Best Travel Toys for Toddlers of 2025

A travel tray instantly transforms a chaotic car seat into an organized play station. This Lusso Gear option is sturdy enough for coloring, snacking, or building with blocks. It features a dry-erase board surface, which doubles the fun without adding extra clutter.

We love the dedicated tablet holder that keeps screens safe and at eye level. The side storage pockets are perfect for stashing crayons and small toys, preventing the dreaded “I dropped it” meltdown. It is compatible with most car seats and stroller setups.

Interactive board books are a staple for flying with younger toddlers. This Karen Katz classic features large, easy-to-grasp flaps that reveal different modes of transportation. It is a fantastic way to explain the travel journey to your little one.

The bright illustrations and simple text engage young readers without overwhelming them. Since it is a sturdy board book, it withstands rough handling and sticky fingers. It is small enough to tuck into the seat pocket in front of you for quick access during takeoff.

This magnetic maze is a genius invention for travel because it is a single self-contained unit. The magnetic wand is attached by a durable cord, so you will never lose it between car seats.

Your toddler uses the wand to guide small balls through the city streets, helping with color matching and fine motor precision. It is quiet, flat, and slides easily into a travel bag. It is excellent for keeping kids focused during long waits at restaurants or airport gates.

Let’s be real; sometimes a screen is the only thing that works. An iPad is the ultimate backup plan for long-haul flights or road trips. You can load it with educational apps, favorite shows, or audiobooks before you leave home.

This model offers plenty of storage and excellent battery life, so it won’t die mid-flight. Just remember to download content for offline viewing and invest in a shock-proof case and toddler-friendly headphones.

Puppets are underrated travel tools. This mini turtle is small enough to fit in a pocket but engaging enough to distract a fussy child. You can use it to “talk” to your toddler about what is happening on the trip or read a story in a funny voice.

It doubles as a soft cuddle buddy for nap time. The tactile experience of the plush fabric and the interactive nature of fingerplay spark imagination without requiring batteries or Wi-Fi.

This carry case is educational and practical. It holds 26 colorful letters that snap securely into place, so they won’t scatter everywhere when you open the case. It is a fun way to practice the alphabet or spell out simple words while on the go.

The Sesame Street branding captures attention immediately. Because it functions as a puzzle case, cleaning up is part of the game. It is a bit bulkier than other items on this list, so it is best suited for road trips rather than minimal packing.

The classic magnetic doodle board remains a favorite for a reason. It offers endless drawing capabilities without the need for paper, crayons, or cleanup. The pen is tethered to the board, making it drop-proof.

It is lightweight and durable, perfect for a toddler’s backpack. Since it is erasable, your child can draw, wipe, and repeat for the entire duration of a flight. Plus, the colorful magnetic dust adds a fun twist to standard sketching.

Wikki Stix are essentially yarn covered in food-grade wax. They stick to almost any smooth surface with light pressure and peel off without leaving any residue. This makes them perfect for creating art on airplane tray tables or windows.

They are incredibly lightweight and take up zero space in your carry-on. Toddlers can bend them into shapes, letters, or stick figures. We recommend keeping them in a small zipper bag to prevent them from collecting lint when not in use.

This plush monkey is a soft friend and a skill-building tool wrapped in one. It features 11 different dressing activities, including zippers, snaps, buttons, and lace-up shoes. It is fantastic for keeping busy hands occupied during quiet time.

While it is larger than some travel toys, its soft body makes it easy to squish into a bag or use as a travel pillow. It is ideal for toddlers who are showing interest in dressing themselves.

Similar to the town maze, this number maze focuses on counting and color sorting. The magnetic wand helps move balls into numbered slots, introducing early math concepts in a playful way.

The wooden construction is robust and ready for travel. Because it is completely enclosed, you don’t have to worry about choking hazards or lost marbles. It is a quiet activity that encourages concentration and logical thinking.

Lacing toys are excellent for developing patience and hand-eye coordination. This set includes a wooden apple, watermelon, and pineapple with attached strings and “worms” for threading.

They are solid wood but small and light enough to toss into a purse. The activity requires focus, which can help calm a restless toddler. Just keep an eye on the string length to ensure safety during independent play.

Sometimes the simplest toys are the best. The Dimpl features silicone bubbles built into a sturdy plastic frame. Toddlers can push, pop, and poke the bubbles endlessly. It is essentially a high-quality, reusable version of bubble wrap.

It is flat, easy to clean, and virtually indestructible. It serves as a great sensory tool to help toddlers self-soothe in stressful travel environments. Plus, it fits easily into the side pocket of a backpack.

These soft cars are perfect for airport layovers where your toddler needs to burn off energy. The pull-back mechanism is easy for little hands to operate. Since they are made of soft fabric, they won’t make a loud clattering noise if they fall off a table.

The wheel assembly is removable for washing, which is a huge plus after a trip through dirty terminals. They provide active play options without the weight of die-cast metal cars.

For older toddlers who love art, the Color Wonder series is a travel essential. The special markers only appear on the specific Color Wonder paper, not on skin, clothes, or airline seats.

This hard-shell desk serves as a sturdy lap surface and stores the markers and stamps inside. It is slim enough to slide into a carry-on bag. This kit solves the “messy artist” problem completely.

This ingenious product is both a toy and a functional bag. The exterior is covered in colorful buckles that toddlers love to click open and shut. It is fantastic for fine motor development and keeps busy fingers occupied.

Inside, there is enough room to store a few snacks or a small stuffed animal. Your toddler will feel independent carrying their own “luggage,” and you get a built-in activity center that doesn’t take up extra space.

Leslie Patricelli’s books are toddler comedy gold. “Yummy Yucky” is a hilarious exploration of what is okay to eat (blueberries) and what is not (crayons). It usually gets a laugh out of both parents and kids.

The simple, bold illustrations grab attention even in dim cabin lighting. Reading this together is a great way to bond and kill time during a delay. It is durable enough to survive being tossed into a diaper bag repeatedly.

For the youngest travelers, this multi-textured fish is a winner. It crinkles, squeaks, and has a shatterproof mirror for peek-a-boo play. The scales flip up to reveal hidden pictures, adding an element of surprise.

It is lightweight and washable, which is critical for anything a baby might chew on during a trip. It is engaging enough to distract a fussing baby but soft enough to use as a pillow in a pinch.