simple toys we pack when traveling

I wanted to share what I’m packing for my three year old for this year’s beach trip. Now, before I begin, I feel like I need to disclose that yes, there are approximately one million toys I could link and tell you about that any preschool aged child would love! However, for this post, I want to share with you SIMPLE things I have found that we will be bringing on our family beach trip this year. If you’re looking for some of my favorite travel picks for traveling as a family, be sure to check out that post here.

Outside of beach toys, pool toys, outside toys, there are a few easy things I’m bringing for my daughter for when we’re at the house or in a restaurant that:

1. Don’t take up a lot of space
2. Don’t have a lot of pieces (more pieces = more lost pieces)
3. Aren’t messy
4. Are “new” to her, and not part of her regular routine at home…this is vacation, isn’t it?

I try to save anything like dot markers, regular markers, bubbles, chalk, etc. for when we’re at home. Whether you’re renting, visiting family, or are in a hotel, these items are asking for it in the mess department. Anything that could turn into a project, we bag up to bring home. For example, last year we packed up our sea shells to paint when we got home. We added googly-eyes and they were PRECIOUS! See my seashell IG post from last summer for that one…it was too cute!

I like to pack a lot of our things in these clear cases. I use them for everything, and all of my teaching units from when I was in the classroom are actually organized in these in a closet at my house. They are stackable, these stay shut, some have handles, and I love that you can see through them to see what’s inside. The best part is that they make it very, very easy to transport things in them…And for smaller things like crayons or playing cards, I love love love these photo cases. I used my Cricut to add my daughter’s name on it, and I love that they come in an array of colors.

For our trip, I’m going to put a coloring book, triangular crayons (they don’t roll off a table! Think: restaurants’ icky floors under tables…), color wonder markers/coloring sheets, paint with water pads, and color by number sheets. Color by number sheets are something new for my daughter, and I think she likes it because it’s not passive coloring…she’s not into just sitting and coloring as much as I’d like her to be, but I think that will come as she gets a little bit older and her fine motor skills/hands develop more. To her, the color by number sheets are a challenge-like a puzzle! I found these on Pinterest, and yes, they’re free! I printed out 5 different sheets to put in the case. These will be great when we’re winding down from a day on the beach, waiting for a meal, or even at a restaurant! (Post update: all we do is color these days, and I love it!)

Another thing I like to do with these cases is to use them to hold activities/games that otherwise would be super messy and unorganized…you know, the ones that come in packaging that is not conducive to a child actually using the toy? My daughter loves these magnetic fashion dolls, but the packaging literally didn’t have a top to it once it was opened! These cases are perfect for keeping everything together! I’m packing our favorite memory game and luckily, it comes in its own cute box that’s easy to pack!

My favorite games to pack are definitely Zingo! and picture dominoes. Zingo goes against my rule on packing something with a lot of pieces, but it is worth it! Many players can play at one time, and it really isn’t age exclusive. A three year old can have just as much fun as a 73 year old with this game! It is essentially bingo but with a cool “zinger” that deals the chips.

We also love to play Go Fish using our Eric Carle rummy cards (We’re working up to playing actual rummy), and picture dominoes are THE perfect thing to spread out on a front porch or living room floor on vacation! I am also surprising my daughter with this game for our trip this year (she’s five now as I edit this post!)

I’m probably the most excited about taking the Magnetic Tiles…I can’t wait to see what is created with these! These are so wonderful for allowing children to build, create, test, and use their imaginations…they’re a great alternative to Legos for our beach week. The pieces are larger than Legos, so I’m not worried about losing pieces or them being scattered all over the beach house. I was very happy to score them almost half off during Prime days in June! These PLUS the magnetic fashion dolls can fit in the clear cases!

I will say that my number one thing to pack for a long car ride, a restaurant, or for when we’re waiting somewhere is this drawing tablet! I’m not really one for “devices” unless it’s an absolute last result. I like that my children can easily hold this while they create over and over again, and without the use of technology!

Finally, for outside, I am bringing some larger paint brushes so we can “paint” the cement with water. These are also a great thing to have in your pool bag, so kids can paint the cement that lines the pool with the pool water! We will be “painting” the cement drive way of where we’re staying on our trip!

We will also pack some baby dolls and books. I want my daughter to “find” her fun in what we’re doing on vacation: the beach, a field trip adventure, ferry ride, mini golf, seashell hunting, walks, etc. These activities/toys are mainly for down time back at the house so were not rotting in front of the television 🙂

And for my sweet baby boys (age 3 months)? I’ll be bringing this black and white contrast book to kick tummy time up a notch! I’ll also be bringing their activity mat…the boys are just starting to interact with it! It folds up nicely too, so *fingers crossed* I can squeeze it in the back of the car.

Oh, and how do I pack it all together? In my all-time favorite Scout bag! I own six large Scout bags, is that ridiculous? I have one of these reserved just for kids toys…and if they don’t all fit in here, then they don’t go with us! *wink*

And there you have it! The goal is to bring toys that are easily packed, cleaned up, and don’t take up a lot of space! Be sure to also visit my post with my favorite travel picks by clicking here!

What’s your favorite thing to pack for your kiddos on vacation? I’d love to hear about it-leave a comment below or shoot me a message!