Riding in the car with young children can be a fun and enjoyable experience if they are happy and engaged. However, if they become bored, the car ride can quickly become annoying. A travel tray for car seats can be a great solution to this problem.
Car seat travel trays are the perfect way to keep your child entertained while on the go. They provide a flat surface for them to color, draw, or play with toys, and can be easily attached to the back of a car seat. Many car seat travel trays come with storage pockets, so you can also keep snacks and drinks close at hand.
This article discusses the best car seat travel trays for toddlers and kids.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Lusso Gear Kids Travel Tray
- Best For Toddlers: tomser Car Seat Travel Tray
- Best For Storage: Kenley Kids Travel Tray
- Most Portable: ecoZen Lifestyle Travel Tray
- Best For iPads: Beloved Belongings Kids Travel Tray
- Best For Air Travel: Yookie Kids Kids Car Seat Travel Tray
- Great Universal Fit: Becko Children’s Travel Tray
- Best With Dry Erase Board: MENZOKE Kids Travel Tray
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Car Seat Travel Trays Picks
Lusso Gear Kids Travel Tray – Best Overall
- Tablet velcro can be removed
- The snaps to unhook are on both sides
- Detachable tablet and compartment holders
- Modern fabric pattern
- The water bottle holder won’t hold large bottles
The large dry-erase top provides ample space for your child to draw, snack, or play games, while the sturdy Oxford fabric ensures that it will withstand years of use. But that’s not all – this tray also features convenient mesh pockets, a tablet stand, and a cup holder! The tablet holder is specially designed to keep your child’s device safe and secure while on the go, and the no-drop holder means fewer interruptions during your trip.
tomser Car Seat Travel Tray – Best For Toddlers
- Sturdy
- High sides with pockets to contain toys, pens, etc.
- The strap is long enough that it fits around most car seats
- Wipes easily
- The markers are not made to last
This amazing toddler travel tray is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, and it’s even a great helper at home! It’s built to last, looks fantastic, and is super easy to use. You can use it on its own as a car seat travel tray or attach it to the front seat.
The detachable laptop and tablet holder comes with a clear compartment, making it easy to keep your child entertained. Plus, the hanging storage support allows you to quickly and easily hang the tray behind the front seat of your car. Cleaning up is a breeze thanks to the tray’s waterproof and erasable drawing surface. All you need is one swipe of a cloth and it’s as good as new!
Kenley Kids Travel Tray – Best For Storage
- Sturdy sides
- Folds flat for storage
- Lots of pockets, including a clear pocket for a tablet
- Long strap to go around the car seat
- Doesn’t work as well for rear-facing use
Featuring a medium-sized tablet pouch, two cup holders, and a detachable and collapsible storage pocket, you’ll have plenty of room to store all your child’s essentials. The tray also has extra mesh pockets and two large zippered pockets, ensuring that there’s space for all their crayons, toys, and snacks.
ecoZen Lifestyle Travel Tray – Most Portable
- Lightweight
- It has a good amount of space – fits a regular size coloring book with crayons with extra space
- There’s a pocket you can zip some small items
- Easy to clean
- Bottom curves upwards so not great to use to eat while driving
The waterproof nylon fabric straps are sturdy and extra long, making it compatible with most car seats. With side and front pockets, everything your child needs – crayons, toys, books, snacks, tablets, and more – is always within reach. Plus, the built-in cup holder ensures that beverages are always at hand.
Thanks to the unique front buckle straps, the tray remains supported and level, without leaning downward. With buckles on both sides of the tray, it’s easy to remove and store it when not in use.
Beloved Belongings Kids Travel Tray – Best For iPads
- The strap is long enough to go around the car seat
- Great for long trips
- The detachable tablet holder is quite large, and sturdy and fits most iPads or other tablets
- It has a zipper on one side and the top is not sealed. This allows for easy use of headphones and a charger
- The pockets at the side are quite small
Looking for a tray that can keep your child entertained and organized during long car rides or plane trips? Look no further than the Beloved Belongings Kids Travel Tray! While it’s perfect for playing with tablets, this tray can also be used for a variety of activities.
The tray features tall side walls and a reinforced front bumper, ensuring that food, markers, and toys stay put while you’re on the go. And with a transparent tablet pouch cover, you won’t have to worry about scratches or spills damaging your device. There are also multiple pockets, including two side pockets and a larger pouch for sippy cups or bulky toys.
Yookie Kids Kids Car Seat Travel Tray – Best For Air Travel
- It has plenty of space for markers, drinks, etc.
- It’s super simple to open up and install
- Comes with extra pockets
- The whiteboard provided a great space for drawing/coloring
- Doesn’t stand up on its own
Your child can do so many things on this tray, from eating and drinking to playing with toys, reading, drawing, and even on the plane! And it’s super easy to use – just unfold it, and your child is ready to go. Plus, the large, smooth buckles keep their little fingers safe.
This also features an adjustable tablet holder, which accommodates your child’s seating posture and viewing angle. And with the convenient opening, your child can even use headphones and charge their device while they play.
Becko Children’s Travel Tray – Great Universal Fit
- Everything is easily accessible
- The tray is sturdy
- Easy to set up
- This is a bigger size than most
- A little hard to cross behind the child’s car seat.
The Becko travel tray features multiple spacious compartments, including a removable mesh pouch, a zippered pouch, and a moist tissue pocket, providing ample storage space for all your child’s essentials. The detachable module is perfect for holding cups and utensils, ensuring that everything is within reach.
This travel tray is super easy to install and remove, specially designed to fit regular vehicle seats. You can even coil the extra-long strap around your child’s waist for a secure fit, or carry it on your shoulder when you’re on the go. And when not in use, simply fold it into a compact tote for easy storage and space-saving.
MENZOKE Kids Travel Tray – Best With Dry Erase Board
- Easy to set up
- Sturdy fabric
- The side flaps are a good idea for older kids
- A lot of pockets
- The screen pocket is not the sturdiest
This car seat travel tray is made of eco-friendly and non-toxic materials that have undergone rigorous testing and certification. To ensure user safety, the tray’s edge is made of a soft, velvety material. With the dry-erase markers included, your little ones can draw and write directly on the tray’s surface, and the writing can be easily wiped away.
The tray’s high sides and durable design prevent toys and snacks from slipping off and making a mess. Plus, the two detachable storage pockets can hold anything from toys and games to snacks and drinks. The cooler cup holder is perfect for keeping your child’s water bottle at the right temperature for hours on end.
How to Choose The Best Car Seat Travel Tray?
- Age-Appropriate: The majority of travel car seat trays are effective for a variety of ages. A tray for your youngster may be bought, and you could expect to use it for a number of years. There are some aspects, nevertheless, that you could choose for an older child rather than a younger one. For instance, travel trays with tablet holders are not always essential since some parents do not want their toddlers to use iPads.
- Child Activities: Make sure there is adequate space for crayons and coloring books if your youngster enjoys creating art. Do you have a kid that likes to play with toys? Make sure the travel tray has enough room to accommodate their toys.
- Portability: A tray that can be easily folded up is ideal for both storage and transit. Most travel trays have the ability to be folded flat, but some also come with their own carrying bags.
- Size: If you have a particularly broad seat or if older kids might benefit from a larger work surface, you may need to seek out a larger brand. On the other hand, if you have a car seat for your small car, you may choose something a little more compact.
- Safety: To use a travel tray correctly, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. You should also check with the manufacturer of your child’s car seat to make sure the tray is compatible (1).
Types Of Car Seat Travel Trays
- Secured Travel Trays: These trays provide a convenient and safe way to store and keep your child’s belongings close by while traveling. They are easy to strap on and fit over the back of a car seat and can help prevent your child from becoming unsecured in the event of a car accident.
- Lap Travel Trays: These are more convenient to use outside of the vehicle since they aren’t attached to the back of the seat. This means that they can be used anywhere, not just in the car. It also implies that a younger youngster may find it more challenging to utilize. These are an excellent option for elementary school-aged kids who want an iPad area or flat surface in the car (2).
- Hybrid Travel Trays: There are other ways to utilize this kind of travel tray, but often it has a top section that separates from the lap area. You can use just the top piece by hanging it from the child’s front-facing car seat.
What Is A Car Seat Travel Tray?
A car seat travel tray is an essential item for parents who frequently travel with young children. It is a tray that attaches to the back of a car seat and provides a flat surface for snacks, books, and toys. This is a great way to keep your child occupied and distracted during long car rides.
Are Travel Trays Worth It?
Yes, mainly because travel trays can be a great way to make travel more comfortable, especially for young children. They can be used to hold snacks, drinks, and toys, and can also help keep a child’s clothes clean and dry. Some travel trays even have built-in entertainment features, such as coloring books or electronic games.
Are Kids Travel Trays Safe In Car?
Yes, kids’ travel trays are safe in the car when used as directed. However, it is important to note that they should only be used with a properly installed car seat. Additionally, the tray should be properly secured to the car seat so that it does not become a hazard if the car were to stop suddenly.
Is A Car Seat Travel Tray Compatible With Every Car?
Most car seat travel trays are designed to be compatible with a wide range of car seats, but there may be some exceptions. It’s always a good idea to check the compatibility of a car seat travel tray with your specific car seat model before making a purchase. Some travel trays for car seats can even be used on airplanes, making them a versatile choice for travel.
