You have your bags backed and passports in hand; you’re ready to start your vacation if only you can survive the long car or plane ride with the kids. We have found some Fabulous ways to keep your kids from uttering ‘are we there yet’ and preserve everyone’s sanity.
| Zingo! To Go |
If you like the matching frenzy of Thinkfun‘s original Zingo, you will love the portable fun with Zingo! To Go. Shake the Zingo! Zoomer Car to expose the two dice. Got a match? Turn over the corresponding light on your game board. The first player to turn over a completed Traffic Light wins! The snap-together game board is flexible enough for 2 or 3 or more to play and all the pieces fit into a handy storage bag when not being used. Thinkfun $14.99
| Melissa and Doug Flip Travel Bingo |
Melissa and Doug extend the fun of the traditional travel Bingo with this wooden Flip to Win version. Slip 1 of the 4 double-sided cards into the game board for extended fun. As you find an item on your board, just flip the wooden cover over. First person to turn over a whole row wins. Each of the 2 game boards have a sliding scoreboard at the bottom to keep track of wins. Great fun as a single player version also. Melissa and Doug $21.95 Cdn
| V-Tech V.Reader |
Turn your travel time into a reading adventure with the new V.Reader from V-Tech. A kid friendly e-reader, the V.Reader brings books to life. Kids will enjoy exploring stories with some of their favourite characters in this interactive, touch-screen panel. Just swap the cartridge to start a new adventure without leaving the backseat of the car. V-Tech $69.99 Cdn, $29.99 Cdn for additional cartridges
| TravelKiddy Activity Kit |
Entertain the kids with this bag full of surprises. From toys to crafts to paper and crayons and more, the TravelKiddy Activity Kit contains everything needed to keep kids occupied for the long haul. To handle minor mishaps there are also tissues, bandages, and hand wipes included. Everything fits nice and neat in a canvas bag for easy storage and carrying. You can choose Basic, Classic, and Deluxe bags based on age. TravelKiddy $29.95US
| Vacation Doodle |
The book Vacation Doodle will keep your quiet doodler busy creating wacky postcards, scribbling out crazy route maps, and filling in passport pages for the wildest of vacation destinations. From designing the most amazing ice-cream sundae ever to creating a dream theme park, this is a fun-filled way to unleash kids’ creative talents. Due out August. Sterling Publishing. $10.50Cdn
| Leapster Explorer |
For the techsavy kids the Leapster Explorer offers them interactive games, educational activities, e-books, videos and more, right in the palm of their hand. Kids can explore and learn with some of their favourite characters from Disney and more. Plus the Leapster Explorer is also compatible with Leapfrog’s Learning Path, giving you a heads-up on what your child is learning. Leapfrog $79.99 Cdn, $29.99 Cdn for additional cartridges
| Namits Brainstorming Game |
Looking for some fun with an educational twist? Namits will have the kids brainstorming answers to questions that are open-ended and have many possible answers. For example: Name things that spin. Name things that are soft. Name things that bubble. With a set including 22 waterproof, tear-proof cards on a key ring covering 165 different categories, kids will be busy, thinking. Namits $9.95US
| Alex Toys Car Valet |
Control the chaos in the backseat with this portable, adjustable, mobile play center and organizer. The Car Valet from Alex Toys attaches to the rear of the front seat and folds down for easy access to supplies. The front of the bag zips open onto your child’s lap, providing a bit of work space for colouring and crafts. When not in use, just zip it up and use it as a handy carrying case. Alex Toys $26.95 Cdn
| Magnetic Mighty Minds |
Mighty Minds develops creativity and helps children understand visual/spatial relationships. Kids learn how to manipulate and maneuver 32 geometric shaped tiles to recreate a pattern displayed on one of the puzzle cards (30 puzzle cards in total). In the Magnetic Might Minds the tiles are magnetic and stick to the tin making it an ideal travel activity. When your child’s not puzzling over these puzzles, the tiles and cards store nicely in the tin. Mighty Minds $19.95 Cdn