Travel Gifts for Kids

1. ALEX Touch & Feel Flash Cards

For ages 2 to 5: these double-sided cards are a top pick in the "Travel" category at the Dr. Toy web site. Each card has a different texture; and the back of each card has activities for parent and child.

2. Vtech - Disney Princess - Magic Wand Laptop

Inexpensive "laptop" educational toy has sounds, songs, a light-up wand for activating the screen, and a purple "glass slipper" mouse; teaches colors, shapes, counting, alphabet; ten learning activities in all. Age four and up.

3. Do Art Travel Easel

Another suggestion from Dr. Toy: portable art studio, for art in the car, or on the plane, or while you're away on holiday. One side of the easel has a chalkboard, one side has clips to hold paper, so your child can use the markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, all in the kit. Easy to carry.

4. Travel Etch a Sketch

Generations of kids have loved Etch a Sketch. This travel version measures 6 x 5.5 inches.

5. Hello Kitty MP3 Player

With changing faceplates and heart-shaped earbuds; and you can convert CD's into MP3 format.

6. Klutz Activity Kits

For your next car trip, try an activity kit made by the ultra-creative company Klutz Press, which publishes colorful, original hands-on "books" crammed with neat stuff and activities. Prices range from $4 to $12. The link above is just one sample, for "Tricky Stickies" - see lots more Klutz Activity Books)

7. iPod Shuffles

iPod of course is the giant among MP3 players, and lots of kids are already wired to one; but they may not have a Shuffle, Shuffles are fun, and much less expensive than regular iPods; they're tiny and almost weightless, and can clip only a coat collar or top of a pocket (which makes them good for sports like skiing). You can't display or organize your songs, but shuffles are definitely cool, and so are the colors they come in. (Read more about Pod Shuffles.)

8. Board Games

Whether you're on a houseboat, cruise ship, car trip, camping or resort trip, board games are a great way to spend some together time, on a family holiday.