Does this exist? A non-annoying portable toy with no pieces to lose for pre schooler.

[twoandahalftimesthree]

I need something for ds 3.5 yrs to carry round when we go shopping to keep him entertained but that doesn't make annoying noises and doesn't have bits that can get lost. I had in mind something like a fabric animal/house/character with attached bits and pieces for entertainment. I can find these aimed at babies but is there anything similar for slightly older children.

Can't think of any suitable toys but why not just let him help with the shopping? Buy him a little plastic shopping basket and get him to look for a few bits and pieces and put them in. Or give him a shopping list and pen and ask him to cross off items as you buy them. Doesn't have to be a proper shopping list as he won't be reading it - just random words on a piece of paper that he can have fun scribbling out. He might enjoy having a 'job' to do to help you.

My ds (same age) takes a couple of cars that keeps him quite happy

cheap little cars - keep one in your handbag to distract with if he loses one in his hand

Wilkinson have little fabric character sets eg fairy tale sets like the gingerbread man and three little pigs. You'd need to attach them somehow though.

We have a small etch a sketch with attached 'pen' that I keep in my handbag for ocassions when I need DD to be kept occupied.

Can you not still get dolls/teddies with different types of fastening (zips, bows, buttons, buckles, press studs etc) on them?

Etch a sketch type board.,