Portable Independent Play: Keep Little Hands Busy On the Go
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Time to read 4 min
Whether you're heading to a restaurant, traveling, or just trying to keep a little one entertained during a sibling's sports practice, portable toys are a parent’s best friend. At Margot’s Mercantile, we love toys that pack small, offer big play value , and encourage screen-free entertainment kids can do on their own.
Here are three of our most popular options for independent, reusable fun:
1. Coloring Fun & Games Mat
We always tell customers: this is our go-to restaurant toy . Keep one in the car, bring it into every café or diner — it's that useful.
These mats roll out to reveal dot-to-dots, mazes, tic-tac-toe, and coloring sections. Kids can color, wipe, and reuse it endlessly with the included dry-erase markers. It’s mess-free, engaging, and easy to roll back up when it’s time to go.
Parents say it buys them actual time to finish a conversation or sip their coffee — we say that’s a win.
Must Have Products For Beginners
2. Magnetic Multi-Play Sets
2. Magnetic Multi-Play Sets
At just $24, this one is seriously impressive in terms of value and variety. Each set includes:
A 20-piece magnetic puzzle
A coloring scene
A doodle board
A magnetic play scene
Pop-out magnetic play pieces
Four dry erase markers with erasers
One compact toy, multiple ways to play!
From doodling to storytelling with the magnetic pieces, this toy encourages fine motor skills, pincer grasp development, imaginative play, and creative exploration — all without screens.
3. Janod Magneti'Books
These clever sets are a customer favorite for travel. Shaped like a book for easy storage, each set contains magnetic tiles and game cards that kids can use to dress up characters, create scenes, or design their own stories.
The inside of the "book" stays open with hinges, and all pieces stick to the magnetic board so they won’t fall out in transit.
Great for preschool and kindergarten-aged kids, Magneti’Books are ideal for nurturing imagination, storytelling, and independent play .
We especially love that it slides easily onto a bookshelf or into a backpack — making it perfect for flights, car rides, or hotel downtime.
Toddler Imaginative Play: Big Worlds for Little Hands
Toddlers learn best by doing—and imaginative play is one of the most powerful ways they begin to understand and engage with the world around them. Whether they’re pretending to cook a meal, care for a doll, or create something from their imagination, these playful moments help build emotional awareness, fine motor skills, and early language development. Even more, imaginative play fosters independence by encouraging toddlers to explore, problem-solve, and build confidence while playing on their own. Open-ended, screen-free toys provide the perfect tools to nurture this growth.
Here are two of our favorite picks for ages 18 months and up that inspire creativity and joyful learning.
1. Role Play Dinner Time Kittens
This set is a standout for open-ended play. Toddlers can pretend to cook dinner, serve food, and care for their kitten friends , which helps them make sense of real-life routines. The pieces are made from sturdy, high-quality materials and come in a convenient storage container with a handle.
As they pour, serve, and pretend to feed their plush friends, children are building:
Fine motor skills
Language development
Social-emotional understanding
Creative thinking
Imaginative Play
It’s the kind of toy that becomes part of a child’s daily play rhythm — and looks adorable while doing it.
2. Small Dot Painting Craft Kit
This clever craft kit introduces toddlers to early art-making in a completely mess-free way. Using four dot markers, kids fill in the shapes inside each laminated folder. Then — here’s the magic — when they close the folder, their colorful dots transform into a vibrant outdoor scene .
The kits include images of a butterfly, turtle, cat in a garden, and more. The folders wipe clean, so kids can do them again and again, which supports color recognition , hand-eye coordination , and fine motor control — all while having fun.
It’s like magic every time they close the folder — the joy is real!
Why Screen-Free Toys Matter
In a world of constant digital stimulation, screen-free toys offer something rare and necessary: time for kids to independently think, explore, imagine, and grow at their own pace.
Whether it’s a puzzle that sharpens focus, a magnetic toy that inspires creativity, or a pretend dinner party that teaches empathy, each of these toys brings learning to life without requiring a single screen.
At Margot’s Mercantile, we believe in curating items that truly support a child’s development — while making parents’ lives a little easier, too.
Toys for Independent Play, Anywhere Life Takes You
Whether you're headed on a road trip, waiting at a restaurant, or just need a quiet moment at home, our collection of on-the-go toys is here to help. These thoughtfully chosen activities are designed to foster independent play, spark imagination, and keep little hands busy—without a screen in sight. From compact magnetic games to mess-free crafts and portable puzzles, each item is easy to pack, simple to use, and encourages kids to think, explore, and create all on their own. Perfect for ages 3 and up, and trusted by parents who value meaningful play.
About the Author
Kristin is the owner of Margot’s Mercantile, a curated shop in the Hudson Valley offering crave-worthy snacks and unique gifts. With 25+ years in retail and as a mom to a four-year-old, she’s passionate about quality, nutrition, and joy. Through the Mindfully Margot’s blog, Kristin shares tips and finds to inspire mindful living.
