Gifts for Traveling Kids: Elementary Age version

Hi there! 

As much as I love fall, it’s time to admit that winter appears to be here to stay. And, let’s face it, the holidays are a magical time. While we won’t be traveling too much over the holiday months, that doesn’t stop the kids (and us) from dreaming of days on the road. Here are a few gift ideas to keep the kids occupied at home and while traveling. 

**This post contains affiliate links. Also, we haven’t tried all of the products but just think that they look like great gifts.

1. I mentioned this gift before, but I think it bears touching on at least one more time. I love IlluStory. It is great for kids who love to write and/or draw. This kit comes complete with planning pages. The kids then write their stories, create illustrations, and send in the pages to be turned into a “real” book. The kids could come up with fictional stories about long journeys or write nonfictional accounts of their trips or holiday breaks.

2. Mini Instant Camera: My son asked for a camera that “gives you the picture right away.” (Maybe those 10,000 photos on my phone aren’t that much fun for a 5 year old.) I think that this camera would be the perfect gift for him. And, unlike the underwater camera that my daughter asked for last year, he will be able to use it right away on our staycation.

3. Cross Body Bag: I was pleasantly surprised when my daughter asked for a cross body bag. My son immediately agreed that it would also be going on his list. There are sooo many good things about this. It is fantastic for travel, securely attaches to their bodies (no lost purses), and (most importantly) carries all of their snacks and trinkets so I don’t have to 😉

4. Travel Scavenger Hunt: This game is great for a road trip! It is more than a checklist. This is a scavenger hunt with a twist. Everyone gets to have a hand of cards, so each person is looking for something different. Not only do the kids have certain things to look for, but there are also Smell It, Feel it, and Swap It cards to make things even more interesting. 

5. Scratch Map: My daughter loves a good checklist (I have no idea where she gets it from-haha!). We are in the process of re-doing her room, and I’m thinking a scratch map should have a place in it. I love this one for her because of the watercolors and also because it’s a great way to review the states and their locations. 

6. MP3 Player: I have so many memories of my brother and me in the backseat on road trips listening to our walkmans (and my entire family telling me to Please Stop Singing! along to Mariah Carey). I would love something similar for my kids. When I searched around, it seems like an MP3 Player may be the best option. My 8-year old is desperate for a phone “just to hold.” Since that isn’t going to be happening anytime soon, I’m thinking that this MP3 Player might be a way to hold her over for now.

7. Travel Journal: I love this travel journal option for so many reasons. It is varied, has writing prompts, places for photos, games for the trip, and a place to save ticket stubs, etc. etc etc. Perfect to keep the kids occupied and to create memory books in the process!

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to San Francisco. We weren’t able to bring our kids with us on this trip, but from the looks of it, there were so many fun places for kids including a museum all about ice cream, a candy factory of sorts, and a double decker merry-go-round to name just a few. There was also the Exploratorium. I didn’t go in solo but did wander around the gift shop. TIP: Most museum gift shops are great places to get ideas for kid gifts! Anyway, here are a few that I am considering…

8. Jumbo Magnatab: This Jumbo Magnatab seems like it would be the perfect travel companion. Only one magnetic pointer and one board to keep track of– yes please! Both of my kids love to draw and the puppy loves to eat crayons. This is a great solution to save our eats-anything-and-everything dog but also wonderful for travel because it only has two main parts and I think it is small enough to stick in those aforementioned cross body bags. Oh, and did I tell you that it GLOWS IN THE DARK?!? It pretty much checks all of the boxes for my kiddos.

9. Magnetic Wooden Blocks: My son LOVES to build with Legos, which is great for home (until I step on a tiny block- ouch!). I’m thinking that these magnetic wooden blocks would be even better for travel (and a good addition to home, too) as they are bigger and easier to find under the car seats, under hotel beds, under plane chairs- you get the idea.

10. Art Board: As I mentioned, the kids love to draw. We have papers, papers, papers in the playroom, the kitchen, the car, their bags…everywhere. This art board is great- again, it comes with only main two parts. It requires only water and is reusable, so it is also a fabulous travel gift. Furthermore, I think my 8 year old will appreciate the sleek design and the way it sits up like an iPad. 

Looking for more kids gift ideas? Check out this post (click here) from last year. Not shopping for kids this year? Click for a Photography Gift Guide here and a more general Traveler Gift Guide here.