13 fun road trip toys

The perfect game to help with spelling, the tiles and hangman pieces are all magnetic, making it easy to play no matter how bumpy the terrain. 

$13, indigo.ca

Forget crumbling crayons or messy markers, kids will love creating works of art with the twist of a dial. This bitty version is perfect for little hands. $17, toysrus.ca

Jam-packed with fun facts, this fold-out interactive world map comes with 180 stickers to help kids learn geography and also pass the time on long stretches. Tiny travellers can mark places they live, where they've been and where they're going. $21, kidsbooks.ca

Forget messy stampers or plastic discs to mark what you're spotted—this lap-sized game has little tinted window that you slide over the panels once you've seen the item beneath. $7, mastermindtoys.com

Keep your backseat drivers entertained with a fast-paced game of Trouble. It's compact and the Pop-O-Matic die roller ensures no lost pieces. $8, indigo.ca

Check out this durable tablet designed especially for little hands. It has 40 sounds and phrases and 20 colourful light-up images. Perfect for holding a toddler's attention during a long drive. $40, indigo.ca

This mini board is a great activity for little ones to practice their fine motor skills by trying to hook a fishie with a magnetic pole. $13, toysrus.ca

The spiral-y pen-and-paper fun of classic Spirograph now comes in a pint-sized version so artists can create masterpieces on the road. $14, mastermindtoys.com

Great for on the open road or in a city, this road-trip version of Spot It includes common travel sights like a school bus, baseball diamond, taxi cab and construction signs. $17, indigo.ca

The fast-moving light-up memory game comes in miniature form, perfect for toting on the road. $18, indigo.ca

Don't pack bulky colouring books, take this fold-up colouring station instead! It lets little Picassos create, wipe clean then start all over again. Includes markers and a cleaning cloth. $15, toysrus.ca

If your crew is a little older, classic Mad Libs is a great way to pass the time. They won't even know that they're learning nouns, adjectives and verbs on summer vacation. Super Silly Mad Libs Junior, $6, indigo.ca

The large format 3DS is finally here! With an extra large screen, wayfaring kids will love playing games like Kirby: Planet Robobot, Mario Kart 7 and Super Smash Bros (which is a great multi-player game). Worried about eyestrain? The option to turn the 3D element on and off is a nice feature. $240, toysrus.ca

Read more:5 no-mess car snacks Road trip Canada: Best routes for families Road trips: 10 apps to keep your kids entertained