What’s one of the most rewarding travel experiences in the world? Nailing a great family vacation that your kids talk about for years to come.
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What’s one of the toughest travel experiences in the world? Hitting the road with kids.
The more children, the more challenges.
Even if you’re heading to an all-inclusive resort that offers family entertainment, you’re going to need a few spare solutions to keep them occupied.
In fact, one of the most challenging aspects of traveling with children is keeping them entertained during long flights and road trips.
While some kiddos are happy to hunker down with a coloring book or an iPad, others might not be swayed so easily. They need more dynamic options at their (tiny) fingertips.
While it sounds simple, finding the best travel toys is a high charge for parents to meet. Even figuring out how to pack (especially for families with multiple children) can be a learning experience.
That being said, figuring out the best travel toys to bring on vacation is worth getting right.
Kids who have the right toys at their disposal will feel less anxiety when facing delays, crowded flights, and other stressors. On top of that, having a beloved toy with them can help improve their memory of the trip and even give them the chance to make a few friends—especially in the context of all-inclusive family resorts.
Here’s what you need to know about the best travel toys for kids, including a list of the most popular products on Amazon today.
Characteristics of the best travel toys
The idea of a ‘good toy’ changes for every child. So long as the toy captures their attention and imagination, it’s a good option.
Still, there are a few general considerations that you should have in mind when purchasing travel toys.
Focus on toys that meet some or all of these requirements:
- Look for portability in terms of weight and size. The smaller and lighter the toy, the easier it is to pack—for both the long-haul and for day trips.
- Avoid odd shapes. These tend to be harder to pack and might even cause security to flag your suitcase.
- And avoid tiny pieces. Many toys come with small and modular pieces. While you can’t eliminate these entirely, try to minimize the number of toys with easy-to-lose components.
- Choose toys that are easy to clean. You won’t have your standard suite of cleaning supplies with you on the road—and travel can get messy quickly.
- Durability matters. Along with being easy to clean, the best travel toys are also highly durable. They should stand up to being dragged around airports, parking lots, and all-inclusive resorts.
Best travel toys on the market
I’ve combed the internet for the best suggestions on travel toys.
These options meet the criteria listed above—but, more importantly, they’re also recommended by parents who have gone on long-haul flights with their children.
If the toys helped their tots survive flights over seven hours, they should work for just about any type of family vacation.
[A quick note on iPads and tablets: Many parents recommend bringing a tablet with headphones. These act like mini-entertainment centers, letting kids access their favorite TV shows, sing-alongs, YouTube channels, and more.
If you have the option to purchase a tablet for your kids, that’s fantastic. However, tablets tend to weigh a lot, aren’t durable, and are costly. In other words, if you can’t swing the tablet, you’ll be fine with the options below. If you can swing a tablet, invest in a great case.]
Writing Tablets
Headphones for kids
Noot Foldable stereo headphones – no tangle
Puffy sticker books
Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Book
Lego dots
Lego dots candy kitty bracelet & bag tag
Eye Found It & iSpy-style puzzles
Ravensburger World of Disney Eye Found It
Magnetic blocks
Magnetic blocks toddler toys from Caferria
Magnetic play sets
Fidget toys
Scratch books
Melissa & Doug on the go scratch art book
Water drawing books
Melissa & Doug Blues Clues water reveal travel activity
Montessori boards
