About us

Before our flight to Portugal to visit Oma and Opa, we did what every parent does: we searched for travel-ready toys for our two toddlers. Everything felt like two extremes: flimsy, noisy, “one-and-done,” or heavy, bulky, and too big. At the end of the trip, Oma handed each child a small laptop bag filled with simple toys. Those little “busy bags” didn’t make a 16-hour flight tantrum-free, but they turned restless moments into calm, curious play. That’s when Dondersteen was born.

I set out to build what I couldn’t find: a toddler-sized backpack that actually fits, gives little ones independence, and filled with lightweight, high-quality toys you can take anywhere—on vacation, to a restaurant, or a road trip.

From then on, my focus was simple: travel-ready play that is safe, durable, quiet, easy to clean, and light enough to carry through every connection. Parents could then travel a little lighter, while little ones can still play on the go.