In our group, we often get questions about keeping little ones occupied in transit, especially on flights. So, in order to make things easier for all traveling families, here are the group’s top recommendations for toys, games, and activities to keep your toddler/little kid happy during your travels.
1) Fisher-Price Travel DoodlePro
This sweet little etch-a-sketch is the perfect size to carry on to planes. Featuring a magnetic pen that’s connected to the pad and an easy sliding eraser, this toy is perfect for little ones to express themselves in-flight.
Fisher-Price DoodlePro, Trip, (Aqua); $11.99, Amazon
2) Melissa & Doug Arts ‘n’ Crafts and Activity Kits
Arts ‘n’ Crafts/Activity kits are the perfect all-in-one to keep kids amused in-flight. The kits provide everything needed for the given craft, so you don’t have to scramble for the appropriate supplies. Melissa & Doug offers many options for these craft kits, including bracelet making, scratch art, stamping, stickers, tape art, and more.
Melissa & Doug Design-Your-Own Bracelets; $4.99, Amazon
Melissa & Doug On the Go Secret Decoder Deluxe Activity Set; $11.04, Amazon
3) Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Activity Pads
Another great Melissa & Doug product! These awesome activity books allow kids to create watercolor works using just water! Since they’re so simple, they are perfect for travel. In fact, the brand creates versions of the product especially for travel.
Melissa & Doug On-The-Go Water Wow! Reusable Color with Water Activity Pad 3-Pack (Farm, Safari, Under the Sea); $14.99, Amazon
Melissa & Doug On-The-Go Water Wow! Reusable Color with Water Activity Pad 3-Pack (Fairy Tale, Makeup, Animals); $13.99, Amazon
4) Boogie Board eWriters
Basically a more high-tech version of etch-a-sketches, these little LCD tablets are perfect for kids to play around with. Boogie Board even offers versions of the product especially for kids.
Boogie Board Scribble and Play Color LCD Writing Tablet; $24.99, Amazon
Boogie Board Play and Trace LCD Writing Tablet; $19.25, Amazon
5) Magna-Tiles
These magnetic tiles come in different sizes and offer kits from 15 to 100 pieces, with the smaller kits being ideal for travel. As they are magnetic, it’ll definitely be harder for little ones to lose the pieces!
Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Set; $49.99, Amazon
6) Squigz
Like Magna-Tiles, these building blocks are ideal for travel as they stick together with suction. They come in sets ranging from 24 to 75 pieces, and even offer mini versions of the blocks.
Mini Squigz 30 Piece Set Building & Construction; $9.95, Amazon
Original Squigz Starter 24 Piece Set; $25.95, Amazon
7) Wikkistix
Another great on-the-go building toy! Made from wax and yarn, Wikkistix are safe for little ones to bend and shape. Wikkistix even offers a travel kit — perfect for in-flight entertainment.
WikkiStix Traveler Playset; $12.60, Amazon
8) Wooden Lacing Toys
These old school-style toys are great for keeping fidgety toddlers occupied while in transit. They’re simple and one-piece, which will ensure your little one won’t lose the necessary pieces!
Wooden Cheese Montessori Toy for Toddlers available at Amazon starting at $9.21, Amazon
9) Baby Einstein Toys
If you don’t mind a bit of noise, Baby Einstein’s toys are great for little ones to learn and play on the go. Some are plastic, some are plush. But they feature music, lights, and educational material. Some of the toys even include volume control so you can adjust the sound to be mindful of other passengers on a flight — or just so you, as the parent, won’t get a headache!
Baby Einstein Octoplush Plush Toy; $19.99, Amazon
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy; $8.99, Amazon
Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony Toy; $9.99, Amazon
10) Search & Find Activity Books
These books are a simple way to keep your kid entertained. There’s the classic I Spy books, the Where’s Waldo books, and even versions of these books featuring your child’s favorite Disney characters (Mickey Mouse, Moana, Finding Dory, etc.). There are so many great, diverse options for these fun books!
My First Search & Find Animal Friends; $7.99, Amazon
My Big Seek-and-Find Book: with wipe-clean pen; $9.48, Amazon
I Spy: Animals; $3.40, Amazon
We hope these suggestions have been helpful in your trip planning. Bon voyage!
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