Traveling with the little ones can be a handful, but it can also be super fun with the proper prep. You must pack everything to keep them comfy during the journey. Let’s be honest: Long flights and train rides are no joke. One thing that works for me is putting together a travel binder with cool and educational stuff to ensure my kids are always happy and occupied.
What are travel binders, and how do you use them?
A travel binder for kids is a fun and practical way to keep them engaged and organized during trips. It can include activities like coloring pages, travel games, puzzles, maps, and travel information. It can provide kids with engaging and educational content to keep them entertained and informed, especially during travel or on the go. I recommend including 3-5 activities for car rides and up to 5-7 for long-haul flights.
In this blog, I will explore some fun and compact travel binder ideas to help you prepare for your trips. Some can be bought and customized, and some can be crafted as easy DIY projects. I would also love to hear about your experiences traveling with your little ones, so please leave a comment below this post.
Keep these activities as versatile and lightweight (very important if you are flying) as possible. So, the activities are carefully chosen to fit in a small space & easy to play with.
Coloring Book & Sticker Set
My little ones are obsessed with coloring books and stickers. Before a trip, I always stock up on new supplies, such as thin coloring books and stickers. Wipeable marker pens or colored pencils work best for keeping things tidy.
Some recommendations:
- These Pocket-size coloring books are lightweight but have many themes. For longer trips, go for the set of 5.
- I adore this sticker set for toddlers. This type of sticker book also comes in many variations. More importantly, the stickers are reusable, so you can peel them off and reuse the book on another trip.
- Crayola’s erasable markers are by far the best I have used in the market (in my opinion). It’s super easy to clean up afterward with baby wipes, and they last such a long time with their cap open, too.
2. Lego Building Set
My 3-year-old loves building, so we make sure to include a selection of Lego sets for her. We get these large building baseboards to go with her Lego sets. These are very versatile and compatible with Duplo, Mega & Lego brands.
If you are looking for building blocks, I recommend getting a colorful & non-theme set, so your little one can be creative with their building skills. This 100+ pieces set (photo above) is an excellent starter set.
3. Velcro Stick Builder
This DIY is easy, and your kids will have fun playing it. Get a pack of popsicle sticks , and a Velcro dots set. Simply stick them on two ends and separate the scratchy-end sticks from the fuzzy-end sticks. Then, hand these to your little one, and they can start building shapes right away.
4. Card Puzzles
Card Puzzles are also a good choice as they are lightweight and flat, making them easy to pack. Here are some of our favorites:
These ABC puzzle cards are adorable, and they come in 20+ sets, so you can switch them around when traveling.
These alphabet & number flashcards are an excellent puzzle choice for your kids to learn about words & how to count. The set includes 40 flashcards, so there are plenty to keep your little ones entertained. Check it out here.
These lightweight wooden memory cards make excellent traveling material. If you are traveling with more than one kid, suggest they play a game of memory cards and keep score.
5. Picture Book / Felt Book
Books are a great way of occupying your little ones. Here are some recommendations:
This Montessori felt travel book is an excellent choice for books on the road. It includes fun activities like tying shoe laces and zippers and exploring sensory surfaces.
If your little ones are in two ocean animals & dinosaurs. This set is packed with fun illustrations and sensory surfaces for your little ones to explore different animals & dinosaurs. The set is lightweight and made of fabric, making it easy to wash after your trips.
One of my favorite books of all time is The Hungry Caterpillar Book ; better yet, they have this version in soft fabric.
And if you are flying, add in two more activities below :
6. Magnetic Building Tiles
If you don’t know what these are, you’re missing out. These easy magnetic shapes can be snapped into many fun shapes, and they are an excellent set for your little ones to learn about shape formation. This set is perfect as it comes in 100+ pieces, so you can bring as many or as little pieces as you want.
7. Pop-It Collection
Pop-It are great sensory toys for toddlers. This set of 4 is even more fun in the shape of fun animals like dinosaurs, owls, crabs, and a frog (photo above).
So, By including fun and educational activities, we can make long trips enjoyable for kids and parents. Whether crafting your binder or customizing a purchased one, the goal is to keep the activities light, versatile, and entertaining. I hope these ideas bring more joy to your future travels with the little ones. Safe and beautiful adventures ahead!
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