Vacation Prep - Toddler Car Activities

We're getting ready to go on vacation pretty soon. It's only a five-hour car ride, so I'm not too nervous about keeping Burkley entertained in the car since I'm assuming he'll be sleeping for part of the ride. A couple of weeks ago I stashed away some of his favorite lift-the-flap UsBorne books to save for the car ride too, so that should help. Besides that, here are some things I've been putting together to help keep him entertained for the trip.

My first attempt at making a crayon roll! It has its flaws, but Burkley won't notice. :) Here's the tutorial I used. I used an old pair of pants a friend of mine gave me-- she gave me them with the intent of using them for a craft. I wasn't sure what I'd use them for back when she gave them to me, but when I decided to make a crayon roll, I knew they'd be great! I also had some colorful stripey fabric laying around, and I think the two look great together.

I made a felt shape activity. He just has to thread the shapes onto the ribbon. He can practice his colors and shapes while sharpening his fine motor skills! A very cheap and easy craft.

I put magnets on the back of various objects and stuck them to this cake pan. We've got pompoms (which Burkley has found around the house and refers to as "Baby!" because they're such tiny little balls), foam shapes, and animals cut out from scrapbook paper with magnets on the back. Hopefully the cake pan will keep things from going anywhere while in the car. I've read about using a cookie sheet as well, but a 9x13 pan seemed more lap-size for him and I liked the higher edges.

Old toys, new packaging. I found this foam pencil case at the dollar store, so I put some matchbox cars in it. I also got a plastic pencil case with the see-through cover and put in some of his favorite flashcards.

I'll let you know when we get back how it all went over and if he liked any of it! Share with me your favorite ways of keeping toddlers entertained in the car!