The Top Airplane and Car Toys for Toddlers, According to Parents
Whether you’re journeying across the state or venturing overseas, traveling with little ones can be stressful—which is where airplane and car toys for toddlers come in handy. “For all ages on planes, the key is endless snacks and then plane toys,” says noxacanthus, a member of The Bump forum. Her advice is to “get a bunch of cheap, small stuff off Amazon that they’ve never seen before and rotate toys and snacks as necessary to keep their attention for the flight.” “Novelty is key,” she adds before sharing the following tip: “when you get to your destination, hide the plane toys away so they are still ‘new’ for the trip back.” Genius! This certainly rings true as, in our experience, the right mix of gizmos and gadgets will do wonders for keeping kids entertained and well-behaved along the way. The best travel toys for toddlers are lightweight and mess-free, and can be easily packed into a carry-on bag or stored in the backseat of your vehicle.
Need some suggestions? We’ve asked parents to share their favorite travel toys and trinkets, which are guaranteed to get your next vacation started on the right note. Shop our top picks below.
Let’s face it: Traveling isn’t a whole lot of fun for anyone, no matter the age. While older kids can bring a book or a portable video game to stay entertained, little ones can struggle to keep busy, which often spells trouble. Fortunately, we’re here to help with a selection of toddler-friendly travel toys that will stave off the boredom, even for the youngest set. Here’s how we curated this list:
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We considered several factors when sourcing playthings, including size, weight, age rating, quality and durability, ease of use and value.
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We researched what was being said about car and plane toys in The Bump community and forums and gathered top tips on how to enjoy stress-free travel with a toddler in tow.
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Because no two tots are alike, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring external forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what parents nationwide looked for in the best travel toys for toddlers.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Water-based drawing pads
- Easy for even the youngest of tots to use
- Mess-free way to draw and color
- Lightweight
- Pen has a small fill opening
- Pages may take longer to dry if your child uses a lot of water
Mom of two Laura has a 2-and-a-half-year-old and admits that “traveling with kids (especially on an airplane) once they are mobile is challenging!” However, she says these reusable water activity pads are a great way to keep your tot entertained through long wait times at the airport gate. Your little artist can color in fun scenes and practice writing, counting and shape recognition without the stress of a potential mess. This travel toy is totally mess-free, just fill up the included water pen and let your child learn and explore!
Age rating: 3+ years
Our community says:
"We love the Melissa & Doug Water-Reveal coloring books." - Laura B., mom of two
"Also agree with the Melissa and Doug water reveal mess free books—these are a hit and I also keep them in a ‘restaurant bag’ we keep in the car for when we go to restaurants."- Catherine B., mom of two
Spinning suction-cup toys
- Affordable
- Spinners feature a bee, ladybird and butterfly
- Can be attached to virtually any surface
- Suction works best when a small amount of water is applied to the suction cup
“Pack as many different toys as possible—preferably things that spin, move, etc.,” says mom of two Laura. She recommends spinner toys for a plane that have a suction cup, meaning you can stick them onto the car window or airplane tray table. The three pack includes three different size travel toys in bright colors, that are sure to mesmerize your little one.
Age rating: 1+ years
Our community says:
"We really liked the spinning wheels that you can suction to the airplane window." - Laura B., mom of two
"These have been a big hit with my son. You can put them on the airplane tray or window." - nsk489, The Bump forum member
Snack spinner
- Leakproof
- Turns snacking into a fun travel game
- Comes with a sticker sheet
- Expensive
- Some reviewers say the compartments are too small
While a snack spinner isn’t exactly a travel toy, parents agree that food is a must-have during long journeys. “Bring a LOT of snacks, but don't show them all at once,” says mom of one Anahí, who likes to keep her kiddos favorite treat (typically cookies) till last. This snack spinner has five compartments, each of which holds a quarter cup of solid food. The button in the middle adds an interactive element as tots can press it to rotate their snack selection and decide what to munch on next. It has a wrist strap for easy transportation and only one compartment opens at a time, so you don’t have to worry about food spilling while you’re in transit.
Age rating: N/A
Our community says:
"SNACKS! As many different kinds as possible. A snack tackle box or spinner is a great way to keep them entertained." - Laura B., mom of two
"I love the snack tackle box idea. I also just bring individually wrapped, so it's easy to dispose of once they are done." - Catherine B., mom of two
Lift-the-flap book
- Interactive lift-up flaps
- Colorful illustrations
- Small in size
- Paper flaps tear easily
A couple of small board books make great travel toys for toddlers, especially if they have an interactive element. Find Spot is a lift-the-flap book series featuring everyone’s favorite puppy. In this installment, kids have to locate Spot while he’s on an adventure at a wildlife park with a whole host of animal characters.
Age rating: 1-2 years
Our community says:
"Right now our 2.5 year old is happy looking at books, coloring and singing. Books that are interactive (i.e. lift the flap) are good too." - Laura B., mom of two
Reusable sticker pack set
- Reusable stickers for endless fun
- Colorful, detailed backgrounds
- Carrying handle
- Stickers may pick up hair and fuzz
- Pad is on the large side
Your little explorer will love creating animal-filled adventure scenes with this travel toy for toddlers. The play set consists of 42 reusable puffy stickers and a fold-out, double-sided background of jungle and savannah landscapes. What’s more, the activity set has a handle so it can be transported by you or your toddler.
Age rating: 4+ years
Our community says:
"Some toys that have kept her busy the longest: reusable stickers, water books, crayons and coloring books, pop fidget toys." - Anahí G-R., mom of one
Fidget popper
- Inspires open-ended, sensory play
- Made of BPA-free, food-grade silicone
- Compact design
- Rubber may pick up hair and fuzz
The best airplane toys for toddlers are those that are simple, portable and provide endless fun. This sensory toy from Fat Brain Toys is no exception. Your little one will love popping the colorful, silicone bubbles, and you’ll love how easy it is to tote in your diaper bag or carry-on luggage.
Age rating: 10+ months | Dimensions: 5.5" (L) x 1" (W) x 5" (H) | Weight: 4.8 oz.
Our community says:
“My daughter was obsessed with dimple fidget toys when she was younger; they would keep her busy for ages.” – Daniel C., dad of one and associate director of e-commerce content for The Bump
Shape-sorting block set
- Bright colors stimulate younger tots
- Two-sided for added fun and learning
- Heavier than other options on our list
- Some say the shapes fall out of the holes at times
Is your tot fascinated by colors and shapes? Then this toddler travel toy is sure to check all of the boxes on your list. It comes with a convenient carrying case that doubles as a two-sided activity bag. The best thing about this toy is that it offers multiple ways to play: Your little one can stack the blocks, sort the shapes or touch and explore the crinkly, illustrated flaps on the back.
Age rating: 9+ months
Our community says:
"I have a 10-month-old and probably overpacked our first flight because I was so nervous! I packed some teething toys, these little blocks, books, and lots and lots of snacks!" - Rebecca T., mom of one
Toy figurines
- Durable design
- Great for pretend play
- Small and easy to grip
- No interactive features
Planning a road trip? Give your little one their very own vehicle to play with. The toddler car toy comes with a tractor and a little driver that sits up top. Little People figurines are easy for small hands to grip, making for frustration-free playtime. Then, when playtime (or the ride!) is over, simply slip the tiny toys into your diaper bag or pop them in your car’s seatback pocket.
Age rating: 1-5 years
Our community says:
"I bought little toy figurines that my kids love and waited until we got on the plane to give it to my daughter—she loved getting something 'new' and it kept her occupied for a good amount of time." - Catherine B., mom of two
Play phone
- Interactive buttons
- Plays songs and phrases in Spanish and English
- Batteries required
- May be too noisy for long haul flights
While it’s best to avoid plane toys that make a lot of noise on long haul flights, it's a good idea to have something in your back pocket in case you need to diffuse a major toddler meltdown. The Learn with Elmo Phone plays “The Wheels on The Bus” and has 12 buttons, each of which play a phrase from a different Sesame Street character. This travel toy is also a great option for road trips, as it’s less important to keep the noise down!
Age rating: 2+ years
Our community says:
"He loves watching Elmo and Ms Rachel! He also loves the Elmo fake phone toy and a small ball that makes noises. I let him use it since I know he will be worked up in a new place and want to keep him calm when traveling!" - Rebecca T., mom of one
Magnetic doodle board
- Mess-free way to draw
- Travel-size board
- Pen is attached so it can’t get lost
- Some reviewers say the eraser doesn’t fully wipe the board clean
Next up on our list of the best travel toys for toddlers is this magnetic doodle board. Your kiddo can draw to their heart’s content (without any of the mess!) while you’re out and about. When they’re ready to create a new masterpiece, simply slide the eraser across to clear the canvas. The Magna Doodle comes in three sizes, including this compact travel-size option, which is small enough to fit in a toddler backpack.
Age rating: 3+ years
Our community says:
"We are going on a 5 hour flight in a couple of weeks with my 21-month-old. I am packing crayons and paper, a magna doodle, bendy sticks that I found at Target (box of 100 was around $3.50), and I just placed an order with Amazon this morning for an airplane book, four different varieties of these sticker books, a magnet book and hand puppets. All of these are items that will be new to him except for the crayons." - MizzC, The Bump forum member
Hand puppet
- Plush material
- Range of animal characters
- Great toy for pretend play
- Difficult to move the puppet’s mouth
Kids crave human interaction, which is why a puppet makes a great travel toy for toddlers. Rather than passing tots a toy and expecting them to entertain themselves, parents can use a puppet to actively engage in pretend play and bond with their little one. This sweet plush puppet is available in a range of animal characters, including a giraffe, penguin, monkey and a lion. Pick your child’s favorite and be prepared to put on a show!
Age rating: 3+ years
Our community says:
"We did a long trip at that age (10 hrs) and I brought puppets to talk to them from the front seat and had a bag of some new things to pull out periodically, books, little toys, etc." - groovygrl, The Bump forum member
Toy keys
- Car sounds
- Realistic key design
- Wrist strap for portability
- Best suited for babies and young toddlers
Whether you’re looking for toys for the car or options to use on a plane, the B. toys toy car keys set is a great choice. Why? For one thing it’s super-small and portable, which is a must for travel toys. But despite its small size, this toy is full of interactive features. It has a built-in flashlight, the chunky buttons trigger real car sounds and the realistic keys are fun to explore and shake.
Age rating: 10+ months
Our community says:
"'ve heard several good tips. One is [to] have a fresh, new toy for each hour (1/2 hour?) of your flight. You can wrap up each individual toy in gift wrap to add a little more time. I went to the dollar store and got a few books that I won't care if they get torn up or left behind. I also bought the B. Toys cell phone and car key thingys." - loopylis, The Bump forum member
Educational travel toy for toddlers
- Suitable for a wide range of ages
- Offers an array of activities in one set
- Teaches kids everyday skills
- According to some reviewers, the zippers break easily
Have a long travel day ahead? This 25-in-1 montessori toy is sure to keep your little one busy. The board features a variety of activities that will teach your child about everyday skills, like tying shoes and telling time as they play. The lightweight, compact design also easily folds closed and has a carrying handle—score!
Age rating: 1 to 6 years | Dimensions: 3.9" (L) x 0.8" (W) x 1" (H) | Weight: 9.9 oz.
Toy steering wheel
- Encourages imaginative play
- Includes a variety of interactive elements
- Bulky design
- Requires batteries
Beep beep! Have a mini backseat driver? Then your little one is bound to love this steering wheel toy for the car. Your toddler will have a ball imitating you while you’re driving—plus, they’ll learn about animals, vehicles, colors, numbers, opposites and more as they play.
Age rating: 6 months to 3 years | Dimensions: 10.8" (L) x 4.3" (W) x 4.7" (H) | Weight: 1.4 lbs.
Our community says:
"My kid loves this one. I will caveat this by saying he LOVES steering wheels. He could stand on my front seat playing with the steering wheel for hours." - JhawkCE, The Bump forum member
Buckle toddler learning toy
- Nurtures fine motor skills
- Decorated with colors, numbers and shapes
- Suitable for toddlers of all ages
- Some reviewers say they wish the straps were longer
Some of the best car toys for toddler are those that seamlessly combine learning and entertainment—just like this plush turtle. Its shell features several colorful buckles for your little one to clip and unclip, strengthening their fine motor and color-matching skills on the go. This plush plaything even has a zipper on its back for your kiddo to store mini treasures and trinkets they find on their travels.
Age rating: 1 to 4 years | Dimensions: 7" (L) x 5" (W) x 10" (H) | Weight: 6 oz.
About the writer:
Martina Garvey is an editor at The Bump, where she writes and edits e-commerce content for pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Over a nine-year career in educational publishing and digital media, Martina has developed a keen eye for detail and robust reporting skills. As a staff member on The Bump for over four years, she leverages an in-depth knowledge of must-have baby gear and postpartum essentials alongside a passion for the latest trends to create informative content parents can trust.
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