Overseas Checklist – Toys for the trip

General Toys for the trip

1. An inflatable world globe.

You can make a game where he can throw it to people in the waiting room and they can show him the country they are from.

Can get people talking, but check to see it is not annoying.

This is great for the pool too.

2. Trash Packs

• Small hanging toys you can clip to their backpack
• Small collectible toys
• Toy soldiers: Small and easy to pack, can be political in some countries I am told
• Yoyo
• Pack of Cards
• Magnetic board games especially for travel
• Cars, trucks etc.  Matchbox etc

When your child becomes bored with their toys, encourage them to give them to the village children.

©Exploramum and Explorason – sharing toys

Books and Activities

Journal

Balloons are ideal – they take almost no space.

Electronic Games and Toys for the trip

Remember the power chargers!

 DSi – can take photos and can be expensive, so ensure they are not left on planes

Can buy an R4 card on some websites that hold 20 – 40 games as a cheaper option

 iPod with touchscreen

Besides loading it with games, you can add a movie, all the child’s photos, and some educational apps including languages.

Packing sand and beach toys are also important if you have young ones.

Other sitting activities and rest time

Planes and buses are also a great time to catch up on your child reading to you, doing their journal, and other studies. Use your sitting time as a classroom, and remember to give the child enough breaks.

Encourage the child to get up and walk the aisles with you, to drink lots of water, and if need be, catch up on sleep. Try to get some sleep yourself, as you are in total control and sleeping in a plane, provided that your valuables are tucked away, is pretty safe.

Try to limit the time your child has on electronic equipment. Early days of the wrist, thumb, and eyestrain are the new health issues among minors.

There is a great selection of Apps you can add to iPods and computers for kids to have fun while learning.

Try to offer at least one of these sessions. Fun with Mathematics is a great one to use.

A favorite toy in all the photo’s

You can make a bit of an adventure of Rupert the Bear or whatever their favorite toy is to be in some photos too.

Can you suggest some others Toys for the trip?

We would love you to suggest some great things for us that won’t weigh us down too much.

• Do you carry your child’s toys while traveling, or would you rather buy them new ones?
• How else do you keep your child entertained throughout the trip?
• kindly share your comments below.