36 Genius Travel Toys for Kids to Prevent Trip Meltdowns

If you can only buy one toy for your infant, make it this one. My daughter has spent hours pushing the pop buttons, pulling the strings, and keeping her hands busy, and she still enjoys it to this day. It's also proven durable and has remained intact despite numerous drops on the floor. Ages 3 months+

A busy board is guaranteed to keep kids, well, busy! I’ve brought this one with me on countless road trips, and I like how it’s made of natural wood yet remains lightweight and easy to squeeze inside a tote bag. It comes with switches, buttons, and LED lights that light up to keep them curious. Ages 1+

One of the first toys I bought my baby, these suction spinners are adorable and come in a variety of animal shapes. But what I love most about them is that you can bring them everywhere, and chances are they’ll stick. They’re great for keeping littles occupied when on the go, whether dining out, on a plane, or stuck in the car. Ages 1+

What’s great about these is not just that they’re cute giraffes, but toddlers can suction them to airplane or car windows and stretch and twist them into a variety of shapes. They keep my daughter entertained and, best of all, they’re lightweight and easy to pack. Ages 3+

Small enough to throw in a purse or stroller, this cute cube features something to keep them entertained on each side, including a spinner, switches, and buttons. It continues to keep my daughter occupied on car trips to this day. Ages 1+

This interactive book lets kids touch, feel, and hear farm animal sounds. It’s one of my daughter’s favorites (it taught her how to moo!), and I love that it combines simple text with colorful images and sounds that keep them giggling. It’s also sold in other variations, including noisy baby animals, noisy animals, and much more. Ages 3+

While technically not a toy, I recently brought this snack spinner on a flight with my toddler, and she was obsessed with it. She loved being able to rotate the spinner and choose from a variety of snack options that I placed in each compartment, from cheese to fruit, cereals, and more. Available in three pastel shades, I also really liked that it was compact enough to fit into my cooler bag.

When car rides became too much for my baby this music toy came in handy. You can play up to 10 classic songs with the press of a button, accompanied by colorful lights that match the melody. Ages 3 months+

This indestructible book can handle whatever your kid throws at it, whether they try to rip it, eat it, or get it soaked in the pool. I like that it’s extremely portable and that it teaches kids about all types of transportation (including the plane, car, train, or boat you might be taking to get to your destination). Ages newborn+

This sensory board has six magnetic tiles that can be removed and rearranged into different configurations. Toddlers can push the switches back and forth, turn the gears, roll colored balls, spin a color wheel, and more. You can also buy more tiles to swap in. Ages 1+

A Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner, Magna-Tiles are hot this year, and this set includes 55 pieces and a compact travel case. My toddler has the smaller, 24-piece set, and she loves putting the magnets together to create new shapes. Another parent praised its portability by saying, "We are excited to take this with us on an international trip we have coming up soon! I know it will come in handy on the plane and fit into my daughter’s little travel backpack." Ages 3+

Kids can practice their letters again and again by tracing uppercase and lowercase letters with a dry-erase marker. There are also fun activities, like mazes and connecting dots, inside this Good Housekeeping Kids’ Book Award winner. “My 4-year-old was much more independent with this activity book than she typically is,” said one parent. Ages 2-5

I won't get on an airplane without a sticker book. I recently flew solo with my 19-month-old, and this activity won me more than 30 minutes of calm playtime. Best of all, littles can play with the book an infinite number of times, since the stickers are reusable. Complete with 36 pieces and a carrying handle, this one is all about vehicles, but there are a number of different themes, like space, animals, and holidays. Ages 2+

This interactive story is designed to support children who are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. There are sensory-focused elements, including scratch-and-sniff flowers, soft puppy fur, and other tools to help kids self-soothe. Ages 3-8

Why not squeeze in some learning on the way to your destination? This easily packable toy teaches colors, shapes, and numbers while they fidget with the buckles and clasps. Best for ages 1+

This book is ideal for travel because there are no little pieces that might fall to the floor. Each page contains an activity teaching toddlers everything from time to shapes and textures. The Quiet Book is also available in two other colors. Best for ages 3+

Magnetic toys can be a lifesaver, especially on a bumpy ride. This block set comes with six pieces that your child has to form into objects like this jet plane or the five other shapes the brand makes. They'll love sitting on an airplane while trying to build their own. Best for ages 10+ months

Kids will have a blast mixing and matching up to 78 magnetic pieces to create realistic or silly faces. Each set also comes with an erasable marker and patterns for them to recreate. When they're done, everything tucks into a simple storage box. Ages 3+