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Travel activities for Babies and Toddlers

Travel Sensory Activities: Taking Baby on Vacation

ByKara Carrero
A couple of weeks ago I told my husband that I was stressing about our upcoming trip to Maui and that I was dreading packing. This past weekend I worked on a few different ideas to take with us on our trip and while I was showing him what I had created his comment was “Now I know why packing is stressful, you are thinking of the details”.
It’s true. I am a detail person.
So when someone says we’re going on vacation and will be on a plane for over 8 hours straight, my first thought is “I need to make some easy travel games for baby”. While we will still take small wooden toys and some of our go-to toys from home, portability and easy of use on an airplane is a plus. Also, travel sensory activities are a little out of the ordinary, so that was of highest priority on my “to-create” list.

This post contains links to products I recommend and/or our family uses regularly and we may receive a commission. 

So I made some Game Files for travel! These would be great for a long car ride, airplane ride, or even if you have a home office and want to give your child their own filing cabinet to play while you get your work done. I tried to make them as a fun baby play activity, but also something that I could use when my children are a bit older too.

The first thing I did was locate some laminated folders for durability. I have both file folders and pocket folders. These I just made with file folders though.

The first game file I made was a gradient color, sensory game that has accompanying play questions for when my baby is older. Each square is both a different color and a different texture. I wrapped a square piece of cardboard in each fabric and then secured them with some hot glue. Finally, I put some velcro on the back of them and then velcro on the folder so they could be arranged.

Here is how I folded the fabric around the cardboard. (click anywhere but the pinterest button on the picture to enlarge).

The second file I made was all things that STRETCH!

  • physical therapy band
  • hair tie
  • headband
  • rubber bands
  • pants elastic
I cut each one to fit nicely and then used a long stapler to attach them to the file folder. I used another headband to hide all of the staples on the side that is played with, and glued another folder to the outside to hide the sharp parts of the staples.
To ensure that it doesn’t get torn up, I place hand on each one where the tab ban is so each item does not rip off of the folder.

For more travel ideas, explore the related posts/category below.

Traveling with small kids - activity ideas  busy bags

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5 Comments

  2. I LOVE the Stretch File! I do a lot of traveling with my tot (which I recently blogged about), and I’m always looking for new things to take on the plane to entertain her. This would be great, especially since it would fit so easily into the diaper bag. I made a felt “book” for our last trip, which she loved because she loves sensory activities. I bet she’ll love the stretch file too. Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    1. Kara Carrero says:

      I am so glad that you like it! We are constantly trying to find ideas because we like to travel as a family. In fact I literally just posted some other travel ideas (http://wp.me/p45x1U-7m). Felt books are a LIFESAVER on plane rides. I hope you find lots of great resources to keep your little one constantly entertained 🙂

  4. Pingback: 36 Road Trip Games, Activities and Printables

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