When we head out for long trips I always try to make sure we’ve packed something for my son to do during the ride. Travel games are great, when it’s just him he enjoys playing solitary games, but sometimes we have one or both of our nephews along for the ride.

Minimus Games has some of your favorite board games, and mind games made into miniature versions set up especially for the car.

For the little ones they have Hungry Hungry Hippo, and Candy Land in small travel sized versions. For the older kids there’s Memory, and Sorry! car size games.

If you’re kids have a hard time playing together in the car, or you’re only traveling with one child like we often do there are solo travel games like Sudoku.

Some of these are even fun for adults!

Images Minimus.biz

Post from: Play Library

One of my favorites is the Crayola Portable Art Studio. Kids can have all the art supplies they need all in one place. The best part for us is when we’re heading out of town or to the lake. We can grab the Art Studio and my son can use it to draw, color, and create on the go.

Crayola Model Magic comes in handy when you have a school project that requires you to create a model, or figure for a book report or science project. We’ve had to make a zoo animal for school two different times, both times it worked really well to make it from modeling clay. It’s also fun to just create at the kitchen table.
Color Fillz use the Model Magic colors used to create 2 complete 4” x 6” mosaics. The mosaics come in patterns for both boys and girls. When they’re done they can hang them in their room, in a window, or you can use them as decorations on the Christmas tree.

Dry-Erase Activity Center – Zany Play Edition has fun, interchangeable templates that slide under the clear dry-erase surface. The Activity Center contains 8 game and activity sheets and creative elements like mustaches, hats to embellish photos, 1 page of re-positionable stickers, and 4 Crayola bullet tip dry erase markers. This would make another great travel idea!

All of these Crayola creative ideas will be available at Staples starting in November this holiday season.

Post from: Play Library

So, I’ll be doing a series on travel toys to help those of us who are traveling. I’ll do some pricey ones and some not-so-pricey toys. Here’s the first toy that I am looking into getting for my 3 year old. It’s the LeapFrog Leapster L-Max Learning Game System.

I’ve been reading up on this toy and I really think it is something that my little guy will like. I’m heading to the store today to see if I can play with it and check it out for myself. Here’s a description of the Leapfrog Leapster L-Max:

The Leapster L-Max helps teach through four exciting modes:

Educational Game Player. Lets players learn essential school skills with leveled games that teach reading, math, and critical thinking skills.
Digital Art Studio. Encourages creative thinking with dozens of art tools and step-by-step lessons that let children draw, write, and create anything they can imagine.
Electronic Book Reader. Inspires a love for reading via electronic storybooks that teach literacy skills, story comprehension, vocabulary, and phonetic awareness.
Interactive Video Player. Develops fundamental reading and math skills by playing interactive videos that encourage children to participate in the action.

The device itself is comfortably shaped for little hands with safe, rounded edges, and is small enough to store and travel easily. A bonus cartridge with six educational games is included. Games offer multiple skill levels and teach kids letters, words, plants, animals, shapes, and basic math. The L-Max requires special cartridges (sold separately) for dual-screen play, but can work with existing Leapster titles. Older titles won’t play on dual screens, though, and may not project to the TV. Four AA batteries are required, but not included.

We have bought several Leapfrog products in the past and they have been a big hit in our house. I plan on getting this for him for Christmas, so he’ll be able to use it on the trip back. I’ll have to figure something else out (and a little cheaper) for the trip there.

Post from: Play Library

We’re preparing for our summer road trip. Yeah, yeah, we’re a little late this year. Labor Day weekend seems about the last possible time to take a trip and still be able to call it a summer road trip, so that’s what we’re doing.

I’ve checked my list of Road Trip Travel Toys, gathered up some snacks, borrowed a portable DVD player and stocked up on the movies. We’re traveling mostly in the evening on the way, so I’m hoping the kids will fall asleep! There’s really no precedent for that in our family, but I can hope, yeah?

Any tips for me before we take off?

photo credit: hyak82

Post from: Play Library

• Battleship Folio and other travel games
• Pocket Etch A Sketch
• 20Q Challenge
• V Tech – Quiz Biz – Math Mania

You can find the complete list in this article. Feel free to leave your suggestions for travel toys in the comments section. I’m sure parents will appreciate any and all suggestions offered!

Post from: Play Library

Our third travel toy is the Slinky. My two year old found one in the car bag that my friend packed for him. He LOVES it! He actually has one in the car when we just drive around town, as well. He has one of the plastic ones, so he enjoys the color variations in addition to just loving the uniqueness of the toy in it’s own right.

Now, if I could just keep him from trying to pelt me in the ear with it while I’m driving, it would be a much better car toy!

Post from: Play Library

Oh, how I wish I’d seen this in time for our trip! Too late for me, but keep it in mind for your next trip.

The CAR VALET by Alex looks like the perfect surface for your kids to draw, color, fill in activity books, or do homework on a roadtrip.

A description from the Alex Toys website:

• Play games, create art, or just keep gear within easy reach with a portable, adjustable, mobile play center and organizer. Attaches to the rear of the front seat and folds down for easy access to supplies. Fold and zip up when finished. The perfect bag for travel. Measures 14”W x 12”H x 3”D.

Let me know if you have one of these, and whether or not it’s useful!

Post from: Play Library

It’s unbelievable how the same kids, who sit in a house full of toys and say they’re bored, will sit and draw on a Magna Doodle for a good hour in the car. As long as it’s the same one as the other kid has, same colors and all.

Of course, ours isn’t exactly a Magna Doodle. We go for the dollar store version. It’s cheap, and gets us through the trip. It usually breaks at some point on the way home, which means it can go in the trash and I won’t be tripping over it for the next 5 years!

Post from: Play Library