Best Travel Toys for Toddlers: 15 Screen-Free Picks
Long stretches of sitting and waiting aren't usually easy for little kids. Whether you're spending hours in the car or traveling by plane, having a few engaging activities to keep little hands busy can help make all that travel time feel a little more enjoyable for them (and you!).
If you're hoping to pack a few things that can keep little hands busy without relying on a screen for the entire trip, the right toys can make a surprisingly big difference.
After traveling with my own kids (currently 4 and 1), I've found that the best travel toys for toddlers aren't necessarily the newest or most exciting toys. They're the ones that are small enough to fit in a carry-on, don't require a million pieces, and give kids plenty of ways to play.
I especially love open-ended toys that can be used differently every time they come out. A toy that becomes a building set one minute, a pretend-play prop the next, and a sensory activity after that is much more likely to hold my kids' interest than something with just one way to play.
So if you're looking for the best travel toys for toddlers for your next road trip or flight, these are the screen-free picks I'd consider packing. Some we've used and loved with our own kids, while others are activities I think would be especially well suited to travel.
And of course, if a screen ends up being part of your travel day, that's okay too. My goal isn't to make travel harder or add another parenting rule to your list—it's simply to give you more screen-free options to reach for when you'd like them.
The best travel toys for toddlers at a glance
If you are trying to pack quickly, these are my favorite picks:
Egg Crayons + a Small Notepad
My top picks for younger toddlers are Whirly Squigz, Dimpl Deluxe and Pop Tubes. For older toddlers and preschoolers, I would add Egg Crayons, Brain Quest, and magnetic cubes.
And if you have siblings with a bit of an age gap, many of these are especially nice because they can be used in completely different ways.
If you're packing for a family trip, don't forget the basics, too—especially sun protection. I rounded up some of the best organic cotton sun hats for babies and toddlers to help you find a comfortable option for sunny travel days.
What makes a good travel toy for toddlers?
When I'm choosing toys for travel, I look for a few things.
First, it needs to be compact.
A toy can be wonderful and still not be worth bringing on a plane if it takes up half your hand luggage. Travel toys have to earn their space.
I also tend to prefer toys that don't require batteries, make constant electronic noises, or have one specific way they're supposed to be played with. That's true of the toys I choose for our home, too. I would much rather have something simple that lets my kids decide how they want to play.
Open-ended play is especially helpful when you're traveling.
A toddler might build something, take it apart, turn it into a pretend object, or combine it with something else entirely. That little bit of flexibility can turn one toy into several different activities, which is exactly what I want when I'm trying to pack light.
I also look for toys that encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and problem-solving. Not because I want to turn travel time into a learning session, but because little kids tend to naturally enjoy using their hands and figuring things out.
There's something satisfying about pushing, pulling, connecting, stacking, drawing, peeling, building, and manipulating things. Those activities give toddlers something active to focus on, rather than simply asking them to sit still for a long stretch of time. When we're traveling, I find that kind of hands-on play can be especially valuable.
And finally, I want something that can survive being shoved into a diaper bag or carry-on and pulled out repeatedly throughout a long journey. If a toy is too delicate, too messy, too loud, or has a ton of tiny pieces, it's probably not making the cut.
Curious why I love open-ended play so much? Michigan State University Extension has a great overview of the value of open-ended play and why giving kids room to come up with their own ideas matters.
My Favorite Screen-Free Travel Toys for Toddlers
With all of that in mind, these are the toys I'd consider first when packing for long car rides or your next flight. I've included a mix of favorites we've personally used, along with a few other options that I think have a lot of potential for open-ended, screen-free play.
1. Fat Brain Toys Whirly Squigz
If you're looking for a travel toy that actually works well in a small space, these little suction spinner toys are a great option.
Whirly Squigz are soft silicone spinners with a suction cup on one side, so they can stick to smooth surfaces like an airplane window, tray table, or other flat surface. They give little hands something tactile to do while they watch it whirl.
They're a simple sensory activity, and that's part of the appeal. Toddlers can spin them, touch the textured surface, or experiment with sticking them to different smooth surfaces (or even each other). The set includes three different spinners, but you certainly don't need to bring all three if you're trying to pack light.
→ Shop Fat Brain Toys Whirly Squigz on Amazon
2. Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Deluxe
The Dimpl Deluxe was one of those toys that entertained my kids for so much longer than I expected.
I originally thought it would be a simple little sensory toy that might hold their attention for a few minutes. Instead, my 1-year-old and 4-year-old each found completely different ways to play with it.
That's one of my favorite things about a good travel toy. It doesn't necessarily need to do everything; it just needs to give your child enough freedom to come up with their own ideas.
For younger toddlers, the tactile element makes it especially appealing. My 1-year-old gets the biggest kick out of popping the bubbles, especially when we pop one and say “POP!” together. She'll burst into laughter and immediately want to do it again.
My 4-year-old, on the other hand, turned it into a pretend “work computer,” which I never would have thought of myself.
That's exactly the kind of open-ended play I love. The toy itself is simple, but my kids found ways to make it their own.
It's also wonderfully easy to toss into a diaper bag or carry-on, which makes it an easy choice for travel.
And honestly, sometimes that's the best part.
3. Pop Tubes
These were another huge hit with my littles.
At first glance, Pop Tubes look like a very simple sensory toy. But my kids found so many ways to use them that I was genuinely surprised.
They make noises into them.
They turn them into crowns and bracelets.
They connect them together to make "slides" and roads.
They stretch them, connect them, pull them apart, and incorporate them into imaginative play.
That makes them one of my favorite travel toys for toddlers because they aren't limited to one activity.
They are also small enough that you can bring a few without sacrificing much precious luggage space.
4. Egg Crayons + a Small Notepad
A small notepad and a few crayons are about as simple as it gets, but they can keep little hands busy for surprisingly long stretches. I especially like chunky egg crayons because they're easy for little hands to hold and a little different from the crayons we usually use at home.
Give your toddler a blank page or fun notebook, and they can draw, scribble, make maps, create roads for toy cars, or come up with their own stories. For older toddlers and preschoolers, it can even become a little travel journal.
Sometimes the simplest toys leave the most room for creativity.
Pro Tip: Bring a roll of colorful masking tape so your toddler can tape their artwork up around their seat. It gives them a fun little way to display what they've made and makes their drawings feel extra special.
5. Melissa & Doug Poke-A-Dot Book
This is such a simple little activity, but my kiddos were very into it. The Poke-A-Dot book has buttons built into each page that kids can press and “pop” as you read along. It gives little hands something to do while also turning a familiar book into an interactive activity.
I especially like this kind of toy for travel because there aren't any loose pieces to keep track of. It's just a book that can easily slip into a carry-on or diaper bag.
For younger toddlers, the popping buttons are the main attraction. Older toddlers can start following along with the story and counting the dots as they go.
It's a good reminder that travel toys don't always need to be complicated. Sometimes a familiar book with something tactile to do is all you need.
→ Shop Melissa & Doug Poke-A-Dot Book on Amazon
Which brings me to one of my favorite travel tips...
TIP: Bring a few new toys for travel
You don't need to buy a suitcase full of new toys. Even one or two things your child hasn't seen before can make a familiar activity feel much more exciting.
You can also rotate toys throughout the trip instead of putting everything out at once. Pack a few activities separately and bring out a new one when your child starts losing interest. It's an easy way to add a little novelty without bringing a ton of extra stuff.
6. Toddler Brain Quest Cards
My 4-year-old loves Brain Quest, and we have been using them with her since she was about 2½.
This is one of those activities that I would absolutely bring for an older toddler or preschooler.
They are small, easy to pack, and because they are question-based, they can turn into a conversation rather than simply an activity that your child completes.
You can also make up your own questions when your child gets tired of the cards.
For younger toddlers, you may need to choose questions that are appropriate for their age and attention span. For preschoolers, these can be a great way to break up a long journey.
→ Shop Toddler Brain Quest Cards on Amazon
7. Melissa & Doug Water Wow!
Water Wow! is a classic road trip and airplane toy for a reason.
It gives kids the satisfaction of coloring while being completely mess-free.
The Water Wow! pads use a refillable water pen, and the pages reveal color as children draw. The pages can then dry and be used again.
That reusable aspect is particularly nice for travel.
→ Shop Melissa & Doug Water Wow! on Amazon
8. Busy Books
A busy book can be a great choice for younger toddlers who love activities they can touch, move, and manipulate. Look for one with a variety of activities rather than a book that only offers one repetitive task.
They can be especially handy on plane rides because they are quiet, compact, and easy to keep on a lap or tray table.
→ Shop our favorite Busy Book on Amazon
9. Goliath Jelly Blox
Jelly Blox are such a fun option if your toddler likes building but you want something a little different from traditional blocks.
They're soft, stretchy, and squishy, so kids can squeeze, stack, connect, and build with them. Some of the blocks also have sensory fillings inside, which adds another layer of interest. The Creative Kit comes with 20 blocks and is designed for ages 2+.
For travel, though, I definitely wouldn't pack the entire set.
Instead, I'd grab a small handful of Jelly Blox and put them in a little reusable pouch. You really don't need all 20 pieces to give your toddler something fun to build with, and bringing just a few makes this much more practical for a carry-on or diaper bag.
I also love that they can be combined with other toys. A few Jelly Blox can become a little structure for figurines, part of a pretend house, or simply something to squish and experiment with.
They're a particularly great option for toddlers who enjoy sensory play but also want the freedom to come up with their own creations.
More travel toys to consider
The first part of this list focuses on toys that I think work especially well for toddlers and travel. The remaining picks are also great options, but several contain smaller pieces or are better suited to older toddlers and preschoolers.
As always, take a look at the manufacturer's age recommendation and consider your own child's stage and abilities before packing them. You know your child best, and what's a great travel toy for one toddler may not be the right fit for another.
These are the kinds of toys I'd consider for older toddlers and preschoolers, especially when you're looking for a little more variety in your travel activities.
10. Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks
If I could only choose a couple of truly open-ended travel toys, Tegu would be very high on my list.
The little Pocket Pouch set is particularly well suited for travel because it comes with just eight magnetic wooden blocks in a small reusable felt pouch. Tegu designed this set with portability in mind, so it doesn't take up much precious space in a carry-on or diaper bag.
What I love most is that there isn't really a “right” way to play with it.
Little hands can connect the blocks, stack them, build little structures, or simply experiment with how the magnets work. And because there are only a handful of pieces, you don't have to worry about a ton of tiny pieces rolling around the car or airplane.
Tegu also uses sustainably sourced hardwoods and water-based, non-toxic lacquer finishes. So if natural materials are important to you, that's another reason I like this little set.
For my family, this is exactly the kind of toy that fits the Just a Little Crunchy approach to travel: simple, tactile, durable, and open-ended.
→ Shop Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks on Amazon
11. MAGNA-TILES 9-Piece Travel Cubes Set
I love the idea of bringing magnetic building toys on a trip, but I don't necessarily want to pack a whole set of them. This 9-piece microMAGS Cubes set feels like a really nice middle ground.
The set includes nine mini magnetic cubes, each with eight magnets, so little hands can stack them, connect them, and build in different directions. The cubes are designed to be more stable than traditional blocks, which makes them especially fun for building towers and little structures on-the-go.
They come with a storage case, so everything can stay together when it's time to pack up.
I also love that they're open-ended. Kids can build towers and structures, use them as part of pretend play, or simply experiment with how the magnets connect.
If your toddler already loves building with MAGNA-TILES, I think this would be a great little set to tuck into a carry-on for a plane ride, road trip!
→ Shop MAGNA-TILES 9-Piece Travel Cubes Set on Amazon
If you're looking for more ideas for choosing open-ended toys that work well while traveling, MAGNA-TILES has a helpful guide on the benefits of open-ended toys and why they can give kids so many different ways to play.
12. Schleich Animal Figurines
Don't underestimate a handful of little figurines.
Toy animals, people, dinosaurs, or other small characters can become an entire pretend-play world when you're stuck sitting through a long travel day.
They're particularly useful because they can be paired with other toys you already packed. A few figurines can turn magnetic tiles into a house, Pop Tubes into roads, or a blank notepad into a pretend map.
→ Shop Schleich Animal Figurines on Amazon
13. Melissa & Doug Reusable Puffy Sticker Books
Sticker books are another easy activity to tuck into a carry-on bag.
I especially like reusable sticker books for travel because you don't have to worry about running out of stickers halfway through a long trip.
→ Shop Melissa & Doug Reusable Puffy Sticker Books on Amazon
14. Wikki Stix Travel Tube
Kids can bend and stick the Wikki Stix into shapes, letters, people, animals, roads, pictures, or whatever else they think of.
For an older toddler or preschooler, this can be a great quiet activity for a plane ride or long car ride.
I would probably save these for older toddlers who are less likely to put them in their mouths and who can enjoy the creative aspect of them.
→ Shop Wikki Stix Travel Tube on Amazon
15. Melissa & Doug Magnetic Puzzles
Magnetic puzzles are a great middle ground between structured and open-ended play. They give kids something specific to work toward while still allowing them to experiment with different combinations in a way that’s easy to manage on-the-go.
→ Shop Melissa & Doug Magnetic Puzzles on Amazon
How I would pack toddler travel toys
One mistake I think is easy to make is packing too many toys.
You look at the length of the road trip or flight and think, “We need enough activities for six hours!”
Then you end up carrying a giant bag of toys, only to find that half of them don't hold your child's attention or get played with in the way you imagined.
I've found it works better to think in categories.
Bring one open-ended building toy.
One sensory toy.
One creative activity.
One structured activity.
And one familiar favorite.
For example, you might pack:
Goliath Jelly Blox
Dimpl Deluxe
Egg Crayons
Brain Quest
Favorite stuffed animal
That's already a pretty substantial collection of activities without filling an entire carry-on bag.
For a younger toddler, I might swap Brain Quest for something like Pop Tubes.
For an older preschooler, I might add the MAGNA-TILES travel set.
A few travel toy tips that make a big difference
1. Don't give them everything at once
This is probably my favorite trick.
If you show your toddler ten new things at once, they may play with everything for two minutes and then announce that they're bored.
Instead, keep most of the toys tucked away and bring out one activity at a time.
You can even put each activity in its own small bag or pouch so some of the toys stay a little out of sight. Keeping a few things a surprise from curious little eyes can make them feel much more exciting when you finally pull them out.
2. Skip the toys with a million pieces
I love magnetic tiles and little figurines for travel because they can lead to so much open-ended and imaginative play. The only thing to keep in mind is how many pieces you're bringing.
A handful of figurines or a small travel-sized magnetic tile set can be much easier to manage than bringing an entire collection. Think about where your child will actually be playing and choose a set that gives them enough to play with without leaving you with dozens of tiny pieces to keep track of.
A small pouch, container, or travel tin can also make cleanup much easier when it's time to move on to the next activity.
3. Consider the age of your child
A younger toddler needs different things from an older toddler or preschooler.
For little kids, I would prioritize larger, easy-to-hold toys like Dimpl and age-appropriate sensory toys.
Older toddlers may be ready for Wikki Stix, Brain Quest, magnetic tiles, and more involved activity books.
Always follow the manufacturer's age recommendations and consider your individual child's ability to safely use toys with smaller pieces.
4. Don't forget the familiar favorites
New toys are fun, but familiar toys can be comforting during travel too.
A favorite book, stuffed animal, little figurine, or toy plane can be just as useful as something new. Sometimes a familiar toy is exactly what your child wants when everything else around them feels different.
And you don't need to fill every minute of the journey with an activity. Kids can play, look out the window, have a snack, listen to music, talk, and simply take in what's happening around them. The toys are there when they need a little something extra to do.
Do toddlers really need special travel toys?
Not necessarily.
You can absolutely travel with toys your child already owns.
But I think having a few toys that are particularly well suited to small spaces can make travel easier.
The best travel toys for toddlers tend to be compact, quiet, reusable, and flexible enough to hold a child's attention in more than one way.
And I don't think the goal needs to be keeping your child entertained every second of the journey.
For our family, screen-free play is simply one tool in the toolbox.
We can look out the window.
Read books.
Talk.
Snack.
Play with toys.
Listen to music.
And yes, sometimes use a screen.
I don't think you need to choose one "right" way to travel with kids.
If you are simply hoping to add a few more screen-free options to your next trip, these toys are a great place to start.
My favorite travel toys for different ages
If you're trying to decide what to actually buy, here's how I would narrow it down.
Best for younger toddlers
These are the toys I'd put at the top of my list for little hands because they are tactile, relatively simple, and don't require a child to sit and follow complicated instructions.
Best for older toddlers
Older toddlers can start getting more out of toys that require creativity, problem-solving, and longer periods of concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Toys for Toddlers
What are the best screen-free travel toys for toddlers?
The best screen-free travel toys are usually compact, quiet, hands-on, and flexible enough to be used in more than one way. Look for toys that encourage building, creating, sensory exploration, pretend play, or problem-solving without taking up much space.
Open-ended toys are especially useful because they can keep a toddler engaged in different ways throughout a long trip, rather than having just one activity to complete.
What should I pack for a toddler on a plane?
For a plane trip, focus on a few compact activities that are easy to use in a small space and don't create a lot of loose pieces. A mix of creative, sensory, building, and familiar activities can give your toddler different ways to stay engaged throughout the flight.
I’d also pack the practical essentials your child is used to, like snacks, a water bottle or sippy cup, a favorite comfort item, and anything else that helps them feel comfortable while traveling.
How do I keep my toddler entertained on a long road trip?
Rotate activities rather than giving your toddler every toy at once. Bring a combination of open-ended toys, books, drawing activities, snacks, music, and conversation, and save a couple of new or particularly exciting activities for when they start getting restless.
And if you decide to use some screen time during a long journey, that's okay too.
How many toys should I bring on a long trip with a toddler?
You probably need fewer than you think. I'd start with around four or five well-chosen activities and rotate them throughout the journey rather than bringing a huge bag of toys.
A few versatile toys can provide much more play value than a suitcase full of single-purpose activities.
What makes a toy good for screen-free travel?
The best screen-free travel toys are usually compact, quiet, engaging, and open-ended. Toys that encourage creativity, fine motor skills, sensory exploration, or pretend play can give toddlers something meaningful to do without requiring a screen.
Final thoughts: The best travel toys are the ones your child actually plays with
After putting together this list, I think the biggest thing I'd look for in a travel toy is simple: does it give my kids something to do without telling them exactly how to do it?
That's why I keep coming back to open-ended toys. Tegu blocks can become a tower, a little house, or something entirely different. Pop Tubes can become roads, bracelets, or whatever my kids happen to dream up. Dimpl Deluxe somehow became a “work computer” in my 4-year-old's hands. Those are the toys that tend to surprise me.
You also don't need to pack everything. A small selection of toys with different types of play can go a long way, especially when you rotate them throughout the trip and keep a few tucked away for later.
For my own kids, Tegu, Dimpl Deluxe, and Pop Tubes are some of the first things I'd reach for. But every child is different, so I'd choose the toys that match your child's current interests and stage of play.
The goal isn't to keep your toddler entertained every minute of a travel day. It's simply to have a few good options within reach when they're ready for something to do.
And sometimes, the simplest little toy ends up being the one they play with the longest.
And if you're breastfeeding on the go and prefer to use a nursing cover, having a comfortable one tucked into your bag can be just as useful as having the right activities for your toddler. I rounded up some of my favorite breathable, non-toxic breastfeeding covers for moms on the go.
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