Travel Days: What to Bring to Entertain Your Baby + Kids for Cars, Planes + Dinners Out

I'm going on a picnic and I'm going to bring along...an apple, a banana, a chimpanzee...an iPad and like, all the snacks in my pantry. Travel day entertainment has gone from The Flintstones to The Jetsons compared to when I was a little girl, but one thing remains the same -- kids just wanna have fun (And have full tummies. And something new to play with. And a bandaid for an invisible boo boo. You know, #momlife).

From airport travel to entertaining in the car or at a restaurant, here's what I'm bringing for my three kiddos this summer. Looking for what you'll need when you get there? Check here!

Bring this for the Baby

My Big Day Interactive Book

This fabric book has all the bells and whistles to keep your little one busy and let them do what they love -practice real life skills from teeth brushing to zipping and everything in between.

Jumbo Nuts + Bolts

My little 12-month-old is super into taking things apart and putting them back together. I purchased this to keep him busy on the plane and for dinners out. It comes with a travel bag and can even be used in the bath.

Doodle Pro Trip

This thing is awesome. My baby can scribble and erase and can't throw the "pen" on the floor. Win!

KAWO Musical Drum Toy

Sing along songs and interactive musical features (if you don't mind a little sound). I'm using this for our car and will only break it out in public if there's an impending baby meltdown.

Tengu Magnetic Travel Blocks

Bring this for the Kids

Wikki Stix

These are ah-mazing! Bend em, mold em, combine em -- let your kids' imagination run wild (and keep em quiet at dinners out) with these!

Crayola Pip Squeaks Travel (Washable) Markers Kit

This is a must have for my big kids!

Melissa + Doug Tape Activity Book

My daughter is obsessed with tape. I buy it in bulk and she goes through so much of it for her 'projects' that I never have any to wrap gifts or fix torn homework. I bought this for her to keep her busy as an 'on the go' project.

Travel Scratch Art Kit

Scratch away to unveil your design! Think lotto card, but for kids and it reveals pretty colors instead of $$. Haha.

Funny Faces Reusable Stickers

I'm saving this one for the plane! My kids are going to love adding mustaches to the ladies because, well, kids.

The Snacks to Bring for Both

Snack Trap

I like to pack my kids' snacks in these -- we use them for every day and for travel

Annie's Bunnies Variety Travel Packs

I like these (especially the graham cracker varieties) because they have some protein in them. They're organic, are the perfect serving size and they're delicious.

Annie's Organic Fruit Snacks

I save this for when they're getting antsy on the plane.

Kid's Cliff Bars

I always carry these along with me in case someone gets hangry. Bars aren't my first choice for the kids to eat, but in a pinch, I want them to have something to fill them up and keep them happy. When we're traveling, having healthy snacks takes the pressure off on keeping to an exact schedule. We can fudge it a bit and eat a little later if we keep the kids happy with a snack here and there.

Organic Protein Shake

If you've ever had a picky child, you know how much you worry about them getting the proper nutrients -- and sometimes calories -- that they need. When we travel, I especially worry about my little guy Sterling, finding something that he'll like to eat. I keep a few of these in my suitcase for him so that when we arrive, I have a backup plan for him so he doesn't go hungry when we're somewhere with new food to him.