Best Baby Toys for Airplane Travel

Traveling with a baby can be intimidating. I remember losing sleep before the first flight with a baby. But the flight ended up going really well and since then I’ve learned a lot more about what will make traveling with a baby easier.

This article is to help you feel prepared before flying with a baby. Because traveling with kids is so rewarding and I want you to make those memories with the least amount of stress possible!

The general age range of baby toys for airplane travel mentioned in this article are generally most appropriate for ages 4 – 12 months. But every baby is different, so you might find that range to vary some depending on your baby’s interest.

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Best Age to Travel With a Baby

The best time to travel with a baby is around 3 – 8 months. Generally speaking, babies are still sleeping more at this age and are not mobile yet. However, different factors might make it easier a little earlier or later depending on your situation.

For example, a newborn is very easy to travel with but we personally weren’t comfortable traveling until our baby was a little older and had built more of an immune system. Some also find that up to one year old is pretty easy, but our oldest wanted to be on the move earlier than that. Traveling with a baby will also depend on whether they have their own seat. Our oldest travels better when he is not a lap baby, but financially that doesn’t always make the most sense.

So, while ages 3-8 months are easiest, there are a lot of factors to consider and every baby is different. Travel also gets easier again once they are a little older, around the age of 4. But again, some babies area always easy to travel with no matter the age. And some are always difficult to travel with no matter the age. I always say that you know your baby better than anyone, so trust that judgment.

I also noticed that my babies pick up on how I am feeling. When I find myself stressed at the airport, they notice. So I try my hardest to be intentional about my stress level. If I am feeling stressed, I’ll take a second to regroup and refocus – this seems to be really helpful for all of us, even though it can be easier said than done at times.

Baby Toys for Airplane Travel

In general, any toy that you can hook onto something that will prevent it from falling (AKA when your baby throws it) is great to have. You might already have one of these toys for daily travel or stroller rides in a car seat.

These fidget spinners were recommended to me for travel with a baby by tons of other moms. They come with a suction cup so you can stick them on the window if you are in a window seat. They’ll suction to the tray table, too, but we found them to stick on the window better.

Cloth crinkle books are great for the younger ages (my kids personally got bored with them after approximately 6 months). I also like that you can wash these easily. If your baby is a little older, a book with flaps might be a better option.

Busy boards are perfect the closer your baby gets to a year old. There are buttons, snaps, zippers, velcro, shoelaces, pockets, and plastic gears. Not only will this keep your baby busy, but it will also help them practice fine motor skills. Similarly, this buckle toy keeps kids entertained and also helps with motor skills and problem solving.

A shape sorter that you can take on the go can be a great airplane toy for babies. The downside of this toy on an airplane is that there are a lot of parts.

We brought several of our baby’s favorite teethers because they are small, lightweight, and easy to pack. The downside is that they are easy to throw, so if you have a baby that likes to throw their toys, this might not be the greatest option.

This pull string Montessori toy kept our baby entertained for a long time. He was around 7 months old at the time of the flight and it continued being one of his favorite toys for several months afterwards.

Squigs are probably the best thing ever or worst idea ever for airplane travel with babies. If they do entertain your baby, you’ll be so thankful you packed them. The downside is that they are easy to throw and come with a lot of small pieces. We brought just a couple when my baby was around 6 months and it kept him entertained for quite a while. An alternative could be a larger suction cup toy. Suction cup toys came highly recommended to us but to be honest, our baby didn’t love them. Every baby is different, though, and most of our friends’ kids have loved them!

Notes on Picking Baby Toys for Airplane Travel

The best baby toys for airplane travel:

• Are lightweight (easy to carry)
• Come with few pieces (so they don’t get thrown or lost)
• Inexpensive (in case they get lost)

Picking out toys for airplane travel does not have to be expensive or complex. A couple new toys they have never seen before tends to be enough. I know that this can be a little daunting because if it’s a new toy, you don’t know if they’ll like it or not. On our first flight with a baby, I was so worried about our baby not liking his new toys that I overpacked way too much.

Once they get older, it’s easy to stock up at Dollar Tree or Target’s dollar spot with small things that will keep them busy. If your baby is old enough, stickers, painters tape, and post its can all be great tools to help pass the time. If your baby is eating, snacks are also a great way to pass the time and keep baby entertained.

We also come prepared with downloaded videos for our kids to watch. I know that everyone’s comfort level with screen time will vary, but we allow more screen time when traveling than we do at home.

Finding the right baby toys for airplane travel can turn a potentially stressful journey into an enjoyable and memorable experience. Consider the age-appropriate, compact, and engaging toys mentioned in this guide to keep your baby entertained and content. We wish you safe travels and happy adventures with your little travel companion!