Whenever we head to a café, restaurant, or any place on the go, I always have a child's backpack prepped with entertainment to keep my little ones happy while we're out.
We regularly include small cars for my vehicle-mad child, along with a colouring book, crayons, and a storybook. But here are a few of my other top compact toy recommendations, perfect for keeping little ones entertained for hours:
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow Colouring Books: These are brilliant. The pens only need a little water, and once the pages dry, they can be used again.
- Mini Magna-Tiles: Everyone in our house loves being creative with magnetic tiles, so it was fantastic to find a miniature set that’s ideal for taking along to restaurants.
- Writing Tablets: Something like the LCD writing tablet from Smyths Toys (around £5) is a great alternative to an Etch A Sketch.
- Squigz: Suction toys that stick to flat surfaces and can be stacked in different ways. They're great for pre-schoolers who love to build.
- Sticker Books: Reusable sticker sets are also a great option.
- Wikki Sticks: Another favourite, they are bendy, twisty sticks that can be moulded into different shapes.
- Busy Books: We always have one of these, packed with different activities.
- Wipe-Clean Books: Our "learn to count" and "learn the alphabet" wipe-clean books (we have Peppa Pig ones) are perfect for practising writing and numbers.
- Fidget Spinners: Even our baby (currently 10 months) loves these little spinners.
When you're out and about, it’s key to choose toys that are portable, quiet, and engaging. Here are some of the best options for keeping kids entertained:
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Busy Bags or Activity Kits: Fill a bag with age-appropriate toys, puzzles, colouring books, stickers, and small games. These kits are easy to carry and offer a variety of activities.
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Magnetic Playsets: Compact and mess-free, these sets come with scenes and pieces that can be moved around to create stories.
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Water Wow Books: Mess-free and reusable, these are a lifesaver when travelling or eating out. The colours and pictures appear when water is applied and disappear when dried.
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Travel-sized Board Games: Mini versions of classics like Connect Four, Uno, or Travel Scrabble are perfect for family fun on the go.
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Portable Art Supplies: A small pouch with crayons, mini colouring books, and a sketchpad can work wonders during wait times.
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Quiet Books: Fabric-based activity books with zippers, buttons, and Velcro elements. These quiet toys are great for restaurants.
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Travel-sized Puzzles: Look for compact puzzles with larger pieces to keep things manageable. Themed or character-based puzzles are always a hit.
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Sticker Books: Endless entertainment in a small package!
Keeping a variety of these toys on hand ensures your child stays entertained, whether you're waiting for food at a restaurant or travelling.