Entertainment for the under-2 set is essential when you’re on the go, and packing small toys and books in your diaper bag can lessen the stress of outings with little ones.
Consider packing engaging toys that can help keep babies and toddlers busy when they need to wait, like at a doctor’s appointment or a restaurant before the meal comes.
They’re also useful when your child must be in a confined space for an extended amount of time, such as strapped into a car seat or stroller. Also, handing your little one a favorite toy in unfamiliar surroundings can provide instant comfort and security, reminding them of home.
What’s possibly the most important reason to pack toys? They can distract curious babies and wiggly toddlers during diaper changes that are not fun and even less so when on the go.
In addition to providing distraction, entertainment, and comfort, take-along play can benefit your child in other ways. Toys featuring different textures can help with sensory exploration, while ones that require grasping promote hand-eye coordination and dexterity. And books can prompt caregiver-child interaction, which encourages social skills development.
Now, let’s talk about the must-have Melissa & Doug books and toys to take on the go. We’ve curated a list to make it easy to pack your diaper bag.
Top Melissa & Doug Baby and Toddler Toys for the Diaper Bag
PB&J Take-Along Toy
This adorable clip-on toy is a delicious way to entertain babies while stimulating their senses! Two plush bread slices feature corduroy peanut butter on one and satiny jelly on the other to delight baby’s sense of touch. The soft, rattling, double-sided jar is easy to grasp, and firm plastic peanut and grape pieces are textured to temp tiny fingers to touch! Bring the fun wherever baby goes—easily clip the six-piece, multi-textured toy onto a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, or high chair to keep it close at hand.
Peek-a-Boo Berry Take-Along Toy
Entertain babies on the go while stimulating their senses with this super-sweet clip-on Melissa & Doug Peek-a-Boo Berry Take-Along Toy! The soft plush berry with ombre crinkle leaves and smooth ribbon tabs is easy for small hands to grasp, shake, and squeeze. Open the slices to reveal a peek-a-boo mirror to surprise and delight and a silicone teething ring. Multi-patterned fabric is textured to tempt tiny fingers to touch! Bring the fun wherever baby goes—easily clip the three-piece, multi-textured toy onto a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, or high chair to keep it close at hand.
Ice Cream Take-Along Toy
Not only is the Ice Cream Take-Along Toy adorable and soft. You can clip it to strollers, diaper bags, highchairs, and car seats to keep the fun close—increasing the probability that you baby won’t toss it out of reach. Since babies learn and explore through their senses, your little one will love how the toy expands and vibrates! Consider rotating the Ice Cream Take-Along with the equally adorable and fun Bubble Tea Take-Along Toy and PB&J Take-Along Toy. After all, babies love exploring new things!
Flip Fish Baby Toy
The Flip Fish Baby Toy is another easy-to-pack plush that will delight your baby’s senses. Your little one can flex their finger strength with the squeaker tail and touch the crinkly scales for tactile fine. Plus, the toy’s shatterproof mirror can encourage your baby’s interest in faces and light.
Soft Activity Book - Itsy-Bitsy Spider
This sweet storybook tells the tale of the Itsy-Bitsy Spider and offers hands-on fun. The book’s attached pieces crinkle, stretch, and reveal hidden pictures, helping to promote sensory development and fine motor skills. Additionally, the book is durable and machine washable, a must for a take-along toy. This soft activity book is also perfect for when you need to inspire quiet time and napping when you and your baby are away from home.
Soft Activity Book - Whose Feet?
“Whose Feet” is another perfect diaper bag pick because the funny story encourages conversation and observation. Plus, its dangly feet encourage the baby to reach and grasp.
Rollables Farm Friends
The versatile and compact Rollable Farm Friends are easy to throw in your diaper bag and super fun for little ones. Rollables are easy for infants and toddlers to grasp, firm enough to roll, and soft enough to squeeze. They introduce cause and effect and encourage sensory and fine motor skills. When your little one is ready to meet new characters—switch out the Farm Friends for Rollables Safari Friends.
GO Tots Wooden Race Cars
GO Tots Wooden Race Cars are wonderful for stashing in your diaper bag. Your little one can flex their rolling, stacking, and grasping skills! Plus, they’ll love to drop the two double-sided chunky wooden GO Tots into the numbered wooden race cars and push the cars to make them spin! Numbers and colors on the vehicles inspire counting, sorting, matching, and color recognition games. How’s that for on-the-go fun?
By adding a few easy-to-carry toys to your diaper bag, you will be well-prepared to distract, entertain, and comfort your baby when away from home. It’s a simple way to keep your baby happy and make everyone’s life easier.
Read these blog posts for more great toy content from Melissa & Doug!
Themed Gift Sets for Every Age
Toy Spotlight: Cool Scoops Ice Creamery
Our 2023 STEAM Toys: The Experts' Stamp of Approval
How Play Can Help Kids Build Problem-Solving Skills
The Power of Play: How Fun & Games Help Children Thrive
Shop Melissa & Doug Baby & Toddler Toys
Explore Melissa & Doug Skills at Play
Shop Melissa & Doug Best-Selling Toys
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