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10 Best Travel Toys For Toddlers On Airplanes (+ CUTEST Toddler Luggage!)

Published by Hannah Canavan. Last updated on February 26, 2022 IF YOU USE ADBLOCKERS YOU MAY NOT SEE ALL THE CONTENT. PLEASE ADD US TO TRUSTED SITES :) POSTS MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS INCLUDING AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS

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best travel toys for toddlers

Our 10 Favourite Travel Toys For Toddlers On Airplanes (Plus toddler luggage they’ll LOVE!)

If you’ve been following our travel adventure through Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bali you will know that we’ve flown a lot with our three young kids including two long haul flights with a toddler. We’ve been on eleven flights in total in the past year so we have had plenty of opportunities to test out a LOT of travel toys!

We’ve also tested out a gazillion travel strollers (here are our best lightweight travel stroller picks), coped with meltdowns, slept in the airport… we’re pretty much pros at flying with toddlers and older kids now! You might like this post on the best Disney luggage for children after you’ve checked out these epic toys.

best travel toys for toddlers on airplanes

We’ve tried everything you can think of to entertain a toddler on a plane, and we’ve finally nailed it when it comes to the best mess-free quiet time activities for toddlers on airplanes. (We’ve also nailed packing for a family travel trip- check out our comprehensive guide on family travel essentials here).

We’ve used the following toys during 24-hour layovers in the airport and 13-hour flights between London and Asia, and below is my ideal kit when it comes to travel entertainment for toddlers. Important note: If you need travel toys or anything else from Amazon I have a special link for my readers that enables you to get a FREE Amazon Prime trial inc free shipping here!)

  1. Plasticine

Plasticine- the ultimate travel play-doh. We discovered that this was waaaay better than Play-Doh for traveling; it is less get-under-your-nails sticky and doesn’t dry out when you have it out for a while or forget to put the lid back on, making it the ideal airplane toy for 2-year-olds and older.

Before you leave for your journey, Google some ideas of things to make with plasticine, screen-shot it on your phone and you have a ready-made toddler travel road trip activity, perfect for travel activities in the airport, on your airplane tray table, and in the hotel room during chill-out time.

If you are going for a quick weekend away and haven’t got much packing space we’d recommend a flat box of plasticine; if you are off on a two-week holiday or for a longer trip pack the mini tub and a small box of plasticine tools (if you don’t want it all in your hand luggage simply empty a couple of colors into a zip-lock bag for the airplane). 

Plasticine Funtubulous Mini Clay Game
>> Shop Plasticine Funtubulous Mini Clay  <<
Plasticine Toolz
>> Shop Plasticine Toolz <<
Plasticine Basic Modelling Clay
>> Shop Plasticine Basic Modelling Clay <<

2. Sticker books

Who doesn’t love sticker books? Sticker books are one of the best travel toys for toddlers to play quietly on airplanes as they are a great time-killer thanks to little fingers having to peel and fiddle to stick each one down. Be prepared to land at your destination covered in novelty mustaches, microscopic cartoon insects, and gold stars- hey, it’s a small price for having an entertained toddler on an airplane!

First Sticker Book Airports (First Sticker Books)
Click here to see latest prices for First Sticker Book Airports (First Sticker Books)
Peppa Pig: Happy Holiday Sticker Activity Book
>> Shop Peppa Pig: Happy Holiday Sticker Activity Book <<
>> US readers click here for Peppa Pig’s Great Vacation <<
Big Dinosaur Sticker Book (Sticker Books)
>> Shop Big Dinosaur Sticker Book <<

3. No-mess colouring

Let little ones scribble to their hearts’ content with these no-mess coloring pads and toys, ideal as a great travel toy as well as toddler entertainment for airplanes. Perfect to take to a hotel where you don’t want to risk crayon scrawls on the walls!

Aquadoodle Colour Doodle Travel Bag - Mess Free Drawing Fun for Children aged 18 months+
>> Shop Aquadoodle Colour Doodle Travel Bag  << 
Galt Toys Water Magic Flip Book Jungle, Colouring Book for Children
>> Shop Galt Toys Water Magic Flip Book Jungle Colouring <<
Galt Toys Water Magic Pictures
>> Shop Galt Toys Water Magic Pictures <<

4. Magnetic Play Scenes

Hands up those of you whose favorite part of the holiday is being bent double under an airplane seat, picking up beads and small animal figurines, and worrying that you will be crushed at any second if the person in front reclines their seat?

No, one, really? Ok then, so you need magnetic play scenes. Perfect for the airplane as well as sticking on your hotel fridge for holiday fun!

Janod Magnetibook Vehicles
>> Shop Magnetibook Vehicles <<
Janod J02720 Moduloform Magneti'Book
>> Shop Shapes Magnetibook <<
Janod J02717 Girl'S Crazy Faces Magneti'Book
>> Shop Girls’ Crazy Faces Magnetibook <<
Janod J02718 Girl'S Costumes Magneti'Book
>> Shop Girls’ Costumes Magnetibook <<
Janod J02716 Boy'S Crazy Faces Magneti'Book
>> Shop Boys’ Crazy Faces Magnetibook <<
Janod J02721 4 Seasons Magneti'Book
>> Shop 4 Seasons Magnetibook <<

5. Lacing activities

Great for fine motor skills and development as well as quiet fun, lacing activities are easy-to-pack travel gifts or travel toys for toddlers on airplanes. Choose from traditional card lacing pictures or novelty Montessori wooden lacing blocks.  

Lewo Wooden Learning Early Development Baby Toys Lacing Threading Big Apple Educational Toys for Kids
>> Shop Red Apple Wooden Lacing Educational Toy <<
Galt Toys First Lacing Pictures
>> Shop Galt Toys First Lacing Pictures <<
Barney & Buddy BA020 Alphabet Lacing Card Set
>> Shop Children’s Lacing Card Set <<

6. Scratch Art

This was one of the toys we took with us on a trip to Turkey when Esmae was 16 months old; even before she could draw ‘things’ she loved scratching at the cards with her stylus and seeing the rainbow colors appear underneath. Another perfect toddler travel toy on airplanes that will take up hardly any room in your bag!

Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Doodle Pad With 16 Scratch-Art Boards and Wooden Stylus
>> Shop Melissa & Doug Scratch Art Doodle Pad (16 Scratch-Art Boards) plus Wooden Stylus <<
Scratch Art Novelty Magnets Assorted Designs for Children to Create Decorations (Pack of 10)
>> Shop Scratch Art Novelty Magnets << 

7. Fuzzy Felt

More mess-less art, fuzzy felt is a super lightweight and compact travel toy that toddlers will have hours of fun with. The Fuzzy Felt Farm was my personal favorite (25 years ago!) and is a perfect airplane travel toy for 2-year-olds and above.

John Adams Fuzzy-Felt Farm Animals
>> Shop Fuzzy-Felt Farm Animals <<
John Adams 10350 Fuzzy-Felt Paw Patrol Toy
>> Shop Fuzzy-Felt Paw Patrol <<
Peppa Pig 06745 Fantastic Felt Art Board
>> Shop Peppa Pig Fantastic Felt Art Board <<
John Adams Fuzzy-Felt Disney Princess
>> Shop Fuzzy-Felt Deluxe Princess Set <<
Thomas & Friends Felt Set
>> Shop Thomas & Friends Fuzzy Felt Set <<
John Adams Fuzzy-Felt My Little Pony
>> Shop Fuzzy-Felt My Little Pony <<

8. Playsets in a tin

Kids love small-world play, but keeping track of loose small figures on a travel day is not my favorite part of traveling. These super cute mini-worlds in a tin allow toddlers to play happily while keeping all the toys in one small, easy-to-pack tin. Win-win! US-based readers, these three sets are not available in the US so I have checked out a similar cute tea set in a handy carry basket here!

Tea party in a tin
>> Shop Tea party in a Tin <<
Zoo in a Tin
>> Shop Zoo in a Tin <<
Farm Set Gift in a Tin
>> Shop Farm Set Gift in a Tin <<

9. Airplane toys

When it comes to airplane toys for 2-year-olds and over, thematic, one-piece toys that aren’t small enough to disappear down the gap under the tray table are the best travel toys for toddlers on airplanes. Get your toddler to match up the colors to the different planes at the airport with the multipack or give them one to match the airline you are flying with!

8 Aeroplane Toys For Boys And Girls Children's Gift for 3 4 5 Years Old Toy Plane For Kids
>> Shop 8 Aeroplane Toys Set <<
>> US readers click here for the US airplane toy set! <<

10. Playmobil ‘Take Along’ Sets

If you’re going away for a week or two, a toy that little ones get engaged within the apartment or hotel room can be a lifesaver when you need some downtime out of the sun when you want a bit of a lie-in or on days when the weather doesn’t play ball. 

We LOVE Playmobil and are thrilled to see that they’ve created a travel-friendly play series including a farm, dolls’ house, and police station as well as more travel sets. Ideal as road trip toys for 2-year-olds as well as airplane travel toys.

Playmobil 6962 1.2.3 Take Along Farm with Sorting Function
>> Shop Playmobil Take Along Farm with Sorting Function <<
Playmobil 5167 Take Along Modern Dolls House
>> Shop Playmobil Take Along Modern Dolls House <<
Playmobil 5299 City Action Take Along Police Station
>> Shop Playmobil City Action Take Along Police Station <<

11. BONUS ESSENTIAL: An iPad!

I know, I know, you don’t want to be one of those parents with a digital babysitter. But that’s not what an iPad on a long-haul flight with a toddler is for; it is a wonderful, amazing, God-given tool to preserve everyone’s sanity.

Trust me, when your toddler has had absolutely enough of being overwhelmed with airport security and check-in desks and the hustle and bustle of the airport and being made to sit still in an airplane seat and having their ears pop- you need an iPad. You can of course fly without one, but when it hits the fan at 30,000 feet you could go from smug to mug in 0.5 seconds.

Don’t rely on the in-flight entertainment on a long-haul flight with toddlers; when we sat down for our 13-hour flight with Norwegian airlines, it turned out that the kids’ entertainment hadn’t been programmed properly and there was nothing for them to watch or play. For 13 hours. Luckily we had iPads, and we didn’t all lose our minds.

Load iPads up with apps such as Peppa Pig on Holiday, CBeebies Playtime, and Cbeebies Storytime, pop a couple of their favorite movies on there, and you have a fix-all magic trick in your handbag. Don’t forget the headphones and a case- for the love of everything remember a case. If you have more than one child a headphone splitter is another thing that you will come to adore.

Apple iPad 9.7" 2017 32GB Wi-Fi - Space Grey
>> Shop Apple iPad << 
Aken Multi Function Child / Shock Proof Kids Cover Case with Stand / Handle for Apple iPad 2nd / 3rd / 4th Generation Tablet (iPad 2/3/4? (Blue)
>> Shop Shock Proof iPad Case <<
iPad Case 9.7 Inch 2018/2017,Slim Heavy Duty Shockproof Rugged Case Hard PC+Silicone Hybrid High Impact Full Body Protective Case for Apple iPad 9.7" 2018/2017,Black
>> Shop iPad Shockproof Rugged Case <<
Snug Play+ Kids Headphones Volume Limiting and Audio Sharing Port (Pink)
>> Shop Snug Play+ Kids Headphones (Various Colours Available) <<
AKORD 3.5 mm Speaker and Headphone Splitter - White
>> Shop AKORD 3.5 mm Speaker and Headphone Splitter – White <<

Toddler Luggage: Our Top 3 Toddler Luggage Choices

Trunkis

The iconic toddler luggage, Trunkis is a ride-on toy and case in one. Our girls have got a Trunki each back in England, and we love them for holidays especially when we’ll be going through airports- on our holiday to Greece last year we pulled the girls along the check-in queue on these and they loved it!

It certainly helps to have something on wheels as standing in airport queues can be boring and these fun, colorful suitcases take the edge off. They’re also super hard and sturdy and have handy straps inside to buckle all the contents snug and safe. We’ve got the Gruffalo, a pink one, and a dinosaur one but I have a feeling we’ll be adding a Unicorn to our collection soon! All the Trunkis are hand luggage size.

Trunki Ride-On Suitcase The Unicorn
>> Shop Trunki Ride-On Suitcase (Multiple Colours Available) <<

Scooter-Suitcase

This is pure genius, and we saw these in action when our dear friends came to visit us from the UK while we were in Phuket. My friend frequently takes her kids to Australia to visit family and she’s the only adult traveling with them, and these travel luggage scooters save the day.

>> Shop the ZincFlyte Kids’ Luggage Scooter <<

Monster Truck Roll-Along Suitcase

I kind of want to be a two-year-old so I can get this Monster Truck Suitcase. Toddler luggage, check. Hand luggage case, check. Sturdy toy, check. 

Roll-along easy travel, check. It comes in bright yellow digger colorway and a black monster truck version too!

PUQU Monster Truck Design Kids Travel Suitcase Toddler Luggage with wheels
>> Shop the PUQU Monster Truck Travel Suitcase With Wheels <<
best travel toys for toddlers

So, we’ve kitted you up with the best travel toys for toddlers on airplanes as well as hard-wearing toddler luggage- congrats!

Now head over to my parenting section where you can find communication tips to help keep the travel experience and a long-haul flight with toddlers calm and enjoyable for parents and kids!

Then take a look at these amazing toddler travel beds on my friend Lisa’s blog for the perfect night’s sleep for little ones no matter where you are in the world.

If you want to make the most of your trip and find excellent guides and tours of the area and attractions, check out our favorite tour provider, Get Your Guide, which we’ve used extensively on our travels.

This post contains affiliate links; using them allows us to make a small commission at no cost to you.

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Comments

  1. Alyson Long says

    May 8, 2018 at 6:01 am

    You know what we used to take….nothing! Stickers were good for 5 minutes but I had the sort of boys that this stuff just wouldn’t work on. We tried it the first couple of times ( because everyone said we should). I rapidly got sick of picking dropped toys up off the floor and we continued to do what we’d always done and just, talk, sing, read, play i spy, walk up and down with them But there are some great ideas here for little ones.
    It’s great once they learn to read! You’ve got that to look forward to.

    Reply
  2. Qhouse kids says

    May 22, 2019 at 5:00 am

    Thanks for sharing such an amazing post., we are Taking a 18hr plane journey and looking to find some new toys I can get to bring out on the plane to hopefully keep my daughter as entertained as possible. ..

    Reply
  3. Abby says

    March 26, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Ohhh plasticine is a really good one!

    Reply

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uk homeschooling coachWelcome! My name is Hannah and I’m a home education parent and coach. I’ve been home educating for 11 years and I provide information about home education, unschooling & gentle parenting. I also backpacked Asia for a year with my kids when they were 6, 5 and 2! Find out more about us here.

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