Today we are talking about toddler toys for travel.
It is no mystery that toddlers are hard to entertain, that is why today we are discussing how to entertain your busy toddler on a long flight or during long car rides. Am I the only one who goes into panic mode when was of these things is coming up? I start to worry my two-and-a-half-year-old is going to scream the whole time or go into throwing mode with his toys and start pelting passengers with mini action figures mid-flight. This is a valid fear, long travel days are hard even for adults so it understandable that younger children are prone to meltdowns on these days.
This is why I have compiled a list of the 11 great things to take on flights or in vehicles to make those travel days just a little easier. My guidelines for great travel toys are they have to be compact, they can't be thrown, entertains for as long as possible, and they aren't expensive.
9 Best Travel Toys
1. Puffy Stickers with Sticker Books
These are great travel toys because they are very affordable, you can get a pack of about 200 from Amazon for less than $10, they are puffy so perfect for little hands to grab without needing parent assistance, they are reusable stickers that aren't easily torn, and the accompanying sticker book allows your toddler to create art without worrying about the potential crayon or marker mess. These have been a big hit with my toddler and are the perfect size for not only your carry-on but great for entertaining in hotel rooms or rental properties when you arrive at your destination. Click below for some sticker options.
2. Playdough with Sensory Toys Inside
I can almost hear the collective groan through the computer when I mentioned playdough, and I get it, but it is a relatively mess-free travel activity that has a long entertainment shelf-life. This activity is compact, and if you add in some small toys that can be smushed into the playdough it entertains for much longer and keeps the smaller items in the same play space as the playdough. This is also a good option for big kids who are sick of screen time and want to spend some time doing a different activity. Click below for some Play-Doh options.
3. Busy Book or Busy Board
My son has two of these books and loves both of them, they are so affordable I often purchase different versions before trips to give him new activities to try and accomplish. There are many different versions of these books, but they often include clasps to complete, strings to put through holes, Velcro items to stick on and off, and an array of other activities that little fingers can spend long trips trying to figure out time and time again. Another positive, these books/boards help toddlers build hand-eye coordination while also staying entertained on long journeys, this really is a great toy for trips or home! Click below for some busy book and board options.
4. Suction toy
There are a couple different versions of these that we have tried, my son has enjoyed both but enjoyed the suction spinner the best. Personally, we only use these if we have access to the airplane windows, they will technically work on the back of the seat in front of you, but it would cause a lot of bumping the person in that seat. If you are on a road trip, these can suction toys can be used on a board book, when my son was about one-and-a-half these were one of this favorite travel toys, the spinning really fascinated him and kept him entertained. Click below for some suction toy options.
5. Amazon Fire Tablet
I know, I know, screen time....eeeek. But long road trips or air travel is a whole different beast with a toddler, and I believe that most daily rules can be bent to get through these days, I am not above offering cookies or lollipops on a plane to get through. I love the Amazon Fire Tablet because it is really compact and if you purchase the case with it (which I suggest) it is really durable. We download Netflix and Disney + on our son's tablet and then download his favorite shows from those apps and we never have to worry about internet or connectivity issues. And no, I don't limit the amount of time he has on it while traveling. I have a 12-year-old,10-year-old, and 2.5-year-old and these tablets have made it through all 3 of them without any issues. Click below for the Amazon Fire tablet.
6. Magnetic Puzzle
Magnetic puzzles are a great way to keep kids entertained while on a plane, and a good way to get some learning in between more than normal screen time. The magnetic pieces make it harder for the small parts to fall out and go rolling under a seat, never to be seen again, but the boards are compact enough to easily fit into your carry-on bag or diaper bag. To make these easier to transport, I don't store the pieces in the puzzle. I found it easier to store the pieces separately in a Ziplock back then hand them to them one at a time...hopefully this avoids the grab and dump method most toddlers use. Click below for a few magnetic activity options.
7. Craft Bag
This is not a toy per se, but more of a DIY craft that can hopefully entertain them and be something new and exciting they haven't done before. I bought a packing cube size bag and fill it with all sorts of crafts from the dollar store. I have put items in these like pipe cleaners, wikki stix, sticky googly eyes, feathers, peel and stick jewels, you can really put anything in here that is small and won't easily roll away. This is usually a huge hit not only for my toddler, but my older kids will start grabbing a few things and fidgeting with them which entices my toddler to participate even more. I will often add a notebook full of plain paper to this assortment, so he has a place to stick the crafts. This activity is a fun way to get in some imaginative play and provides a creative outlet. Click below for some craft bag ideas.
8. Water Pen Coloring Book
The coloring books that are reusable and activated with water are a game changer! I so wish they would have had these when my older two were younger. You don't have to mess with bringing 10 different colored markers that will inevitably get lost. You don't have to deal with the possibility of coloring on the seat or themselves, it really is a great way to do some coloring without the mess. Click below for a water pen coloring book.
9. Favorite blanket and stuffy
These are not toys, but so comforting on a long flight or car ride and will help your toddler feel more at ease. These will also, hopefully, help with sleep while in an unfamiliar circumstance and dealing with a schedule that has probably been disturbed. In addition to providing comfort, my son, and I would assume most toddlers, are more apt to stay engaged with a movie or activity longer if they are snuggly and comfortable. Click below for some snuggly travel options.
Today we talked about toddler travel toys, hopefully you found some new items that you haven't tried before and can implement into your next vacation to make your travel days a bit smoother. My only other piece of advice would be to repurpose old items, or purchase new items, and don't show them these items until you are on your plane! Leading up to boarding or getting in the car, run run run! Play red light/ green light in an open space, have them complete an obstacle course you map out, or simply walk all around the airport. Then, when get on the plane introduce them to their new toys, this is how we get the most engagement with activities. Happy Traveling!
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