Buzz
1. An Animal Island "Sit & Play" preschool learning system is a great choice for those long trips or quiet moments in restaurants. This gadget not only keeps your toddler engaged but also enhances their learning. With 60 stories, 25 sing-alongs, and 20 lullabies preloaded, there’s no need for additional purchases!
2. An I-Spy bag to help keep the "Are we there yet?" questions at bay on your next road trip. This sealed bag is filled with rice and hidden treasures for your child to discover.
Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 is a small business offering handmade items like cards, bags, and coasters.
This particular bag comes with a laminated list of 24 items for your child to search for.
Promising review: "My daughter loves playing with her I Spy bag! She gets so excited finding the items and comparing them to the card. It keeps her occupied during car rides, which is a huge plus!" —Jecceka
Shipping info: Enter your shipping details for an estimated delivery date. See Etsy's full shipping information here.
Purchase it from Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 on Etsy for $16.95 (available in different patterns and styles).
3. A kids selfie camera designed to keep your little one entertained on long car rides or while exploring new sights during vacation. They can capture photos of everything they see out the window. You can even join in on a game of I Spy. The best part? No need to give up your phone to your little photographer, only to end up with a bunch of random and blurry pictures.
4. A Fisher-Price "Laugh & Learn Smart Stages" Puppy or Sis so your little one can have a best friend they can take along on any adventure. It plays over 75 songs, phrases, and sounds, making it a fun and educational companion. Your child will learn shapes, numbers, the alphabet, and body parts while playing.
5. A wooden maze is the perfect backup to keep your child entertained when their iPad runs out of battery on an outing. Plus, the enclosed ball ensures that it won’t get lost during playtime.
Drapela Woodworks is a small business located in Houston, Texas, offering handcrafted wooden toys, decorations, gifts, and much more.
Customer review: "This maze toy was absolutely worth the price. The craftsmanship was top-notch, it shipped quickly, and both kids and adults had a blast with it! Highly recommend." —Catrina
Shipping details: Enter your shipping information to receive an estimated delivery date. For more shipping information, visit Etsy's full shipping details here.
Available for purchase from Drapela Woodworks on Etsy for $37.45+ (originally $49.94+; personalization is available for an additional cost).
A child-friendly LCD writing tablet that allows your little one to create endless drawings without the need for traditional art supplies. Plus, it’s super convenient as the battery lasts between 3 to 6 months without needing a recharge!
A portable Montessori busy board designed with zippers, buttons, laces, and buckles — perfect for engaging toddlers while helping them develop essential self-dressing skills. It’s not only a distraction for your little one but a learning tool for their independence.
8. Melissa & Doug Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pads — a fun and mess-free solution for keeping your little one entertained when Wi-Fi isn’t available and they’ve seen all their downloaded videos. These pads include a water-based "marker" that uncovers vibrant images without the need for any paint, crayons, or markers.
9. A set of dry-erase travel games that lets you and your little one enjoy timeless games like Hangman, Tic Tac Toe, Dots and Boxes, and I Spy during a long flight. These compact boards are easy to pack in your carry-on, but provide plenty of fun. They come with a small bag and marker for convenience.
August Fire Designs is a small business based in Bloomington, Illinois, offering handmade home decor, jewelry, games, and more.
Customer review: "Very cute and visually appealing kids' toy/activity! I got these for my step-kids to keep them entertained during travel or meals—without electronics!" — Tarah Ferguson
Shipping details: Provide your shipping information to estimate arrival. See Etsy’s full shipping details here.
Get a four-pack from August Fire Designs on Etsy for $45 (individual games are also available for $10 each).
10. Or a set of magnetic board games, perfect for family fun on a flight. The magnetic pieces ensure that your game won’t get scattered during any turbulence.
11. An amigurumi crochet kit that will keep your child engaged as they learn to crochet a cute dinosaur, making the wait during their next doctor’s appointment feel like no time at all. The kit includes clear, step-by-step instructions and all the materials they'll need to pick up a new skill and craft their very own crochet creation.
The Woobles is an Asian-owned small business dedicated to making crocheting simple and accessible for all.
This kit is ideal for older children. If you’re new to crocheting, don’t worry! You can choose kits based on difficulty, and there are plenty of beginner-friendly options available. Plus, you can get virtual assistance or email support if you encounter any issues.
Customer review: "As a complete beginner, I found this pattern incredibly easy to follow. The video tutorials were super helpful. Can’t wait to create more!" —K.S.
Shipping details: Orders are processed during business days. For Canadian orders, please allow an extra 2–3 weeks for delivery. Free standard shipping is available for U.S. orders over $45, and for Canadian orders over $75 USD.
Get this kit from The Woobles for $30 (also available with or without a hook and in additional animal designs here).
12. Search-and-find activity mats that are both reusable and engaging. Perfect for distracting your little one while they wait for their meal at a restaurant. The set includes six double-sided mats filled with hidden objects your child will enjoy discovering. Use the included dry-erase markers to mark off the items they’ve found, then simply wipe clean to start again.
13. A Melissa & Doug sticker book—perfect for keeping your little one entertained during a boring moment. This book includes a variety of scenes, with stickers that your child can add to each one. The best part? The stickers are reusable and only stick to the glossy pages, so no mess or residue if they happen to stick elsewhere.
14. A high-quality felt activity book packed with activities that will keep your little one engaged and prevent the dreaded, "Can we go now?" within 10 minutes. This book encourages imaginative play and helps teach your child essential self-dressing skills.
Kinder Krama is a small business that specializes in crafting handmade quiet books for children.
Highly Recommended Review: "This book is truly exceptional. The quality is outstanding, and it arrived very quickly. Everything was just as I requested, and the attention to detail on the pages is impeccable. I can’t wait to gift it to my niece, she’s going to adore it!" —toomey125
Shipping Information: Provide your shipping details to get an estimated arrival date. For more information, check Etsy's full shipping details here.
Buy it from Kinder Krama on Etsy starting at $92+ (available in various colors, styles, and book lengths).
15. A Polly Pocket playset because it’s like having a portable dollhouse! This set comes with two dolls, a floating water area, a hot tub, a tropical waterfall, and a diving board. Plus, it all folds into a compact flamingo, making it easy for your child to take it anywhere—whether on a car ride, a plane trip, or even while waiting for a meal at a restaurant.
16. A smaller, beginner-friendly version of a Rubik's Cube, perfect for keeping your puzzle-loving child entertained during errands. It's a simplified version of the classic we all know and love, made slimmer for easier handling by younger kids.
17. A magnetic dress-up game for your child, enabling them to create fun and whimsical faces wherever they go. This set comes with a convenient box to store all the pieces, with the lid featuring both a dry-erase board on one side and a magnetic board on the other.
