Top Travel Items for Toddlers & Young Kids—Tested on a 22-Hour Road Trip

A 22-hour road trip with kids—sounds like a recipe for chaos, right? Not when you’ve got the right travel gear! As a mom who’s been through it all, I’ve rounded up the best items that kept my 3-year-old and 6-year-old entertained, happy, and (mostly) calm during our epic journey. Here’s a rundown of the travel essentials that saved us on the road.

1. Organized with the Right Bags

First things first: organizing is key for a road trip with little ones. I used these amazing zip up travel bags to keep everything sorted, so I didn’t have to dig through a bottomless pit for the kids’ gear. (Seriously, these bags are a lifesaver!) Check them out here!

2. Mini Magnet Tiles + Cookie Sheet = Endless Fun

This set was a hit with both kids. My 6-year-old loved building with these, and my 3-year-old was all about destructing the towers. I paired them with a cookie sheet for lap construction, and trust me—hours of entertainment followed. Get your set here!

3. Magnetic Fun Continues

We also brought along these magnetic people, and let me tell you, they kept both kids engaged for hours. At one point, my 6-year-old had chains of them hanging from the ceiling (for the record, this was not my idea). Grab them here!

4. Interactive Travel Games (For Grown-Ups Too!)

These little handheld water games were a hit for both kids, though once they completed the goal, they were ready to move on. But you know what? The grown-ups got a kick out of them too. Find them here!

5. Durable, Long-Lasting Headphones

I can’t recommend these headphones enough. My kids are tough on gear, but these have held up for three years with zero issues. They’re wireless, have fantastic battery life, and can be plugged in for wired use if needed. Perfect for keeping things quiet when the road noise starts to wear on everyone. Get yours here!

6. Toniebox: Audiobook Magic

Toniebox was a huge hit, especially for my 3-year-old. It’s perfect for keeping them entertained with stories and music while keeping the mess to a minimum. We’ve had ours for years, and it’s still going strong. Pick one up here!

7. Water Wow! Mess-Free Fun

This was a win for my 3-year-old, who alternated between coloring and... drinking the water from the pen (don’t judge me). Either way, it kept him entertained! Get yours here!

8. Mess-Free Finger Painting

For a no-mess art activity, we brought along a fingerpainting book that was perfect for the car. Both kids loved it, and it was way cleaner than traditional paint. Find the book here!

9. Color Wonder Coloring Books

These coloring pages were fantastic for keeping things mess-free. Perfect for keeping busy little hands entertained without worrying about marker all over the hands and carseats. Check them out here!

10. Water Color Painting on the Go

Not necessarily for toddlers, but my 6-year-old loved this activity, as long as we had a secure place for her water cup. It kept her entertained during longer stretches of the trip. Pick it up here!

11. Dry Erase Mazes: Keeping Their Minds Busy

We got a dry-erase book, and let me tell you—it was well loved. My kids are currently in their “maze era,” and this book got tons of use. We had other dry-erase books, but this one was the go-to during the trip. Find it here!

12. Sticker by Number Books

This was another great way to keep my 6-year-old busy. She spent hours making animals while listening to audiobooks. It was a great combo of creativity and entertainment. Check out the kit here!

13. Kids Camera for Road Trip Memories

Both kids used and loved this kids' camera to document the road trip. It was fun for them to take photos and play games with it. Plus, it’s held up beautifully over the years—my daughter has had hers for 3 years with no issues! Get yours here!

Conclusion

Traveling with toddlers and young kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare if you’ve got the right gear. These items kept my 3-year-old and 6-year-old entertained, happy, and mostly calm on our 22-hour road trip.

What are your favorite travel items for kids? Drop your recommendations in the comments below!

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