When travel time stretches into hours, keeping kids engaged is essential. The right travel activity kit can transform a long car ride or plane trip into a creative, enjoyable experience. Below are five top-rated kits designed for portable play, mess-free crafting, and easy storage. Each option offers a unique blend of art supplies, compact design, and kid-friendly activities ideal for road trips, flights, or hotel stays.
Summary of chosen products:
- Kittrich EZDesk Travel Activity Kit — Laptop-style desk with a 64-piece art set, portable and organized in a carry case.
- Crayola Create ‘N Carry Travel Art Set — 75 pieces, dual purpose as lap desk and carrying case for on-the-go creativity.
- Crayola Pip-Squeaks Marker Set — 65-piece washable markers with paper, designed for smaller hands and easy cleanup.
- Bright Stripes On-The-Go Dotty Ocean Kit — Compact, mess-free coloring with crayons, dot stickers, and an activity book.
- Ooly Travel Art Kit — 9 jumbo crayons and 48 themed coloring pages in a convenient travel case.
These options emphasize portability, kid-friendly design, and mess-free or easy-cleanup features, helping families choose the right kit for different ages and travel styles.
Kittrich EZDesk Travel Activity Kit
The EZDesk Travel Activity Kit combines a laptop-style desk with a 64-piece art set, offering a self-contained workspace for young creators. The laptop-inspired design helps kids feel grown-up while keeping supplies organized in easy-view mesh pockets and zipper compartments. Supplies store neatly in a sturdy polyester carry case, making setup quick and travel-ready. This kit suits homeschoolers or families seeking a compact, versatile crafting station for car rides, flights, or hotel stays.
Key features include a functional writing surface, a broad variety of art supplies, and a durable carry case that helps minimize clutter. The compact dimensions fit overhead bins or car seats, and the built-in case pockets keep items accessible and secure during movement. Parents appreciate the organized layout, which supports independent play and reduces the need to scoot around for missing materials.
Ideal for: ages 4–9+, early elementary artists, and families seeking a single, multipurpose travel desk. The kit’s design encourages focus on creative tasks while providing a practical workspace that travels as easily as a tablet or book.
Crayola Create ‘N Carry Travel Art Set
The Crayola Create ‘N Carry Travel Art Set is a versatile 75-piece kit designed for on-the-go creativity. It features a two-in-one design that functions as both a storage case and a lap desk, making it easy to organize supplies and use them anywhere. The kit is a thoughtful gift option for holidays or birthdays, offering a comprehensive set of tools to support drawing, coloring, and crafting while traveling. The compact carry solution helps minimize luggage bulk and keeps art activities accessible for kids during transit.
Highlights include a wide assortment of Crayola art tools, intuitive storage, and a flat surface for drawing on laps or small tables. The kit’s portable construction supports quick setup and teardown, which is ideal for short layovers or long car trips. It’s suitable for children who enjoy themed crafts, color coordination, and hands-on art activities that are both educational and entertaining.
Best for: kids ages 4–9 who benefit from a complete kit with easy organization, plus parents who want a single, portable art station that travels well with kids.
Crayola Pip-Squeaks Markers Set
The Crayola Pip-Squeaks Washable Marker Set includes 65 pieces, featuring 25 Pip-Squeaks markers and 40 sheets of quality paper in a dedicated art case. The markers are sized for small hands, making them comfortable for younger children to grip and control during drawing, doodling, and coloring on the go. Washable ink minimizes stress for parents, enabling easier cleanup if colors get on skin or clothing. This kit is especially suitable for travelers who want quick, low-muss activities that still offer creative expression.
Clean-up is streamlined with washable markers, reducing prep time for travel scenarios. The set encourages extended projects with ample paper stock, which is helpful for car rides where kids want to repeatedly start new drawings without needing immediate replacements. The compact case makes packing straightforward and travel-friendly, fitting easily into travel bags or backpacks.
Ideal for: children who enjoy markers, coloring pages, and quick craft projects that travel well, without a heavy or bulky kit.
Bright Stripes Ocean Travel Kit
The Bright Stripes On-The-Go Dotty Ocean Travel Kit offers a compact, mess-free color experience designed for ages 3 and up. The kit includes a themed 50-page activity set, 294 dot stickers, and 8 chunky crayons, supporting imaginative play and creative exploration anywhere. It’s particularly well-suited for younger kids who benefit from structured activities, with a focus on portability and minimal mess. The color-rich components help maintain attention and reduce travel-related frictions during meals or transitions.
What sets this kit apart is its all-in-one approach: color pages, dot stickers, and crayons in a single, travel-friendly bundle. The themed pages engage children with stories and scenes that can spark storytelling during trips, contributing to language development and imaginative skills. The compact size makes it a natural pick for car seats, strollers, or carry-on bags, while the sturdy design stands up to travel wear and tear.
Best for: toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy sticker-based activities, coloring, and quick, mess-free crafts during travel times.
Ooly Travel Art Kit
The Ooly Travel Art Kit includes 9 jumbo crayons and 48 themed coloring pages, all packaged in a compact case for easy travel. The design focuses on an all-in-one solution that appeals to kids who want a robust drawing and coloring experience without carrying multiple separate items. The jumbo crayons are comfortable for little hands, and the themed pages provide inspiration for creative scenes and stories during flights or road trips. The included carrying case helps parents keep supplies organized and accessible while on the move.
Parents appreciate the balance between simplicity and creative potential: enough materials to sustain a child’s focus on long trips, but not so many that the kit becomes unwieldy. The travel-friendly size makes it easy to slip into backpacks, glider seats, or under the seat in front of you, reducing clutter and the need for constant rearrangement during travel.
Suitable for: kids who enjoy coloring and drawing on themed pages and who benefit from a contained, portable art kit that’s easy to share during family travel.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations
- Age suitability: Consider the child’s age and motor skills. Kits with smaller tools suit older children, while larger crayons and bigger markers are better for toddlers and younger kids.
- Portability and storage: Look for compact designs with built-in cases or carry bags. A kit that fits easily in a backpack or overhead bin will travel more smoothly.
- Mess management: Prioritize washable markers, art pages with pre-printed designs, and materials that minimize surface staining. A storage solution helps contain supplies during transit.
- All-in-one vs. modular: All-in-one travel desks or kits can reduce setup time, while modular sets offer flexibility if kids want to swap activities.
- Durability: Travel kits should withstand handling, folding surfaces, and intermittent use without tearing or breaking.
- Creative scope: Some kits emphasize drawing and coloring, while others include stickers, foam pieces, or foil art for varied activities. Consider your child’s interests and the travel duration.
- Cleanup and convenience: Washable materials save time and effort post-travel. Reusable organizers and cases simplify packing for return trips.
- Price and value: Compare a kit’s piece count, versatility, and included accessories to determine long-term value for ongoing trips.
Choosing the right travel activity kit depends on age, travel length, and family preferences for mess management and organization. The options above provide a spectrum of portable, kid-friendly crafts that can help keep children engaged while traveling, with attention to ease of use, storage, and cleanup.