If you are heading off on holiday then you’ll need kids travel toys to keep them busy on your journey.
I’ve picked out the best kids travel toys that have worked to keep my own kids aged 6 and 8 entertained on long trips.
These are tried and tested toys for travel on an airplane, as well as when out and about at restaurants or days in.
I’ve focused on things that are very portable, will fit in a kids’ backpack (ie A5 sized books) and are great fun – the most important factor!
The trick to packing travel toys for your child’s carry-on bag and the rest of their holiday is to go for variety.
I think a great mix to look for is:
- Activity book with puzzles, drawing challenges and brainteasers
- Games
- Craft toys that are mess-free
- Building or role play toys (such as action figures)
Great travel toys will keep kids entertained without requiring a thousands teeny tiny pieces OR being noisy (a noisy toy will not endear you to the other passengers).
Luckily the noisy toys on this list can be used with headphones so you won’t distract the other passengers, and your kids don’t have to play on mute.
Here are my top picks for toys to keep kids happy and busy on long journeys, and while you’re on holiday.
You may also like to check out my DIY kids travel busy bags.
This article contains affiliate links.
Top picks for kids travel toys
These are my top picks for travel toys that are perfect for kids aged four to 11 – tried and tested by my own kids on long journeys.
- Best overall: Lonely Planet Kids Drawing Games on the Go
- Best for creativity: Plus Plus Blocks
- Best mess-free craft: Wikki Stix
- Best value: Usborne Travel Activity Pad
- Best for family fun: Uno
- Best screen-free entertainment: Yoto Mini
Craft travel toys
Wikki Stix
I love these mess-free crafty wax sticks. Kids can bend them, twist and stick them together to form shapes and little sculptures.
Wikki Stix is just one brand that makes wax craft sticks – they also do a travel sized pack for taking with you on the go.
They’re a great imaginative craft toy for use on the go.
Travel Spirograph
The handy little travel version of the popular Spirograph art toy is perfect for slipping into a travel bag.
The top of the kit slides off to reveal a compartment containing pens, the spirograph shapes and paper that fits the slot for making pictures.
This one is best for kids who are aged seven and up.
Dotty Picture Kits
Simple dot sticker pictures are a perfect low-maintenance craft for kids to do that won’t create any mess.
You can get a variety of different types of pictures to make – such as pirates. These kits are best for younger kids aged three to six.
Baker Ross make a great variety of dot picture sets. Check out Baker Ross’ dot pictures here.
Play dough
I wouldn’t recommend taking tons of play dough on a plane however a couple of small pots can be very effective at keeping children quiet for a while.
They can mould it into models, shapes and just enjoy squeezing it.
Travel activity books for kids
Usborne Travel Activity Pad
This dinky little activity pad has pull-out pages featuring drawing prompts, mazes, puzzles, challenges and origami folding activities.
We’ve used this on road trips and at restaurants when on holiday and it has been a total lifesaver!
The activities are suitable for a wide range of kids – I would say it’s best for ages 5 to 10.
Buy Usborne Travel Activity Pad
Lonely Planet Drawing Games on the Go
Inside the handy little solid box is 40 cards featuring drawing prompts, puzzles, mazes and quizzes around the theme of travel.
A black marker pen with an eraser is included. Your child completes the activity and then can rub it out and do it all again!
This is such a fabulous toy that I know we will be using for many, many journeys to come.
As you can erase and reuse the cards I feel certain my kids will have forgotten the activities by the next time we go on holiday, so it’s a really great alternative to a travel book you’ll only use once.
Perfect for kids from age four to age 11.
Buy Lonely Planet Drawing Games
You can also find Lonely Planet Drawing Games at Waterstones.
Fun travel toys for kids
Plus Plus Blocks
The Plus Plus Blocks are small plastic puzzle pieces that come in a variety of colours. You can slot them together to form both flat puzzles and shapes, as well as 3D mini sculptures.
They’re nice and small for travelling, and there are so many different options for play.
The sets of blocks also come with a guide booklet featuring ideas for what to make with the blocks.
Fidget cube
A Rubiks cube is always great for keeping fidgety fingers busy.
You could also try the NexCube, which is super easy to move and manipulate for faster puzzle solving.
IQ Puzzler
This puzzle features challenges in 2D and 3D to keep them busy.
The top of the game board features a grid for 2D challenges and a separate grid for 3D pyramid challenges, while the bottom of the board features a completely different 2D challenge grid.
It’s perfect for challenging slightly older kids of ages 7 to 12.
Amazon Kids Tablet
The Amazon Kids tablet does largely rely on a WiFi connection to get the most out of it, however you can download content to the tablet for use when offline.
It can be used with Netflix and Disney+, and some games can be downloaded to use without the internet as well.
My kids love the Fire tablets, and they’re also great for keeping kids entertained at other key points during a holiday.
Check out my full review of the Amazon Kids Pro 8 tablet here.
Uno
This classic card game is great for kids aged seven and over. However it’s worth noting you can also buy a Junior Uno version that is for kids aged 3 plus.
The card game is easy to pack away – you can even carry it in your pocket – and the whole family can play together.
Yoto Mini
We are huge fans of the brilliant Yoto Mini (and Yoto Player) in our house.
This is a little audio player with a slot at the top for cards that contain audio books and other material. You can get Yoto Cards with classics such as Matilda and the BFG, as well as more modern stories such as Marvel Universe adventures.
The Yoto Mini is easy for little hands to hold and can be used with headphones. An audio book is a great way for them to chill out on a lengthy journey.
Batteries are rechargeable, but one full charge will generally last around 8 to 10 hours.
You can see my full Yoto Mini review here.
