I remember my brother playing with his cars, that is why this racing car busy bag was the first thing to come to mind when asked to create a “take along” activity idea for the A to Z of Busy Bag Series!

I have vivid memories of him holding his cars – one in each hand, and wherever we went he took his cars along.

He drove cars over everything, tables, chairs, dinner plates, along the restaurant floor to the window – along the windowsill, down the wall, over the bag, up the bookcase onto the counter…

That is the best way to play with cars – the complete freedom to drive wherever you like! Sometimes however our children are restricted to the table – especially at a busy restaurant where it is better to keep them in their own chairs!

This busy bag is also a fabulous idea for airplane trips – all the materials will make it through airport security!

This busy bag idea is my solution to creating a ‘driving space’ that is self made – by the child – includes creativity and stimulates the imagination – while still being seated at your table – or chair in the plane.

This idea requires a table or floor – as the child needs to be able to draw on a flat surface, so perfect for a restaurant, dinner party, airplane, waiting at the hairdressers…

Materials required to make a RACING CAR BUSY BAG

Someting to keep everything together while on the go! Soft Bags work best, or a plastic container.  Bigger sized zip lock bags also work a treat!

Paper Roll or Paper at least A3 size

Selection of crayons / markers, preferably something washable…

Small Racing Cars!!!!

Tape to stick down the paper – I used sticky tape, I prefer the paper to stay on the table – and it makes it easier to draw on!

Optional – decorations for the race track or street – plastic stop signs, trees, orange traffic cones etc… or wooden houses – sometimes found in train sets!

Right! And now you are ready to go!!

Chuck the activity bag into your own and take it out when you need it!!

I stuck the paper onto the table and helped a little with the drawing – my little guy is just 2, however a slightly older child will want to do everything themselves – and so they should!!

He positioned all the ‘things’ onto the paper and played for 30 minutes!!

This kind of busy bag idea is a life saver at a table – when you really need your kids to be a little quiet!!

I know I will take these things onto the airplane next time we travel – in fact I will make a few busy bags and take them out every hour on the hour (its a 12 hour flight to Granny!!)

Screen Free entertainment to go!!

The preparation time upfront will honestly save you time – and  keep your sanity in check – at a later stage!!

Click on the picture below for more wonderful ideas at the A to Z Busy Bag Series hosted by the fabulous Teach Me Mommy!! I am going to be using a bunch of these!!

Always welcome to join us on Facebook or Pinterest where we share ideas every day!!

All our children’s activity ideas can be found here…