Best Travel Toys & Activities for Toddlers
Best Travel Toys & Activities for Toddlers: Long Flights, Car Rides, and Family Vacations
Traveling with toddlers can feel like preparing for a mission to the moon—you need the right travel toys, a solid plan, and a lot of patience. Whether you’re gearing up for a long-haul flight, a road trip, or even just a short journey, having the best toddler travel toys is essential to keep little hands busy and little minds engaged. As an Amazon Associate, I’ve done a lot of research to find affordable, portable, and effective options for young children, so you don’t have to. Let’s dive into my list of favorite items to make your next trip as smooth as possible.
Why Travel Toys Are a Game Changer
Great travel toys are not just about entertainment; they help with fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and imaginative play. The right toys can turn a potentially chaotic family vacation into an enjoyable experience. Whether you're trying to navigate long lines at the airport, keep your little one entertained during a two-hour flight, or survive long car rides, the key is having plenty of toys and activities to rotate through.
Top Picks for the Best Toddler Travel Toys
Here’s my curated list of perfect travel toys and activities for toddlers that are lightweight, portable, and guaranteed to provide hours of fun.
1. Reusable Sticker Books
Reusable sticker books are a huge hit with toddlers of all ages. These books are mess-free and provide endless opportunities for imaginative play. They’re perfect for decorating a plane window, lap pads, or a little backpack.
Materials Needed: Reusable sticker books, puffy stickers.
Why It’s a Great Option: Encourages creativity and fine motor skills while keeping little fingers busy for a long time.
vehicle sticker book
Princess Sticker Books
Bluey Sticker Book
2. Magnetic Puzzles
These puzzles are the perfect travel toy for younger children and older toddlers alike. Compact and designed to avoid losing small parts, they’re ideal for flights or long car rides.
Materials Needed: Magnetic puzzles in different designs.
Why It’s a Game Changer: Great for hand-eye coordination and minimal mess.
3. Water Wow! Books
These magical coloring books use water-filled pens to reveal vibrant designs—then dry out to be reused later. A perfect toy for keeping little kids entertained without worrying about spills.
Materials Needed: Water Wow! books, a sippy cup to refill the pen.
Why It’s a Good Idea: Provides much fun with minimal mess.
4. Busy Books and Busy Boards
Busy books and boards are lifesavers for long trips. With zippers, buttons, and buckles, these hands-on activities are ideal for fostering fine motor skills.
Why It’s Perfect: They’re compact, engaging, and keep a busy toddler focused during a long flight.
5. Fidget Toys and Action Figures
Small toys like fidget spinners, pop-its, and action figures are perfect for short flights or car seat play. Toss them in your carry-on bag for quick access.
Why It Works: These toys require little space but offer a lot of entertainment.
6. Lap Pads and Magnetic Drawing Boards
Lap pads are great for travel games like magnetic drawing or puzzles. They’re compact and easy to pack.
Materials Needed: Magnetic drawing boards, travel-sized lap pads.
Why It’s a Great Option: Encourages creativity and keeps little hands engaged.
7. Sensory Toys and Small Animals
Sensory toys like squishy balls or small animals provide tactile stimulation that young children love. Sensory bags filled with rice, beads, or buttons are another hit.
Why It’s a Good Idea: Excellent for calming overstimulated toddlers during a long journey.
8. Writing Tablets and Play Mats
A writing tablet is a perfect toy for little artists. Play mats with small cars or animals also provide hours of imaginative play.
Why It’s Worth It: Lightweight and easy to pack without taking up extra space.
Additional Travel Tips for Parents
We’ve traveled quite a bit with our two kids and have created a list of our favorite gear along the way. From a pack n play to a baby carrier, I’ve compiled some of my favorite toddler travel essentials to help you feel more prepared for your next trip.
1. Screen Time Balance
While electronic devices can be lifesavers, incorporate screen-free activities to keep toddlers engaged. Download shows with blue lights adjusted for a little while of calm—a great way to manage transitions during flights or car rides.
2. Toddler Travel Survival Kit
Stock up on small toys, reusable stickers, play dough in a small container, and snacks to surprise your little ones throughout the trip. Even dollar store finds can be a huge hit for keeping toddlers entertained. Don’t forget a snack catcher for less mess!
3. Prepare for Long Lines and Delays
Having sensory toys, cotton balls, and small boxes in your travel bag can make long waits at rest stops or security lines more manageable. For little feet on the move, small activities like triangular crayons and activity books are lifesavers.
4. Pack Extra Clothes
Always bring a change of clothes for your toddler and pack enough diapers for the entire trip. Trust me, it’s the best way to handle unexpected spills or accidents without adding extra stress.
5. Avoid Oversized Item Fees
Opt for compact, portable gear like the hiccapop inflatable toddler travel bed or one of the best travel strollers. These items save much space in your luggage and avoid additional costs.
6. Consider Direct Flights and Window Seats
Whenever possible, book direct flights to minimize layovers. A window seat gives little ones something to explore, whether it’s adjusting the window shade or spotting clouds.
7. Don’t Forget Your First Aid Kit
A small first aid kit with essentials like hand sanitizer, band-aids, and travel-friendly wipes is a must for any day trip, theme park visit, or international flight.
These tips and items are not just useful for the journey but also for your family trip—whether you’re relaxing in a hotel room, dining out, or exploring a new city. With a well-thought-out toddler packing list, you can ease your biggest fears and enjoy the adventure.
Traveling with toddlers doesn’t have to feel like an impossible task. With the right toys and a well-prepared carry-on bag, you can make long trips enjoyable for both you and your little ones. From sensory toys and busy books to magnetic puzzles and reusable sticker books, there are endless options for keeping little kids entertained. Whether it’s a short trip to visit family, a long-haul flight to a dream destination, or a hotel stay, these travel activities are some of the best ways to ensure your toddler stays engaged the entire time.
Don’t forget to pack small activities like triangular crayons, play dough in a small container, or even a roll of blue painter’s tape for younger toddlers to explore. A recent flight taught me the value of having cotton balls, snack containers, and small boxes within reach—true toddler plane activities that work wonders. For older kids, interactive options like activity books or adjusting the window shade can add to the fun.
What’s your favorite travel toy? Share your helpful tips in the comments or tag me on Instagram! Let’s make airplane travel and long journeys fun, as stress-free as can be, and filled with the best airplane activities for your little ones. This post contains affiliate links.
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