Traveling over the holidays can be stressful, I know. We’re currently packing bags for our family of 5 to fly to South America over the holidays for a 3 week stay. As if cancelled flights, delays on the tarmac and long lines for airport bathrooms weren’t bad enough, you might be tempted to throw in the towel on traveling with Christmas gifts this year. Let me help!
Make the season merry, put on a smile, and “click” to purchase any of these tried-and-true children’s Christmas gifts that will easily pack into even the smallest piece of carry-on luggage. It’s a win-win: you pick up an all-star gift that slips right into your suitcase, allowing oodles of space for all your personal items and the recipient will beam as he unwraps the thoughtful gift you brought along with you.
Every single one of these toys was given a 5-star recommendation from my own children. Many of them are toys we own and love. *These gifts are intended to delight kiddos in the 3-5 year age range.
15 Kids Gifts You Can Pack in Your Suitcase (or Carry-on)
A Day at the Zoo- Spot and Find Puzzle $13
This vibrant, fun cartoon puzzle is more than just a puzzle! My kids love the “spot and find” feature, kind of like “Where’s Waldo?” built right into the puzzle.
These paints glide on with a wet brush and wash off beautifully. By far these were my children’s favorite gift last Christmas…and we still have paints left even after nearly weekly applications.
Practice makes perfect! What a better way to teach children to hold a real fishing pole than to play with this fun magnetic pole?!
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie $9
By far, this was and is my children’s favorite book, rivaled only by this one.
Every child loves showcasing their inner artist in the tub. These crayons wash off clean simply with water.
Superhero Cape $12
Trigger imaginative play with a colorful superhero cape!
Use these silly cards to build your own stories. Guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing, every story is different.
Because crayons are more fun in peculiar shapes.
P.S. Really “rock” this gift by pickup up a fantastic coloring book to go with it!
Every single Bible story points to Jesus in this incredible kids Bible. We’re now on our 2nd copy, my children “read” this so often both at nighttime for family bedtime reading and on their own.
Spy gear or jungle safari equipment, this pair of binoculars will bring out the Indiana Jones in every child.
Crayola Crystal FX Window Markers $6
Children love painting the windows with these bright window markers. I’ve never tried the crystal effects version, but we’re smitten with the vibrancy of the standard line- so much brighter than dry-erase markers, that I know my kidlets would giggle with glee to test these out.
Kite $16
Classic kid fun. If anybody has tips for how to fly these, please share in the comments! My children love kites even though ours has never flown more than a foot or two above my head.
Remove cleanly and add pizazz to the child’s room.
Backyard fun, guaranteed.
Share the wealth! Parents, do you have more children’s gift ideas to add to the list? Please share them in the comments and help everyone out!
Hugs,
These are such awesome ideas! We aren’t traveling anywhere this Christmas, but last year we spent a few days visiting my parents before heading off on a month-long stay in another state, and I wish some of the gifts we’d received had been small like this! Our car was PACKED! Thanks for sharing!
You bet, Chelsea! Happy to help. I know it can be really frustrating to do last-minute shopping right before Christmas, so if you travel with gifts in tow, it’s less stressful. Hope you and your family have a spectacular celebration this year.
We end up traveling every year and you would think we are professionals at this point, but no. These are great ideas and I desperately needed the reminder. This will make traveling a little easier this year. Now can you do something about the airport. 😉
Jared, I’d love to know how to save the airport hassle, but until you and I shell out for a private jet, I’m afraid we’ll have to make do 😉 Thanks so much for taking a moment out of your busy day to stop by.
These are all great ideas! I love that fishing pole for boys and of course the super girl cape and mask is so cute! These are great gifts for a few kids on my list and I think I will head over right now and look into ordering them! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked the options, Melissa. I’m always trying to find new fun gifts that will keep my kiddos entertained for more than a quick second. Have a great Christmas!
I love the superhero cape. Very clever. The face paints work. Love the bath crayons. Great gifts!
These are great ideas for those traveling and for those not traveling. I know several kids that would like everything on this list. These gifts will provide hours of fun.
Thanks for the encouragement, Gwendolyn! I just know my kiddos were pleased with them, so I figured other parents could get some ideas from it.
I always thought it would be hard on families who have to travel during the holidays. I love the cape it’s my favorite. The colored rocks look like fun too. These are really great options.
Thanks so much, Valerie. Kids love dress up, and buying them a superhero cape is an easy way to get them engaged in creative, imaginative play. Thanks so much for visiting.
You have picked out some really great gift ideas. My kids always get a book for Christmas and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a favorite of ours! We love the whole series.
I’m so happy to hear that your kids enjoy the whole series. I’ve been planning to buy a couple more in the series either for Christmas this year or for the kids birthdays next year. Thanks for filling me in, Kate!
We won’t be traveling anywhere this Christmas. However, these gift ideas are still great for us as we don’t have much space for bigger toys. I want my kiddos Christmas to be special regardless.
Books and puzzles are great since these can keep them company. These are also good alternatives to mobile apps and computer games that kids nowadays are addicted to. Face paint remover should also be part of the suitcase essentials if you’re carrying face paint.
I’m totally on board with you, Roch. I’m not at all a fan of techie gadgets, especially for young kids. Mine have none. Oil based face paints definitely would benefit from having a remover added to the gift. Fortunately, I’ve found that the dry add-water formulas remove cleanly with a wet washcloth- where was that when I was a kid, haha?!
What a great ideas, We didn’t travel every Christmas we had a tradition every year and My kids asking me to buy them a gift, So glad that you share this with us
We have been thinking of traveling at the holiday time because the kids are off of school. Since it is also off season for a lot of places you can get some great deals and smaller crowds….we think it would be awesome! But….the whole Santa thing…not sure how to handle that. These gift ideas are great for giving the kids a festive holiday while traveling!