We have road trips on the horizon! YAY!
And let me tell you something that works really, really well for us: road trip toys.
As in, we bring a big canvas bag of toys. Toys to play with at the destination, not in the car - just to be clear. (The car ride is another topic.)
Because yes, there’s so many fun things to do on our trips. But also, I need something familiar for KK to play with while we’re getting ready in the morning, or while we’re winding down at night, or while Joey’s napping, or while we’re figuring out dinner, or or or.
So we pack one of our beloved Lands End, XL Zippered Canvas Totes with toys for this reason. And I purposely choose toys that check five boxes:
the toy is open-ended and appropriate for a wide range of ages
the toy has proven to occupy KK for a long time
the toy can be easily replaced if lost or damaged
the toy is quiet
the toy isn’t an obvious danger to her younger brother Joey
So while these aren’t inexpensive Dollar Store trinkets, these are favorite toys that work for us, time and time again. Here’s what we bring:
a big, basic set of magnatiles
but we may not bring the whole set - some may stay home!
two sets of this magnatiles expansion kit to make CARS! maybe a set of roads, too
a set of good, basic blocks with any tiny pieces removed
but know our favorite, favorite blocks stay at home
one of two sets of basic train tracks + one set of trains
one set of kk’s favorite wooden vehicles
one set of this emergency vehicle carrier truck
a few cups, like our condiment cups
and a stack of the past few months' toddler magazines from our birthday magazine tradition
(PS: See our all-time favorite toddler toys. You’ll see all of the above toys on that list!)
And I pile all the toys in one of our beloved Lands End, XL Zippered Canvas Totes. I may also use my favorite zippered bags to separate things…or I may not.
I usually bring a bunch of crayons (or a big ol art set, depending on where we’re going and for how long). Perfect for a coloring book, a sketch pad, or those hotel note pads of paper.
This set of plastic cars always live in my car. (See the full list of things I keep in my car for peace of mind HERE.) We oftentimes have this big race car, this rain shovel, this digger truck, bubbles, and this collapsible bucket available, too. So these definitely come in handy for parks, rest stops, restaurants - you name it!
Bam. Done.
Yes, it’s a lot. But note that they all work together, or separately. The magnatiles could be played with on that metal appliance, but could also be used to build garages for the wooden vehicles. The blocks could be piled on that hotel desk, or could be used to make buildings around the train tracks. Not to mention those favorite wooden vehicles could be used in that emergency vehicle carrier truck. Our condiment cups could be for building, or bath time. And so on.
And my word does this buy us a lot of peace in those pockets of time where we’re not out exploring. Having this set of familiar, favorite toys is one of our Road Trip MVPs.
And now I’m thinking back to when KK was a year old, playing in the early morning light of our Santa Fe rental while I drank my coffee. Or at the beach when she was a year and a half old and we were waiting for Brett to bring back dinner. These toys bring back such fond memories.
And that alone is so worth it for me.
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