Best Travel Toys for Babies That They’ll ACTUALLY Like!
Traveling with a baby? Whether you are taking plane trips or road trips, having the right toys can make or break your trip. We have made multiple trips with multiple babies which is why we feel confident in this list.
These toys are all tried and true toys that we have personally used for our babies. And this list is curated specifically for kids up to one year old. I also have a toddler toys list so that you can find a perfect toy for your little one based on their age.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this packing guide for the best baby travel toys are affiliate links (including links to Amazon as an Amazon Associate) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
I regularly review and update my Amazon storefront, so if you just want a quick look at everything mentioned in this article, check out my Best Baby Toys for Travel Amazon Storefront.
General “Rules” We Have for Travel Toys
Something that has really worked well for us with travel toys is to keep them as travel toys and not toys that they’ll use at home. Or, if they do use them at home, we hide them for a little while before the trip.
We find that this is the best way to make sure the toys seem new and exciting.
If it is a new toy, we make sure to introduce the toy(s) briefly (for a day or so) just to see if our kids like the toy before we waste precious packing space. We don’t like to waste packing space around here!
Also know that you do not need everything on this list. Not even close! In reality, you probably only need a couple from each category depending on your baby and vacation plans (for example, if you’ll be on the go more, you might not need as many toys for the hotel).
You know your baby best so choose a few that you think he or she will like. If you’re like me, you will probably overpack on your first trip with a baby, but it gets easier!
Also, not every toy needs to be new. In fact, if your baby has a favorite toy that they play with most days, you might want to bring that to help them have something familiar.
Finally, don’t underestimate the dollar store! Bringing toys with you on vacation doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. Especially for babies. Usually, new toys tend to be pretty exciting to babies no matter what they are.
Best Travel Toys for Airplanes and Car Trips
Plane rides are the part of travel I think I stress about the most. Being surrounded in a tight space by strangers increases the pressure to keep my baby happy. And once you’re on the plane, it’s not like you can just get off and stretch your legs.
Toys can definitely help keep your baby happy and here are some of the best plane toys that we love for our babies:
Sensory Development Montessori Toy/Silicone Pull String Travel Toy
Every baby is different, but every one of my babies have been absolutely obsessed with this all the way up through toddlerhood. We bought it for our oldest son’s first flight when he was 6 months old but every time we took it out for our other kids when they were babies, he’d show interest in it until he was two and a half years old! This toy has been well-loved in our family – it truly is a great toy! The only downsize is that it’s pretty bulky.
Busy Board or Activity Book
Busy boards, busy books, and activity books are always a hit with our babies and all the way through childhood. There are tons of different versions and we’ve tried several – they like them all. Each is different and may have zippers, buttons, Velcro, and different textures, but you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Plus, they take up very little space when packing!
- Buckle toy pillow
- Busy board with buckles, zipper, and button
- Montessori busy board with multiple pages
- Any sturdy board books you might have are also a great way to keep babies entertained throughout your trip.
Suction Spinner Toys
Always a hit, suction toys can be stuck to plane window or the tray table. Our kids don’t even mind if we use the suction cups, they like playing with the toy itself no matter what! There are several options available, some being easier to pack than others.
- Baby Einstein Sticky Spinner
- Sassy Teethe & Twirl – My kids have all liked how many different fidget-type things are on this suction toy
- Sassy Wonder Wheel – This toy has been a huge hit, but it is a little louder than the other options
- Small Sensory Suction Spinner Toys – These are small toys that come in a pack of 3. They are by far the smallest/easiest to pack of all the suction spinner toys and my kids have all loved them.
Books
We have found a number of different type of books to be helpful for traveling. They’re also easy to pack and don’t take up much room.
- Cloth books with crinkles and/or parts for your baby to play with
- Baby bath books can double as books for the flight and then can be used again for bathtime!
Silicone Pop It Toys
Pushing the “bubbles” to one side, then back again can keep babies busy for a while!
Silicone Teething Keys
These are great to have basically no matter where you are. They’re easy to pack, chew (if your baby is teething), and clean.
- Two pack teething toys
- Teethe N’ Pop Sensory Play Teether – Doubles as a toy because it “pops” out
Taggies Blanket or Lovey
If your baby has a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or something similar, definitely bring that. But if you don’t, babies tend to love things with with crinkly edges and ribbon tags to explore – it can double as a comfort item and entertainment.
Best Travel Toys for Hotel Rooms & Rentals
I think a lot of the time, we really focus on what toys to bring on the airplane. It makes sense since you can’t just run out and buy whatever you need once you’re in the sky. It also tends to be the most stressful part of travel for many of us.
But you’ll probably want some toys for the hotel room (or wherever you are staying), too. Our babies have all had a great time with these toys:
Sensory Balls
All of our kids have loved these sensory balls. They’re great for little hands to explore the different shapes and textures.
Poppin Pipes
Our kids have loved poppin pipes from the time they were babies all the way through their toddler years. One warning, though – they’re pretty loud!
Cars With “Road” Play Mat
This is a really fun toy for hotels (or anywhere you might have a little more space). Since it’s plush, you can push it down to a compact size making it easy to pack. It comes with a little mat of roads with cloth-covered cars.
Bubbles
Babies love bubbles (well, our babies, anyways!) and it makes a perfect travel toy because it’s so easy to pack. We like to throw these individual bubble tubes into our checked luggage. If we are only bringing a carry-on bag, then I usually skip the bubbles because of the TSA liquid limits.
Music Toys
When our babies were little, they loved toys that made music. We opt not to bring toys that make noise onto our flights, but our babies have all loved the toys I linked.
- Baby Einstein music toy
- This Musical book was a great option for us because my daughter was absolutely obsessed with it and would play with it for a long time
Stacking Cups or Rings
We like these because they are lightweight and don’t take up a lot of space. The stacking cups can also double as bath toys. Our kids have enjoyed playing with the rings while in their car seat.
Wrist and Ankle Rattles
Wrist and ankle rattles crinkle and make noise plus have bright, colorful figures to look at.
Small, Soft Barn With Farm Animals
This toy is perfect for hotel rooms because it’s soft and plush so it can be easily packed. The barn has multiple spots where you can put the animals in. Babies love putting things in and taking them out!
Squigz
Squigz are toys that will suction to themselves or pretty much anything you can stick them on. They are a great travel toy because they can be used in the airplane, window toys in the car, and in the hotel. They’re small and easy to pack.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right toy for your travels can be a game changer! But no matter how you’re traveling – long car rides or a flight with your baby, finding the best toys for babies doesn’t mean you have to fill your bag with tons of toys.
You really only need a few from this list (hopefully!) and hopefully this gave you some great ideas. You know your baby best and what he or she will like and hopefully that gives you some confidence for your next trip.
Also, this entire article was just about toys to bring while traveling with a baby but we also have a full packing list for travel with a baby. This list includes essentials beyond toys if you’d find that helpful.
