Best Grab‑and‑Go Items to Keep Kids Busy in the Car or at Restaurants

Keeping little ones happy while you wait for food or drive across town doesn’t have to mean handing over a screen. With a simple grab‑and‑go bag, you can be ready for long waits, slow service, or traffic jams—without the meltdown. Here are Mamaw’s favorite items to keep kids calm, curious, and busy on the go.

1. A pack of dry erase markers or markers  A small pouch of markers is perfect for tiny hands and tight spaces. Just throw a small coloring book or dry erase board in with them and you're good to go.

• Why it works: Easy to pack, no noise, and no batteries.

• Where to use it: Restaurant tables, waiting rooms, and even in the car with a lap tray or clipboard.

2. Simple Printables in a Folder Print a few activity pages ahead of time—mazes, matching games, dot‑to‑dots, or coloring sheets. Visit our Printables page to see what your child might like, then simply download and print (all free).

• Why it works: Fresh pages feel new and exciting, even if the theme is familiar.

• Tip from Mamaw: Keep 5–10 pages in a thin folder and swap them out every few weeks. If you laminate the printables, be sure to include a dry erase marker, and you can use them over and over again.

3. Stickers and a Sticker Scene A small sheet of stickers plus a blank page or simple “scene” can keep kids busy for a long time.

• Why it works: Peeling and placing stickers builds fine motor skills and focus.

• On‑the‑go idea: Print out some of the free dot activities from mamaw's website, throw in some dot stickers and you're set!

4. Seek and Find Printables Grab some of the free on-the-go themed Seek & Find printables from mamaw's website and a dry erase marker for a simple activity.

• Why it works: Helps little hands stay busy without bothering nearby tables or other passengers.

• Rule of thumb: Laminate the printables to make them reusable.

5. Wikki Sticks These flexible waxy sticks are PERFECT to keep little hands busy with no mess. I had no idea what they were until a restaurant gave them to my grandson, instead of the usual crayons. He was very intrigued and it kept him engaged for quite a while. Now they are probably my very favorite item in my on-the-go bag!

• Why it works: Kids can use them again and again (with NO mess), limited only by their imagination.

• Learning boost: Have the kiddos try to bend them into shapes, letters, or numbers. Download some printables that are great to use with Wikki Stix on Mamaw's website, laminate them and keep them ready to go!

Mamaw’s Grab‑and‑Go Bag Tips 

• Store your bag by the door or in the car so it’s always ready. If you are in a warm climate, be careful not to include anything that might melt.

• Rotate items every few weeks so everything feels new.

• Keep it simple—2–3 drawing options, 1–2 small toys, and a few printables are plenty.

• Since bags are kind of my thing, I've included a link to the pouches and bags that I use for grab-and-go. They are see-through, a good size, and waterproof to protect from those spills that are sure to happen.

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