Suggested Travel Toys from Henry’s Toyshop

By Ariel Englander, Owner
Henry's Toyshop, Mill Valley, CA

As the owner of Henry's Toyshop, a small community toy store, I am often asked for suggestions for things that will keep children occupied on long car trips and plane rides. Although Mom and Dad will inevitably hear, "How much longer?", and babies will be entertained for just so long, there are many fun toys and activities that are perfect for vacations.

Babies & Toddlers

For very little ones, a new rattle that is colorful, makes a pleasing noise or can be manipulated in some way, will often do the trick. The Schylling tin hour glass is a classic that has a soothing sound and colorful beads that babies find transfixing. Halilit makes lovely baby maracas, and Yellow Label makes organic cotton rattles in all sorts of food shapes that are light weight, squishable, and safe for chewing. Soft cloth books are easy to pack and also safe to chew. Nowadays they come with crinkly sounds, pockets and mirrors. A little hand puppet can also entertain little ones.

Toddlers are usually the most difficult to keep occupied because they are so desperate to get out of their seats. Board books, a new small lovey, or soft toy car are all good ideas. Rubbabu makes an all rubber line of plush-like vehicles that are safe for babies and toddlers. Soft dolls are also great - Corolle has a collection of eight inch little babies for girls and boys that are the perfect size for little hands, and easily fit in the diaper bag. Board books with flaps, textures or sounds are a good bet.

Ages 3 & 4

Once your child is over three and not as likely to put things in their mouth, the possibilities are greater. Sticker books are a good idea for young kids and can be played with in a car seat. Little wind-up toys are fun. WHAT'ZIT, a colorful wooden fidget toy made of blocks strung together with elastic, is great for kids three and up. They also make a similar toy that is wooden magnetized blocks. The classic matchbox-sized cars are a time-tested toy for traveling. Simple lacing cards begin at three or four, and of course a couple of small new books are always a good idea. The most important advice for the first long trip is to bring the new items out one at a time, and gradually so you don't go through your whole bag of tricks too early in the trip.

Ages 5 to 7

Five to seven year-olds have all kinds of toys to keep them busy. The new Rookie Perplexus is challenging, compelling, and perfect for long trips and building problem solving and hand-eye skills. Mudpuppy makes magnetic design sets that come in a tin with four illustrated scenes and sheets of interchangeable magnets for boys and girls that enjoy making up their own stories. Dot to dot books, mazes and other activity books are all great. Dover makes some lovely "stained glass" coloring books that can be used with crayons or markers. There are all kinds of small travel games that are perfect for trips - including small matching and memory games and classic age-appropriate card games. Picture books and simple reads are great for this age.

Ages 8 & Up

For older kids, the world of mazes and puzzles has really taken off. In addition to the classic Rubik's Cube, is the new Eni Puzzle which has no one solution. Perplexus has recently come out with the new Epic Sphere maze that will challenge older children. Recent Toys has a line of brain teasers, three dimensional puzzles that are easy to travel with and will challenge kids at this age. Gamewright has a large selection of fun card games: Rat-a-Tat Cat, Slamwich, Chomp, and Sleeping Queens are favorites. Find It makes a series of clear cylinders filled with recycled pellets with tiny themed object floating inside that makes a great car trip item. Classic games, like Checkers, come in tiny, easy-to-travel-with sizes. Klutz books also contain projects that are great for travel. Travel journals for jotting down thoughts or writing stories are one of my favorite suggestions. Madlibs are a perennial favorite. And of course lots of books, appropriate to their reading level and interest, as kids will often be more open to reading challenges during the summer when it doesn't seem like schoolwork.