Best Toys for Long Car Rides So You Can Keep Your Sanity!
If you’re planning a long road trip or even traveling on an airplane and you have a toddler or young kids, you need to be prepared! There are three things you won’t be able to live without on your trip – snacks, things to soothe your little one, and games to entertain them.
In this post, you’ll get all the best games and small toys that work like magic to help your kids stay happy, occupied, and entertained on a long trip.
I used many of these toys on my family’s 18-hour road trip to Michigan over a year and a half ago. Honestly, other than the grueling hours of driving in the mountains, the trip was very enjoyable.
At the time, my kids were 18 months, 7 years old, and 10 years old.
There weren’t endless crying sessions or even fighting with my three kiddos. I think my husband the hardest time with his back giving him trouble. But that’s a whole other issue! But the trip was truly time well spent as a family.
But first, this toddler car seat tray is amazing! And can help give your toddler a sturdy place to play, eat snacks, and read books without everything falling to the floor. This one is a must-have!
If you packed toddler busy bags, this tray is so great for keeping everything from going all over the car.
I’ve separated the toys into a toddler list and a kids list for slightly older children.
Related: The Only Packing Checklist You’ll Need for Road Trips with Kids
Now on to the list…
Toddler Games for Long Car Rides
Bizzy Buckle Toy – We all know how much toddlers love pushing, buckling, and tinkering with things. This soft busy pillow will keep your little one occupied with endless buckling and unbuckling!
Wooden Montessori Lacing Toys – These cute little learning lacing toys will keep your little one learning while they weave the worms in and through the fruit and cheese. The worms are attached so no losing parts!
Travel AquaDoodle Pad – This is one toy that my little guy used a ton on our trip and I can’t say enough about it! They feel like their making a mess, but it’s only water. That’s a total win-win!
Fisher-Price Boppin’ Activity Bugs – This is a great distraction toy and is like the toddler version of whack-a-mole!Â
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow Books – These 3 little boards allow your toddler to write their letters, numbers, and draw animals with markers filled with only water!
Related: The Best
Young Kids Games to Survive a Road Trip
Melissa & Doug Flip to Win Travel Memory Game – This is a great game to keep brain fatigue from setting in while in the car. They can keep learning and playing!
Crayola Pip-Squeaks Markers & Paper Set – Your budding artist can continue creating in the car or on the plane! And everything stays neatly in place in the carrying case.Â
Mickey Mouse Magnetic Zoo – These adorable Mickey Mouse activity cards allow kids to move the magnetic pieces around to create play scenes over and over again.Â
Fun Tape Activity Book – This book comes with easy tear tape to create fun pictures throughout the pages!
Connect 4 Travel Game – This game is so fun and bringing it on a road trip is sure to keep the fun going if you have more than one kid, of course!
Kanoodle Brain Twisting Solitaire Game – This game is full of over 200 mind-bending puzzles in a single travel case!Â
Spot It! On The Road – This fun card game can be played with the whole family! Plus, there are 5 games in one!
Related: The Best Cheap Stocking Stuffers for Kids that Don’t Suck!
What did we miss? Add your best travel tips and tricks in the comments below!
