Whether you’re taking a long road trip to your favorite vacation spot or heading across town to the grocery store, having car activities for toddlers can make the journey more pleasant.
And just in case you’re a screentime-conscious mama, no worries. I have plenty of ideas that don’t require a technical device at all.
How do I entertain my toddler in the car?
Keeping your toddler entertained in the car doesn’t have to be stressful and only takes a little planning in advance. First and foremost, take into consideration the age and developmental level of your child.
Then, think about things they naturally like. Does your toddler like to color, work puzzles, or doodle?
Last but not least, keep in mind the amount of mess you are willing to clean up. Overall, keeping your toddler entertained can be mess-free, simple, and something they can do independently.
Here are a few ways to entertain your toddler in the car:
- Pack their favorite snacks.
- Keep their favorite songs on hand. You can have a sing along!
- Bring a few of their favorite toys.
- Gather some educational materials like books.
What should I keep in my car for a toddler?
To help keep your toddler entertained while riding in the car, there are a few key things I recommend keeping in your car.
Make and keep a car-only bag for your toddler.
Choose just a few items that your toddler can play with independently and do not call for a lot of pieces or supplies.
Although you may be tempted to stuff this bag with ALL their favorite things, keep it small and simple.
The key is to be able to trade out the items every few weeks or once a month. This will keep the car bag interesting and engaging.
Keep a clean-up bag in the car for your toddler.
This may not seem like it has much to do with activities for your toddler, but it certainly can! If you give your toddler something to write with, sometimes they can get excited and start writing on everything but their paper.
Other times, they can rip up paper and have a confetti party. This is where the clean-up bag comes in handy. Store a few small trash bags, all-purpose cleaning wipes, and any additional items that will make cleanup a breeze.
Keep a backseat organizer in the car.
This storage solution is perfect, especially if you have multiple kids in the toddler age category.
There are many to choose from, but this one stores drinks, snacks, small toys, and the like. Make sure to get one that is easy to clean and switch out the things you put in it every so often.
Travel toys for toddlers in the car
Now that we’ve talked a bit about how to entertain your toddler and things to keep in the car, let’s look at a few travel toys made specifically for your little learner.
These toys are great for helping entertain your toddler during your next car trip, along with imaginative play toys for toddlers.
Montessori Busy Board
This sensory board comes with 10 preschool activities to help kids develop their fine motor skills. This buckle toy features zipper snaps and a shoe tying teaching kit for kids that allows children to tie and zip their way into independent dressing skills.
The locks and latches on the wooden activity board are carefully crafted for your toddler to play and learn by solving the labyrinth, spinning the gear wheels, or by “clicking” the switch button.
Kids Car Travel Tray
This travel tray will save your life by allowing your little ones to be absorbed in coloring, eating, and watching – so you can stay focused and calm.
The raised sides help keep stuff on the board, while the mesh pockets keep toys, markers, wipes, and erasers secured and in place.
Its universal size fits most car seats, booster seats, and child seats perfectly.
Nuts & Bolts Bag of Toys
Your toddler will work their fine motor muscles to screw and unscrew these large plastic nuts and bolts.
Put all the pieces into the Skoolzy tote to keep all the nuts and bolts together.
These toddler toys can be used as sorting toys for learning colors and shape matching.
The building toys can also be incorporated into a kid’s workbench for pretend play when not in the car.
Magnetic Wooden Block Set
The perfect toy for building on-the-go. Whether you keep this block set in the car, the diaper bag, or the purse, now you can entertain your little “thinker” wherever you are. These blocks are fully compatible with ALL other Tegu Magnetic Wooden Sets.
Busy Boards for Toddlers
This busy board for toddlers features 14 different varieties of buckles, zip pocket, lace, etc., with a set of hook & loop alphabet, 123s, and letters(35 pieces total).
It’s designed with varying difficulty levels to be challenging, but not too much to keep your toddlers interested.
Keep your toddlers entertained while they learn math, spelling and develop essential skills like dressing at their own pace.
Conclusion
Keeping your toddler entertained in the car can be easier with a little preperation. Start with a plan and follow through.
Gather some of their favorite things, keep them in a car bag, and be sure to change them out often.
The suggestions in this post will help you have smooth car rides with your toddlers with little to no prep!
Save this to your toddler pinterest board!
