This holiday weekend, many families will be hitting the road on their way to the beach! For kids, these long trips don’t have to be long and boring thanks to these great travel toys. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by NBC’s The Today Show to show of some of the best new toys to keep kids entertained and not constantly asking “are we there yet?”. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and for more on the hottest new toys of the season be sure to view our Spring and Summer Toy Guide.
- Combining the love of selfies with the popular pastime of singing karaoke, the SelfieMic allows you to become a pop star anywhere and create your own music videos right from a smartphone. Created by UK-based Worlds Apart, the product features a selfie stick with a working karaoke microphone and ear piece.
- The device syncs with music app StarMaker. Kids can record their own voice or lip sync to over three million songs, creating music videos which they can share with their friends—no camera crew required! Voice and video effects will make anyone sound and look like a star!
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
Kidizoom Action Cam- The Kidizoom Action Cam lets little videographers capture their adventures with videos and photos!
- Check out a family trip from the kids’ perspective, from the car ride, to the destinations, and everything in between.
- The Action Cam is a great first video camera for kids and is durable enough to handle drops and tumbles.
- It can go anywhere and do anything kids can do with two included mounts so they can attach it to their bike, skateboard and more. It also comes with a waterproof case so they can take videos and pictures up to 6 feet underwater!
- The Action Cam features a 1.4-inch color LCD screen and can take videos and photos in addition to stop-motion videos and time-lapse photos.
- Kids can also explore their creativity with fun effects, frames and photo filters
- They can download their photos and videos to a computer using the included micro USB cable and share them with family and friends.
- For even more fun, they can also play three exciting learning games.
- A new version of the camera will be available in June, called the Kidizoom Action Cam 180.
- Ages 4-9 years
- MSRP: $49.99
- Available: Walmart, Amazon, Target, Toys R Us
Fashion Plates Travel Design Set (Kahootz)
- Create fabulous designs on the go with the Fashion Plates® Travel design set! This portable Fashion Plates® set is the perfect take-along size and features mix and match travel-themed Fashion Plates®, crayons, paper, and a built-in storage compartment. However you get there, now you can be creative anywhere!
- Kits include 12 double-sided fashion plates, 10 sheets of paper, four coloring crayons, a rubbing crayon and crayon holder, a drawing tablet with built-in storage tray, and an idea guide.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Amazon, Walmart, Target
ALEX DIY Happy Little Loom (Alex Brands)
- The simplest loom you will ever need.
- A portable hand held loom lets you weave in multiple widths.
- Easy to use tools snap into the back for compact travel.
- Customizable so you can make a variety of projects such as belts, bracelets, scarves, headbands, purse, phone case and much more.
- Includes 15 rods, weaving tool, threader, brightly colored yarn, plastic
- needle, beads, and easy instructions.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $25.00
- Available: Early June on Amazon and AlexBrands.com
5 Second Rule- 5 Second Rule from PlayMonster is Best played with 3 or more players, Families & Adults – Ages (10+)
- Read a card and flip over the timer.
- The player has five seconds to name three things that fit that card.
- If they can’t name 3 correctly, the next player gets to try, but can’t repeat anything already said.
- The player to name 3 scores.
- Great for family fun and serious brainpower – in the car – think quick but seriously FUN!
- Ages 10+
- SRP: $24.99
- Available: Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us
- These plushies are two buddies in one.
- Each FlipAZoo features two fluffy characters that flip back and forth for two sides of fun.
- FlipAZoo is simple and easy to maneuver, and it even doubles as a soft pillow.
- Discover the complete FlipAZoo collection for a variety of characters, colors, and sizes that are great for fun on the go or at home.
- Ages: 2+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Fipazoo.com; Walmart
Y Glider To Go - These three-wheeled scooters each feature a removable bag, perfect for travel!
- Kids can hold their own luggage and scoot along.
- Lean to Steer technology allows for an easy ride.
- The entire scooter is foldable for easy storage.
- Available in two sizes for big and little kids!
- Ages 3-5 and 5-8;
- MSRP $79.99 and $99.99
- Available yvolution.com
