Hi everyone! Time for a product review for an item I've found particularly useful with my little special needs guy, and also with my other 2 children.

I can't remember how, but I stumbled upon this product in one of my internet searches. As you will learn from reading this blog, I am HUGE on internet shopping. I like the convenience of it since I am so busy that I rarely get to leave the house. I also like how I can find things I wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to find. There are SO many fun and interesting things to buy on the World Wide Web. And if you want something specific, rather than going from store to store to store to find it, you can usually do a quick search online, purchase it in a moment, and have it delivered. What a great system that is.

Ok, back to my topic. This tray. The reason I was drawn to this tray was because I NEEDED it for my son (aged 7,  Angelman Syndrome). On long road trips, I find he gets very bored and gets irritable. Cameron is non-verbal and communication is a 'challenge', but he has NO problems communicating when he is bored or mad (which by the way he is cranking about as I write this- I put his favorite Youtube videos on for him, but he can only hear them, can't see them since I'm typing this up. Sorry buddy- Pussy Cat Dolls will have to wait!).

Rather than listen to Mr. Cranky Pants when boredom sets in, I wanted him to be able to play with a toy in the van. The problem is, that the toy would fall off his lap in the car seat, onto the floor, and I'd have to keep picking up the toy or he would have nothing. So, when I found this tray, I KNEW I had to have it. Its great- and I know I will order one for my daughter as well, and maybe even one for my other daughter too.

• it is made of nylon and easy to wipe down
• it's SOFT. This is something very important to me for safety. I didn't want something that my child could potentially bang their head off of. I also for this reason am not giving him any really hard toys to sit on the tray- if we had a collision, I wouldn't want a hard plastic toy hitting him, or him hitting it. I pretty much use it with books, or with something soft (always thinking!)
• very quick to set up (buckles)
• the HIGH rim around the outer edge is great! Cameron has a habit of pushing toys OFF of his other trays he has (has a tray for his wheelchair & stroller), and that rim on those trays aren't nearly high enough. This one would be GREAT for small children who would accidentally push their toys off.
• the price was very reasonable
• pretty flat for storage
• makes a great tray for when you stop to eat in the car. UGH- all those years of trying to get our middle child to balance her french fries and her ketchup on the napkin and not flip it over onto the floor or carseat are OVER!!!
• has side pockets for storage. You could store crayons in there, or napkins, a few wipes... the possibilities are endless!

So, I would highly recommend this to ALL parents of small kids. Would also make a fantastic gift for parents.

I'm posting a link to the website that I purchased my Snack & Play Travel Tray from: Family On Board.  Please note, there are other travel trays featured on this site too, which might also be of interest to you. I'm sure you can find this one elsewhere if you do a search online, and maybe even at Walmart or somewhere similar. I was happy with my experience with this particular company.

***Star Kids Snack & Play Travel Tray was created out of necessity for today's children, and enhances the travel experience by providing a flat, safe area for children to eat and play. Made of soft, durable, 100% Nylon with soft foam reinforcement that folds on impact. It buckles either around the child, car seat, stroller, etc. Features two side pockets and a 2 inch wall to stop toys, food, etc from falling off the tray. 18 x 14 inches, folds to 14 x 9 x 3.5 to store in it's zippered storage case, included. Weighs 1lb, 2oz