• Canadian Travel
  • European travel
  • travel tips
  • United States Travel

Travels With The Crew

  • Canadian Travel
  • European travel
  • travel tips
  • United States Travel
March 9, 2022 travel tips•travel gear

The Best Travel Toys for Toddlers {and big kids too}

There may be affiliate links in this post. Read my disclosure policy to learn more.

Airplane games for Toddlers and Older Kids too!

 

In this day and age it is very easy to remind your kids to grab their iPods, iPads, etc and think they will be good to go for a long trip. My three boys think their iPhones are the best things to ever happen to them, but it inevitably happens that halfway through a trip they start complaining of being bored. As great as these little devices are, they are not the only option for long car rides or plane trips.

I have a small bag of travel games and toddler travel toys  that goes from the car to the closet and back!  (Or closet to airplane and back.) That way I have something novel to pull out when boredom or fighting begins. All of these items have been in this bag over the years and have been popular with all of my boys.

As they have gotten older the items in the bag have changed, but they all still look forward to the travel bag of goodies.

All the items below would also make great stocking stuffers!

Here are my family’s favorite travel games for the journey or the destination:

 

Best toys for airplane travel with toddler

Washable Markers and Paper Set

Sale
Crayola Pip Squeaks Marker Set (65ct), Washable Markers for Kids, Kids Art Supplies for Classrooms, Mini Markers for School, Ages 4+
Crayola Pip Squeaks Marker Set (65ct), Washable Markers for Kids, Kids Art Supplies for Classrooms, Mini Markers for School, Ages 4+
  • CRAYOLA PIP-SQUEAKS MARKER SET: Includes 25 Pip-Squeaks Washable Markers and 40 sheets of paper in a durable art case for kids.
  • MINI MARKERS FOR KIDS: Crayola Pip-Squeaks markers are easier for younger kids to hold with a smaller marker barrel that fits comfortably in little hands.
  • WASHABLE MARKERS: These mini washable markers wash easily from skin, walls, and most washable clothing.
$12.97 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This compact and lightweight set is a favorite to tuck into little backpacks or the back of a seat pocket. The Crayola Markers are washable which means they come out of clothes and car seats! (I can attest to this!)

 

WikkiStix

Sale
Arts and Crafts for Kids, Scrapbooking Kit, Non-Toxic, Waxed Yarn, Fidget Toy, Reusable Molding and Sculpting Playset, American Made by Wikki Stix, 24 pack
Arts and Crafts for Kids, Scrapbooking Kit, Non-Toxic, Waxed Yarn, Fidget Toy, Reusable Molding and Sculpting Playset, American Made by Wikki Stix, 24 pack
  • 144 Wikki Stix In 16 Colors Plus 12 Page Activity Book Of Awesome Ideas And Creative Activities.
  • Arts And Crafts Fun In Handy Carrying Case For Kids’ Travel Activities, Scrapbooking, And Saving Prized Work! With I.D. Sticker To Personalize The Case.
  • Clean, Quiet Travel Toy That Is Essential For Road Trips Or Airplane Trips. The Creative Answer To, "Are We There Yet"?
$20.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

I put these in the age group of under 6, but really all my kids still play with them when I get them out. WikkiStix are wax covered threads that bend and mold and make all kinds of fun shapes. This kit also has a number of pictures that your kids can use as guides to inspire their play.

 

Spirograph

Spirograph Travel Set, Model Number: 01020
Spirograph Travel Set, Model Number: 01020
  • KAHOOTZ TRAVEL SPIROGRAPH TRAVEL SET allows you to create countless designs on the go! The built in storage tray makes this travel set easy to take to school,...
  • PORTABLE SPIROGRAPH STUDIO has a built-in design ring, work surface and storage compartment for holding your wheels, pens, paper, desgin guide and finished...
  • SET INCLUDES - 6 Spirograph precision wheels, 2 design Pens, 24-page sticky note pad and instruction/design guide
$12.98
Buy on Amazon

This awesome toy from your youth is back in travel size and can buy you 20 -30 minutes of blissful, peaceful quiet! The kit comes with it’s own perfectly sized sheets of paper, 2 pens and 6 wheels. Your artistic kids will love it.

 

Magna Doodle

JOYIN 2 Boards with Multi-Colors Drawing Screens, 13” x 17” Erasable Magnetic Drawing Sketch Board for Toddler Painting, Travel Gaming Pad Toy, Birthday Gift Present, Easter Basket Stuffers
JOYIN 2 Boards with Multi-Colors Drawing Screens, 13” x 17” Erasable Magnetic Drawing Sketch Board for Toddler Painting, Travel Gaming Pad Toy, Birthday Gift Present, Easter Basket Stuffers
  • 2 Magnetic Drawing Boards includes a 13 ¼” x 17” Large Size Drawing Board with Pen and 3 Toddler Learning Share Magnet Stampers and 4 ½” x 10” Drawing...
  • 3 Stampers including a Square, Round and Triangle. 4 Vivid Colors Display (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue). In 8 Color Zones for more Variety and Vibrancy.
  • Superior Quality. Easy-Slide Eraser. Made of High Quality ABS Material. Super Durable. Long Lasting. Deluxe Set.
Buy on Amazon

If you have been a parent for any length of time, odds are you have a Magna Doodle, but do you have a set for travel? Rather than dig through your kids toys every time you set off an a road trip or flight, keep a small one in your travel stuff and be ready at a moment’s notice.

Sewing cheese block

Early Development Toys Wooden Lacing Toys, Montessori Activity Caterpillars Eat Apple and Kids Cheese Toys, Children Learning Educational Wood Block Puzzles Toy for Toddlers Boys Girls
Early Development Toys Wooden Lacing Toys, Montessori Activity Caterpillars Eat Apple and Kids Cheese Toys, Children Learning Educational Wood Block Puzzles Toy for Toddlers Boys Girls
  • MONTESSORI LACING TOYS : Cheese toddler Lacing and Apple toddler threading toy, help to develop kid's imagination, hand-eye coordination, fine motor, cognitive...
  • SAFETY MATERIAL & DURABLE: These threading toys for toddlers, made of durable wood, lead-free, BPA-free, and no chemical smell. Smooth edges that are safe for...
  • EARLY DEVELOPMENT TOYS : These threading toddler toys help children develop strong essential skills, such as shoe tying, zippering, and buttoning. Also help...
$11.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This fabulous piece of honey cheese gives your little ones lots of opportunities to sew practice sewing and hand eye coordination. My kids particularly enjoyed this when they were younger and we took it to church, in the car, to the doctor’s office, and whenever we travelled. To say it was a beloved toy is an understatement. Get your own for hours of sewing fun!

Car Seat Tray

Kids Travel Tray for Toddler Car Seat | Toddler Car Seat Tray Organizer | Large ipad Holder A Road Trip Essential | Soft Padding, Waterproof, Food & Snack Lap Tray Carseat, Stroller, and High Chair
Kids Travel Tray for Toddler Car Seat | Toddler Car Seat Tray Organizer | Large ipad Holder A Road Trip Essential | Soft Padding, Waterproof, Food & Snack Lap Tray Carseat, Stroller, and High Chair
  • 🧡 SPILL-PROOF | FOOD, DRINK, DROOL … Clean up the mess in one swipe of the waterproof, BPA free surface (instead of all over the floor). Your carpets &...
  • 🧡 ANTI-SAG WALLS THICK ZIPPER … Many kids car organizer tend to sag & dump items onto the floor. The 3” tall reinforced walls are sturdy still flexible...
  • 🧡 CONTAINED PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT … Engage toddlers with all their favorite toy without creating a massive clean up job. They get all of the access...
Buy on Amazon

If you have room in your car for one of these, they are a great asset for little colorers, crafters, and car eaters. They slide right over a standard car seat and contain a lot of mess. Plus the table top is heavy duty enough to keep games and art sturdy. Plus these have a built in iPad sleeve to prevent slipping and messes.

 Best Travel Games for Kids 6-11

Scratch Art

Sale
pigipigi Rainbow Scratch Paper for Kids - 2 Pack Scratch Off Notebooks Arts Crafts Supplies Kits Drawing Paper Black Magic Sheets Scratch Pad Activity Toy for Girls Boys Christmas Birthday Gift
pigipigi Rainbow Scratch Paper for Kids - 2 Pack Scratch Off Notebooks Arts Crafts Supplies Kits Drawing Paper Black Magic Sheets Scratch Pad Activity Toy for Girls Boys Christmas Birthday Gift
  • 🌈RAINBOW SCRATCH KIT - 20 black scratch sheets, 4 wooden styluses and 4 drawing stencils and 1 gift box. The spiral bound of the scratch off notebook is easy...
  • 📒HIGH QUALITY - No odd flavor, toxin free powder. Pigipigi kids craft supplies kit made of premium paper and nature wooden stylus. The stencils of art...
  • 🎁BEST KIDS GIFT - The kids arts and crafts is an best gift for kids Birthday, holiday parties, Children's day, Valentine's Day, New Year's Day, Mother's Day,...
$12.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

I love products that allow my kids to be artistic without the mess that usually come with it. This 2 pack of scratch art will keep even the most avid artist busy for hours. Plus it is slim and lightweight in case your travel bag is getting loaded down.

100 Printable Pages of Road Trip Games

IQ game

SmartGames IQ XOXO Portable Travel Game Featuring 120 Challenges for Ages 6 - Adult
SmartGames IQ XOXO Portable Travel Game Featuring 120 Challenges for Ages 6 - Adult
  • Travel-Friendly Educational Toys: IQ XOXO features 120 challenges. Thanks to its compact size and portable travel case, you can put this puzzle at the top of...
  • Brain Games Build Skills: Kids and Adults can build concentration skills, problem-solving abilities, spatial insight, logic, and planning while playing with...
  • Ages 6 & Up: This puzzle is perfect for kids and adults alike. With 120 challenges, you’re sure to find a puzzle that tests you and pushes you to think...
$10.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This game isn’t much bigger than a phone and has hundreds of ways to play. This is a great game for your budding mathematicians and puzzlers. Plus it is light and portable.

License Plate Game

License Plate Game
License Plate Game
  • Kappa Map Group (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1 Page - 02/03/2012 (Publication Date) - Kappa Map Group (Publisher)
Buy on Amazon

This is another travel game that lived in the back seat pocket of our minivan for years. The kids loved looking for license plates from all over the country and flipping over each one as they found it. I prefer this to other styles of license plate games because the map helped the boys learn where all the states were on the map.

Mad Libs

Sale
Mad Libs on the Road: World's Greatest Word Game
Mad Libs on the Road: World's Greatest Word Game
  • Put the laws of motion to the test with our patented Q-BA-MAZE 2
  • 0 Stunt Sets
  • The ingenious pieces interlock in endless configurations, while double-exit cubes keep you guessing which way the marbles will go
$5.00 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Mad Libs are hysterical to play at any age, but the sweet spot is elementary school kids. They love making up funny stories and I love that they learn the difference between nouns, verbs, adverbs, and prepositions.  But I warn you to prepare for endless stories about poop and boogers.

National Geographic Road Trip

National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas: Maps, Games, Activities, and More for Hours of Backseat Fun
National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas: Maps, Games, Activities, and More for Hours of Backseat Fun
  • Kids Ultimate Road Atlas
  • Boyer, Crispin (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
$13.20 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Do you have a child who asks a million questions as soon as they buckle up? We had one and it seemed that the car became his opportunity to ask us about everything we passed. We finally bought him some kids road atlases and he loved them! This book has so much information about major cities, monuments, and oddities that your curious child will love.

 

 

Games the whole family will enjoy

Travel Bingo

Regal Games - Original Interstate Highway Travel Bingo & Highway Hunt Card Game Bundle - Travel Bingo Cards & Travel Scavenger Hunt Game - for Family Vacations, Car Rides, Road Trips - 2 Pack
Regal Games - Original Interstate Highway Travel Bingo & Highway Hunt Card Game Bundle - Travel Bingo Cards & Travel Scavenger Hunt Game - for Family Vacations, Car Rides, Road Trips - 2 Pack
  • TWO GAME BUNDLE - This Regal Games 2 pack of card games features the Original Interstate Highway Travel Bingo Set and the Highway Hunt Card Game. The Original...
  • VALUE - By purchasing this Regal Games bundle of Original Interstate Highway Travel Bingo Set and Highway Hunt Card Game, you are getting two fun,...
  • COLORFUL & QUALITY DESIGN - Each game in this 2 pack is designed with fun, brightly colored images. The cards are easy to hold and read for children of all...
$9.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

If you have a competitive family this game is for you. It is small and doesn’t have chips like normal Bingo, instead it has sliding doors on each spot. Keep your eyes peeled for license plates, road signs and more.

Games on the Go

Sale
Games on the Go by Continuum Games - Portable Roadtrip Family Games to Challenge and Entertain for 2+ players , Blue
Games on the Go by Continuum Games - Portable Roadtrip Family Games to Challenge and Entertain for 2+ players , Blue
  • FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Turn family road trips and moments of in-between time into great family fun. Games on the Go is a collection of 50 games and activities...
  • ENDLESS QUESTIONS: This travel games collection includes silly guessing games, perplexing word games, mind bending memory challenges, wacky trivia questions,...
  • COMPACT: Games on the Go is a portable game collection that can be clipped to a purse, bag, or stored in the car and be played in the car, at the dinner table,...
$10.05 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This package of games includes games like I spy, trivia, guessing games plus tons that were new to me. Best of all, you don’t need anything but the cards to play making it a game even the driver can play.

RubberNeckers

Rubberneckers: Everyone's Favorite Travel Game (Rubberneckers, RUBB)
Rubberneckers: Everyone's Favorite Travel Game (Rubberneckers, RUBB)
  • Lore, Matthew (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 68 Pages - 02/01/1999 (Publication Date) - Chronicle Books (Publisher)
$14.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This game may seem simple at first and geared toward younger kids, but after the first card everyone will be hooked. Each card you pull has a list of things to look for, and compete to see who can complete their card fastest. We all really enjoy this game and spend a lot of time laughing at the ridiculous things you can find on an ordinary road trip.

Travel Games for Airline Travel

Activity Book about Planes

Sale
On The Plane Activity Book: Includes puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dots and drawing activities
On The Plane Activity Book: Includes puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dots and drawing activities
  • Alexander, Heather (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 64 Pages - 03/12/2019 (Publication Date) - Ivy Kids (Publisher)
$7.69 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This activity book about Planes has puzzles, stickers, spot the difference, and I spy type games to keep your kids happy on the plane. This is a great activity for kids from 3-7 and it will teach them about how a plane works.

Foldable Airplane Tray

Fun N' Fly Foldable Travel Tray - Blue Red Portable Durable Kids, Toddler, Baby Play Space and Snack Desk for Airplane Travel by FunnFly
Fun N' Fly Foldable Travel Tray - Blue Red Portable Durable Kids, Toddler, Baby Play Space and Snack Desk for Airplane Travel by FunnFly
  • Child-safe Multi-purpose Play Space for Airplane Travel
  • Folds and Unfolds in Seconds: Have Your Little One Playing in No Time
  • Durable and Machine Washable: Clean Up Any Spills Quickly, Wash at the End of the Trip!
$33.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

This 4 walled tray attaches to the airplane tray table allowing your kids to play without everything sliding off.  You can bring legos, cars, art supplies and more without fear of them falling all over the place. Plus this foldable tray folds flat to fit in your carry on and weighs almost nothing. Highly recommended.

 

 

Like this article? Pin it for later!

The best travel games for kids. Keep your kids entertained while on long travels! These picks have kept my kids happy for hours of travel! #travelgifts #travelgames #familytravel Keep your kids entertained while on long travels! These picks have kept my kids happy for hours of travel! #travelgifts #travelgames #familytravel

I endorse products I’ve personally used or come highly recommended by my trusted peers. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Travel games Travel tips

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Welcome to Travels With the Crew

I am so happy that you stopped by! My name is Alicia and I run Travels with the Crew. Travels With the Crew is a family travel blog designed to help make travel easy and help your family make lasting memories. Are you planning a weekend get away, a road trip, or an international vacation? We can help you with that! Click here to learn more. Click here to learn more.

Categories

TRAVELS WITH THE CREW is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
Copyright ©Travels With The Crew 2019 2023 Travels With The Crew
  • Canadian Travel
  • European travel
  • travel tips
  • United States Travel
Theme by SheShoppes

Copyright © 2023 · Smitten for Genesis on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in .

Travels With The Crew
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.