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.

In this article:
How we chose the best travel toys for toddlers
Best travel toys for toddlers

How We Chose the Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

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:

We considered several factors when sourcing playthings, including size, weight, age rating, quality and durability, ease of use and value.
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.
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.

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

%% PRODUCT 1 %%

%% PRODUCT 2 %%

%% PRODUCT 3 %%

%% PRODUCT 4 %%

%% PRODUCT 5 %%

%% PRODUCT 6 %%

%% PRODUCT 7 %%

%% PRODUCT 8 %%

%% PRODUCT 9 %%

%% PRODUCT 10 %%

%% PRODUCT 11 %%

%% PRODUCT 12 %%

%% PRODUCT 13 %%

%% PRODUCT 14 %%

%% PRODUCT 15 %%

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.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best Travel Strollers for Stress-Free Trips

Best Toddler Suitcases

Best Travel Car Seats for Your Next Trip

Parenting Babymoon & Travel