Are you heading on a summer vacation by car or airplane?
Here are a few picks for great kids gear and toys to make your road trip or airplane ride a happy one.
Go Baggie – These all-in-one backpacks and activity centers make it possible for kids to store plenty of items to keep them busy, from books to toys. The Go Baggie can hang on the backseat, providing kids easy access on long car trips. There's even a fold-down dry erase board that opens up for a place to write, and a compartment to store snacks. Available at GoBaggie.com. Ages 5-12, $39.99.
Flip and Draw Books – A twist on coloring books, these wire bound notebooks are filled with sheets cut in thirds so kids can make their own mix and match drawings. Choices include sports, farm animals, pirates and mermaids. Available at Mudpuppy.com. Ages $4+, $8.00.
Janod Magnetibooks – This fun toy contains magnetic pieces and picture cards that kids can match together, or use to create their own scenes and designs. Best of all, everything stores back in the box when they're done playing. Options include vehicles ($16.99), crazy face ($29.99) and alphabet ($14.99). Ages 3-8.
Mandala Designer Mini – From Ravensburger, this toy makes it possible for kids to design and color their own mandalas. The stencil, a pen, coloring pencils and sheets of paper all store in a plastic carrying case. Ages 6 to 12, $9.99.
Tegu Blocks – These magnetic blocks are great for building and imaginative play, and the Pocket Pouch ($30) comes with six blocks that fit in a felt pouch, or you can bring along one of the larger block sets in the Travel Tote ($24). All ages.
Kidz Placemats – Make restaurant stops more fun with these fantastic place mats from Modern Twist. Each place mat is BPA-free and comes packaged with 6 dry-erase markers so you can use, wipe and re-use. Available at Modern-Twist.com, $8.
For some more ideas, check out Top 10 Kid Gadgets for car rides, and for games and coloring pages you can find lots of great (and free!) printables online.
More by NJ Family's Real Moms of NJ Blogger, Anna Sandler:
- Fun (and Free!) Things to Do with Kids in Essex County
- This Summer's Best Movies for Kids
- Great Stationery for Sleepaway Camp
