Trekking with young children requires patience and an easy-going attitude of saying, “It could always be worse.” As we prepared for our San Diego trip, I could only think of one thing: entertainment? What could I do to help with the four hour flight and for fun at the rental house?
In preparation, I thought about a variety of toys that may bring joy to the grandchildren. But what toys can fit in a suitcase already full of vacation clothing? To answer that question, I spent some time perusing the local department stores and discovered some treasures.
- Magna Tiles Travel Tin https://www.walmart.com/ip/MAGNA-TILES-microMAGS-Travel-Set-26-Piece-Magnetic-Construction-Set-The-ORIGINAL-Magnetic-Building-Brand/. I love this toy because of the endless possibilities and the fact that I found it at Wal Mart for a mere $8. I appreciate the case and beautiful beach scenery, perfect for our trip.
- Fisher Price Little People https://www.walmart.com/ip/Little-People-BOY-WITH-GUITAR/19396173236?classType=REGULAR My grandchildren throughly enjoy the Little People. You can find them for $5-6 in most grocery stores with toy aisles. The durability and non-choking size of these adorable figures make them a win for all.
- Melissa & Doug toys: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Melissa-Doug-Cheery-Lane-Cheeries-Wooden-Toy-Figures-Age. I always look for Melissa and Doug products in the toy aisles because I feel confident about the quality of toys. Imagine my delight when I discovered these bendable characters! For $10, you will receive four delightful figures. I broke the package apart and wrapped them separately. SCORE!
- Look around your house! The bookcase and playroom reminded me of unread books and forgotten toys. I located some small puppets and small books. Imagine my delight when my granddaughter played with the puppet on the airplane several times!
- Mini photo albums:https://www.dollartree.com/picture-frames/photo-albums Mini photo albums are easy to create! Because of my past hobby of scrapbooking, I located many printed photos in a drawer, but it is easy to print photos at your local drugstore.
- And what about the pipe cleaner? It is inexpensive and doesn’t take much room in a carry-on bag. This resource, https://onelittleproject.com/pipe-cleaner-crafts/ offers a variety of ideas to spark the imagination.
Electronics, missing from my list, is something that may help with lengthy trips, but so many toys can provide creativity and play. Snacks, another item my granddaughter enjoyed about the flight, can keep children occupied as well. What is your favorite toy to keep young children busy and distracted?
