I associate cribbage with maximum travel relaxation, having played the game most often on European trains, in lakeside cabins and at outdoor cafe tables. I can say from that place of expertise: A board that folds in half and holds its own deck of cards is the way to go.

I’m a big advocate of star-gazing, especially on vacation. Staring up at something so beautiful and familiar, while surrounded by the beautifully unfamiliar—there’s just nothing like it. This small, light scope takes gazing one step further.

It’s hard to describe exactly what this squishy, beanbag-like little touchscreen unit is, in part because it depends on what you make it. Though the unit itself stays plugged in, Chumby wirelessly streams your choice of 1,000 free widgets, with possibilities including stocks, sports, email, games, weather and social networking. Helpful travel uses include alarm clock, digital photo display, music player and cheap gas finder.

New to the market: Passive noise-canceling in-ear headphones at a price so low, the recipient will think you splurged. Eartips made of self-conforming foam help promote a rockin’ bass, too.

Easy to explain the Connect Four-type rules, even with some level of language barrier firmly in place. Also a fantastic opportunity to resurrect the phrase, “Pretty sneaky, Sis.”

Uses super-strong magnets to fasten your iPod, through fabric, to you, your carryon or another similarly handy place. (Apparently, an iPod has no hard drive, so the magnets won’t harm it.) I’d use it on my bag’s interior, with the back inside a pocket, to keep my iPod from getting lost among my other travel necessities.

Next up: A selection of magnetic travel games, for kids of all ages. You’ll get the backgammon game pictured above, as well as sudoku, hangman, bingo and dominoes, plus another that features dinosaurs. It’s good to limit screen-time, maybe get some friendly back-seat interaction going on, no?

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Corrals knitting necessities in a handbag-like zip-up pouch, so you’re always ready to take your hobby on the road with you. The three-ring binder clips help organize patterns and projects.

Camping catch-and-release for your budding natural scientist.

You’re staring at the campfire anyway. Might as well add one more mesmerizing dimension. I swear this is the exact brand and label design of the tin kept on our brick fireplace mantle when I was a kid. Always worth the begging required to get Dad to break it out.