Having an activity or book to read while traveling makes the trip pass much faster, no matter your age!
Here are some of our favorite books we’ve used in the car and plane for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. They’ve saved our day more than once!
Babies
The smallest hands need the most durable books! Something that can go in their mouth and not be destroyed, right? Slide and See books are the answer! These are engaging board books for very young children, with sliding panels to reveal secret images hiding below.
This is Slide and See Farm, but with 9 titles to choose from, you’ll definitely find one for your family to love!
Another favorite in our home are cloth books! We love the Hello, Baby series.
There are also crinkle books and Hush-a-Bye Rabbit which includes a cute little story.
Don’t Tickle books are huge favorites in our home! From our youngest baby to our 5-year-old, these books always bring smiles, dances, and laughs. Each page has a texture that makes an animal noise when pushed, then the final page has a dance.
One more recommendation that we don’t have personal experience with is the Tiny Tots Little Library! This set comes with six tearproof, waterproof, adorable books. Talk about indestructible!
Toddlers
In this stage of life, children love looking at books filled with simple illustrations! Here are some of our favorites to keep our daughters having fun while sitting still.
The 199 Series are eye-catching picture word books with detailed images to pore over and name. I love having one of these in my bag anytime! They’re a great size and keep us entertained for awhile.
Little Board Books are wildly popular in our home too! They travel well because they are small, durable, and have sweet short stories. We love the seasonal ones, as well as the new takes on classic stories.
Fingerwiggly Books have holes to poke your fingers through to bring the actions in these charming stories to life! They offer a guaranteed fun play-time experience for young children.
Preschoolers
We are huge fans of Wipe-Clean Books both for learning and for fun!
For the very beginning writers, I suggest Beginning Pen Control. Then get some Wipe-Clean activity books like Fairy or Space. There are some great card kits too like 100 Things for Little Children to Do On a Trip. I love punching a hole in the corner and putting them different sets on a ring. Worried about a dry erase marker in the car? Use a dry erase crayon!
What kid doesn’t love Sticker Books? We always have on in the car for restaurants, doctor’s appointments, and of course road trips!
From creating scenes, learning, making funny faces, or decorating spaces, there’s a sticker book for every child to love!
Hidden picture books never get old! The 1001 Things to Spot books keep ages 3 and up busy for a long time! Just look at the beautiful illustrations and all the images to find! There are 6 different hardcover books or the budget-friendly option of the Big Book of Things to Spot paperback volume that includes 4 different Things to Spot books.
I hope this book list helps you on your next travel adventure! If so, I’d love to hear about your child’s favorites. Where did you last travel with your books?
Jaime's Book Corner 