Christmas is coming! Have you bought enough gifts yet for the baby or toddler in your life? Of course not! From toys to books, and from quiet activities to snack times, here are some tried and true favorites for the kiddos who travel.
Fidget Spinners
These can occupy your little one for hours! The suction feature means it can “stick” to the tray table or airplane window, which is fun. My daughter, Iris, got a set for her first birthday, and in fact, I’ve had multiple parents tell me this is the best toy for those airplane travel days! The set below comes in dino, ladybug, butterfly, bee and panda versions!
Window Cling-ons
Speaking of things that stay in place, have you seen kids playing with these on flights? I’ve been seeing them more and more often, and I think they’re genius! They take up so little space, and they come in such fun colors and shapes. The thick, gel texture is also appealing to kids because it feels “funny.” I love that they come in all types of themes, including Christmas!
“Indestructibles” Books
We can’t stop hearing and reading about the benefits of reading to our kids, right? But a lot of children’s books are thick board books, or they’re simply gigantic, but those are hard to pack! I love these thinner books called “Indestructibles” that can slip into the diaper bag, a carry-on, or my personal item. I pull one out when she starts to fidget, and she enjoys flipping through them herself. And they really are pretty much indestructible!
Quiet Activity Books
This is my favorite thing for travel, whether we’re on the plane, in the car, or on a boat! This particular activity book lets your child practice how to tie a shoe, zip a zipper, snap buttons, and more! All are quiet, and all promote good skills that help with dexterity. There are tons of “quiet books” on the market, so choose one you think your child will enjoy most.
Anti-spill Snack Cup
Babies and toddlers need snacks, but they don’t need to pick up the pieces off the airport floor! I love these because they come with a lid, keeping the snacks fresher between grazing sessions. My daughter loves using hers for melts, peanut butter puffs, sliced grapes, blueberries, and other favorite snacks. Plus, the fact that they’re made from silicone and stainless steel means that there are no microplastics involved, and they’re easy to clean!
Anti-spill Sippy Cup
Speaking of anti-spill items, what did our parents do before these were invented? I’m helping my baby use a regular cup and straw at home during meals. During travel and even while she’s playing at home, however, the last thing I need is water, juice, milk, etc., all over her, all over me, and all over everything else. She quickly became a pro at using this kind of sippy cup!
Nut Butter Pouches
Speaking of snacks, these are my daughter’s current, number 1 favorite! These pouches mix fruit with a variety of nut butters: Peanut, almond, cashew, and walnut! They have a bit of fat, a bit of protein, and good nutrients for baby, especially for those days when meals are not at regular times. She gets so excited when I pull out one of these pouches! She’ll take it right from me and hold on to it, even after she has sucked it dry.
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