Last updated: October 2026.
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you buy through them.
How we keep R entertained on planes, road trips and holidays
The biggest mistake I made on our first flight with R was overpacking toys. After countless flights and road trips in his first year, I’ve learnt which baby travel toys earn their place in the bag and which just add weight.
This guide covers the best baby and toddler travel toys by age, from newborn to 24 months, including what has worked on long-haul flights, in airport lounges, in restaurants and on road trips. Every toy in this guide is one we own, apart from the magnet book, which our friend’s toddler loves (I’ve flagged it below). I update it as R gets older, so expect it to keep growing.
In this guide:
👉 In a hurry? Jump straight to the quick comparison table for our top 3 picks at every age.
What makes a good baby travel toy
Travel toys earn their place on the journey and at your destination. When R was younger, I quickly learnt that the toys he loved at home weren’t always winners on the plane. The best baby travel toys are compact and fairly quiet, and the best ones do more than one job, which saves space in your luggage.
But it’s not just about the journey itself. When you’re away for longer trips, like our two-week American road trip through Boston, Vermont, Montreal, and Cape Cod, you also need toys that fit into luggage but still entertain when you’re actually on holiday. Hotel rooms, Airbnbs and waiting for food in restaurants all need something to keep your baby occupied. The trick is finding toys that are small enough to pack but engaging enough to get proper use throughout your trip.
Match the toys to your baby’s stage. A 2-month-old has very different needs from a 10-month-old, and what works for one age can be completely boring for another. Toys with a mix of textures, sounds and colours tend to hold attention longer than single-purpose ones. Whether you’re flying long-haul to the US, heading to Mallorca, or just doing a UK road trip, the picks below are organised by age so you can go straight to your baby’s stage.
Best baby airplane toys at a glance
If you just want the quick answer, these are the travel toys that have worked hardest for us across every age and every flight, so you don’t need to scroll to your baby’s exact stage:
- Suction spinners: they stick to the plane window or tray table, so babies have something to focus on without you holding anything. R has used these longer than any other toy, from 3 months to now
- Sophie La Giraffe: a lightweight teether that is easy to grip and safe to mouth, and works from newborn well into the toddler years
- Felt flap books: silent, durable and self-contained, which suits the tray table
- Busy box cube: multiple activities in one compact toy, good from around 8 or 9 months and enough to last a decent stretch of a long-haul flight
- Pretend tablet: it has no screen, but every button makes a sound, so it’s not one for quiet trains, though it’s fine against the hum of a plane and holds attention for longer stretches once babies are sitting up
- A saved “new” toy: the novelty alone buys 20+ minutes on any flight, whatever the age
Quick comparison: best baby travel toys by age
| Age | Top 3 travel toys | Why they work |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | Hanging toys, Sophie La Giraffe, high-contrast books | Simple, safe to mouth, visual stimulation |
| 3-6 months | Suction spinners, musical toys, teething sets | Easy to grasp, sensory engagement, attaches to surfaces |
| 6-9 months | Suction table toys, felt flap books, cause-and-effect toys like maracas | Interactive, durable, encourages exploration |
| 9-12 months | Busy box cube, pretend tablet, soft busy book | Longer engagement, problem-solving |
| 12-18 months | Interactive cube toy, magnetic tiles, Tonies or Yoto Mini | Complex activities that keep little minds thinking |
| 18 months-2 years | Schleich animals, Poke-dot book, road track tape | Imaginative play, learning animal names, longer focus |
Best travel toys for newborns (0-3 months)
If you’re travelling with a newborn under 3 months, you probably don’t need many toys at all. At this age, babies sleep a lot and are mostly content being fed, cuddled, and watching the world go by. That said, having a couple of simple toys in your bag can be useful during those brief awake windows.
What newborns need in travel toys
- High-contrast patterns (black and white) to stimulate developing vision
- Soft textures that are safe to mouth, and won’t hurt them if they drop them
- Lightweight and easy to attach to car seats or prams
- Simple rattles or crinkle sounds
Our favourite travel toys for newborns
1. Hanging toys
You can never go wrong with a hanging bar toy, especially ones that crinkle and squeak. While you can’t bring a baby gym with you on holiday, clip-on toys are easy to attach to car seats, prams, or carriers, and the multiple textures and sounds keep babies engaged without being overwhelming. We used this hanging Nuby toy on the car seat from early on and R loved batting at it during car journeys.
He’s always adored Captain Calamari too, with its high-contrast colours, textured legs, and baby-safe mirror underneath. On holiday we attach it to the pram, car seat, or a baby gym, so it works hard in daily life too. It’s so good that I always include it in gift hampers for friends who are having a baby!
This classic French teether is a travel favourite for good reason. It’s lightweight, easy for tiny hands to grasp, and squeaks when squeezed. While it’s primarily a teether for later months, even young babies enjoy holding and mouthing it. I’m not sure what we would have done in those first six months without Sophie around!
3. High-contrast cloth books
Books with black and white patterns are good for tummy time and for keeping babies visually engaged. Soft fabric books are travel-friendly because they’re lightweight, washable, and won’t hurt if baby drops them on their face (trust me, this happens!). They don’t last that long from an engagement perspective though, so if you haven’t been gifted one I’d jump straight to these crinkle books, or the activity book I mention in the below 3-6 month section.
Best travel toys for 3-6 month olds
At around 3 months, babies become much more alert and interested in their surroundings. This is when you’ll start to see them really engage with toys, reaching out to bat at things and bringing everything to their mouths. For travel, you want toys that are simple to generate a reaction from without being too fussy.
What 3-6 month olds need
- Toys they can grasp and shake
- Teething-friendly options
- Toys that make sounds or have interesting textures
- Things that attach to car seats to prevent constant dropping
These simple suction spinners have been lifesavers on trains, planes, and in the bath! They stick to airplane windows, car windows, high chair trays, and pretty much any smooth surface. R has been mesmerised by watching them spin, and they’re small enough to pop in your changing bag. He was still playing with these on planes at 9 months, and still reaches for them now.
2. Baby Einstein musical tunes toy
This musical toy is great for babies from 3 months onwards. It plays classical melodies and has a volume control (crucial for plane journeys!), and babies love pressing the big button to hear the music. It’s not too loud and keeps them entertained without annoying fellow passengers.
This is a good one as it’s a rattle but also makes lots of noises that R finds captivating. It’s a little heavier than most here, so it’s more of a suitcase item for us rather than something for the changing bag, but good for hotel room play and keeping R entertained during downtime on longer trips. It also rolls around which creates a bit of added fun.
4. Classic teething set
Around 4-6 months, teething often starts, so having a good teether in your travel bag is essential. I love this Matchstick Monkey set as R is obsessed with the flat face (from around 7 months) as well as the actual monkey teether. The different textures and shapes mean you’re getting multiple teething options in one compact package, and they’re easy to clean on the go.
We also have one of these Infatot teething gloves. R has never quite grasped how to properly hold it but he loves chomping on it, and some of his baby pals do hold it properly so I know it can work!
R loved this book from about 4/5 months. These crinkle books give lots of sensory stimulation with their different textures, and the attached teething ring means it does two jobs. Lightweight and easy to pack, they’re simple to keep in your changing bag or place over your little one in the car.
One item we’ve loved from early on is a soft cube toy. We have the Little Dutch one but it was a gift and more expensive than this Mamas and Papas one which looks very similar. It’s super lightweight to fit in suitcases and great for playing with during lazy mornings in bed (R still likes it, but prefers harder things to chew or bash these days). The different textures, tags, and crinkly bits keep babies engaged, and because it’s soft, you don’t have to worry about them bonking themselves on the head with it!
Best travel toys for 6-9 month olds
From around 6 months, babies are sitting up, becoming more mobile, and have much longer attention spans. They’re also starting to understand cause and effect, which opens up more toy options.
What 6-9 month olds need
- Interactive toys with buttons, levers, or moving parts
- Toys that encourage problem-solving
- Durable toys that can withstand being thrown
- Options that work on high chairs and plane tables
This Freddie the Firefly high chair toy also works well on plane tables, though it’s a bit of a knack to get it to stick properly! The suction base means it stays put, and babies love spinning and bashing the different parts. It kept R busy during many a meal.
2. Suction cup spinner toys (still relevant!)
Even at this age, suction spinners remain a hit. Babies now have better fine motor control and can spin them themselves, which keeps them busy for ages.
3. Pop-up toys
Toys like this where babies can push down different characters and watch them pop back up work well for this age. They’re great for developing cause and effect understanding and fine motor skills. Finding one that fits in your luggage can be a bit of a challenge, but this one is simple and good for larger suitcases or car trips.
While super simple and very dull for parents to read, I do recommend felt flap books, and there are many different animal themed ones available. R particularly likes the mirror at the end and he will hold the book himself at this age, playing with it for a good 5-10 mins in the morning. These ones seem relatively chew-proof unlike many books, which is a huge bonus at this age when everything goes in the mouth. The felt flaps are soft and durable, making them ideal for little hands to explore without pages getting destroyed. I enjoyed giving R this plane themed book as a holiday toy.
These silicone stacking cups are a great shout for this age because they double up as teethers, so you’re getting two jobs done with one lightweight item. Babies love knocking them down, they’re quiet enough for plane journeys, and the soft silicone means no sharp edges to worry about.
This maracas set became popular after 6 months and I’d say came into its own after 8 months, once R could shake it himself. I know many mums who used these with smaller babies but they had to shake them for their little ones, which R never seemed that fussed by. The bright colours and satisfying sound make them good entertainment, and they’re lightweight enough to pack in a suitcase. Great for hotel room dance parties!
7. Ball pit balls
R loves chasing a ball from his ball pit, so these are surprisingly easy toys to take with you too. They’re lightweight and soft, and babies this age adore rolling them, chasing them (if they’re mobile), and just generally causing chaos with them. Pop a couple in your suitcase for hotel room entertainment!
8. Don’t forget yourself!
You’re your baby’s favourite toy! Peek-a-boo, silly faces, and songs don’t take up any luggage space and can be the best entertainment of all, although we all need a break now and then, so I won’t judge some plastic fun!
Best travel toys for 1 year olds (9–18 months)
The 9–18 month stage covers a huge amount of development, but if you’re travelling around their first birthday, these are the toys we found earned their place in the hand luggage.
With one year olds often cruising, maybe even taking first steps, and much more fascinated by how things work, you need toys that can hold their attention for longer periods. The best toys at this age are:
- More complex problem-solving toys
- Interactive toys with multiple activities
- Toys that encourage fine motor development
- Entertainment that lasts for decent stretches
This busy box cube has been brilliant since around 8/9 months, with lots of parts to explore, and R loved figuring out all the different elements. It has plenty of interactive elements that keep older babies engaged for surprisingly long periods, and it’s quite compact when folded up. A good one for flights when you need something that’ll last more than five minutes! He still likes it at 17 months!
2. Pretend tablet
I got a version of this fake Fisher Price tablet second hand and it’s super light, engaging and provides a lot of entertainment. It has no screen, but each button makes a sound. Not ideal for quiet train carriages but fine against the hum of chatter and plane noise, this is a firm must now in our changing bag!
3. Toy cars
Particularly relevant as your little one gets to 11 months, small vehicles like these can work well as travel toys. They’re durable, compact, and babies this age love pushing them around on surfaces. Bring one in your changing bag for instant entertainment.
4. Infant-safe busy book
There’s a lot of chat about ‘busy books’ but the ones I’ve looked at (and I was even gifted one) are around 3+ in age. R loves this soft one from Taf Toys that we gave him for our trip to Florida (his ‘new’ plane toy!) when he was 11 months old, and he still loved it at 13 months, when he was only just starting to interact with some of the more complex parts. They have another fantasy-themed one which I ordered for our trip to Scotland.
5. Interactive cube toy
For our recent trip to the US at 16 months, one of R’s grannies bought him this cube toy and he loves it! It has a turning key and several parts to it which make clicking sounds. It says from 12 months+ and I can see how it would have been good from that age too.
She also bought this coin slot box which I am sharing because he has a lot of fun with it and it’s a nice size to go in the suitcase. Due to the nature of the small pieces it’s not the best for travel itself though.
6. Magnetic tiles
These magnetic tiles came into their own at around 16 months. They come in a small bag which makes them very portable for travel, and you can get boxes of all different shapes, sizes and number of pieces. They make an easy way to play building games without taking up as much space as Mega Bloks (and we have been known to cram a bag of these into our car seat bag and put it in the plane hold!).
7. Snack cups
This might not technically be a toy, but I’m including it because snack time is an activity once you’re through the initial weaning period! A pack of puffs or sticks can keep a baby entertained for ages!
Best travel toys for toddlers (18 months to 2 years)
As R heads towards 2, play gets more imaginative and toys need to keep up. These are the ones getting the most use in our house and in our luggage right now.
1. Tonies or Yoto story player
While these are described as for slightly older children, we got R a Yoto Mini for his first birthday and he loves it. He finds the device fascinating and while he is too young to understand the stories, given he doesn’t watch TV it’s a nice opportunity to expose him to the positives of audio listening without over exposure to a visually stimulating device. There’s some decent cards for little ones that I know he will grow into, and even now at 20 months it’s still a firm favourite, particularly for wind-down time before bed.
A couple of my friends with similar aged children have the Tonies box which admittedly looks more fun, but is less practical for the actual travelling journey. Their little ones seem to love playing with it and stop/starting the audio via the toy figurines that sit on top. We actually were able to test one on our trip to Lefkada (the villas at Mousses all come with one as standard) and I have to say R was obsessed. I am very tempted to get one for at home or to pack in the suitcase, but I stand by the bulky size not making it one for the journey itself.
2. Removable road track tape
This road track tape is such a simple but clever idea, giving you the ability to make a vehicle play track wherever you go on holiday. I also recently came across this version which has parking zone tape, train tracks and other stickers, opening up even more imaginative play. Just pack a couple of your child’s favourite cars or trains and create a different track pattern each time.
3. Schleich animals
R has really taken to his Schleich animals at 18 months. We’ve got a giraffe, an elephant and a few from the farm set, and it’s lovely watching him start to play with the animals together rather than just holding one at a time. He’s also picking up their names, and will grab his toy giraffe and hold it up to the page whenever his zoo book shows one. They’re small, well made and easy to slip a few into a suitcase or changing bag without taking up much room.
4. Poke dot books
We discovered these pop poke-dot books in America and they’ve been a hit ever since. They’re on the heavy side, so not something I’d pack in hand luggage for a flight (the suitcase or hold is a better home for them), but they’re great for keeping R busy on car trips. There’s also a mini version if you want something lighter to pack.
5. LCD drawing tablet
R’s a touch young to use this LCD drawing tablet on his own, but it’s already earning its place as a bit of quiet time together. I sketch something, he has a go with the stylus, and then we wipe it clean and start again. No paper to lose, no mess, and it folds flat enough to slip in a bag.
6. Very Hungry Caterpillar magnet book
We don’t own this Very Hungry Caterpillar magnet book ourselves, but our friend’s toddler loves it, including on a recent flight. The magnets should keep small hands busy without pieces rolling off under the seat in front, always a bonus on a plane.
7. Farmyard find-it book
This farmyard find-it board book has been in heavy rotation since R started spotting and naming the animals hidden in each scene. Every page is packed with things to find, so it takes a good while to get through, which made it brilliant for eating up time on our recent flight to Greece.
He’s such a fan that we’ve since picked up more from the series. We got the wild animals one and the things that go one for our flight to Greece, and there’s also an under the sea version and a dinosaur one if you want to mix it up. He’ll happily sit and hunt for 20+ minutes finding everything from a pig to a butterfly, so it’s an easy one to keep rotating.
8. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet
We’re a no screens at home household, but I don’t think that’s realistic on an 11 hour flight in a tiny seat, with other passengers around and only so much books and toys can do. My rule is screens come out last, after we’ve tried everything else, but I’d rather have one ready than end up with a meltdown at 30,000 feet. We picked up the Fire HD 10 Kids tablet ahead of Greece and an upcoming US flight for exactly that reason, with R now 20 months.
There are two versions at the same price, the Kids and the Kids Pro, and it’s easy to assume Pro means better. Both are versions of the Fire HD 10 tablet, but they’re not identical. The standard Kids version has a bulkier kid proof case and a pre-set age filter for 3 to 7 year olds, with bigger, image-based buttons that suit little ones who can’t read yet. Kids Pro has a slimmer case and a more grown up, sleek interface aimed at 6 to 12 year olds. Given R’s age I went for the standard Kids version. It comes with a 2 year worry free guarantee too, so if it survives being dropped or chewed on it gets replaced for free.
A few things we’ve loaded onto it (I’ll update with our favourite apps once we’ve used it properly): Khan Academy Kids and Sago Mini for early learning play, and Tractor Ted for something calmer, real farm footage rather than fast-cut animation. YouTube Kids has also been good for real animal clips, underwater life, safari footage, that kind of thing, rather than just cartoons.
How many toys should I pack for a flight?
One of the biggest mistakes I made on our first flight was overpacking toys. Babies don’t need an entire toy box to stay entertained, and introducing too many options at once can be overwhelming.
For most journeys, I aim to pack five small activities, depending on the flight length. This gives me enough variety to introduce something new every 20–30 minutes. I usually buy toys out there, and really rate services like BabyQuip for renting baby gear on longer stays.
Our typical packing list looks like this:
- 2 familiar favourites: toys your baby already loves and finds comforting.
- 2–3 “new” toys: they don’t have to be brand new, just ones that have been hidden away for a few weeks. The novelty works wonders.
- 1 interactive activity: such as reusable stickers, a busy book or a suction spinner for the tray table.
- 1–2 books: soft books for younger babies or sturdy board books for toddlers.
Remember that toys are only part of the entertainment. Snacks, looking out of the window, walking up and down the aisle (when it’s safe to do so) and chatting to other passengers can all help break up a long journey.
Bonus tips
- Save a few new toys specifically for travel. They’ll hold your baby’s attention for much longer than familiar toys from home.
- Don’t hand over all the toys at once. Keep them hidden in your bag and bring out one item at a time. We found R stayed interested for much longer when each toy felt like a new surprise.
- Invest in a portable high chair seat. While not strictly a toy, this deserves a special mention as it’s been a godsend to us since R started weaning at 6 months. For driving-from-home holidays, this seat means we don’t have to book somewhere with a high chair and provides a safe space for him to sit and play. It’s compact, straps onto most chairs, and has been great for restaurant meals and Airbnbs. There’s also a cheaper version available which I think doesn’t go up to 3 years in age.
- Stop losing toys with these handy pram toy straps. These fabric straps wrap around car seats, prams, and high chairs to keep toys securely attached. No more picking toys up off grotty airplane floors or fishing them out from under car seats! They’re adjustable and work with pretty much any toy.
- Connect toys together or to a pram or bag with plastic links. These interlocking plastic links are handy for attaching multiple toys together or clipping toys to bags and prams. They’re also toys in their own right, as babies love playing with the colourful rings. I always keep a few in my changing bag.
- And on the same theme, if your little one relies on a dummy for entertainment or sleep when out and about, be sure to pick up some dummy clips, an essential travel item in my eyes. I like the BIBS one (we use BIBS dummies), but I also have some backup silicone ones that work well like this, which are great because they’re easy to wipe clean and work with different dummy brands.
One of my go-to places for the toys in this guide is Natural Baby Shower, a family business. They offer a price match service and points for every purchase, which I’ve enjoyed redeeming off the next thing R needs!
Frequently asked questions about baby travel toys
The best travel toys for babies depend on age. For newborns (0-3 months), high-contrast hanging toys and Sophie La Giraffe work well. For 3-6 month olds, suction spinners and musical toys are a good bet. For 6-9 months, try high chair suction toys and felt flap books. For 9-12 months, busy box cubes and pretend tablets give you the longest stretches of entertainment. For young toddlers, busy books and audio boxes like the Yoto Mini or Tonies are a good screen-free option. Whatever the age, choose compact toys that match your baby’s stage.
The best airplane toys for babies are suction spinners (they stick to windows), a busy box cube for older babies, felt flap books, teethers like Sophie La Giraffe, and pretend tablets. Choose toys that are fairly quiet and compact, and that won’t constantly drop on the floor. Bringing one or two new toys specifically for the flight means the novelty keeps babies entertained longer.
For a 6 month old on a plane, bring suction spinners that stick to airplane windows, a musical toy with volume control, teething toys, and soft books with different textures. High chair suction toys work well on airplane tables. Also pack pram toy straps to attach toys to the seat, preventing them from falling on the floor. The novelty of the plane environment itself will also provide entertainment.
The best travel toys for 1 year olds (9-12 months) are busy box cubes with multiple activities, pretend tablets, small toy cars, balls, and interactive books. These babies need toys that provide longer engagement periods and encourage problem-solving. Choose items that are durable, won’t break if thrown, and can work on various surfaces like high chair trays or hotel room floors.
For a long flight with 1 year olds, rotate through 3 to 4 toys rather than relying on one, since attention spans are still short at this age. A busy box cube and pretend tablet are good for sit-still stretches, small toy cars work well on the tray table, and saving one brand new item specifically for the flight buys extra time through novelty alone. Snacks in a spill-proof cup are also a reliable fallback when toys lose their appeal.
By 18 months, toddlers want toys with more to do and are keen to copy grown-up objects. Our favourites at this age are magnetic tiles for building, an interactive cube toy with buttons and sounds, road track tape for imaginative car play, and an audio player like the Yoto Mini or Tonies for screen-free story time. Look for options that hold up to being dropped repeatedly, since 18 month olds are testing gravity constantly.
You don’t need to spend a fortune before every trip, but saving a few toys specifically for travel is worth it. Toddlers stay entertained much longer with a toy they haven’t seen for a while than with familiar toys from home. We usually pack a mixture of well-loved favourites and a couple of “new” toys. Even a toy that’s been tucked away in a cupboard for a few weeks can feel brand new to a baby, and rotating them like this means you don’t need to keep buying more. Keep one or two in reserve for the journey itself, particularly for plane trips or long car journeys.
For a baby holiday, pack 3-4 small travel toys in your changing bag for the journey, plus 5-7 slightly larger toys in your suitcase for entertainment at your destination. Choose items that do more than one job, for example a busy box cube works on planes, in restaurants, and in hotel rooms. Don’t forget that new environments provide lots of stimulation, so you won’t need as many toys as you think. A couple of balls from a ball pit also take up minimal space.
I’d avoid anything that’s noisy, has lots of small pieces that can easily get lost under seats, or rolls away every time it’s dropped. Messy activities like slime, kinetic sand or paints are also best left at home. Lightweight, compact toys that stay attached to the tray table or fit neatly into your changing bag are much more practical for travelling.
There’s no judgement if you use screen time when travelling, but we’ve found it’s often possible to keep babies entertained using a combination of toys, snacks and interaction. Rotating toys throughout the journey, reading books together, looking out of the window and exploring the airport can all help break up a long day of travel. We tend to save screen time as a last resort, which means it’s much more effective if we really need it later in the journey.
The hardware is the same Fire HD 10 tablet in both, but the case and software are set up differently. The Kids version has a bulkier kid proof case, bigger image-based buttons and a pre-set age filter for 3 to 7 year olds, so it works well for younger toddlers who can’t read yet. The Kids Pro version has a slimmer case and a more grown up interface aimed at 6 to 12 year olds. Both come with a 2 year worry free guarantee, so pick based on your child’s age and reading ability rather than assuming Pro is the better option.
If you’re still planning your trip, don’t miss my guides on what to pack when travelling with a baby, how to keep baby cool in summer, choosing the best travel pram, and once they’re old enough to want their own bag, the best kids suitcases for little adventurers.
Happy travels!
Allie, Jack and R x
