The best kid-friendly gadgets for a family vacation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The right gadget can fight boredom and help keep the peace when hitting the road. Best of all these toys --which range from toddlers to pre-teens -- don't have a million pieces and easily fit into your carry-on or hand bag. (iStock)
The Fisher-Price Doodle Pro Tag-Along lets your kids draw and doodle without the mess. It features a carry handle and attached screen saver pen, which makes this fun and engaging product perfect for travel. ($16.50 on amazon.com) (amazon.com )
The Kidz Gear Wired Headphones For Kids are made especially to fit kids 2 years and older without slipping and provide great sound as well as comfort. Perfect for the plane and the car, kids can listen to music, audio-books, or watch their favorite movies. ($19.99 on amazon.com) (amazon.com)
The Leap Frog Leapster2 Learning Game System is a video game parents can appreciate because kids will learn and have fun at the same time. This battery operated hand-held game is great for travel and suitable for kids 4-8 years old. ($34.97 on amazon.com) (amazon.com)
The Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Apptivity For iPhone and iPod devices provides a protective case that will prevent your baby from drooling or teething on your device. It also stops unwanted pressing of the home button so you can relax worry-free while your baby plays. ($15.00 from Fisher-Price) (Fisher-Price.com)
The Klutz Kid Travel Backseat Survival Kit is all the entertainment your kids needs for a long car ride. This full-color book is made specifically for road trips and is jam-packed with car-appropriate activities in addition to a 100-page game pad and a pouch that provides all the tools necessary to do the activities. ($19.95 on Klutz.com) (Klutz.com)
Tangoes Jr. lets pre-schoolers (above the age of 3) play tangrams on the go. The portable case includes seven large magnetic puzzle pieces and 12 double-sided puzzle cards that offer two different levels of playing on a large surface. This activity is an ideal travel game that is both fun and educational for your kid. ($17.50 on Amazon.com) (Amazon.com)
The Melissa & Doug Flip to Win Hangman is a fun, new way to play hangman while travelling. The durable wooden game board has a dry erase white board, a marker, and an eraser with no loose pieces. Simply flip the tiles and let the games begin. ($12.50 on Amazon.com) (Amazon.com)
Travel-Tot's Travel Childproofing Kit allows families to child-proof any place they go from hotels to motels to even relatives' houses! This kit is perfect for travel because it's portable and the child-proofing items are all easy to apply and easy to remove. The travel kit will keep your child safe from all power outlets, sharp edges, and other objects that can be dangerous. ($34.95 on travel-tot.com) (Travel-Tot.com)
You and your kid never have to travel without a booster seat again. The BubbleBum Booster Seat can be deflated and folded, which makes it light and compact, something any traveler can appreciate. It's easy to transport and fits seamlessly inside of a small luggage or travel bag. ($39.99 on target.com) (coast2coastmom.com )
Air Play by Star Kid Products is an airplane table and seatback cover that provides toys, a peek-a-boo mirror, and a small photo album. This gadget is perfect for very young kids who need to be entertained during a long flight. ($24.99 on babyhaven.com) (gadling.com)