Hitting the road on a big road trip this summer? Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski stopped by ABC World News Now to show off the best toys to keep kids entertained on a summer road trip. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the spring and summer, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide.


BRIGHT BASICS SLEEPYTIME SNUGGLY (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)

  • Kids will get cozy as they learn with the Bright Basics Sleepytime Snuggly.
  • The soft blanket is a sweet spin on bedtime stories that reinforces bedtime routines for little learners.
  • Kids can put six plush animals to bed in their own habitat by tucking them into their own story-time pockets.
  • They will learn colors and shapes as they get ready for bed.
  • The blanket comes with a bedtime storybook and a parent activity guide.
  • Ages: 2+
  • MSRP: $21.99
  • Available: Amazon, educationalinsights.com

PJ MASKS FOLD N GO HEADQUARTERS PLAYSET (JUST PLAY)

  • This dynamic playset comes with four figures: Catboy, Owlette, Gekko, and Romeo
  • It also features accessories, such as a furball catapult, a furball, and three crates.
  • The playset features three levels of play for kids to recreate scenes from the show.
  • Use the ladder to climb the different levels and the furball catapult to keep intruders away.
  • When kids are done playing out PJ Masks adventures, they can pack up their figures, close the playset, and take it on the go with them!
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

SQUEEZAMALS SERIES 2 (BEVERLY HILLS TEDDY BEAR CO.)

  • Squeezamals returns with a second round of new characters, materials, and details.
  • Kids can collect more than 100 super soft, squishy, scented animals stuffed with slow-rise foam.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $7.99
  • Available: Target

ICE CREAM SHOP SAND BUCKET (PLAYMOBIL)

  • Scoop up the fun with the Ice Cream Shop Sand Bucket.
  • Serve pretend tasty treats with the included ice cream scoop and various molds, perfect for building ice cream cones out of sand.
  • Then, place the ice cream seller behind the freezer counter, at the bottom front of the sand bucket, to sell all the delicious snacks to passersby.
  • Kids can also use the bucket with sieve to either build sand castles or sift through the sand in search of shells and other fun stuff.
  • When playtime is over, store all the pieces inside the bucket and use the sieve as a lid.
  • The bucket has a capacity of about 1.5 gallons.
  • The set includes two figures, a bucket, a sieve, an ice cream spoon, two ice cream cones, two ice cream scoops, and a waffle mold.
  • Ages: 2+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Walmart

FINGERLINGS NARWHALS (WOWWEE)

  • Meet the new Fingerlings Narwhals!
  • These adorable unicorns of the sea have so many ways to play! Have your Narwhal surf air waves with the new magic motion sensors.
  • These Narwhals have a special mood horn that will light up different colors in reaction to interaction.
  • When you pet them, Narwals will flap their tails and blink their eyes to tell you how they’re feeling with fun noises.
  • Fingerlings Narwals will also give you Magical Kisses that get bigger and louder the longer you press their faces to your cheek!
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP $14.99
  • Available: Target, Walmart

THE ORIGINAL WATERFULS (KAHOOTZ TOYS)

  • The Original Waterfuls takes you back to the simpler days of play.
  • The original handheld game, this retro favorite is back with a whole new twist.
  • Choose from six different retro game panels inspired by classic arcade games.
  • Simply insert the game card in the back of the toy to challenge yourself over and over again.
  • No screens, cords or batterie — just add water then swirl, shoot, and score!
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $14.99
  • Available: Amazon, specialty retailers

 

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube