Woodkins
My girls love this toy, which uses real fabric scraps to dress a cute wooden cutout figure. Playing with fabric is the highlight, and a bag of fabric scraps may be just as fun!
http://www.amazon.com/Small-World-Toys-W601-Woodkins/dp/B0002LRW3A/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1334722568&sr=1-2
My girls love this toy, which uses real fabric scraps to dress a cute wooden cutout figure. Playing with fabric is the highlight, and a bag of fabric scraps may be just as fun!
Magnetic Play Sets
Magnetic dress-up or activity sets have given us a lot of mileage.
http://www.amazon.com/Mudpuppy-Funny-Faces-Magnetic-Design/dp/0735331340/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1334718854&sr=8-11
Magnetic dress-up or activity sets have given us a lot of mileage.
Squiggle Drawing Game
You can play a version of this game with just a pencil and paper, but the spinner on the back adds an extra element of fun to Squiggle.
http://www.travelkiddy.com/Squiggle_On_the_Go_p/ts_69603.htm
You can play a version of this game with just a pencil and paper, but the spinner on the back adds an extra element of fun to Squiggle.
Namit Question Game
This tiny laminated set of cards has conversation starting games for very little kids. Great for waiting in lines, can fit easily into a pocket or purse.
http://www.amazon.com/Namits-%7E-Game-Think-Junior/dp/B0021IQIRI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334725795&sr=8-2
This tiny laminated set of cards has conversation starting games for very little kids. Great for waiting in lines, can fit easily into a pocket or purse.
Pre-Made Travel Activity Kits
If you have no time to pack, you can buy pre-assembled travel toy kits at www.TravelKiddy.com.
https://www.travelkiddy.com/ActivityKits_s/111.htm
If you have no time to pack, you can buy pre-assembled travel toy kits at www.TravelKiddy.com.
iPod. or iPad.
We didn't have iPods or iPads when we started flying with our kids. We also walked to school 10 miles each way in the snow. I bet you have one of these already. Don't leave home without it.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/
We didn't have iPods or iPads when we started flying with our kids. We also walked to school 10 miles each way in the snow. I bet you have one of these already. Don't leave home without it.
