Now here’s a subject every parent has had to get creative with. Whether it’s a trip to Grandma’s house, a drive to the state parks and beaches for an outing or that long road trip exploring what lays beyond the four corners of your neighborhood. Travel toys can be an ongoing challenge that’s also an absolute necessity when children are included on that trip. There are the old favorites like the “license plate” game, the alphabet game that can take up a good portion of the road trip depending on how scenic the roads you travel are. There. But sometimes children would rather entertain themselves and have something more hands on to entertain themselves with.   Take some time with your child to develop a “Travel Pack” equipped with all necessities for any long outing. These packs can include some child-friendly snacks as well as a toy or two keep them entertained. While a stuffed animal of some sort will almost certainly make the cut, there are many toys offered today that can help kids learn and enjoy themselves.  In today’s tech era, hand held video games like Gameboys and PSP’s, are grabbing the attention of young children and brain matter. Doesn’t matter where they are or what they are doing, these handheld contraptions are all the rage and they are not going away.  However, for our younger generations there are educational video games now available to parents. It comes down to a “If you can’t beat them join them” kind of philosophy. Incorporating the educational fulfillments required to raise our children into this video era was brilliant. It most assuredly raised levels of gratitude for the parents of the world as well.  Sometimes noise levels are a factor and travel toys have to have the “hush” factor built into them. This scenario is usually experienced up in the blue yonder. If you have traveled with your children on an airplane, then it’s a pretty safe assumption that looks of disapproval have been thrown your way due to the noise a child is making. Two phenomenal toys for airplane travel are the Wooden Magnetic Animal Habitat Set and the Magnetic Pattern Block Kit, by Melissa and Doug. The Animal Habitat Set includes 26 play pieces and 3 durable habitat cards featuring a farm, ocean, and the African Plains.  The Pattern Block Kit includes a magnetic hand painted wooden board, 12 durable pattern cards and 120 magnetic wood shapes. You simply slide a pattern card into the wooden frame and match the pieces with the shapes in the pictures. What makes these two toys perfect in particular is that they both come in a sturdy carrying case with an easy zip back pocket for storage. Your children can be just like Mom or Dad with their own carry on brief case, filled with fun. No fuss, no mess, it all fits into one convenient place. How’s that for making everyone happy while flying the wild blue skies, as well as making that long drive more of a pleasurable experience for all. Have a nice trip!