Travel-Friendly Sensory Kits: How to Take Sensory Play on the Go

Travel-friendly sensory kits for kids can be a lifesaver on road trips, flights, in restaurants, and during long waits at the doctor’s office and other engagements. Parents of neurodivergent children, including those with autism, might find that sensory travel activities and calming tools are especially helpful while on the go. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some sensory travel kit ideas and the best tips for taking sensory play on the go.  

What Is a Travel-Friendly Sensory Kit?

What is a sensory kit or sensory toolkit exactly? Well, they’re usually made up of three components: base, fillers, and tools. The base is usually a shallow container that houses the filler, that is composed of something such as rice, dried beans, chickpeas, etc. The sensory tools and toys are used to scoop, pour, and sift through the fillers for sensory engagement.

A travel sensory kit is a more compact, portable version of a regular sensory kit. These traveling toolboxes are easier to pack in your bag and haul out when you need them. Here are few key differences between the two.

What to Include in Your Traveling Toolbox

Now we know what a traveling sensory kit is, but what exactly is included in a traveling toolbox? Well, there are several different ideas for items to pack.

For example:

• Fidget toys
• Sensory bags
• Textured items
• Aromatherapy, such as scented stickers or essential oil rollers
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Stretchy bands
• Chewable necklaces
• Small picture books

Build Your Own: How to Make a Travel Sensory Kit

Creating a DIY or budget-friendly travel sensory kit is an excellent idea for those looking to save money. You can easily make sensory bags with inexpensive or household items, and tailor them to your child’s specific needs. They engage the senses and can be customized for calming, focus, or play.

The first thing you’ll need to do is gather the materials. You will need:

• A storage bag (freezer Ziplock bags work best for durability).
• Filler material.  
• Sensory toys.
• Tape (for sealing the edges).

Next, you’ll want to choose your base or filler. Playdough, therapy putty, dried beans, and water beads make great portable fillers. Make sure you reinforce the bags with clear packing tape or duct tape to prevent leaks when traveling. Add some small sensory toys such as mini buttons, shells, ribbons, pom poms, or beads. For a visual appeal, you could even add glitter to the mix or plastic confetti. If you have a toddler, avoid small items that could pose a choking hazard if the bag breaks. Squeeze out the excess air from the bag and seal it tightly. The goal here is to choose items that are safe, quiet, portable, and soothing to your child..

Use clear, labeled bags or pouches for organizing your sensory bags. Double-bag wet or gel-filled bags to prevent leaks and avoid extreme temperatures, as the heat could weaken the sealed bags.

Unique Ideas for Sensory Travel Bags Include:

• Repurposing an old lunch box to store multiple bags or other sensory travel items.
• Creating a binder with zippered or pencil pouches to make a mini sensory book.
• Creating an autism backpack. Add cool sensory regulation tools, communication aids, and calming sensory items to your autism backpack. This is a great portable sensory toolkit option that is designed to help kids communicate, regulate sensory input, and cope with unpredictable events while traveling or on the go.

Trouble-Free Travel: Sensory Kits That Work Anywhere

The wonderful thing about sensory activities is that they can accompany you and your child just about anywhere! Sensory activities are easy to bring with you in the car, on a plane, to hotels and more. Trouble free trouble kits are a great idea for stress-free outings.

A trouble-free trouble kit is a fun name that is given to a portable sensory toolkit filled with calming, sensory-regulating objects that help kids handle tough moments. Sometimes children experience worry, anxiety, or behavioral issues when they’re on the go. A trouble-free trouble kit can calm these big emotions, manage meltdowns, and help prevent shutdowns. These sensory travel kits are portable, discreet, and ready to use anytime and anywhere. You can adapt the kit for different age groups. They can also be customized to fit individual sensory needs and preferences.

What should you include in your trouble-free trouble kit for a stress-free outing?

• Sensory toys and tools such as fidget toys, squishy toys, and chewable jewelry.
• Comfort items such as your child’s favorite snack.
• Emotional support items like your child’s favorite blanket or stuffed animal.
• Distraction tools like a coloring book.
• Supports such as visual aids.

Pack your trouble-free trouble kit in a Ziplock bag, fanny pack, or even an autism backpack. Keep your sensory travel kit lightweight so it’s easy for your child to carry around.

Pre-made sensory kits can be a huge help for busy parents! Travel sensory kits make outings smoother for kids and parents alike. Creating a travel-friendly sensory kit doesn’t have to be expensive or hard to put together. Whether you’re headed to the doctor’s office or planning a road trip, having travel friendly sensory kits can make the road trip a whole lot smoother and easier. From a simple DIY sensory bag to a trouble-free trouble bag or an autism backpack, these toolkits can help both children and adults navigate through tough waters with ease. With a little prep work, you can turn those travel troubles into a pleasant and memorable experience for all.

Come browse our travel-friendly sensory items, our playdough kits and budget bags are great for stress-free travels! If you’re making your own sensory bin, don’t forget to take a look at our fillers and sensory loose parts.