Ideas for small, lightweight, toys to pack for holiday for DD 4.8 and DD 22 months.

[ekra]

We go on hoiliday in about 5 weeks time and I am trying to think of what toys to pack for the children. We're camping in France so we'll be driving a fully loaded car. There isn't a lot of spare space for toys.

Does anyone have any suggestions for good play-worthy toys to pack for these two age groups?

Arts and crafts incl playdough, play food for make-believe fun, something for playing outdoors (bucket & spades? or possibly buggy and doll?)

Are you sure you need them? I packed toys the first time, and they never got used, so have't bothered since, apart from books and stickers for the flight. Mine seem too occupied by holiday to be interested in toys. Agree with the outdoor toys though, I end up buying cheap buckets and spades when we get there, but am determined to pack them this time.

I think we'll take mostly outdoor toys. They are the bulky items. I was trying to think of a few small things that they might play with in the tent if it rains or in the tent in the morning or if we are at a restaurant and they need some amusement.

Actually, the 4 year old is easy to cater for, it's the toddler which has me stumped. Toddler toys are so big and bulky!

when we went away this year i took a blutack activity craft pack that had loads of playvalue and didnt make any permanant mess.

What about basic stacking/nesting cups for toddler - endless play value and can be used in water and sand. Fairly compact as well. Also anything inflatable...

A small bag of duplo/lego is useful
Let them choose something in the hypermarket - mine usually choose playmobil (and it's cheaper in france). And pick up a ream of paper and some crayons while you're there.
Sticker books (re-useable ones)
If you are doing a mobile home holiday the companies have a toy chest which you can borrow from too.

bubble machine, hand held affair

huge hit!

These are all great ideas. Thanks

Crayola colour wonder for both of them int he car and tent - loads of fun and no mess!! We go camping in france every year and take colour wonder, books, sticker books and dvds for the journey then we usually let them choose a few toys - give them each a bag and that's their toy bag for the holiday. What they choose varies but dolls and toy cars etc always seem to go down well. When mine were your toddler's age the fave game seemed to be banging all the pots and pans together as they ahd complete access to all the cupboardsin the mobile!!! NOT to be recommended! We usuallly take buckets, spades etc and an inflatable boat so we can use i in the poola nd also fill it with water at the mobile and let them use it as a wee paddling pool. Last year we took scooters which they loved.