If the thought of long car trips, plane rides or train journeys with little ones turns you into a ball of nerves…
…You’re not alone. We get it.
That’s why we’ve done our research on the best travel toys for kids and toddlers – toys that’ll turn your journey into a happy, stress-free adventure.
We’ve recommended fun, quiet, mess-free, compact and affordable toys that will captivate your kids for hours without taking up much space in your bag.
Let’s transform that travel stress into joyful memories!
Top Travel Toys for Car Rides
Travelling with kids in the car can be a real test of your patience, right? The constant “Are we there yet?” chorus can drive any parent up the wall.
Here are our suggestions for toys that will transform car rides into playtime adventures.
1. Travel Card Games for Kids
Here’s the secret sauce to surviving those car journeys with your sanity intact: travel-sized card games.
Pull out a compact card game, and suddenly, it’s game night on wheels!
Kids can strategise, and compete with their siblings – all within the confines of the car and without pesky dice or tokens that are likely to fall into the deep recesses of the car interior. For older kids who can read and count, we reckon travel card games are one of the best toys for travel.
Our travel card games for kids HOT recommendations:
- UNO Junior Move! Kids Card Game
- Spot It Card Game
- Skillmatics Card Game : Guess in 10 Animal Planet
- Guess Who Card Game
- UNO – Classic Colour & Number Matching Card Game
- Car Bingo Travel Game
2. Water Wow! Books
We all know that colouring books can be a lifesaver during long journeys, but what about the mess they can create? Crayons rolling around the car, accidental doodles on the seats – it’s a recipe for stress.
But here’s a game-changer: Water Wow! books.
No crayons, no mess, just pure magic. Your kids can “colour” with water-filled pens, revealing vibrant images as they go. It’s mess-free creativity at its best and we reckon one of the best travel toys for toddlers.
Our Water Wow! Books HOT recommendations:
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Vehicles
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Animals
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Alphabet
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Safari
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Adventure
3. Playdough and Modelling Clay
If you’re picturing sticky hands and a car interior turned into a multicoloured mess, there are travel-sized playdough sets that promise all the fun without the sticky clean-up.
Your kids can sculpt and create to their heart’s content, and when it’s time to go, everything neatly fits back into its compact container.
No mess, no fuss – just creative fun on the road.
Our Playdough and modelling clay HOT recommendations:
- Play-Doh 10-Pack Case of Colors
- Crayola Model Magic Classpack
- Sago Brothers Air Dry Clay
- Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Ice Cream
- Crayola Dough Dino Island
4. Magnetic Drawing Boards
Drawing and doodling are fantastic ways to keep kids entertained, but the thought of loose crayons and paper strewn about can be a nightmare.
Enter magnetic drawing boards and sketch pads. These gems offer mess-free drawing and doodling. Plus, the drawings magically disappear with a swipe, ready for the next masterpiece.
Magnetic Drawing Board for Kids Amazon Australia Link
Magnetic Doodle Board for Toddlers Amazon Australia Link
Our HOT recommendations for magnetic drawing boards:
- Drawing Tablet for Kids
- LCD Writing Tablet 10 Inch
- Cra-Z-Art The Original Magna Doodle Deluxe Magnetic Drawing Toy
- Magnetic Drawing Board&Puzzle Game
- Large Doodle Board with Magnetic Pen and Beads
5. Reusable Sticker Books
Stickers are fantastic for creative play, but peeling them off surfaces can be a hassle, and they often end up in unexpected places.
Reusable sticker scenes offer creative play with minimal mess and are perfect as toddlers’ travel toys. The stickers can be arranged and rearranged on themed scenes, providing endless entertainment without the stickiness.
Our HOT recommendations for sticker books:
- Melissa & Doug 30502 Reusable Sticker Activity Pad
- Ultimate Sticker Book: Diggers and Dumpers
- Melissa & Doug 9413 Puffy Sticker Activity Book: Mermaids
- 500+ Puffy Stickers Variety Pack
- Reusable Sticker Book 100 Sheets Sticker Collecting Album
6. Miniature Cars and Vehicles
Imaginative play doesn’t stop when you’re on the road. Some of the best car toys for toddlers are miniature cars and vehicles.
A simple collection of toys cars and trucks in a small container can spark epic adventures and imaginative storytelling in confined spaces.
Perfect for keeping your child entertained in the car as they zoom up and down the seats and armrests!
Our HOT recommendations for miniature cars and vehicles:
- Hot Wheels Set of 10 Toy Cars & Trucks
- 48Pcs Mini Cars and Small Planes
- Hapavis Construction Cars Toys
- 6 Pack Friction Powered Cars Vehicle Set
- Pull Back Car for Kids, 6 Pack Assorted Mini Cartoon Vehicle Set
Top Travel Toys for Plane and Train Trips
It’s a real challenge to keep the little ones entertained on planes and trains, where silence is golden.
Here are our favourite toys for plane and train travel as they are best used with a tray table. Some of the toys we’ve highlighted for car travel are also suitable as airplane toys for toddlers (and vice versa).
7. Building Blocks and Magnetic Sets
When you’re on a plane or train, space is at a premium. But that doesn’t mean your child’s imagination has to take a back seat.
Enter LEGO, building blocks and magnetic tiles.
These toys encourage imaginative play without the need for a sprawling playroom. Your little architects can construct towers, bridges, or even miniature cities right there on their seat table.
Our HOT recommendations for LEGO travel sets and magnetic tiles:
- STEAM STUDIO 120pcs Magnetic Tiles Including Two Cars
- PicassoTiles 60 Piece Set 60pcs Magnet Building Tiles
- Jasonwell Magnetic Tiles
- LEGO Travel Building Suitcase
- LEGO® Creator 3in1 Dolphin and Turtle 31128 Building Kit
8. Travel Playsets and Figures
On a plane or train, you’re dealing with tight spaces and limited options for play.
That’s where travel-friendly playsets and figures come to the rescue – they make great travel toys for toddlers.
These portable worlds spark big adventures. Think miniature cities, farms, or even magical realms. Your child can immerse themselves in imaginative play, all while sitting quietly in their seat.
Our HOT recommendations for travel playsets:
- LEGO 43193 Disney Princess Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana’s Storybook Adventures Castle Toy
- LEGO® Disney Princess The Little Mermaid Story Book
- LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Moment: Potions Class
- Polly Pocket
- Bluey Caravan Playset
9. Interactive Learning Tablets
“Screen time during travel? Isn’t that a recipe for overstimulated kids?”
Not necessarily. Interactive learning tablets can be a game-changer. They provide engaging educational entertainment that feels like play. Kids can learn while having fun, and you can enjoy some peaceful travel time.
Our HOT recommendations for interactive learning tablets:
- VTech Write and Learn Creative Center
- Fisher-Price Pretend Tablet Toddler Learning Toy
- LeapFrog 600803 Mr.Pencil’S Scribble & Write
- Learning Pad Fun Phone with 6 Toddler Learning Games by Boxiki Kids
- LeapFrog LeapPad Academy Kids’ Learning Tablet
10. Handheld Electronic Games
The thought of electronic games might conjure up images of noisy, flashy distractions. But fear not, there are handheld electronic games designed with kids in mind.
These portable gadgets offer kid-friendly games without the headache-inducing noise. It’s a win-win – your child stays engaged, and you maintain your sanity.
Out HOT recommendations for handheld electronic games:
- Yahtzee Electronic Hand Held Board Game
- Handheld Game Console for Children
- Nintendo Switch Console Lite
- Retro Handheld Game Console with 500 Classical FC Games
- Handheld Games for Kids, Built-in 500 Retro FC Video Games
11. Travel-themed Flashcards and Learning Kits
You might be surprised to hear that travel-themed flashcards and learning kits can be a hit. They turn the journey into an educational adventure!
Your child can expand their knowledge while you’re en route to your destination. It’s like a mini geography lesson on the go.
Our HOT recommendations for travel flash cards:
- Countries of The World Quiz Game
- Lonely Planet Kids First Words – Spanish
- 206 Countries of The World Flash Cards for Kids
- Capital Cities Quiz Game
- The World Game – Geography Card Game
12. Colouring Books & Activity Books
Colouring books and activity books are a staple for keeping kids occupied and they’re easily one of the best toddler travel toys.
But the inevitable texta stains can send shivers down your spine.
With washable markers, creative expression doesn’t come at the cost of a permanent mess. Your child can enjoy vibrant colouring without you worrying about upholstery stains.
Look for a colouring book with built-in crayons/pencils so that you won’t ever forget to pack the crayons when you head out.
Our HOT recommendations for colouring books and activity books:
- Crayola, Color Wonder, Mess Free Colouring
- Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Book
- Dot to Dot for Kids
- Crayola 10 Pack Ultra Clean Washable Markers
- Dot Marker Books for Toddlers
13. Tablet and Phone Holders
Depending on what plane or train you’re taking (or even if you’re on a road trip) if you decide to give your child screen time then it’s important to be able to secure that tablet or phone without it slipping or falling.
A secure tablet or phone holder that attaches to the seat in front or your plane tray table allows your superhero toddler to watch cartoons hands-free.
Our HOT recommendations for tablet holders and phone mounts:
- Tablet iPad Holder for Car
- Tablet Holder for Car, Universal Car Headrest Mount
- Universal in Flight Airplane Phone Holder Mount
- Klearlook Universal Flight Essentials Phone Mount with Multi-Directional 360° Rotation
- Airplane Organizer Up to 10.9′ Compatible for Cell Phone iPad Samsung Kindle
14. Crafty Curls
Crafty Curls by TWO CUBS are wax-coated yarn sticks designed for kids’ creative play. These mess-free, non-toxic sticks are ideal for developing fine motor skills and sparking imagination, offering endless hours of screen-free fun. Kids can twist, bend, and shape the sticks to create various figures, shapes, and designs.
During travel, children can use Crafty Curls to make colourful sculptures and animals, create letters and numbers, or even jewellery and accessories. Lightweight and portable, Crafty Curls are perfect for keeping kids engaged on the go, making every family trip a delightful adventure. Recommended for ages 3+.
Best Travel Toys: The Secret Weapon for Travelling with Kids
There’s no need to worry about tantrums, boredom, and chaos on the road with these excellent travel toys.
Just imagine the benefits: entertained, happy kids; peaceful car rides and flights; quiet dinners at restaurants; stress-free hotel stays. These toys can help you to create precious family memories on the road.
So, go ahead – pack your bags, strap in, and embark on your next family adventure with confidence. You’ve got this!
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