Travel toys that stay fresh a few weekends a year
A small set of Magna-Tiles, Minecraft magnetic cubes, figurines, and travel art supplies rides along on weekend drives and flights so the kids have something familiar in a new hotel room.
https://www.afterpickup.com/travel-toys/
We keep a bunch of travel toys that only come out for trips, the same small kit that has been riding along for years. We drive to weekend getaways in state several times a year, and when we fly we pack that set too, because they travel well and the kids like them in small doses. The travel emergency kit comes on those trips too.
The toys only come out a handful of times a year, and that is enough to keep them feeling fresh. Minecraft magnetic cubes mix well with regular Magna-Tiles, and little Pokemon and animal figurines work with those builds too.
We also pack travel art supplies that do not roll around on a tray table, which is a small thing that matters on a plane. Everything is light enough for the car or a backpack.
When we walk into a new hotel room, the familiar toys give the kids something to do while we unpack, the same stretch of time we open the foldable hamper so dirty clothes have a place. They come out again when the kids wake up early, before we are ready to get out of bed with them. Same small kit, same small hit of home, wherever the weekend landed.