Traveling with kids can be AMAZING, but let’s be honest it can also be CHALLENGING.
Whether we’re heading on a road trip, jumping on a plane, or even just driving across town, I’ve learned that having a few engaging travel toys packed away can make a huge difference.
These are some of my favourite travel toys that help keep my child entertained without taking up too much space.
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Reusable Sticker Books
Reusable sticker books are one of my favorites. They don’t take up much space, they’re mess free and can keep little hands busy for surprisingly long periods of time. My daughter loves creating different scenes and making up her own stories.
Why I love them:
- Easy to pack
- No mess
- Encourages creativity and using imagination.
Shop reusable sticker books here:
Water Colouring Books
If you’ve never tried these, you must!
Children use a water pen to reveal colours and pages. Once the water is dry they can do them all over again.
Why I love them:
- No mess
- Reusable
- Perfect for younger children
- Don’t require much space
Shop Water Colouring in Books Here: https://amzn.to/43Ir4u4
Pop-It Toys
Pop it toys are great for keeping little hands busy and can be especially helpful during long waits. On planes, waiting for planes, in the car.
Why I love them:
- Small and portable
- Quiet
- Great sensory activity
- Great for fine motor skills
Shop Pop-it Toys here: https://amzn.to/4ehHEHb
Busy Books
Busy books have become one of our favourite travel toys.
They usually include matching games, counting activities, shapes, colours, letters and problem solving tasks all in one compact book. Because everything is attached to velcro pieces, they’re perfect for keeping little hands busy on the go.
Why I love them:
- Screen-free entertainment
- Encourages learning through play
- Reusable again and again
- Great for car rides, planes, waiting rooms, restaurants
Shop Busy Books Here:
Pink: https://amzn.to/3SgpgGb
Blue: https://amzn.to/3SP6aHa
Activity Books
A classic for a reason
Colouring books, puzzle books, and activity books are always packed in our travel bag.
Why I love them:
- Affordable
- Lots of variety
- Suitable for different ages
- Accessible, can pick up at most shops.
Headphones
Not technically a toy, but definitely a travel essential.
Audio books, Movies, Educational games (Reading Eggs is a good one) keep kids entertained whilst giving the parents alittle quiet time. B
Bluetooth ones are better, saves the cord getting tangled around things.
Why I love them:
- Encourages listening skills
- A moment of peace and quiet
- Great for long trips
Shop Kids Headphones here: https://amzn.to/3QmdUzP
Snack Containers
Again not a toy, but sometimes snacks are the real MVP for travel.
Having a special snack contains can turn snack time into an activity on its own.
Why I love them:
- Helps avoid Bordem
- Easy to organise
- Less mess
Shop Snack Containers here: https://amzn.to/4uNsDlw
Books
You can never go wrong with a good book.
Whether it’s their favourite bed time story, an interactive flap book, or a book about something they’re currently obsessed with. Books are always a good pick for travel.
Why I love them:
- Screen-free entertainment
- Encourages a love of reading
- Easy to pack
- Perfect for quiet moments
My daughter loved the Peekaboo book range.
Shop interactive Peekaboo book: https://amzn.to/4oFBJzo
A Special Toy From Your Travels
I like to treat my little one to a small inexpensive toy from our travels, a small teddy or something this tends to be her comfort toy on all of our trips so far.
What Actually Gets Used
I’ve learned that the best travel aren’t the most expensive ones.
The toys they get used are:
- Easy to hold
- Simple to use
- Mess-free
- Reusable
- Small enough to fit in a backpack
Final Thoughts
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be stressful.
A well chosen travel toy can make the journey smoother for everyone and help keep little ones happy along the way.
These are items i’ve reached for again and again, and they’ve saved many road trips, plane rides, and busy travel days.
What’s your favourite travel toy? I’d love to discover some new ideas for our next adventure.
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