What Toys and Activities My Kids Actually Used on Our Texas Trip
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When you’re traveling with kids, the question isn’t just what to pack — it’s also how to carry it all without overloading yourself. On our Texas trip, we tried a new system and it worked beautifully. Each of our twins carried their activities in their own mini backpacks — just the right size so nothing was too heavy for them. They loved the independence of being in charge of their own things.
For our toddler, we kept it simple with a zippered envelope pouch. We carried it in our bag and brought out one activity at a time for him. It kept him entertained without overwhelming him with too many options at once.
And the best part? For once, every single thing we packed got used!
What We Packed and Loved
Here’s what kept the kids happy on the plane, at restaurants, and during downtime in the hotel:
Sticker Activity Books (Usborne) & Imagine Ink: All three kids loved these. They’re mess-free, colorful, and endlessly engaging.
Sketch Notebook & Colored Pencils: The twins sketched during meals and quiet breaks.
LCD Doodle Board: Easy doodles without carrying stacks of paper.
Small Lego Set: Great for focused building sessions.
Glitter Putty: Fun, sensory, and calming.
Tangram Travel Set & Monkey Strings: Portable puzzles for brain breaks.
Mini Play-Doh & Puzzle Erasers: Tiny but mighty for creative play.
Ocean Animal Suction Toys: Our son’s personal favorite — he stuck them everywhere!
Magna-Tiles Micro Travel Set: Compact, colorful, and surprisingly versatile.
Bonus Finds Along the Way
No trip is complete without a few unexpected treasures:
Buc-ee’s Coloring Books – fun, inexpensive, and very Texan.
Space Playset & Solar System Erasers – perfect for our little astronaut fan.
What We Didn’t Use
Shockingly… nothing! Every single item found its moment, which feels like a major parenting win.
Final Thoughts
The combination of letting the girls carry their own mini backpacks and keeping our toddler’s activities organized in a pouch worked so well. It gave the kids responsibility, kept things manageable for us, and ensured no toy went unused.
If you’re planning a family trip, this system is worth trying. Pair it with a few well-chosen activities, and you just might have your smoothest travel days yet.