The number one rule when traveling with kids is to be prepared. In order to help you out, we’ve rounded up loads of our favorite small travel toys ready to pack into your carry on and bring on board—all affordable, and some for as little as $4. You’ll find toddler toys, picks perfect for bigger kids, and cheap fidget toys, all made for on-the-go fun. Now, put your tray table up and prepare for take off!

 


MindWare

Foil Art Sticker Pack

$8 BUY NOW

These foil art pictures will be a blast to make and a fun memory to hang up when you get home from your travels.


earthgrowncrayons via Etsy

Dinosaur Crayons

$10 BUY NOW

Bring along these dual-purpose dinosaur crayons on your next trip! They can color their next masterpiece and play with the dinos too.


ToyWiz

Polly Pocket Micro Compact Playset

$10 BUY NOW

This Polly Pocket Compact Playset is the perfect compact set to bring along on a flight. Your kiddo won't lose the pieces to this toy!


CharrelleDesign via Etsy

Glow in the Dark Tic Tac Toe Set

$10 BUY NOW

This Glow in the Dark Tic Tac Toe game will entertain for hours! It is such a fun game to play with others, and the glow means they can keep playing even if you have a late night flight.


Target

Lite Brite Mini

$9.99 BUY NOW

Make all sorts of wonderful designs with this Lite Brite Mini! Your little one can use inspiration from their travels for endless designs.


Melissa & Doug

Scratch Art Color Reveal Pad

$7 BUY NOW

This On the Go Scratch Art notebook is a fun way to bring art supplies on a plane. By scratching away at the black-coated pages with a wooden stylus, kids uncover pictures full of sea life. The bright colors and the addition of facts on each page makes it an artsy and educational choice.


Crayola

Globbles

$9 BUY NOW

Think of Crayola's new Globbles as a combination between a sticky hand and a stress ball - but without the icky residue sticky hands leave behind. They'll keep kids busy with squishy, mushy fun. Bonus: you can rinse these fidget toys off, so they'll be clean and ready for the plane ride home.

 


Target

LEGO Super Mario Propeller Collectible

$10 BUY NOW

This toy will entertain your child for hours in an airport. How fun to fly just like a plane!


Mattel

DOS

$6 BUY NOW

This card game will keep your family entertained for hours! DOS is just like UNO, but with some fun twists. DOS will make that long layover fly by.


barnowlkids via Etsy

Handcrafted Wooden Mini Vehicles

$10 BUY NOW

These handcrafted wooden vehicles are an adorable option for the airport. Your kiddo will be seeing so many vehicles around them already, it will make this toy that much more fun.


Educational Insights

Playfoam Squashformers Robots

$10 BUY NOW

Kids can build rad robots with the aid of the two molds that come in the Playfoam Squashformers Robots package. Playfoam is squishy, moldable, and no mess—these little magical foam bits won't stick to clothes or airplane seats. It's an on-the-go creative toy for your mini makers.

 


Barnes & Noble

LEGO Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Minifigures

$4 BUY NOW

Even Slytherins and Gryffindors agree: LEGO's Harry Potter mini figures are magical. In surprise packs, this limited edition series includes favorite characters like Luna Lovegood, Dobby, and a couple of versions of Harry himself. It's the next best thing to a trip to Honeydukes.


Paper Source

Itty Bitty Rainbow Squish Ball

$7 BUY NOW

Flying can be scary and this dough-y stress ball can help calm down any stressed out kiddos on the flight. It's also super fun!


Melissa & Doug

Reusable Sticker Pad

$7 BUY NOW

This sticker pad is reusable, which means they can create all sorts of fun over and over, no matter how long the flight is!


Plus Plus

Plus Plus Mini Maker Tube Unicorn

$8 BUY NOW

Step-by-step instructions make it easy for airplane travelers to make the featured animal, or they can use the plastic bricks to make unique creations of their own.


Mattel

Blaze and the Monster Machines

$9 BUY NOW

These trucks will keep your kiddo entertained whether they're buckled in their seat or not.


Melissa & Doug

On the Go Color By Number

$9 BUY NOW

Coloring by numbers is a classic and fun way to spend time. Your child will love this and it will be a great activity for quiet time on the plane.


MindWare

Lunar Landing Quick Sticker Kit

$9 BUY NOW

With this Lunar Landing Sticker Kit, kids can land on the moon, go on a moon walk, and explore outer space, all from the comfort of their airplane seat. The glow-in-the-dark stickers are ready to light up the night, and the fold-out moon scene makes for quick set-up and take down. If your kid has opted out of the space race, you can pick up a similar sticker kit with rainbow ponies or trains instead.


Target

LEGO Blue Bricks Building Starter Kit

$9 BUY NOW

Your child will enjoy building and playing with this blue LEGO set. They can use their creativity and follow the instructions or build whatever they want.

 


Toy Boarders

Toy Boarders Skate Series

$6 BUY NOW

Pick up a pack of AJ's Toy Boarders in the Snowboard or Skate Series, and you'll have many little green riders ready to catch air off the armrest. You'll get a bunch of cool parent points, and you'll have a happy, busy travel companion for the duration of your flight.

 


Target

Crayola Color Wonder Stampers & Markers

$10 BUY NOW

We love that this Crayola Color Wonder kit includes loads of artsy fun without the mess. With five fruit-scented markers, blank paper, five stampers and a chocolate-scented ink pad, little ones will be kept busy coloring and creating.

—Taylor Clifton & Oz Spies

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If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

Winter is a great time of year to plan outdoor activities around Boston with your family. Get your hat, gloves and warmest winter boots ready and find a new sledding hill, book a day on the ice or makes some s’mores by the fire. These are a slew of our favorite things to do in Boston in the winter. All you have to do is check off the activities one by one!

Editor’s note: As things continue to evolve due to the omicron variant, please remember to double check information for the most up-to-date changes before packing the kids in the car for an adventure.

See the Winterlights

iStock

It's not too late to catch the Winterlights at the Bradley Estate or at the Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens. This weekend is the last chance you'll have until next year!

Head to Your Nearest Sledding Hill

sledding
iStock

Boston has tons of sledding hills to choose from. Whether you're after trills on long hills or easy slopes that are perfect for toddlers, you don't have to look to far to find them. So, grab your favorite sled and get ready for a day in the snow! 

Read Stories in the Red Barn

iStock

Cows, crafts and a story are all part of this weekly time for toddlers at the Red Barn at Weir River Farm. Better get moo-ving!

Visit Chestnut Hill Farm

iStock

Chestnut Hill Farm is a great destination for the winter months as there's so much to do there. You can go on a Reindeer Quest or enjoy fire pits on Saturday afternoons. It's a bring your own camp chair situation, but they'll provide everything you need to roast s'mores and find adventures between bites.

Take a Night Hike

stock

World's End is where you'll find the start of this guided night hike that happens when the moon in out. Hikes are scheduled in January, February and March of this year.

Go Ice Skating

ice skating
iStock

Get ready to practice your triple axel...or maybe just skate a few wobbly laps with your tot (we won't tell). However you skate, enjoy this activity with the kids at one of our favorite ice skating rinks. It doesn't get any better (or quintessentially Boston) than skating at the Frog Pond. Enjoy it while you can! The Kelly Outdoor ice rink in Jamaica Plain is another of our favorites, and you've got through March to enjoy it. Make your way to Winter Skate at Patriot Place for a great big ice rink and amenities too.

Make a New Farmyard Friend

Appleton Farms is where kids can make a barnyard animal friend this winter. They'll soon be calling Angora rabbits, Nubain goats and the resident flock of heritage chickens their buds.

Explore Outdoor Art

boston deCordova sculpture park outdoor activitiy
Christina R. via yelp

The sculptures at deCordova Sculpture Park are just as stunning when they're surrounded by snow or cold hard ground as they are in the heat of summer. Learn about each one during a docent-led tour this winter.

—Allison Sutcliffe & Kate Loweth

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Calling all mini builders! LEGO just dropped some big news: it’s bringing over 20 new City-themed sets in 2022!

The expanded collection now includes everything from a police chase at the bank, hospital, rescue helicopter transport and more. Ranging in price from $10-$150, there’s a set for everyone’s budget. Keep scrolling to see our faves, then head to Lego.com in January to snag some new sets.

School Day

$70

Lunar Research Base

$120

Police Chase at the Bank

$100

Horse Transporter

$30

Fire Brigade

$100

Hospital

$120

 

––Karly Wood

 

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While we all need inspiration and motivation to go back in the kitchen and prepare our kids’ first lunches of the year, why not pick inspiration among these foods that are supposed to bring them good luck in the New Year? Get ready to update your grocery list!

Lentils. 
Italians eat lentils on New Year’s for wealth and prosperity because the flat legumes were believed to resemble Roman coins. Lunchbox ideas with lentils

Soba Noodles
In Japan, they signify a long life, but only if you eat them without breaking or chewing them. Lunchbox ideas with noodles

Black-Eyed Peas, Greens & Cornbread
“Peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold.” In America, back to the Civil War era, black-eyed peas were used to feed grazing cattle. Leafy greens resemble folded paper money symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Lunchbox ideas with corn and lunchbox ideas with peas.

Pork 
Its rich, delicious fattiness symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Pigs are also “root forward” with their noses, which is supposed to symbolize progress. Lunchbox ideas with pork

Fish
Asian cultures feast on whole fish to celebrate Lunar New year, while on the other side of the globe, Europeans eat cod, herring, and carp. They do stand for coinage and plenty of it. Lunchbox ideas with cod

Grapes
In Spain and Mexico, eating 12 grapes at midnight as the clock strikes once for each hour will bring you luck for the 12 months ahead. Lunchbox ideas with grapes

We can’t wait to see what you will prepare out of this food inspiration!

Photo: Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash

This post originally appeared on Teuko Blog.

Teuko is the first platform that empowers families to simplify lunch packing. Using Teuko, they can find and share kid-approved lunchbox ideas, recipes, and tips, all in one place. Teuko is transforming the lunch packing experience by boosting inspiration and motivation week after week. 

Lunar New Year begins Feb. 12. Panda Express has teamed up with Joy Cho, the Founder and Creative Director of Oh Joy! to create Lunar New Year kits so the whole family can join in on celebrating the holiday this year. The kits launch today, Jan. 11 and will be available online via the Panda Express Swag Shop.

Panda Express Lunar New Year

The celebration kits include exclusive Oh Joy! child and adult aprons (hand-designed by Joy), a recipe book (including a mochi donut recipe by Joy), 8 red envelope cards with good fortunes, 15 days of LNY celebration calendar and activity ideas (including a confetti cannon developed by Joy, see below), Panda Cub Club activity sheets, and more! 

“Growing up in an Asian American household, my family honored Lunar New Year traditions and built lasting memories that I cherish to this day,” said Joy Cho, founder and creative director of lifestyle brand Oh Joy! “I was thrilled when Panda Express asked me to collaborate with them to bring the vibrant celebration of Lunar New Year to families nationwide. Each year, I look forward to the memorable moments spent with my children and hope this box helps inspire and to bring joy to others this holiday.”

The total value of the curated Lunar New Year Celebration Kit is over $125 containing exclusive offers worth over $55 dollars. You can get this limited-edition kit for $50.88 plus shipping (within the U.S.) at PandaExpress.com today until supplies last. Panda Express will also be offering free shipping on all orders starting today January 11 for a limited time with the promo code PXLNYJOY.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured Photo: Panda Express

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Reebok, in partnership with DreamWorks Animation and Universal Brand Development has officially unveiled its Reebok x Kung Fu Panda footwear and apparel collection. The line features a range of pieces for everyone from toddlers to adults. The collection is available globally from Reebok.com beginning Jan. 8 before its wider release on Jan. 15 from select local retailers, in time for the Lunar New Year.

Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior”

Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior”
Reebok

Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior” features a furry suede upper with dragon graphic on top, a textile Pump bladder and pull tabs nodding to his iconic patchwork shorts, a collar lining that ties back to his belt and waist band, asymmetric Pump ball noodle and dragon graphics, a sockliner design paying homage to fortune cookies and Po’s journey to becoming a kung fu master, TPU shank at the outsole constructed with a bamboo finish representing Po’s fighting staff, and lucky number graphics at the heel as a nod to the year of each Kung Fu Panda film release.

Also available in Versa Pump for kids.

Instapump Fury “Dragon Warrior” retails for $200. 

Club C “Master Your Style” 

Reebok

Club C “Master Your Style” brings together each of film’s six Kung Fu Masters’ unique wardrobes via a tapestry of materials and colors: the toe for Crane’s pants, the toe box for Po’s fur, the crosscheck for Tigress’s kimono, the heel for Po’s patchwork pants, the eyestays for each master’s fighting foot wrap, the tongue for  Mantis’ exoskeleton, the heel tab for Monkey’s fur, the window box for Monkey’s wrist cuffs, the heel webbing for Viper’s scales and the collar lining for Po’s waistband. The shoe also features a custom Reebok Kanji logo at the heel.

Available in adult sizing. 

Club C “Master Your Style” retails for $110.

Club C “Calling All Zodiacs”

Club C “Calling All Zodiacs”
Reebok

Club C “Calling All Zodiacs” celebrates the unique ideologies and mentalities of each of the film’s seven Kung Fu Masters: Po, Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, Mantis and Shifu.

Available in adult, grade school, preschool and toddler sizing.

Club C “Calling All Zodiacs” retails for $100.

Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi”

Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi”
Reebok

Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi” celebrates the Soul – a key theme for Lunar New Year – encouraging wearers to believe in themselves and to trust their inner spirit. This narrative is brought to life with an upper graphic execution paying homage to the golden spirit world that Po enters in the franchise’s third film, an all-over spiritual graphic on the sockliner, a cherry blossom heel graphic and a sublimated soul graphic across the all-textile upper.

Available in adult, grade school, preschool and toddler sizing. 

Zig Kinetica “Master of Tai Chi” retails for $140.

 

Reebok x KFP Apparel

Reebok x KFP Apparel
Reebok

Complementing the robust footwear lineup the Reebok x Kung Fu Panda collection also offers a full range of complementary apparel including hoodies, crew sweaters, short sleeve tees and sweatpants honoring Po’s journey to become the Dragon Warrior.

 

The footwear arrives in Lunar New Year-inspired packaging. The box’s red top symbolizes the red envelopes exchanged at holiday celebrations, while the base presents an action-packed graphic mashup bringing together themes from the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Inside, fans will find product wrapped in tissue paper that  provides a restaurant-style menu of Reebok x Kung Fu Panda footwear offerings.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Reebok

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While 2019 was definitely a big year for Disney Parks (thank you, Galaxy’s Edge), the new year is shaping up to be just as exciting. The Imagineers have been hard at work crafting new rides, revamping classic attractions and whipping up new tastes for parkgoers and you won’t want to miss any of it. Keep reading to make sure you’re in the know for each and every upcoming event happening at Disney Parks next year.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

1. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, the first Disney ride-through attraction featuring the mouse duo will open Mar. 4.

2. Check out the new Mickey Mouse-themed seats at Disney's Hollywood Studios Mickey Shorts Theater starting in March.

Disney Springs

3. In the first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, a new show hits the stage at Disney Springs. Guests will be treated to a journey through an animator's desk, where images come alive. 

Epcot

4. Epcot International Festival of the Arts debuts Jan. 17 and will continue for 39 days through Feb. 24, 2020. Guests will enjoy artists, foodie finds and hands-on opportunities to embrace their own artistic skills.

5. Three new films will debut Jan. 17 at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts: “Awesome Planet,” in the Land pavilion, “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” in the France pavilion and “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” in the Canada pavilion.

6. This summer Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will open in the France pavilion and will bring guests "on a super-sized adventure with Chef Remy through Gusteau’s restaurant."

7. Napkins out! Enjoy Epcot's new restaurants that include Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue at The American Adventure in Epcot, Space 220 next to Mission: SPACE and Roundup Rodeo BBQ coming to Toy Story Land.

Disneyland

8. The long-awaited attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance finally opens on Jan. 17.

9. Celebrate 80s Nite on Jan. 29 and Sweethearts Nite Feb. 12-13 as part of Disneyland After Dark, special after-hours ticketed events.

10. Starting Feb. 28, catch the brand new "Magic Happens" parade as it travels down Main Street, U.S.A.

Disney's California Adventure Park

11. Grab your capes because the Avengers Campus will open at Disney's California Adventure Park in 2020. The new area will feature the first Disney ride-through attraction to showcase Spider-Man.

12. Celebrate the Year of the Mouse Jan. 17-Feb. 9 during the limited-time festival, “Hurry Home–Lunar New Year Celebration." Parkgoers will enjoy Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, a Lucky Wishing Wall, and tasty food options inspired by Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures.

13. Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will return Feb. 28 through April 21, 2020. Enjoy limited-edition wine and food pairings in addition to live entertainment.

14. Enjoy Disneyland After Dark events including Pixar Nite (Mar. 5) and Villains Nite (Apr. 30), both of which are special after-hours ticketed events.

15. Anna and Elsa's dresses get a Frozen 2 update, which can be seen in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” at Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome.

16. Celebrate Halloween Time at the Oogie Boogie Bash–A Disney Halloween Party, a separately ticketed event on select nights Sept.–Oct. 2020.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Disney

 

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Do your master builders dream about jetting off to the red planet? NASA wants them to create the perfect LEGO spaceship to Mars.

LEGO is currently accepting submissions through LEGO Ideas for space vehicles that are worthy of carrying LEGO people to Mars. Designers 13-years-old and up can submit their self-created designs either by submitting photos of their brick creation or designing one online with the LEGO Digital Designer.

photo: LEGO

Many LEGO Ideas submissions have been turned into actual LEGO sets, so your unique entry could very well end up in homes across the globe. One Grand Prize winner will definitely be awarded a stellar package of space-themed LEGO sets including LEGO City Lunar Space Station, LEGO Creator Expert Lunar Lander, LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V and several more. Two runner up prize packs will also be awarded.

If you need some inspiration for your entry, check out some of the creative entries that have already been submitted, including a pizza delivery ship and a space pirate ship.

photo: LEGO

Entries will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2019, at 6:00 a.m. EST and then the judging phase will begin. Winners will be announced no later than Aug. 22. Check out the complete rules of entry here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of LEGO

 

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