Best Car Seat Travel Tray – Product Reviews & Tips

Do you spend a lot of time driving around with your kid in the car? If you do, then you know how quickly they get bored. To prevent this, you should consider getting the best car seat travel tray. This can help your bundle of joy have a place for his toys and keep him occupied.

However, picking up the right product among the sea of units available in the market can be overwhelming – especially if you have a toddler! To help you out, we have gathered a list of some of the best products in the market.

If you’re looking for the best car seat travel tray – look no further. Here is what we’ve found:

Best Car Seat Travel Tray

There are many great products on the market, but not all can be considered the best of the best. Here are couple of items that fall into that category:

1. DMoose Kids Travel Tray

If you’re looking for a versatile travel tray, this might be the right item for you. This is an all-in-one product that can keep your child occupied all day long. 

It’s made out of heavy-duty fabrics that resists sagging (and your child’s somewhat violent games). It comes with a storage bin with a patent, which is the perfect size for a coloring book or a puzzle. All of the materials are PVC-free, non-toxic, and overall child-safe – while remaining stain-free!

You can use it on planes, waiting rooms, or simply inside a kids’ room. As it’s lightweight and comes with a carry bag, you can take it with you everywhere. Just keep in mind that you cannot fold it and close it entirely, which can be an issue.

Finally, this travel tray comes with a lifetime guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can get a replacement or a refund.

PROS
+ Lightweight
+ Can be used in multiple locations
+ Has pockets
+ Versatile
CONS
– Pockets are small
– Not foldable
– Could be sturdier

2. Beloved Belongings Kids Travel Tray for Toddler Car Seat

If your child loves watching media, no matter if it’s movies or YouTube, this might be the best car seat travel tray for you. It is perfect for tech savvy kids (and parents!) that cannot keep their eyes off of smartphones or tablets!

The tray comes with a viewing sleeve that is just the right size for an iPad. It encloses and protects the device, so you can use it with a child that is too young to be given a smartphone. The tall back supports the sleeve while you’re using it, keeping your phone from tipping and allowing it to stay at an optimal angle.

At the same time, it comes with side mesh pockets that are great for markers, small toys, and other accessories. It even comes with an adjustable pouch for cups! 

The tray is foldable so you can easily carry it around with you. Also, it is a great choice for confined chair space, as you can attach it with nothing more than a nylon strap and a plastic buckle.

PROS
+ Zippered pouch
+ Great for iPad
+ Easy to clean
+ Sturdy
CONS
– May not be compatible with all car seat types
– Fabric feels cheap
– Small side pockets

3. Lusso Gear Kids Travel Tray

If you’re often going on long trips with your car, this might be the right travel tray for you and your child. It is an all-purpose unit that is durable enough to withstand not just long rides across the country, but also long flights.

No matter what type of activity your kid likes, they will enjoy this travel tray. They can use it to color a coloring book, draw something, play with toys, watch a movie, or many things at once! Chances of them getting bored while they have this tray are minimal.

It comes with an iPad viewing stand, storage pockets large enough to fit even kids’ toys, a cup holder, and a safety strap that you can latch on a car seat for easier installation. This makes it rather versatile.

In fact, this tray is excellent for some snacking along the way. The product comes with a dry erase board that can also be used as an eating tray. As long as the road isn’t too bumpy, your child can even eat during travel. The board is effortless to clean and all you need is a damp cloth. It is also stain-proof, so the amount of mess won’t matter.

PROS
+ Provides lots of space for storage
+ Great for a range of activities
+ Attaches well to car seats
+ Eating tray included
CONS
– Not a universal fit
– Rather heavy
– tablets in protective cases maybe
too big for the tablet holder
– quality feels flimsy at times

4. Lil Tots Gear Kids Travel Activity Lap Tray

This is a great product if you want to keep everything at your child’s fingertips. It serves as a perfect organizer thanks to a large number of side pockets. They are perfect for pencils, markers, crayons, coloring pages, and other similar items. The clear back pocket is intended for iPhone or an iPad, and the clear top is erasable so your child can draw on it with dry erase markers.

The entire product is designed with kids in mind. It comes with padded side walls that can help keep things on it, and the bottom base is enforced for stability.

As if this isn’t enough, the tray comes with a free printable coloring eBook (per request). All you need to do is print it, and your child will have a toy to play with for hours upon hours of drive. This can also make it a great gift for someone’s birthday or Christmas.

The manufacturer offers a satisfaction guarantee with this product. If you’re not satisfied, you can contact the brand for a refund.

PROS
+ Fully collapsible design
+ Padded carrying strap
+ Free coloring book
+ Multiple pockets
CONS
– Could be more sturdy
– Takes up a lot of space
– Can be tricky to install

5. Bonabee Baby Kids Travel Tray for Car Seat

This is one of the few travel trays that can help you educate your child while on a trip. The product has been designed to help kids of all ages learn about several topics – while having fun at the same time.

The sturdy design and high-quality construction make sure the tray will last for a long time, which is a great thing if your child tends to get attached to toys and items.

Large buckles will help keep the tray in place even during the bumpiest of rides. This also makes it rather safe. Bottom base helps provide stability, and the tray comes with a cup holder, so you can even have a snack time. 

The installation is rather straightforward thanks to Velcro tabs. The slim design makes it easy to fit into compact cars. At the same time, the tray is lightweight for easier transport.

PROS
+ 1 Year free replacement warranty
+ Easy installation
+ Tablet holder
+ Educational table design
CONS
– Not the best for smaller kids
– Strong plastic smell
– Doesn’t fit all car seats

What Is a Car Seat Travel Tray?

The best car seat travel tray is a product designed to fit all types of kid’s car seat, that your child can place items on. While travel trays come in a variety of sizes and types, they mustn’t interfere with functionality of a car seat. Still, their main function is to provide a flat surface that your kid can use as they see fit.

Car seat travel trays are made to be used with a car. However, many can be used on a stroller as well, so they are great when you’re on a go. Overall, they are a very helpful tool when it comes to keeping your child occupied while you travel.

Types of Travel Trays

Car seat travel trays come in several different types. All of them are equally great, only for different purposes, and the best car seat travel tray can belong to any of the categories we’ll list below. Also, all car seat travel trays are made to be mobile, so you can use them even outside of your car.

Overall, car seat travel trays come in these three types:

  • Secured travel trays: They attach around the car seat and strap on without messing with the car seat. They can serve as an additional protection in the case of an accident.
  • Lap desk travel trays: They don’t attach to the seat, so they are easier to use outside of the vehicle. However, they might not be suitable for small children.
  • Hybrid travel trays: These trays can be used in several ways, but they usually have a top portion that can be separated from the lap portion and hung in front of your kid. They are great if you want to play a movie for your child on your iPad.

What to Look for in the Best Car Seat Travel Tray?

Every parent and a child have unique needs, and the best car seat travel tray may differ based on a person’s requirements. However, in order to determine what is the best product for you, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself. 

Here’s what they are:

What Activities Does Your Child Like?

Travel trays are there to entertain your child during travel. Different children like different activities, so you need to think about what your child likes to do. If they love art, look for a tray that comes with storage for coloring books and crayons. If a child loves playing with toys, you need a big tray with enough space for his favorite items. Kids that like to watch movies could have use of a lap desk tray that can help keep iPad out of their reach.

Do You Plan on Using It Outside of the Car?

While most travel trays can be used outside of the car, some are more mobile compared to other ones. If you plan on using your tray outside of the car, make sure it can stand independently, without having to be attached onto a car seat. Also, ensure it’s lightweight enough and easy to carry around.

Is It Safe?

A travel tray isn’t worth it if it will endanger your child during travel. All children’s items must to be safe. Some travel trays can even increase the safety of the ride. However, to do so, you have to read the manual to understand how to install them properly. This is why it’s important to get a tray that is easy to install. If you aren’t certain about how to attach it to the car seat, chances are you’ll do something wrong. This can lead to accidents.

Is It Worth the Price?

Not all travel trays belong to the same price range. While some are so affordable it is difficult to believe they are of high quality, others are sold for a much higher price than they value. Your best option would be to look for a middle price range and to find a tray with the best value for the price possible. 

Final Word

The best car seat travel tray can help us make travel a bit more comfortable, especially if we have a child who easily gets bored. Travel trays can give our kids a space to put toys on, or they can be a good item to keep our iPad safe while still playing cartoons for our bundles of joy. 

Car seat travel trays are a modern solution to adding fun to a long journey that can be stressful even for adults, let alone kids who don’t understand why they now have to sit still for hours upon hours. With such a product, you can give them something to do while ensuring they are safe.

Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for another one. It’s essential to find a product that can fulfill all your requirements. One of the products from our list might be exactly what you need.