It doesn’t really matter how long your flight is – if you’re travelling with kids and it’s over an hour, you’d be a fool to not come well equipped with the best travel toys you can get your hands on. Living in Scotland with my entire family down in London, I’d already become pretty savvy about which toys work well for travel, and which don’t, by the time my son was two.
Now, nearly seven years later and a number of long-haul flights wiser, I’ve learned the hard way what’s worth taking up precious cabin bag space and what’s not. What keeps a four-year-old busy for five minutes, and what can take up a full hour? How to keep kids off screens for as long as possible, and make the most of screen time when we parents inevitably cave in. And even, in my family’s case, what kind of travel toys keep a child with ADHD calm, happy and focused?
Of course, it’s not just the child in question who needs to be considered; it’s all passengers on board the plane or train. Anything noisy is a no; slimy? Definitely not. Crafting is great, but not if it’s using materials that might stick or stain. Anything with small parts can be a pain, but equally, there are hacks to make this work, like magnetic pieces, and Blu-Tac under Lego plates.
In this list of best travel toys, you’ll find a selection that goes well above and beyond your average fidget toys, tablets and colouring pads, with options that will keep kids of all ages busy for hours.
Best for babies: Spinners, Octopus activity toy
Best for toddlers: Busy board, Drawing board
Best for 3-6 year olds: Yoto Mini, Janod Magneti’Book
Best for 6-10 year olds: LEGO® Books: ReBuild Activity Cards, UNO
Best for 10+: Artiphon Orba
Tried and tested by our parent editors:
Lauren Burvill, senior commerce writer
I have a four year old and a 1 year old and have taken them to Australia twice in just one year. The toy that wins the prize for best fun and function is the Micro Scooters mini cabin case. My son has had it since he was two and it’s been such a game changer for zipping through the airport. For my little one, the play kits from Lovevery are great for travel. The wooden peg drop in The Thinker kit was a slightly odd shape to pack in my carry on, but it was the toy that engaged him the longest.
Sarah Bannerman, commerce editor
My twins who are two and a half, and I first took them on a flight to Mallorca at six months old, which felt like the bravest thing I had ever done. The toy that has gone the distance so far is the suction spinners, which attach to the tray table and plane window, but they’re best for babies, so on a recent trip to Bodrum, the sketch pads were the most-used item in my carry-on luggage.
Charlotte Davey, fashion and lifestyle editor
Charlotte is Fashion and Lifestyle editor at Conde Nast Traveller and has a four year old daughter who she has taken on many-a flight over the past few years. Now with a newborn in tow as well, it’s more important than ever to pack smart and keep her first daughter entertained in transit.
Sticker books
It’s a universal truth that kids love sticker books. They’re great for in-flight entertainment since they’re lightweight, easy to pack and can be used on little laps even when tray tables have to be stowed away. For younger children, we love reusable sticker books like the Make-a-Face series from Melissa & Doug. Available in pet, farmyard and safari versions, they provide hours of educational fun as your little ones add facial features to their favourite animals. And for parents and airline staff, the fact that there’s no sticky residue to contend with is a major bonus.
Travelling with older children and don’t necessarily want them to pass their flight time with four back-to-back movies? Creative pre-teens will love the challenge of Imagimetrics, a sticker-by-numbers concept that results in some truly beautiful multi-dimensional works of art.
Why we recommend: I've travelled a few times with the Melissa & Dough reusable sticker book. It is quite a large size, but there are a lot of stickers. My son is still too small to pick the stickers up himself, but he was able to choose an animal and tell me what setting to place them in. They are quite good quality and never ripped etc. Lauren Burvill
Children aged three and up will love playing with this mix ‘n’ match magnet set, which comes with 40 beautifully designed magnetic pieces that kids can put together any way they please (or as the model cards instruct) on the scenic background. If your child isn’t a dinosaur fan, don’t worry, there are many themes to choose from, including princesses, seasons, occupations, sports, animals, space and loads more. You could even buy a few different sets and get really weird with your creations! The lovely storage box, which also doubles up as the play area, makes this the perfect travel toy or gift.
Activity books
From as young as two or three, children can be kept entertained for hours by a good activity book. Wipe-clean versions like the Zoo Activities book from Usborne are the best, since they can be used over and over again on your outward and return journeys. Activities range from spot-the-difference and maze games to join-the-dots and line tracing. All of them encourage focus and help to develop pen control. If you’re lucky, your child might be able to do some of them independently, giving you the chance to eat that in-flight meal in peace.
If giving your child a marker pen in an enclosed space sounds like a recipe for disaster, don’t worry – there are 100 per cent mess-free options as well. Like the iconic Where’s Wally books but better, these personalised Where Are You? books from Wonderbly enthral children with the novelty of finding themselves on each page.
Why we recommend: My daughter’s Where Are You? book is one of my tried-and-tested go-tos for long journeys. Even though she’s had it for several years and knows where to find herself, there are hundreds of other interesting things to look for on each brightly coloured page. Jessica Macdonald
If your child loves Lego, this clever kit is the perfect alternative to bringing a massive box of bricks away with you. Although this set only comes with 25 Lego pieces, the deck of 30 activity cards will stir up your child’s imagination and make the most of them. Each card gives a new task: can you build an animal with more than five legs? Or your own cauldron for making spells in? There are opportunities here for creative storytelling too, and games to play with friends or family members, as well as solo. Take your pick from a variety of themed packs, from animals and magic to space travel, to best match your child’s interests.
Sensory kits
For little ones who need a stimulus but are still too small for fiddly activities, pack a box of sensory toys to keep hands and eyes interested. You can, of course, create your own – a wash bag filled with ribbons and socks, for example. For a step above, there are plenty of compact and clever sensory kits on the market, designed for varying ages. Look for boxes with larger items that you won't easily lose.
Why we recommend: We took one of the Lovevery kits on a recent holiday, and my son absolutely loved each and every feature. Granted, they are not cheap, but the quality of the Montessori kits is the best I've seen, and because they are specifically designed and curated to suit a certain age group, I did notice my son was much more engaged compared to his usual collection of plastic toys. Not every part of these kits will be suitable for a flight – some of them are designed for water play etc – but a lot of them will be, with each element packaged in a box or bag. The kits come with handy books, too, that advise parents on how to use the elements for play and development. Lauren Burvill
The best thing about these sensory toys for me is the fact they also attach to a pram or a car seat, so cost per use is near non-existent. They’re designed specifically to challenge and engage a baby’s brain in a way that will keep them entertained for longer than you’d expect, and when the child is so little, there’s less of a chance he or she will get bored of seeing the same thing again and again. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
Drawing boards and books
If your child loves to draw, tap into that passion to keep them engaged at any stage of the flight. Obviously, their standard pencil case and paper setup isn’t going to work in the tight confines of a plane seat, though (I’m imagining uncapped felt tips rolling unchecked along the aisles and reams of paper flooding over onto the neighbour’s tray table). Travel-friendly alternatives include digital drawing boards like this one from TEKFUN, which lets little hands draw precise, multi-coloured lines with an LCD screen and stylus. For toddlers, we also love the travel-sized Aquadoodle with its easy-to-grasp water pen and scribble-friendly pad.
Why we recommend: The drawing tablet that we slotted into our hand luggage last minute fast became our most trusted companion, and now we don't travel – plane, train or car – without it. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
Busy boards
If the goal is to get maximum entertainment from just one toy, then busy boards are a miraculous invention for children from a few months to a few years old. The ARVRI Sensory Busy Board offers 15 different activities in a book-style carrying case that’s just a tiny bit larger than an A4 sheet of paper. These range from a wipeable doodle board with four coloured marker pens to a page of buckles, buttons, zips and laces that inquisitive little fingers just can’t resist. Alternatively, if your baby is obsessed with the TV remote at home, this travel-sized Montessori busy board from SUNACE is the ideal switch-and-button-packed substitute.
Why we recommend: I've packed our busy board on a couple of flights with my two-year-old, including the long journey to Australia. It's a great one to store right next to a tablet and any books in your luggage. To make it even more engaging, I've hidden little snacks and toys in the board too. Lauren Burvill
Zcoins foldable 5-panel activity busy cube
Anything foldable is a winner in my eyes, and this five-piece busy cube proved a hit with my two year olds on our most recent flight. It’s the right size for their tiny hands, and doesn’t take up that much space in my carryon. I actually wrapped it like a present for them to open once on board to add an extra element of intrigue. Side note: I’ve heard of people doing this every hour to make a game out of the journey, and save rushing through all the toys packed in the first 15 minutes. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
Coogham Toddler Felt Busy Book
Soft and flexible (there will be no smashes to the face or ripped pages here) and with eight pages of fun yet educational activities, this busy book will keep younger children entertained for long periods of time. There are plenty of fiddly bits (buckles, buttons, laces and zips), as well as a space for drawing with the included dry wipe pen, lots of Velcro pieces to play games designed to help children learn basic skills and a pocket to keep them in. Compared to other, similar options, this one has been well made with sturdy stitching and no sharp corners, so you’re likely to get loads of use out of this one.
Fidget toys
The clue is in the name: fidget toys are a win for restless children who just can’t sit still for extended periods of time. Deploy them at the right moment, and you might be able to save yourself a few late-night circuits of the darkened cabin. Push-pop toys are an obvious contender in this category. We love this frog-shaped option from Zayin, which upgrades the traditional push-pop experience by adding lights and (mutable) music to create four different playing modes. Competitive kids will be kept captivated by their attempt to achieve a new high score.
Why we recommend: My son loved these, especially when he was around 18 months old. I usually find that the flight is never as bad as you think it's going to be, but the journey from the airport is often an unexpected, tricky part. When everyone is tired, and it's just that last little bit of time until you get to your destination. For those moments, I recommend saving a fidget spinner in your bag and pulling it out, just to give your little one something fresh and relaxing to play with. Lauren Burvill
Hooku 3 Pcs suction cup spinner toys
These spinners are the gift that keeps on giving in our house. I initially bought them when I took the babies on the Eurostar at 6 months old, and they were bar far the most favoured activity of the entire trip. Two years on, they still come with me. We use them in the bath at home as well, but they’re designed to stick on plane windows and table tops so they’re my top recommendation when flying with babies. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
Infatot teething suction toy
This Infatot teething suction toy is primarily designed to sit on a highchair tray and when our kids were too young to walk it kept them entertained in restaurants. The idea is that they trace the loops along the structure, which is made of silicone (so not as easy as it looks). I've bought a set for my sister who is due to holiday with a baby when he's around nine months old. Sarah Leigh Bannerman
Teething toys
Teething babies can be challenging at the best of times, let alone in an enclosed space several thousand feet above the ground. A good teething toy can give them (and you) some much-needed relief. In addition, encouraging your infant to chew or suck on a teether during takeoff and landing can help their little ears cope better with the change in cabin pressure. You could keep it simple with Nuby’s IcyBite Keys, which are colourful, easy for tiny hands to hold and filled with a gel that can be cooled in the fridge when you reach your destination. Or you could opt for a plush toy like this crocodile clip-on from MEERO LONDON, which serves as a teether, a fidget toy and a snuggly comforter for when your little one is feeling sleepy.
Why we recommend: The first time we flew with my daughter, I wasn’t allowed to breastfeed on takeoff. When she started to cry, her IcyBite Keys helped distract her and also probably assisted with clearing the pressure in her ears.
Traditional games
Sometimes the old methods are the best. If your children are big enough for board games, consider investing in a few travel-sized versions to keep them occupied through your next flight. For younger kids aged roughly 3 to 6, we love Little Bug Bingo from Orchard Toys. It’s ideally sized for playing on a tray table and features colourful, sturdy cards adorned with adorable garden beasties. Bingo is also a more compact option than Pairs or any other game that requires space to spread out. Our top tip? Bring along a Ziploc bag for keeping errant picture cards and counters contained.
For older children, teenagers and even adults, chess offers hours of in-flight fun. This compact travel set from Peradix is beautifully made, with a foldable board and magnetic pieces that won’t slide off if you hit a patch of turbulence.
Tech
Let’s be honest: There are times when we win at keeping our kids entertained without resorting to a screen, and there are definitely times we don’t. And trust me, the middle of a long-haul flight is not the place to be stuck without access to your last resort. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet Kids Pro Edition comes with a robust kid-proof case, extended battery life and the ability to pre-load all of their favourite games, books, series and movies. For bookworm school-age kids and older, you could also keep things simple with a Kindle Kids e-reader. Just be sure to download enough content for the flight ahead of time.
My son’s Yoto player has been a lifesaver in so many ways. Not only will he stay absorbed by his favourite stories for literally hours but, as he’s neurodivergent, when he’s having a hard time with stress or overwhelm this has become his way to quietly retreat until he regains balance again. There are so many story cards to choose from, and the flat card size over the bulky figures, plus tonnes of books for older ages makes this my top pick over other competing brands. Not to mention the fact that this mini version of the classic Yoto player is pocket-sized and holds up to 14 hours battery life in one charge, making it perfect when on the go. Remember, although Yoto can be used offline you’ll need WiFi to upload your story cards when you first get them, so make sure you do that before you travel.
Artiphon Orba
This one is so cool you’ll want to play with it yourself when your kid isn’t. Although the Orba has been designed to be used by adult musicians to create professional quality songs, it’s so easy to use that older children (probably best for seven and up) will have a fantastic time piecing their own tunes together too. With the record and looping action, you can layer up a wide variety of instruments that you play with the lightest touch of eight buttons. Intuitive actions make this even more fun - you can tilt it side to side or lift up and down to modify the sounds, or give it a firm shake to delete your recording and start again. You can plug in headphones, to keep other passengers happy. Older children (and adults) can get even more advanced with their music-making by linking the device up to its app, uploading their song and playing with it further. You can also switch out your sounds and instruments in the app. It’s not technically a toy, it’s an instrument of sorts, but it provides hours of fun, is a wonderful introduction to music production and musical knowledge, and it fits in the palm of your hand, making it very travel friendly.
Edurino Play & Learn
If you have a tablet, the Edurino figurines make a wonderful addition for kids. Here, we have the whole set but you can also buy each figure individually for a much lower price. Before you board, connect your figures to the Edurino app – from then on, you can play offline. Each character runs a different set of games and activities under the themes of phonics, numbers, creativity, body and coding, with over 200 available across the full collection, and the latest learning methods have been utilised to make education fun. There’s a lot of thoughtful attention to detail here, with things like the touchscreen pen having been developed for left and right-handed children by occupational therapists, and games developed by teachers. This is about as guilt-free as screen time gets – something I’m sure most parents will welcome during a long day of travelling. When you buy this bundle, you’ll also get a smart travel case to carry all the figures in.