Last Updated on November 5, 2026
We’re about to take off on another family trip, and I’m busy packing for the flight! While I’m putting our favorite travel toys together, I thought I’d share the best travel toys for toddlers that we have found to date. Flying with a toddler is a special kind of endurance sport. You’re stuck in a tiny seat, everyone’s tired, you’re stressed, and your child suddenly wants everything they’re not allowed to have, like the tray table latch, the seatbelt buckle, the stranger’s headphones. Add in flu season, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster. So let’s make this easy for you…
After flying dozens of times with toddlers (lap babies, newly walking one-year-olds, opinionated two-year-olds, three year olds who refuse to nap outside of their bed at home… all of it), I’ve learned this the hard way: the right airplane toys can make or break the flight.
This list focuses on quiet, screen-free, carry-on-friendly toys that actually hold a toddler’s attention without annoying fellow passengers or taking up half your bag. After traveling with our kids for over 8 years, here are our favorite travel toys.
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Quick Comparison: Best Travel Toys for Toddlers on Airplanes
| Toy Type | Best Age | Noise Level | Mess-Free | Why We (As Parents) Love It | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busy Board (Soft/Felt) | 1–3 years | 🔇 Silent | ✅ Yes | Mimics plane “buttons” safely and keeps hands busy, so much to do | busy book |
| Indestructible Books | 1–2 years | 🔇 Silent | ✅ Yes | Tear-proof, lightweight, and easy to clean | indestructible books |
| Pop-It / Silicone Fidget | 1–3 years | 🔈 Very quiet | ✅ Yes | Simple cause-and-effect entertainment | pop it, fidget sticks, suction cup spinner toy |
| Water Wow / Reusable Coloring | 2–3 years | 🔇 Silent | ✅ Yes | No markers, no mess, reusable (makes a great pool/beach toy too!) | paint with water |
| Magnetic Drawing Board | 2–3 years (but even my 6 year old likes these) | 🔇 Silent | ✅ Yes | Endless drawing without losing crayons | doodle pads |
| Reusable Sticker Book | 2–4 years | 🔇 Silent | ⚠️ Mostly | Great for tray tables and windows | reusable sticker book |
| Small Cars or Animals | 2–4 years | 🔈 Very quiet | ✅ Yes | Encourages imaginative play in small spaces | |
| Painter’s Tape | 1–3 years | 🔇 Silent | ⚠️ Mostly | Cheap, flat, endlessly entertaining | different colors of painter’s tape |
Quick Tip for Parents: What to Choose
- Flying with a 1-year-old? Prioritize busy boards + books
- Flying with a 2–3 year old? Mix one creative toy + one fine-motor toy
- Long flight? Pack 3–5 toys and rotate them slowly. You can even wrap up the toys so it takes your child a few minutes to open them. I keep at least one new toy in my carry on for long flights, so if we end up having to sit on the plane waiting to take off, I can entertain the kids for a few minutes. It has saved our sanity a few times!
Just a word of advice: Avoid anything that can roll around, because regular crayons will fall and then suddenly your red crayon is 4 rows back. Opt for triangular crayons if you can! And tethers might sound like something you don’t need, but trust me: They will save you throughout the flight. Water bottles (just make sure you leave the straws open during take off so they don’t pressurize and squirt you like a water cannon when you open them!), small toys, stuffed animals, even snack cups… You can clip anything to the seatbelt so it’s easily in your child’s reach but can’t disappear.
Another pro parenting tip? Pack the right bag. I love having an “activity bag” for each child that allows them to see exactly what is inside without taking everything out.
Best Travel Toys for 1–2 Year Olds
At this age, toddlers want simple, repetitive, and hands-on. Think fine motor skills + novelty, not complicated games or anything with a lot of little pieces.
If you’re looking for everyday ideas instead of travel options, check out my full list of the best gifts for 2-year-olds.
Busy Boards (Soft or Felt)
Two of my children adored a busy book I purchased for the toddler age (we have this one), and one wasn’t really into it. The book we have is soft and includes activities like tying shoelaces, dressing a doll form with velcro clothing, putting felt food onto a felt plate, and the favorite in this house, clipping together the dog’s collar and taking it apart again.
Why it works:
- Keeps little hands busy
- No small pieces
- Quiet and engaging
👉 Perfect for takeoff and landing when they must stay seated.
Indestructible Books
These are lightweight, tear-proof, and easy to wipe down. Toddlers can chew them, bend them, and flip pages endlessly. They’re easy to pack and often very affordable, so losing one won’t be the end of the world.
Bonus: No panic if it hits the airplane floor.
Pop-It or Silicone Fidget Toys
A favorite for anywhere, the suction cup spinner toys are part fidget and part sensory toy. They stick to windows, tray tables, high chairs… these are a must have for the diaper bag if you have kids who don’t do well waiting around for a long time. Simple, quiet pop-it boards or silicone pull toys are ideal for 1–2 year olds who like cause-and-effect play. Anything with a suction cup will stick to the airplane tray, the window, or even the arm rest.
Tip: Stick to single-color, simple designs, as the flashy ones can overstimulate and lead to meltdowns.
Best Travel Toys for 2–3 Year Olds
Two- and three-year-olds need toys that feel a little more “grown up” but still don’t require instructions (or parent involvement every 30 seconds). They are starting to want independence, but can easily get frustrated with complicated toys.
Color Wonder markers and coloring pages
I love a good old fashioned coloring book and crayons as much as the next mom, but there’s something magical about Color Wonder markers. The markers ONLY work on the special Color Wonder pages (they come in specific characters, like Bluey, or you can buy the blank sheets for free drawing), which means you can’t get marker on the car seat, stroller, the beige couch in your rental home… Every Christmas I buy my kids an updated set of these coloring pages, and they’re always a hit. (Sometimes I’ll see them on sale and will snag them then, too, because I know how often I rebuy these!) Even though my two older kids are definitely out of the toddler stage at ages 6 and 9, they still love when we pull out the Color Wonder pages in a hotel or house rental!
Water Wow / Reusable Sticker Books
Reusable sticker books and water-only coloring pads are a lifesaver. Another fan favorite in my household with all three of my kids, Water WOW Books are black and white until you “color” them with water – and then go back to black and white when they dry. We have had a bunch of these over the years and take them with us often! We even take them to the beach for when we need quiet time in the tent out of the sun. Because you just open the “brush” and fill it with water, you can leave it empty until you’re on the plane, at the restaurant, or wherever you go.
Why we love them:
- No mess
- Reusable for the flight home
- Easy to pack flat
Magnetic Drawing Boards
A classic for a reason. Toddlers can scribble, erase, and repeat without crayons rolling down the aisle.
I bought this set of 2 doodle pads about 5 years ago, and they’re both still going strong! (Though we have lost both pens, but they still work without them. You just need to use a pen with the cover on!) I love these as non-electronic tablets that let the kids draw, color, play tic-tac-toe and other games. Plus they’re affordable and last a while! These are at the top of my list for toddler toys to pack on vacation. My 6 year old still loves taking these on a trip, so I consider these a well-loved purchase for all kids.
👉 Look for travel-size boards with a pen tether so nothing gets lost mid-flight.
Small Toy Cars or Animals
A few small vehicles or animals can spark imaginative play on the tray table.
Pro tip: Wrap each toy individually and hand them out one at a time for instant novelty.
Toddler-Friendly Books
I like to bring smaller books that fit nicely in toddlers’ hands, like this perfectly sized Richard Scarry book that we have now owned two of. We bring other fan favorites, like Peekawho and Dear Zoo. I don’t like to travel with a ton of books- just a few that I know my toddler will want to read at any time of day. We always read books before bed, and while we’re traveling is no exception.
Best Screen-Free Travel Toys
If you’re trying to delay screen time (or save it for emergencies), these toys buy you serious minutes of peace.
Toniebox with Tonies
Tonieboxes are a wonderful audio book-esque product for kids. I love that the kids can use the little figurines as toys, too. The original Toniebox, which we own, has a headphone jack. The newer version (Toniebox 2) only works with bluetooth headphones. Either way, they’re a great screen-free alternative for travel days. My kids love to take these on long car rides with us. If there’s one Tonie they both want, we’ll just use a splitter between headphones to make it work. (I don’t buy multiples of the same Tonie.) Tonieboxes can be a bit bulky to travel with, but during our big trip to Hawaii a couple of years ago, they helped my kids fall asleep at night. I think it’s worth taking with you if you can make the space in your carry on!
Lacing or Threading Toys
Large beads or animal-shaped lacing toys help toddlers focus and build fine motor skills. Avoid anything with many pieces, like the lacing bead kits for a flight- opt for the lowest number of pieces possible, like with this lacing kit!
Montessori-Style Toys
I don’t know what it is about buckles, but toddlers love them. My oldest used to spend so much time trying to buckle things herself. It’s a great way to work on a toddler’s fine motor skills, and it keeps them busy! This buckle square is perfect for travel.
Stick to:
- 3–6 pieces max
- Flat designs that fit in a pouch (my favorite pouches for organizing travel toys in a carry on bag)
Quiet Books
Fabric quiet books with flaps, textures, and interactive pages are perfect for airplanes, especially during longer flights.
Best Carry-On Friendly Toys that Go Anywhere
Space matters. These toys earn their spot in your diaper bag, whether you’re traveling on a plane, going out to dinner at a restaurant, or have more time in the car than your kids are used to.
Color Sorting Sensory Toy
Compact, easy to pack, and helps toddlers work on fine motor skills all at the same time. Even my older kids like this!
Puffy Sticker Books
Ultra-light, inexpensive, and endlessly entertaining. They also work great stuck to the airplane window.
Painter’s Tape
Yes, tape. Toddlers love peeling, sticking, and making “roads” on tray tables. It’s easy to clean up, too, and you can toss it right in the trash when you’re done.
Why it’s genius:
- Zero noise
- Costs almost nothing
- Packs flat
- Removes easily and without leaving residue behind
Snack Containers as Toys
Spill-proof snack cups double as fine-motor toys when empty. Add a few cereal pieces or toddler snacks and let them practice.
What NOT to Bring on a Plane
Learn from my mistakes.
❌ Toys with lots of tiny pieces
❌ Musical toys (even “quiet” ones)
❌ Messy crayons, non-washable markers, slime, or kinetic sand
❌ Toys that roll easily under seats
❌ Brand-new toys without testing first
If it needs batteries, makes noise, or requires a clean surface… leave it at home.
Travel Tips for Flying with Toddlers
These matter just as much as the toys.
- Rotate toys slowly (don’t hand everything over at once)
- Save the favorite toy for when things start going downhill
- Use snacks strategically (not all at once) and pack in a container that requires each compartment to be open one by one, like this spinner snack box.
- Let them explore safely! Walking the aisle during calm moments helps on a long flight or when they need to move their legs.
- Lower your expectations. A “good” flight doesn’t necessarily mean a quiet one.
And remember: most people are far more understanding than you think.
Read more tips on flying with a toddler here >>
Final Thoughts
The best travel toys for toddlers on airplanes aren’t flashy or expensive. They’re simple, quiet, and familiar. With the right mix of toys (and a little patience), flying with a toddler doesn’t have to feel impossible. By prioritizing contained, tactile, and novel items, you can create a smooth, screen-free journey that might just be enjoyable for both of you. Safe travels!
Best Travel Toys for Toddlers
What’s the best toy you’ve found for a long road trip or flying with a toddler? Let me know so we can try it out!
You may also be interested in additional travel content:
Traveling with a Car Seat: Tips & Tricks
The Best Travel Stroller + Comparisons
Flying with A Toddler: Tips, Tricks, + the Mistake We Made
Ergobaby Metro Stroller Review: Worth Buying? (Our Favorite Travel Stroller)
My Best Tips for Flying with a Baby
Miamily Ride-On Suitcase Review: Is It Worth It for Kids?
The Best Packable Travel High Chairs- Tested!
Wayb Pico Car Seat Review for Toddlers (Is It the Best Travel Car Seat?)
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