Some great Etsy travel finds

I love Etsy. I really can't say this enough. I have fantasies sometimes about opening a children's shop and stocking it with all of my favorite Etsy designs & designers. I'm amazed at people's talent and dedication to hand make some of the most amazing looking things. So, in the meantime, until I open my kids shop, here are some great Etsy finds, perfect for the traveling family.

The Ouch Pouch by Pillow Sew Cute

Going away and want to make sure you have first aid needs handy? The Ouch Pouch is great for short journeys to the park and the perfect size to fit in a diaper bag, or for longer journeys to far away destinations, in that you can stick it in your carry on luggage and pass it through customs thanks to its handy see through pocket. I'm also rather partial to the owl motif, but it also comes in many different sizes and patterns. This size $10.95 by Pillow Sew Cute.

The Wet Bag by The Straight Stitch

Here are a few scenarios few of you may be familiar with:
1 - You child has an upset stomach or your baby just fed a bit too much and just threw up all over themselves.
2 - You manage to find a place to change your baby but either can't find or don't dare to leave a dirty diaper where you are, or you use cloth diapers and need somewhere to put them until you get home.
3- Something is soaking wet.
4- You just went swimming and have nowhere to put your soaked bathing suits.
I have personally experienced all of the above scenarios. I'm sure that in each of your own personal experience you can think of many uses for this 11" x 13" waterproof bag lined with PUL which will easily make this probably one of the smartest purchases ever. The Wet Bag $15.00 by The Straight Stitch.

Travel Games and Activities:

Paper Doll on the Go (Mary Kay model shown) by Kims Crafty Apple

Back side and storage pocket for small pieces

A mini 10" x 6" quilt has a little fabric quilted paper doll. Mary Kay comes with 4 dresses and 3 hats. All pieces are fabric and backed with flannel so that the pieces "stick" to the fabric. On the back of the mini-quilt is a storage pocket perfect for all the doll's clothes. Different "dolls" are also available. Paper Doll on the Go $14.00 by Kims Crafty Apple. 

Deluxe Travel Crayon Wallet by DillyBaby

Inside the Deluxe Travel Crayon Wallet

Be prepared. As this is the army's motto, so is it the mom's motto. At 3" x 5" the Deluxe Travel Crayon Wallet fits nicely anywhere and is perfect for keeping a small one busy during a plane ride or at a restaurant. I love that this is the "new" version. Made by hand by a stay-at-home mom (when does she get the time to just slip away to make these I have no idea) Dilly Baby has taken what has worked so well with her original model and made it better by adapting it; for example the crayons now run vertically so they no longer fall into your bag and the entire thing is now inter-lined for added strength and stability. Comes with 8 crayons (also fits 4 crayola mini-markers), $18.00 by DillyBaby.

Sweet Little Family Traveling House by Fee Vertelaine

These cute little wooden dolls come with their very own travel house. E is at the point right now where she loves dolls and doll houses, and babies... This could keep her busy for hours. Small enough (the house is 5.5") to carry around where ever you travel to, the dolls go to bed in their house when play time is over. Small pieces may not be great for very young children. Includes 2 parents & 1 baby, $28.00 by Fee Vertelaine.

Travel Tic Tac Toe game by Evgie

Storage pocket for pieces on back of game

Everybody knows how this game works, but sometimes classics work the best. An easy way to occupy 2 kids at once this tic-tac-toe set can easily travel wherever you do. So maybe, just maybe you won't have to hear the dreaded "Are we there yet?".  Evgie also has some other pretty amazing educational products so your little ones can learn their shapes, letters, numbers, clocks so they can learn how to tell time... She even has a set of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet!!! All beautifully crafted by hand. One of my favorite Etsy sellers for the beautiful products she makes. Tic-Tac-Toe set, $40.00 by Evgie.

The Circus Activity Book by Borednomore

Inside The Circus Activity Book by Borednomore

For Older kids, here's an amazing activity book. Created by an educational psychologist, an english teacher and a graphic designer, the book looks good and will keep your kids interested and learning rather than "having nothing to do". The 4 x 6" size makes it easy to stick anywhere, and maybe will have them put their video game down for a little bit longer. Other books available too. The Circus Activity book for kids,  $12.00 by Borednomore.

Happy Travels!