Five awesome travel toys for babies and toddlers
You're on a bus ride to another city or you're waiting at the doctor's office. Your child demands to play on your phone, but you don't want to give up your phone. Maybe you need it for something, it's almost out of batteries, you don't trust your kid with it, or you just don't want your kid to have more screen time.
Here are some toys that you can fit in your purse or diaper bag to keep your child amused without resorting to handing over your phone. All are toys that one child can play independently, though some are also ideal for sharing.
These magnetic wooden blocks can be assembled to make a variety of creations. They're safe for babies but also fun for older kids, so both your toddler and school-aged kiddo can enjoy them. The Travel Pals, Pocket Pouch Prisms, and Pocket Pouch Original lines are small sets that are ideal for travel. The Pocket Pouches come in a variety of different colours, and you can combine two pouches to make bigger creations. The Travel Pals are shaped like animals or vehicles, but you can reconfigure the blocks to make other designs as well. These toys can be used by one kid or possibly shared by siblings (depending on how well they cooperate!). Since the blocks are magnetic, you don't need a flat surface to play. Tegu are expensive, but they're worth it because your kids won't outgrow it. Don't be surprised if you find yourself playing with these as well.
Ages: 0+
Ideal for: transit, restaurants, waiting rooms, visiting relatives
Restrictions: not ideal for strollers or anywhere where dropped pieces can't be retrieved
Oombee Cube by Fat Brain Toys
This is a small shape puzzle for babies and toddlers. The shapes are attached to the cube, so they can't lose any pieces. This toy is made of silicone, making it a satisfying chew toy for teething babies. You can use a pacifier clip to attach it to the stroller or car seat.
Ages: 10 months and up
Ideal for: car, public transit, airplane, restaurants, waiting rooms, visiting relatives, stroller
This is a fine motor and sensory toy that appeals to toddlers, though you may find yourself fidgeting with it too! Toddlers grab the end of a zip and pull, then repeat. There aren't any pieces to lose, and it's made of silicone, so it's lightweight. Use a pacifier clip if you're using it in the car seat or stroller.
Ages: 18 months and up (note that it's not meant as a teether)
Ideal for: car, public transit, airplane, restaurants, waiting rooms, visiting relatives, stroller
This is a great option for younger toddlers. The books have sensory parts, like textured tags and crinkly fabric, as well as mirrors, toys to put in and take out of pockets, and cloth flaps to lift. Some of the books have a basic storyline, like a dog looking for its bone, and others are wordless. The books have a loop so that you can attach it to a stroller or carseat, and all of the components are tethered on.
Ages: newborns and up
Ideal for: car, public transit, airplane, restaurants, waiting rooms, visiting relatives, stroller
This adorable toy is a little zippered pea pod with three peas inside. The peas each have a different sensory feature (a squeaker, a rattle, and crinkly fabric), and they're attached to each other and to the pod so that they don't get lost. Younger babies enjoy feeling the different textures, older babies play by taking the peas out of the pod and putting them back in again, and toddlers can master zipping and unzipping the pouch.
Ages: newborns and up
Ideal for: car, public transit, airplane, restaurants, waiting rooms, visiting relatives, stroller
Whether you're planning a trip to escape winter, or hoping that your toddler can join you at a restaurant, grab one (or more!) of these toys to keep your little one happy.
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