The best travel toys for babies and toddlers to keep them entertained on the go

If your little one loves learning their letters, this AlphaBee activity case is a total winner – and perfect for travel days too. Designed for children aged 2+, it combines early skills activities in a handy, bee-shaped carry case that keeps everything tidy on the go.

Inside, kids will find colourful letter tiles to boost shape, letter, number, and colour recognition, plus early spelling practice. The chunky plastic letters are printed (not stickers) with lower-case on one side and upper-case on the other for versatile play.

Parents love how neatly it packs away. One reviewer shared, “My son loves his ‘abc bee’! The mess of toys drives me mad so I love that it packs away neatly. Portable so goes with us on most trips. Well made and the colours and letter cards are engaging.”

If you’re looking for a toy that keeps little hands busy, these Plus-Plus BIG Creative Building Blocks are honestly such a great find. With 100 colourful pieces in all the shades of the rainbow, they’re brilliant for keeping kids entertained whether you’re at home, in a café, or travelling.

Senior Digital Writer Anne Lora Scagliusi reviewed these with her toddler son (2) and nephew (4), and they kept the two busy building for ages. She said, “Because they’re chunky enough for toddlers but still fun for older kids, both played with them together without arguing – a miracle in itself. The pieces are big enough that I didn’t have to worry about choking hazards. These are just the right size – they can’t accidentally swallow them but can still build towers, little animals, or cars. They’re well-made, will definitely survive throws and tantrums, and the colours are so vivid.”

They’re also really easy to throw into a zip bag and take out at restaurants, on flights, or in hotel rooms when everyone’s overtired. Plus, they’re washable (yes, in the dishwasher or washing machine), which is a must after trips.

If you want something that feels creative, educational, and open-ended but won’t take up loads of suitcase space, these are definitely worth adding to your travel toy stash.

If you’re after an easy travel toy for a dinosaur-loving toddler, this roarsome playset is such a good option. It comes with five cute dinosaur plushies, 1 hatchable egg, and 1 tree, all packed into a soft fabric volcano storage bag.

Parents love how it combines imaginative play with convenience. Many mention it’s perfect for keeping little ones entertained during trips, whether it’s on long car rides, hotel stays, or just relaxing in the park. The soft colours and cute details make it a calming, engaging toy for young children.

Senior Digital Writer and mum Anne Lora Scagliusi tested it with her toddler and said, “It’s so lightweight, and the flexible volcano bag means I can easily squash it into our luggage or pram. The little dinos are adorable, with lovely details and soft colours that are really calming. My two-year-old, who’s obsessed with dinosaurs, absolutely loved carrying it around himself. It holds his attention well, and the plushies are small enough for little hands to grasp, soft and cuddly too.”

Anne also pointed out how practical it is for travel. “It was such a relief to have this on hand, it kept him happily occupied during long journeys and while we were out and about. Plus, when we’re back home, it doubles as a cute decoration in his dinosaur-themed room.”

If your little one loves dinosaurs, this personalised spiral toy is perfect for prams, cots, or car journeys. Designed to engage babies’ sensory and cognitive development from day one, the curling spiral wraps securely around stroller bars, with tactile toys that stimulate hearing, touch, and motor skills.

They’ll love the squishy star and jingling dinosaurs, all in soothing green, blue, and grey tones. Even better, you can personalise it with your baby’s name for an extra special touch – making it a thoughtful gift for new parents.

One reviewer said, “This was beautifully soft and lovely colours, well made and personalised. Came in a beautiful presentation box which was lovely.”

This charming 22-piece wooden set from JoJo Maman Bébé brings London to life for little ones. Inside the handy fabric pouch, you’ll find iconic London landmarks, vehicles like the famous red bus and black cab, and people figures. Each piece is made from FSC®-certified wood and painted with child-safe, vibrant colours.

Parents love how it combines learning and play. Many reviews mention that it’s a great way to introduce city names, vehicles, and people to toddlers in a fun, interactive way. Its compact size and pouch make it easy to pop into your changing bag, keeping everything together without creating mess.

Senior Digital Writer and mum Anne Lora Scagliusi tested it out with her toddler and shared, "My son’s face lit up when he saw the London bus. He’s at that stage where he picks things up and asks what they are, so this set was great for that. It’s like having flashcards but in block form, and much more engaging."

She also highlighted how travel-friendly it is. "It’s so beautifully made and the paintwork is amazing. Because it comes in its own pouch, it’s easy to throw into your bag without worrying about pieces getting lost. It was such a relief to have this with us – it kept him happily occupied on the bus, on the tram, and even while we were sitting in a café."

Overall, it’s a lovely toy to support language development, imaginative play, and independent learning on the go.

If you’re after a no-fuss toy that travels well, Red Bus Basil is ideal. Its chunky design is easy for little hands to hold, and the removable bus driver adds extra fun for role play. Made from BPA-free, non-toxic plastic, it’s suitable from 10 months and completely safe for chewing (because everything ends up in their mouth at this age). No batteries, no sounds – just quiet, independent play, making it perfect to pack for car journeys, flights, or trips to grandparents’.

When your toddler decides they’re too tired to walk mid-shopping trip or airport dash, this buggy board will save the day. It attaches securely to 99% of pushchairs with its easy-fit system and gives them a stable, anti-slip platform to stand on. The suspension makes it comfy over kerbs and bumpy pavements, and the Woodland Animals design adds a cute touch. It clips up neatly out of the way when not in use, so no need to detach and carry.

If your little one loves cars, this set is a total winner – and perfect for travel days too. It comes with seven iconic London vehicles, including a red double decker bus, black taxi, fire engine, police van, ambulance, and two sporty cars. Whether you’re visiting grandparents or heading out for lunch, these chunky wooden cars are just the right size to pop into your handbag or changing bag to keep little hands busy on the go.

They’re also compatible with wooden train tracks for even more adventures at home. Made from durable wood sourced from sustainable forests and painted with child-safe, water-based dyes, they’re built to last through all those car crashes and rescue missions.

Customers are impressed with the quality and size of these cars. One reviewer said, "These construction vehicles are so well made and sustainable. They’re beautifully finished and just the right size for little hands to play with and use their imagination. Great product – I’ve now ordered different vehicles too."

Available in two different colours, the Clompne Busy Board has 34 activities in one pocket that all help to encourage children to learn and play. Customers commented that they love the various functions enabling children to practise buttoning and zipping as well as matching colours, letters and numbers. One reviewer commented that it has lots of features for her toddler as she grows. She especially liked how everything is in one place. However, some reviewers did note that the buttons are quite tricky to fasten which is not great for younger children. We liked the fact there are two removable boards so more than one child can use it, which will stop arguments on long journeys.

For little dinosaur fans, this 9-piece stacking set is perfect for travel. It comes with a handy cotton drawstring bag that fits easily into a diaper bag or stroller. Each piece features a dinosaur on one side and the matching fossil on the other, giving kids plenty to explore. It’s great for stacking and balancing during waits at appointments, long car rides, or any time on the go.

The pieces are built tough, they can handle drops and tumbles without breaking. The high-quality wood and finish mean this set will last through sibling hand-me-downs, keeping kids entertained while helping develop focus and coordination.

Made from safe, non-toxic materials, it’s a stress-free choice for parents looking for a fun, educational travel toy.

If your little explorer loves stories, songs, and learning on the go, the Yoto Mini is a must-have for screen-free fun. Recommended for ages 3+, the Yoto Mini (2024 edition) offers compact, portable listening for endless adventures.

The Yoto Mini plays cards with stories, music, and educational content, perfect for long car rides, flights, or quiet time at grandparents’ houses. Parents especially love how it keeps little ones entertained without screens or mess.

One grandparent reviewer said, “My 5 y/o grandson was immediately enamoured of his Yoto Mini. He's spending a lot of time in the car this summer… Mom also loves it because he uses headphones and SHE doesn't have to hear the same 10 dinosaur songs over and over!”

Read our full Yoto Mini review here

Taking fidget spinners to a different level, the Suction Cup Spinner is perfect for keeping babies and children entertained, as they can stick to windows, trays and other surfaces and have long lasting rotation. They're vibrant with cute character designs in the middle, and even have poppers. Parents love that they don't take up much room in a bag, which is very handy considering how much you normally need to pack when holidaying with children. However, some customers did think the suction could be better, because it doesn't stick well to all surfaces. One reviewer still thought it was amazing at entertaining her 11 month old son though when she stuck it to the plane window. She added that it even proved fun for her five-year old too.

If your little one loves dinosaurs and space, this magnetic set will be right up their street. It comes with loads of magnets so kids can create all sorts of fun scenes – think dinosaurs zooming around in rockets, planets, and stars. Everything packs away into a sturdy box, so there’s no mess, and it’s easy to bring along in the car, on trains, or when visiting family.

Senior Digital Writer and mum Anne Lora Scagliusi tried it with her toddler and said, "My son is obsessed with dinosaurs and anything that sticks, so this was an instant hit. The magnets feel really good quality, the colours are bright, and it seems like it’ll last ages. It’s brilliant for imaginative play – especially if your kid loves dinosaurs or space."

Other parents say it’s great for keeping little ones busy when you need a minute – whether that’s while making dinner, waiting at appointments, or staying over at grandparents’ houses. Some mention the box is a bit bulky for flights, but most agree it’s perfect to use once you arrive or for days out.

Anne added, "It’s a bit chunky to take on the plane, but I keep it in our pram for emergency play when we’re out and about – it’s saved me so many times."

This charming wooden ark set comes with 10 hand-painted animals that little ones can stack and balance on the rocking boat. It’s perfect for travel or quiet play at home, helping kids build dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills as they figure out how to balance the animals without toppling them.

Made from sustainable FSC®-certified wood and painted with safe, non-toxic, water-based paints, it’s a toy parents can feel good about. Its compact size and simple design make it easy to pack for trips, keeping kids busy when you’re stuck waiting or on the move.

Parents appreciate that it’s durable enough to withstand toddler energy and also encourages imaginative play. Plus, it’s a great screen-free option that combines learning with fun, making it a smart buy for families on the go.

The Melissa & Doug Catch and Count Fishing Game provides so much fun for children and is a great screen-free alternative to take on the go. It's a game that children can play with fish in the centre of the car and indoors, and helps encourage hand eye coordination development. There's 10 fish in total with numbers from 1 to 5, so it makes a great number learning game too! However, while it is great for entertainment on long journeys, some reviewers found it a bit big to fit in their bag, which is not ideal for a travel toy. One of the benefits of the toy is its versatility which allowed more than one child to play with it. One customer said she was able to pack bags while her two children played this game, adding they could play together, or separately.

With six reusable pictures to colour in, the Galt Water Magic Pets comes with a water-fillable pen that when used, will reveal the bright colours of the pictures. Parents loved how compact it is and that they can easily keep it in their handbag, and use it on the go without much mess. Just ensure then pen has water in it! Once the page dries the colours will eventually fade away, so that it can be reused again and again! However, some customers thought the pen could be better and said it caused some scratching to the surface of the pictures after repeated use. Overall, parents thought it was a great travel toy because it can be reused so many times and it light and convenient to carry anywhere you go.

Helping to encourage spatial awareness skills, as well as problem solving, the Kanoodle Jr Game encourages children to figure out how to get the different shapes to fit into a square design. It also comes with a puzzle book with 60 challenges! Reviewers thought this was ideal for all ages and one mum commented that both her six year old and one year old both enjoy this game, although her one year doesn't understand the concept but loves lining up the colourful blocks. Parents thought it was great for encouraging independence and problem solving and they loved that it stores away compactly too. It is important to note that it might not be the best travel toy for car journeys because of the blocks which can be dropped and you might spend all journey picking them up, or rummaging under the seats trying to find them.

Little ones will love making different beasts with the Magnetic Animals toy. With 44 pieces to create different animals and faces, they'll have fun swapping out different eyes and accessories. The pieces can be stored in the magnetic tin too for easy transportation, and it can be wiped clean, which parents loved, commenting that it is neat and clever and fun. However, if on your travels you lose any pieces, sadly they cannot be replaced which might dampen the fun a little bit. This is a great toy though for sparking your little one's imagination and they can create endless animals.

This sweet little Lilliputiens Duck Bath Doll is safe to use in baths and pools. It's a great little doll to take on your family adventures, plus parents love that it is small enough to fit in your bag too. Also a big plus, is that it's quick drying which is ideal after a dip in the pool. It is not recommended that this doll is used in the sea, which might be confusing for young children to understand why they can use it in the bath and pool but not the sea. We like that it is suitable from six months old which makes it perfect for babies travelling who are too young for toys which require better hand eye coordination, or colouring skills.

Travelling with kids means finding ways to keep them busy without screens or mess. This clever set lets little ones draw, copy, and print their own creations using reusable stencils and carbon paper. Just draw, press the button to print, and colour with the included crayons. It’s light, compact, and perfect for flights, car journeys, restaurants, or waiting rooms.

This Princess Scribbler Multipack comes with a large and small scribbler. The large scribbler is great for using at home or to leave in the car for car journeys, but parents like that the smaller scribbler fits perfectly into any bag so it can be taken out on any journey, plus a great detail is the attached pen which ensures it won't go missing. One mum commented that both her children enjoyed this toy with her younger daughter enjoying scribbling on it and then erasing it to do it again, while her son enjoyed playing games such as noughts and crosses, Pictionary and guess the word. Although some customers did say the screen can be damaged if younger children press too hard. Overall, parents thought it was more convenient than a pen and notebook, and it provided hours of fun.

If your little one loves colouring on the move then this compact travel case kit has everything you need for them to be creative. The board is a magnetic dry erase whiteboard which is both durable and shockproof. Parents loved how this toy encouraged creativity with 14 fantasy themed magnets, plus four dry erase markers. However, some customers said that while the pens were good quality, the colour, especially the pink, was not that vibrant. Parents did love how the markers allowed children to add details and personalised touches to their artwork. A favourite feature is the ease at which the board can be wiped clean to allow for more artwork and keeping your little one entertained. Customers were disappointed with how small the board was and expected it to be bigger, although for travelling this can prove convenient, if somewhat frustrating for your little artist. We love how it encourages storytelling and creativity on the go without the use of screens.

Little ones love stickers but we know they get everywhere and can be a nightmare to remove. This fun and convenient Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW will solve that problem for you. Parents love the sticker stamper which provides a new way to play with stickers, and they especially liked that the stickers are easy to remove. Plus, we like that the set includes a 24-page dinosaur activity pad and the stamper is preloaded with 300 stickers. One customer did find that some of the stickers were facing the wrong way in the preloaded stamper which did cause frustration. However, there is a 300 refill pack included too. Parents were impressed that this is not only fun but educational with fun and stamp activities including counting, matching, search and find, as well as crafting and encouraging creativity. It is disappointing, as customers pointed out, that the stickers are not reusable but you do get 600 in this bundle which should keep your little one busy for a while, or during a very long journey.

The myFirst Sketch 3 is perfect for travel, mess-free creativity, and on-the-go doodling. Its simple erase button means kids can draw and start again endlessly, while the handy lock switch prevents accidental deletions. With a long-lasting battery (up to a year) and lightweight design, it’s a parent’s dream for car journeys, flights, or café waits.

If your little traveller loves ride-on toys, this clever BedBox will make every journey feel like an adventure. Designed for ages 2-7, it’s airline-approved carry-on luggage that doubles as a ride-on suitcase and transforms an airline seat into a comfortable bed or leg rest.

Kids can ride, pull, or be pulled along through the airport, tiring out that boundless toddler energy before boarding. With ample storage inside for toys and essentials, plus a sticker set for personalisation, it’s a travel essential that sparks excitement from check-in to landing.

If your little adventurer loves bikes, the smarTrike Traveler is a smart solution to keep them entertained before and after landing. It’s the first active stroller designed to engage little ones from 6 months to 4 years, seamlessly transforming from a stroller into an independent trike as they grow.

The trike-style handlebars let kids ‘steer’ alongside you, keeping them curious and active on every outing. When it’s time to rest, features like the near-flat reclining seat, removable leg rest, oversized shock-absorbing front wheel, 5-point harness, and bumper bar ensure a comfortable ride.

One parent reviewer said, “Absolutely love our smarTrike Traveler! It's been a game-changer for family outings. My son loves the independence of pedaling, and I love the option to push him when he's tired. It’s a must-have for any parent!”